From July 6 to 8, 2026, the Aeronautics Institute of Technology hosted the 19th ITA Manuel Malheiro Physics Meeting — XIX EFITA. Organized by the Graduate Program in Physics (PG-FIS) in collaboration with ITA’s Department of Physics, the event brought together students, faculty members, researchers, and professionals for three days of scientific and educational activities in São José dos Campos. PG-FIS students also played an active role as members of the event’s organizing committee.
In its 19th edition, EFITA reaffirmed its role as a forum for integrating the academic community, disseminating research conducted at ITA, and fostering interaction among participants from different institutions. The meeting also honors the memory of Professor Manuel Máximo Bastos Malheiro de Oliveira, who conceived the initiative and made an important contribution to the education of students and researchers at ITA.
The program covered the four research areas of PG-FIS — Atomic and Molecular Physics, Nuclear Physics, Plasma Physics, and Nonlinear Dynamics and Complex Systems — as well as interdisciplinary and contemporary topics. The lectures addressed subjects such as nanophotonics, two-dimensional materials, homeostasis in complex networks, technological applications of plasmas, gravitational waves, quantum technologies, and physical simulations using machine-learning techniques.
The opening lecture, entitled “Controlling Light at the Nanoscale: Polaritons in Natural Two-Dimensional Materials,” was delivered by Professor Ingrid David Barcelos. The meeting also featured researchers from ITA, the University of São Paulo, the Federal University of São Paulo, the National Institute for Space Research, and other institutions. The closing lecture was delivered by Professor Thaisa Storchi Bergmann, from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul.
The educational scope of XIX EFITA was further expanded through the short courses “Introduction to Quantum Technologies: Fundamentals, Protocols, and Applications” and “Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.” The program also included a poster session on July 7, which provided participants with an opportunity to present their work, discuss results, and establish new scientific connections.
Participants were also able to learn about part of ITA’s scientific and technological infrastructure through visits to the Plasma and Processes Laboratory, the Competence Center for Manufacturing, and the ITA Space Center. These activities showcased different opportunities for research, technological development, and cooperation among academia, industry, and institutions in the aerospace sector.
By bringing together different generations of researchers and connecting academic education, scientific research, innovation, and technological applications, XIX EFITA reinforced the commitment of ITA and PG-FIS to the education of highly qualified professionals. The participation of students in organizing the meeting also highlighted student leadership and the importance of their involvement in shaping the academic and scientific life of PG-FIS.