The Mechano‑X Workshop 2026, held from January 5 to 7 at Tsinghua University Southeast Asia Center (Tsinghua SEA), Bali, Indonesia, brought together distinguished scholars from around the world for three days of invited lectures, poster presentations, and interactive discussions. The workshop enabled intensive knowledge exchange at the frontiers of mechanics, materials science, biology, and their intersections. Participants shared their research, insights, and ideas on Mechano‑X, highlighting how mechanics provides an important and inspiring framework for understanding, proactive design, and the rational regulation of complex material and biological systems across diverse disciplines.

Group photo of Mechano-X Workshop 2026

Gao Huajian, Xinghua University Professor and director of the Mechano-X Institute at Tsinghua University, chaired the event. In his remarks, he outlined the emerging Mechano-X research paradigm, articulated the vision and mission of the workshop, and introduced the newly established Mechano-X Institute at Tsinghua University. He highlighted the Institute’s role in advancing global engagement and announced its long-term mission to host a rotating series of international workshops, aimed at strengthening cross-regional and interdisciplinary collaboration. Prof. Gao emphasized Mechano-X as a growing, globally connected platform and noted that The Tsinghua University Southeast Asia Center here in Bali is an important part of Tsinghua’s global engagement strategy.

Conference Chair, Prof. Gao Huajian, Tsinghua University

The program featured a sequence of invited talks and extensive exchanges on topics ranging from Xmechanics and metastructures to mechanobiology and AIassisted materials. Notable sessions covered AI+ materials and AI+ mechanics, mechanobiology, metamaterials, shale fracture, and mechanomedicine, with discussions extending into practical applications and future directions.

participants of the workshop

Internationally renowned experts who delivered keynote talks and presentations included Prof. Yang Wei from Zhejiang University, Prof. Eduard Arzt from Nanyang Technological University, Prof. Taher Saif from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Prof. Lu Jian from City University of Hong Kong, Prof. Zhang Tongyi from Shanghai University, Prof. Guo Wanlin from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and Prof. Lim Chwee Teck from National University of Singapore. The workshop also included an evening banquet with three bestposter awards.

Recipients of the Best Poster Award

Editor: Li Han