ABCM 50^th anniversary

Celebrating 50 Years of Contribution to the Development of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering in Brazil: ABCM and COBEM 2025

Since its founding on April 19, 1975, the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering (ABCM) has been at the forefront of the development of mechanical sciences and engineering in Brazil. Founded by a visionary group of faculty, researchers and engineers, the ABCM has linked universities, research centers and industrial companies throughout the country, playing an essential role in promoting technological and scientific progress and improving the quality of undergraduate and graduate engineering education in Brazil. The members involved in ABCM’s activities have been continuously renewed with the emergence of new generations of researchers. These newer generations have filled the faculty and staff positions needed to support the strong growth in the number of engineering programs in Brazil over the last 20 years, and the Society’s activities have certainly contributed directly or indirectly to their education. In retrospect, the Society’s mission and objectives have been maintained, its commitment to issues of importance to the community has been strengthened, and its methods and actions have been renewed.

As part of the ABCM’s activities, 13 events have been continuously promoted every two years in various fields of mechanical sciences and engineering, as well as sporadic non-regular events proposed by members of the Society. These events are the main opportunity for most mechanical engineering undergraduate and graduate students from Brazilian institutions to present their first results in research and innovation projects and to promote discussion and collaboration between researchers from Brazil and other countries. One can hardly imagine the current scenario of research and mechanical engineering education in the country without these events, since almost every faculty member with a master’s or doctoral degree working in mechanical and related engineering programs in Brazil has participated in the meetings. To track and support such number of events, the society has developed various organizational tools and procedures, including its own web-based system for the submission, review and publication of papers, which helps to record the history of the development of mechanical sciences and engineering in Brazil. In addition, the Society supports the organizing committees of these events by providing solid and stable legal and accounting support, among other services.

As ABCM celebrates its 50th anniversary, we look back on five decades of commitment to fostering a community based on collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovation. One of the most important expressions of this legacy is the International Congress of Mechanical Engineering (COBEM), the ABCM’s flagship event. Since the first congress in 1971, COBEM has become Brazil’s most important forum for mechanical science and engineering, attracting participants from academia, industry and research institutions from Brazil and abroad. With more than 20,000 participants over the years, COBEM now averages 1,500 participants and 1,200 scientific papers at each edition.

The 28th edition of COBEM will take place from November 9 to 14, 2025, in Curitiba, Paraná, at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), the oldest university in Brazil. Themed “Artificial Intelligence for a Sustainable Tomorrow”, COBEM 2025 will provide a unique forum to explore the possibilities of AI and sustainable innovation in engineering, building on ABCM’s five-decade legacy of influence and progress. This edition will celebrate groundbreaking research and honor the trailblazers who have shaped the field of mechanical sciences and engineering in Brazil. The opening ceremony will include a tribute to the history and 50-year journey of ABCM, recognizing the countless individuals who have contributed to the growth and prestige of ABCM and COBEM. In the words of ABCM founding member Prof. Luiz Bevilacqua, “the tremendous good will and hard work of many people behind the scenes” have made COBEM a success over the years — a sentiment that touches us deeply as we celebrate this milestone.

COBEM 2025 will showcase an extensive program with keynote sessions, panel discussions, technical presentations, poster sessions, short courses and exclusive events such as the Scientific Communication Contest and a Startup Pitch Day. A special feature of this year’s congress is the International Symposium ICONNE, focused on non-linear and chaotic phenomena, which will be held in parallel.

As a further enrichment, the exhibition in the Paraná Industrial Park will confront participants with the latest developments in the industry and build a bridge between academic research and industrial application. This exhibition underscores COBEM’s commitment to promoting technology transfer, creating networking opportunities and facilitating new partnerships that drive the advancement of mechanical engineering.

We invite you to join us in Curitiba for COBEM 2025, a historic event that celebrates ABCM’s 50-year legacy while looking ahead to the future of sustainable innovation. Together, we will continue to shape the future of mechanical sciences and engineering, honoring a rich history while embracing new challenges and opportunities.

The past 50 years have laid a solid foundation for an incredible future of innovation and progress. Let us build on this strong legacy as we tackle the next 50 years, driving sustainable change and shaping a better future for generations to come. Join COBEM 2025 and become part of this inspiring journey!