2026 Keynote Speakers
Large-area electronics for electronic skins
Human skin is a multi-point, multi-modal, stretchable sensor, which has inspired the development of electronic skin for robots capable of simultaneously detecting pressure and thermal distribution. With ongoing advancements in material integration and mechanical flexibility, electronic skin has evolved beyond its initial applications in robotics and now plays a pivotal role in next-generation wearable technologies for humans. Technological progress in large-area, thin-film electronics has enabled the direct lamination of ultra-thin semiconductor membranes onto the skin, achieving seamless integration with the human body. This facilitates continuous, long-term health monitoring and paves the way for personalized medical care. The ultimate vision for electronic skin is to non-invasively monitor human activity in natural environments, establishing an interactive interface between electronic systems and human physiology.
In this presentation, I will highlight recent advances in stretchable thin-film and large-area electronics, with an emphasis on their applications in both robotics and emerging wearable healthcare devices. I will also address the current challenges and share perspectives on the future directions of electronic skin technology.
Prof Takao Someya
Executive Director, Vice President and Professor
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
University of Tokyo
Dr. Takao Someya is Executive Director and Vice President and Professor at the University of Tokyo. He also serves as Director General of the Division of University Corporate Relations, with oversight of startup initiatives. He is recognized as an inventor of electronic skins, which was featured in TIME Magazine as one of the best inventions of the year in 2005. His current research focuses on next-generation wearables with organic electronics for application to healthcare, biomedical, and robotics.
He has also held distinguished appointments, including Global Scholar at Princeton University, GlobalFoundries Visiting Professor at the National University of Singapore, and Hans Fisher Senior Fellow at the Technical University of Munich.
Among the honors recognizing his achievements are the 16th Leo Esaki Prize and the Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in 2019. He served as the 2024 President of the Materials Research Society in the US, the first to be elected to the position from Asia.
Prof Elvira Fortunato
Materials for Electronics, Optoelectronics and Nanotechnologies
NOVA FCT
Further details available shortly.