Sol–gel chemistry and processing is nowadays a fundamental stone for the advancement of materials science. However, with the increase of its popularity among the researchers worldwide this impinges some challenges since the community dealing and advancing the field is widespread in several events. Therefore, it is important for the researchers, but specially to the students in the area to meet their colleagues in a dedicate event.

The first “Sol–Gel Materials: From Fundamentals to Advanced Applications Symposium” held during the XII Brazilian Materials Research Society Meeting in 2013 aimed to foster new work strategies and collaborations, while promoting the updating and training of researchers and students in South America. The Committee Organizers put together a program with 12 keynote lectures given by seven non-Brazilian speakers and 5 Brazilian speakers and 14 oral presentations to catalyse the continuous development of the sol–gel science and technology in the region. Over 120 posters were presented in two poster sessions by students and researchers from Argentina, Brazil and Portugal. The very successful meeting was attended by 140 scientists. The topics covered the basic sol–gel process, the sol–gel precursors design, photonics, biomaterials, drug delivery, hybrid coatings for corrosion protection, new hybrid adhesives, new glassy material based on coordination chemistry of chalcogens, aluminophosphate glasses, NMR of glassy material, energy storage based on sol–gel materials, carbon based sol–gel, pollutant separation materials, sensors, magnetic materials, sol–gel and heterogeneous (photo)catalysis. The cozy environment at Campos do Jordão between São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro states has provided a perfect opportunity for formal and informal exchanges of knowledge and collaboration. This 4-day symposium set the fundamental stone to forthcoming sol–gel Symposia in the field and has as well open the possibility for intense future collaboration between researchers working especially in South America.

On behalf of the organizing committee:

Ubirajara P. Rodrigues Filho and Sidney J.L. Ribeiro