elementsgroup

elementsgroup is a global multidisciplinary community and platform dedicated to advancing the study and application of materials science, engineering, and digital design. It functions as a collaborative network for researchers, engineers, designers, and educators and emphasizes open exchange of knowledge, standardization, and project collaboration.

The organization traces its roots to an informal meeting in 2012 of professionals from university labs, design studios, and startups who sought a shared resource for cross-disciplinary work. It evolved into a formal nonprofit with regional chapters across Europe, Asia, and North America, drawing members from universities, research institutes, industry partners, and civic organizations.

Activities include hosting conferences, maintaining an online knowledge base and repository, curating open datasets, and supporting open-source software tools for design optimization, materials informatics, and sustainable manufacturing. Notable programs include Element Atlas, a multi-source materials data repository, and Insight Studio, a collaborative design environment for multidisciplinary teams.

Governance is by a volunteer board of directors with regional councils and an annual general meeting. Membership categories cover individuals, students, and corporate partners, with funding from dues, sponsorships, grants, and project collaborations.

Impact and reception: elementsgroup is recognized for fostering cross-sector collaboration, accelerating early-stage research, and providing a neutral forum for standards development and best-practice exchange.