Sponsors
Thank you to our 2026 sponsors
ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS
Papers concerning processing, properties, design, application and obsolescence sustainment of advanced materials are being solicited for presentation at the 49th Annual Conference on Composites, Materials, and Structures. CMS is organized in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Missile Defense Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the U.S. Department of Energy. The conference is sponsored by the United States Advanced Ceramics Association (USACA). The conference provides a forum for export-controlled information relating to advanced materials including ceramic, metal and carbon matrix composites and their constituents. Presentations relating to on-going technology and future solutions for advanced materials utilization in the aerospace, transportation, chemical process, power, medical and industrial sectors are encouraged. Authors are requested to limit their presentations to the most recent technical data and results. Sales presentations will not be accepted; a space will be provided upon request for limited display (table or poster) of new products and/or information.
PLEASE NOTE: All Accepted Authors/Abstracts for CMS 2026 will be expected to give their presentation in-person at the CMS 2026 Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.
This abstract submittal process should only be used for abstracts with a Distribution A or Distribution C classification.
If you would like to submit an abstract with any other classification, or if a DOD SAFE document drop-off is required, please contact Elise Rountree to coordinate. If necessary, submit an abstract placeholder within the "Abstract" box on the submission page with a generic phrase, such as, “Abstract coming soon” or “Abstract being submitted via DOD SAFE”, so that we can collect your contact information.
Any changes made to the abstract title and/or author after the cutoff date are not guaranteed to be reflected in the conference program.
Speaker presentations are to be marked with the appropriate distribution statement, and controlled unclassified information (CUI) markings. Please make sure you read and understand the rules before submission.
PLEASE NOTE: All TITLES must be DISTRIBUTION A only.
There has been a significant decline in the number of presentations approved for publication in the Proceedings. The primary purpose for presenting at the CMS conference is to share information with your colleagues, but also to archive it in the Proceedings. By submitting an abstract for consideration, we request you obtain the necessary approvals in advance of the January 2026 conference to give your talk/presentation and to include it in the Proceedings.
The conference proceedings will be published as Distribution C, marked ITAR Restricted.
(more information on this to follow).
Submission Deadline: Oct 17
ABSTRACT TOPICS
This session covers successes and failures in the development, testing and modeling of a range of Thermal Protection Systems. Material systems in the discussion include ablators, reusable and metallic TPS. Topics range from new materials development to fill a technology gap – to requalification of existing materials due to changes within a supply chain or industry.
This session covers additive manufacturing (AM) technologies for metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites used for defense needs. Presentations discussing new AM technologies and/or materials developed on AM platforms are welcome.
This track focuses on the development, processing, modeling, characterization, manufacturing and performance of carbon-carbon composites and their constituents. Topics of interest include novel precursors, unique preform designs, enhanced processing methods, advanced characterization and performance data (e.g., ground or flight testing) of carbon-carbon composite materials. Contributions related to process modeling of carbon-carbon composite manufacturing and modeling of the thermal/mechanical performance are also encouraged.
Research and development of EO/IR or RF electromagnetic materials for apertures, windows, and domes. Component development or testing for antennas and sensor assemblies. Novel test methods or results for electromagnetic performance of materials or assemblies.
The High Velocity Impact Effects (HVIE) session focuses on high strain rate events that occur at roughly 1 km/sec and higher. This wide regime encompasses ballistic events experienced in body and vehicle armor systems to weather impacts during hypersonic flight and micrometeorite impacts in space. The focus of the track comprises of advanced materials synthesis and manufacturing, high-rate modeling and simulation, and novel characterization and analysis techniques.
We are seeking abstracts on hypersonic structural materials and component evaluations, highlighting advanced materials engineered to endure the extreme conditions of hypersonic flight. Presentations should address material selection, component development, advanced testing techniques, and test facility capabilities. Presentations should emphasize innovative and practical solutions for aerospace and defense applications.
This session will explore advanced materials and structural solutions for nuclear power and propulsion systems in space applications. Presentations will cover materials challenges and innovations for nuclear electric propulsion, nuclear thermal propulsion, and fission surface power systems, addressing performance requirements in extreme environments. Topics can include material selection and characterization, radiation effects, thermal management, and structural integrity considerations critical for next-generation nuclear space technologies.
This track is focused on results from the UDRI-led Materials Maturation for High Mach Systems (MMHMS) contract, but it open to relevant topics in carbon/carbon in the following areas: Non-destructive evaluation, new processing advancements, testing & methodology, and integrated modeling & simulation efforts associated understanding material failure mechanisms.
This topic focuses on design, development, and testing of non-carbon/carbon high-temperature materials, refractory metals, and coating systems for application to rocket motors, hypersonic air-breathing engines, and other extreme material environments. Topic areas include, but are not limited to, materials with improved properties, improved property retention in extreme environments, or novel materials processing. This may include microstructure, properties and/or processing of materials, ceramics, metal alloys, shape memory alloys, composites, high temperature fiber development, and more.
Focusing on research and development of ceramic materials (monolithic or composites) for load bearing, structural, or leading edge applications, including joining technologies.
This track explores advanced testing methodologies for ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) in high-performance applications. Presentations will showcase disruptive modalities providing unprecedented insights into CMC behavior under extreme conditions, enhancing material performance and reliability. Topics span aerospace, energy, defense applications, and the development of novel testing standards, making this a must-attend for CMC design, manufacturing, and application professionals.
PRESENTATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCEPTED ABSTRACTS
PLEASE NOTE: All Accepted Authors/Abstracts for CMS 2026 will be expected to give their presentation in-person at the CMS 2026 Conference.
Each primary submitter for abstracts will be notified by email of the decision of the CMS 2026 Review Committee. Abstract submitters who receive an acceptance letter email will also be provided with speaker log-in information/instructions. This speaker log-in information will guide each presenter through all phases of the presentation requirements for CMS 2026. **All presenters are REQUIRED to register and meet registration requirements of the conference. All presenters will be required to upload their presentation prior to the Conference using this speaker log-in page. An exact date for presentation submission will be contained in the speaker log-in information. Presentations with substantial speaker notes or a technical paper (author’s choice), will be required of each presenter for inclusion in the Proceedings, to be posted on the Conference website after the Conference.
RULES FOR SUBMITTING ABSTRACTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Thank you to our 2026 sponsors