TechConnect World 2026 Program

2026 Day-At-A-Glance

Day One: Tuesday, March 10
	Technical Program	Business Program
8:30 AM	TechConnect World Keynote Program			Smart Cities Sessions
10:00 AM- 10:30 AM	Networking Coffee Break
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM	Technical Program Sessions	Business Program Sessions	SBIR/STTR Program	Smart Cities Keynotes
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM	Lunch (On Your Own)
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM	- Expo Floor Open
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM	Technical Program Sessions	Business Program Sessions	SBIR/STTR Program	Smart Cities Sessions
4:00 PM-6:00 PM	TechConnect Expo, Smart Cities Expo, SBIR/STTR Agency Pavilion, Poster Program I - Expo Floor

Day Two: Wednesday, March 11
	Technical Program	Business Program
8:30 AM	TechConnect World Keynote Program			Smart Cities Sessions
9:00 AM-9:30 AM	Networking Coffee Break
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM	Technical Program Sessions	Business Program Sessions	SBIR/STTR Program	Smart Cities Keynotes
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM	Lunch (On Your Own)
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM	- Expo Floor Open - Student Workforce Development Career Awareness Fair, Expo Floor
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM	Technical Program Sessions	Business Program Sessions	SBIR/STTR Program	Smart Cities Sessions
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM	TechConnect Expo, Smart Cities Expo, SBIR/STTR Agency Pavilion, Poster Program II, Student Posters - Expo Floor

Day Three: Thursday, March 12
	Technical Program	Business Program
8:30 AM			SBIR/STTR Innovator Training Workshop 8:30AM-4:30PM
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Technical Program Sessions	Business Program Sessions		Smart Cities Sessions
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM	Lunch (On Your Own)
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM	Critical Materials - Workshop (open to all conference attendees)	Business Program Sessions

Monday, March 9	12:00pm - 6:00pm
Tuesday, March 10	7:00am - 6:00pm
Wednesday, March 11	7:00am - 6:00pm
Thursday, March 12	7:30am - 11:00am

	Tuesday March 10
7:00	Registration
8:15	TechConnect World Innovation Conference - Plenary Keynotes
10:00	Coffee Breaks 10:00AM-11:00AM
10:30	Bio in Space Symposium- Funding Opportunities for R&D in Microgravity: Discussing Public and Private Funding Mechanisms for Commercial Space Ventures
10:30	TechConnect Innovation Spotlights: Biotech & Medical I
10:30	Micro & Bio Fluidics
10:30	Innovations in Nanoparticle Synthesis & Manufacturing
10:30	Supporting the Translation of Research-based Technologies to Products
10:30	Innovative Approaches in Wastewater Treatment: Enhancing Sustainability and Efficiency
10:30	Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing
10:30	Applying Energy Storage
10:30	Opportunities for Innovation in Critical Materials Supply Chains
10:30	SPM: Multi-modal
10:30	TechConnect Horizons Workforce Development Program: Keynote
10:30	Advances in Quantum Technologies-Keynotes
11:00	TechConnect Horizons Workforce Development Program: Technical Tutorials
11:30	TechConnect Innovation Spotlights: Biotech & Medical II
11:30	TechConnect Innovation Spotlights: Space, Defense, and Mobility
12:00	TechConnect Horizons Workforce Development Program: Group Photo
12:15	Lunch Break
1:00	TechConnect World Expo and SBIR/STTR Pavilion Open
1:15	SBIR Session: Finding Help - Getting Started
1:30	Programming Biology for Material Innovation
1:30	TechConnect Innovation Spotlights: AI and Digital Transformation I
1:30	TechConnect Innovation Spotlights: Energy and Sustainability I
1:30	Bio in Space Innovation Challenge
1:30	Advances in Quantum Technologies - Addressing Real World Challenges
1:30	Drug, Biomolecule, and Vaccine Delivery
1:30	Advanced Materials for Engineering Applications
1:30	Carbon Nanomaterials & Applications
1:30	The Role of Universities in Creating Innovation Ecosystems
1:30	Innovative Approaches in Wastewater Treatment: Enhancing Sustainability and Efficiency
1:30	AI Innovations – Healthcare and Characterization
1:30	SPM: New Materials
1:30	Bio-based Materials and Cellulose
1:30	Battery Energy Storage I
1:30	Innovations in Magnet Materials and Manufacturing Techniques
1:30	Revolutionary Fibers and Textiles Innovation Challenge
1:30	TechConnect Horizons Workforce Development Program
2:15	TechConnect Horizons Workforce Development Program: Career Networking Session 1
2:15	TechConnect Horizons Workforce Development Program: Behind the Scenes with an Industry Recruiter
2:15	SBIR Session: Small Business Success Stories
2:00	DARPA Meeting (Private)
2:30	TechConnect Innovation Spotlights: AI and Digital Transformation II
2:30	TechConnect Innovation Spotlights: Energy and Sustainability II
3:15	SBIR Session: Investment for Deep Tech Development
3:30	SPM: Perspectives from Industry Panel
3:30	Mission-Makers: How Small Business Innovation Fuels the DoW
3:30	TechConnect Horizons Workforce Development Program: Career Networking Session 2
3:30	TechConnect Horizons Workforce Development Program: Behind the Scenes with an Industry Recruiter
3:30	Manufacturing USA Institutes: A Partner for Catalyzing Innovation Coast to Coast
4:00	Bio in Space Innovation Challenge-Winners Announced
4:00	TechConnect World Expo, Technical Poster Session I, and Expo Social (4:00 - 6:00)
4:00	SBIR/STTR Pavilion Reception
4:00	Programming Biology for Material Innovation-Posters
4:00	Biomaterials & Medical Devices - Posters
4:00	Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing-Posters
4:00	Drug, Biomolecule, and Vaccine Delivery - Posters
4:00	Advanced Materials for Engineering Applications - Posters
4:00	Wastewater Treatment - Posters
4:00	Bio-based Materials & Cellulose - Posters
4:00	Energy Storage I - Posters
4:00	Critical Materials I - Posters
4:00	AI Innovations - Posters
4:00	Graphene - Posters
4:00	Sustainability & Efficiency - Posters
4:00	University Innovations - Posters
	Wednesday March 11
7:00	Registration
8:30	TechConnect World Innovation Conference - Business Keynotes
8:30	Advances in Critical Mineral Separation Technologies
9:00	Coffee Breaks 9:00AM-10:00AM
9:00	Advances in Fiber and Textile Technology
9:00	Next-gen polymers: Lightweight and Advanced Engineering
9:00	Graphene and 2D Materials
9:00	SPM: Solid-liquid interfaces
9:00	Adaptive Surfaces and Functional Coatings
9:00	Advancements in Implantables, Injectibles & Wound Healing Devices
9:00	Biorefining and Petroleum & Gas Refining
9:30	TechConnect Horizons Workforce Development Program, Future Innovators – Panel Discussion
9:30	Energy Harvesting & Carbon Capture
9:30	Novel Approaches to Combat Biofilms I
9:30	Battery Energy Storage II
9:30	DOE Office of Technology Commercialization’s EPIC Pitch Competition
9:30	LEAN Power and EMC² Industry Day (open to all conference attendees), 9:30AM-12:00PM
9:30	Reducing Injuries in Small Businesses: Program Implementation and Technology Readiness
9:30	SBIR Session: SBA Listening Session on SBIR/STTR Reauthorization
9:30	Impact of Photonics
10:15	Collaboration to Advance Storage
10:30	SBIR Session: Commercializing Your SBIR-funded Technology: Federal Programs
10:30	Future Innovators – Opportunities and Student/Postdoc Pitch Contest for Emerging Entrepreneurs
10:30	Bio in Space Symposium - There and Back Again: Understanding Pathways to Orbit and the Operational Rresources in LEO
10:30	SPM: Data-driven and Automated
10:30	Your Door to Defense Innovation: Navigating DARPA through DARPAConnect
11:30	SBIR Session: The Future of DOE SBIR Program
11:30	Future Innovators – Keynote
11:30	TechConnect Innovation Spotlights Featuring MSD Prevention Challenge Finalists
11:30	Acquisition at the Speed of Innovation: How Solutions Marketplaces Provide Approachable Access to Acquisition
12:15	Lunch Break
1:00	TechConnect World Expo and SBIR/STTR Pavilion Open
1:00	TechConnect Horizons Workforce Development Program: Career Awareness Fair
1:15	AI for Grid Resilience and Security Challenge
1:15	SBIR Session: Luck Favors the Prepared: Planning for Opportunities Ahead
1:30	U.S. National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing Town Hall
1:30	Advances in Fiber and Textile Technology
1:30	Accelerating Wide Bandgap Innovation through the ME Commons CLAWS Hub: Technology, Transition, and Talent Development
1:30	Wearables & Data Analytics
1:30	Novel Approaches to Combat Biofilms II
1:30	Next-Generation Sensors for Real-World Monitoring
1:30	AI, Modeling, and Simulation for Advanced Materials Design
1:30	SPM: Multi-frequency
1:30	Additive Manufacturing: From Micro/Nanoscale Fabrication to Real-Time Quality Assessment
1:30	Advanced Surface Architectures for Optical, Thermal, and Environmental Performance
1:30	Next Generation Composites
1:30	Resource Recovery and Waste Reduction
1:30	Storage Beyond Batteries
1:30	Innvoations in Critical Materials
1:30	TechConnect Innovation Spotlights: Electronics and Microsystems
1:30	TechConnect Innovation Spotlights: Advanced Materials
2:15	SBIR Session: Navigating SBIR Government Phase IIIs
2:30	Future‑Ready by Design: How the FBI Builds Continuous Innovation
2:30	TechConnect Innovation Spotlights: Advanced Materials and Manufacturing
3:15	SBIR Session: Working with Defense Primes
3:30	DOE EPIC Pitch Competition Winner Announcement
3:30	SPM: Perspectives from Early-Career Scientists Panel
4:00	TechConnect World Expo, Technical Poster Session II, and Expo Social (4:00 - 6:00)
4:00	SBIR/STTR Pavilion Reception
4:00	Sustainability & Efficiency Innovations - Posters
4:00	Advances in Fiber and Textile Technology-Posters
4:00	Biofilms - Posters
4:00	Photonics - Posters
4:00	Sensors - Posters
4:00	AI for Materials Discovery - Posters
4:00	Polymers for Healthcare - Posters
4:00	Precision Health & Diagnostics - Posters
4:00	Additive Manufacturing - Posters
4:00	Composites - Posters
4:00	Engineering Surfaces & Coatings - Posters
4:00	Critical Materials II - Posters
4:00	Semiconductors - Posters
4:00	PFAS and Emerging Contaminant Remediation - Posters
4:00	Energy Storage II - Posters
4:00	TechConnect Horizons Workforce Development Program- Posters
	Thursday March 12
7:30	Registration
8:30	SBIR/STTR Innovator Training Workshop 8:30am-4:30pm (Additional Registration Required)
8:30	Extraction of Critical Minerals from Diverse Sources
9:00	PFAS and Emerging Contaminant Remediation
9:00	Molecular and Physiological Sensors for Precision Health
9:00	Advanced Manufacturing Innovation
9:00	AI Innovations
9:00	Polymer-Based Material Design and Fabrication Innovations Positioned to Improve Healthcare
9:00	Precision Health and Diagnostics
9:00	SPM: Nanomechanics
9:00	Keys to Storage Commercialization and Deployment
9:00	Semiconductor Industry: Challenges and Opportunities
9:00	TechConnect Innovation Spotlights: Advanced Materials, AI, Biotech, and Defense
9:00	TechConnect Horizons Workforce Development Program, Supporting Emerging Technology Manufacturing Workforce and Development
10:00	Wearable Sensor Technologies for Extreme Environments
10:00	TechConnect Horizons Workforce Development Program, Supporting Emerging Technology Manufacturing Workforce and Development
10:00	TechConnect Innovation Spotlights: Advanced Materials, AI, Biotech, and Defense
12:00	Lunch Break
1:15	Critical Materials - Workshop (open to all conference attendees)

THE 2026 PROGRAM

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Tuesday March 10

Wednesday March 11

Thursday March 12

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