The BRIDGES Project was proud to participate in the Amazonas International Conference on Materials and Energy (AICME 2026), held in Manaus, Brazil. The conference brought together researchers, industry representatives, policymakers, and innovation stakeholders to discuss the latest developments in materials science, energy technologies, and sustainable solutions for the challenges of the global energy transition.
AICME serves as an important platform for interdisciplinary exchange, fostering collaboration between academia and industry while highlighting emerging technologies and research directions that can contribute to a more sustainable future. With participants from across Brazil and beyond, the conference provided valuable opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and the development of new partnerships.
Representing both the BRIDGES Project and the Fotovoltaica UFSC research group, Eduardo Martins Deschamps delivered the keynote presentation, "The BRIDGES Project and the Case for Second-Life Batteries."
His presentation explored several key aspects of Brazil's rapidly evolving energy landscape. Particular attention was given to the remarkable growth of distributed solar generation across the country and the opportunities and challenges that accompany this transformation. As renewable energy deployment accelerates, the Brazilian electricity grid increasingly faces flexibility challenges, including curtailment events that can limit the efficient use of renewable generation.
In this context, second-life batteries emerge as a promising solution. By repurposing batteries from electric vehicles for stationary energy storage applications, second-life systems can help improve grid stability, increase renewable energy integration, and support the transition toward a more resilient and sustainable energy system. The presentation also highlighted how international collaboration through the BRIDGES network contributes to advancing research, knowledge exchange, and innovation in this field.
In addition to the keynote presentation, Eduardo participated in the panel discussion "From Lab to Industry: Challenges in Scaling Advanced Materials for Energy Applications." The panel brought together experts from different sectors to discuss the technical, economic, and regulatory barriers that must be overcome to successfully translate innovative research into large-scale industrial solutions.
The BRIDGES Project would like to express its sincere gratitude to Yurimiler Leyet Ruiz and Iury Bessa for the invitation and for organizing such an important event. Conferences like AICME play a vital role in strengthening connections between researchers, industry leaders, and innovation ecosystems, helping to accelerate the development and implementation of sustainable energy technologies.
We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to these discussions and look forward to continuing our collaboration with partners across Brazil and beyond as we work toward a more sustainable and resilient energy future.