From June 14 to 18, the 7th International Symposium on Soft Matter Science and Engineering (SMSE 2026) was held at the South China University of Technology (SCUT). Focusing on chemistry, physics, and engineering, the symposium brought together leading experts from top universities worldwide, including Yale University, McMaster University, RIKEN, and Fudan University, to share insights on cutting-edge advances and future directions in soft matter.

In chemistry, the symposium showcased notable breakthroughs in precise polymer synthesis. A research team developed a transformable side-group strategy to construct a polyacrylamide library, clarifying the influence of stereoregularity on polymer properties and extending the approach to acrylate systems.In doing so, they overcame the long-standing challenge of preparing structurally precise polymers via conventional polymerization routes.

In physics, strong magnetic fields were utilized to align nanosheets and biocolloids in an orderly manner. This enabled the fabrication of biomimetic hydrogels capable of unidirectional motion, which hold great promise for flexible actuation and energy harvesting. Concurrently, a unified theoretical framework was established to decipher the formation of complex spherical packing phases.

In engineering, the symposium highlighted processing technologies and pratical applications, showcasing a stretching process for enhancing thin-film performance and all-optical manipulation of liquid crystalline polymers. It also featured the development of photothermal microrobots and highly sensitive sensors. These innovations, together with breakthroughs in peptide topological regulation, rheological characterization, and antimicrobial polypeptoids, fully demonstrated the dynamic vitality of precise, interdisciplinary self-assembly of soft matter.