Dear Participants, Colleagues, and Friends,

It is a great honour and a true pleasure to welcome you to the 4th Luso-Extremadurense Congress on Science and Technology (LEX26).

This year, the conference will be hosted in the historic city of Évora, Portugal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that provides an exceptional environment for academic dialogue and scientific exchange.

The School of Sciences and Technology of the University of Évora and the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Extremadura reaffirm their strong commitment to LEX26 as a strategic platform for strengthening cross-border cooperation in science and technology. The congress aims to serve as a reference event for fostering excellence, innovation, and sustained collaboration between the two institutions.

The scientific research centres of both universities are actively encouraged to participate, contributing to the consolidation of joint research activities, the development of new collaborative projects, and the reinforcement of long-term institutional partnerships.

Through this shared engagement, LEX26 seeks to enhance the visibility and impact of collaborative research and to promote scientific excellence at both the regional and international levels.

LEX26 brings together researchers, academics, and professionals from a wide spectrum of disciplines, including engineering, fundamental sciences, natural and applied sciences, and related fields. Our goal is to create an environment where ideas flow freely, partnerships flourish, and interdisciplinary collaborations thrive.

The main objectives of LEX26 are to:

• Present and discuss emerging trends and pressing challenges in science and technology;
• Explore and debate innovative topics and cutting-edge research;
• Strengthen existing collaborations and create new connections between the University of Évora, the University of Extremadura, and the wider scientific community.

We hope that your time at LEX26 will be both enriching and inspiring, and that it will foster lasting collaborations and friendships across borders.

Be welcome,

Mourad Bezzeghoud
(the Chair of the LEX26)