International Annual Conference of the Fraunhofer ICT

The continued scaling of production, together with shorter innovation and development cycles, creates a growing need for advanced methods in energetic materials and systems research. Novel energetic materials and components can increase performance, enhance safety and tailor functional properties to specific applications. At the same time, innovative production technologies can enable safer, more efficient and reproducible synthesis and manufacturing routes.

Advances in modelling and simulation are opening new perspectives for understanding the complex behavior of energetic materials and systems under relevant conditions. Artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science methods are accelerating simulation workflows, supporting data-driven model development and enabling the integration of AI agents into research, engineering and decision-making processes. To ensure safety, reliability and robustness, uncertainty quantification and propagation methods are becoming increasingly important. In parallel, advanced characterization techniques provide input parameters faster, with higher precision and smaller sample quantities.

Against this background, the ICT conference in 2027 will provide a forum for scientists to discuss key aspects of safety, reliability and performance engineering in energetic materials and systems research. As part of the 56th International Annual Conference, the 2nd Symposium on Munitions in the Sea “Scaling Disposal Solutions” will further address scalable approaches for recovered sea-dumped munitions, with a particular focus on explosives, propellants and related energetic residues. Together, the conference and symposium offer researchers in energetic materials a unique opportunity to discuss emerging methods and trends, meet established and new colleagues and contribute to a lively scientific exchange across academia and industry. They also provide an excellent platform for young scientists and early-career researchers to present their work and build an international network of experts.

Chairmen of the Conference
Dr. Sebastian Wurster, Dr. Uwe Schaller
Fraunhofer ICT, Pfinztal, Germany

Main topics

• Uncertainty quantification, propagation and risk-informed assessment for energetic materials
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning methods for energetic materials research
• Innovative synthesis, processing and manufacturing methods
• Advanced simulation capabilities, multiscale modelling and digital twins for energetic materials, components and processes
• Safety, reliability and robustness engineering methods
• Advanced characterization and testing methods
• Emerging energetic materials and tailored functional properties
• Molecular design and morphology control for the production of energetic materials with reduced sensitivity (insensitive munitions) properties
• Ageing, lifetime prediction and reliability of energetic materials and systems
• Process monitoring, quality assurance and control in production

Presentation

Contributions to the conference may take the form of oral presentations (20 minutes including discussion) or posters. Please submit an abstract not exceeding 500 words, with optional figures and tables, together with the exact title and name(s) of the author(s) and an indication of you intend to give an oral presentation or poster contribution. The presentation slides and posters together with an optional extended abstract will be made available for download. Please submit your presentation slides and posters as a PDF for this purpose. Finally there will be the possibility to submit conference contributions to the Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics journals for a peer reviewed full paper in a special issue for ICT conference 2027.

Main topics

• Disposal technologies and scalable treatment concepts for munitions in the sea
• Combustion and detonation methods for the disposal of explosive materials
• Case studies on energetic materials from recovered munitions
• Neutralization methods for explosives, propellants and related energetic residues
• Risk assessment and safety concepts for handling energetic materials from sea-dumped munitions
• Identification and characterization of energetic materials in munitions
• Ageing, degradation and long-term stability of explosives and propellants in marine environments
• Safe extraction, separation and handling of energetic materials from recovered munitions
• Chemical, thermal and biological treatment routes for explosive residues
• Monitoring and assessment of explosive compounds, transformation products and emissions

Conference language: English

Deadlines:

• Abstracts (to manuela.wolff@ict.fraunhofer.de) Dec. 14, 2026
• Confirmation of abstract acceptance: March 2027
• Presentations slides and posters due: June 1, 2027

The program will be published in April 2027.

With around 500 employees, Fraunhofer ICT is the only research institution in Germany that covers the entire development chain of energetic materials – from raw material synthesis to the development and evaluation of energetic prototype systems. Its research spans synthesis, process engineering, formulation, characterization, modelling and simulation, including rocket propellants, gun propellants, high explosives and pyrotechnics.

Fraunhofer ICT strengthens the analytical and decision-making capabilities of the German Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg) and supports industrial R&D activities worldwide. A decisive foundation for successful research and the development of advanced energetic materials and systems is the institute’s long-standing expertise and the exceptional competence of its employees.

Today, Fraunhofer ICT conducts research and development on new, application-specific propellant and explosive systems, with a strong focus on performance, insensitivity, functionality, safety, reliability and environmental compatibility.