Disruptive thinking as a starting disruptive thinking as a starting point for the development of smart materials

Abstract

The presentation highlighted the relevance of disruptive thinking as a catalyst for the creation of smart materials and the transformation of scientific and technological innovation processes. In a context marked by rapid change and increasing demands for high-performance solutions, this type of thinking enables the challenging of traditional paradigms, promotes creative approaches, and opens new pathways for the design and functionalization of advanced materials.

The close relationship between scientific creativity and material innovation was emphasized, showing how smart materials—capable of responding to stimuli, adapting to their environment, exhibiting shape memory, self-repairing, or modifying their electrical behavior—arise from processes that question conventional logic and integrate interdisciplinary perspectives. Examples were presented to demonstrate how disruptive ideas have driven advances in nanostructures, functional polymers, multiphase composites, and devices with active interaction capabilities.

Finally, the presentation addressed the challenges in fostering a culture of disruptive thinking, including institutional resistance, limited experimentation practices in some academic and industrial settings, and the need to strengthen collaborative spaces that promote applied creativity. It concludes that training professionals who can integrate scientific rigor with imagination and critical thinking is essential for accelerating the development of emerging and competitive technologies.