Entropy 2026 Wraps-Up: Quantum Information and Complex Systems in Barcelona Explored

Entropy 2026, the third edition of the international conference organized by MDPI‘s open-access journal Entropy, took place July 1–3, 2026, in Barcelona, Spain, at the Barcelona School of Management, Universitat Pompeu Fabra. The in-person-only event focused on the intersection of entropy, information theory, complex systems, statistical physics, quantum information, thermodynamics, and AI/data science. Organizers anticipated more than 200 participants from around the world, including strong interest from institutions such as the University of Cambridge, Princeton University, and Eindhoven University of Technology, with over 100 accepted submissions and nearly 20 keynote speakers. The program included oral presentations, multiple poster sessions, coffee breaks, lunches, a group photo, and a dinner banquet.

Quantum Information and Thermodynamics Sessions

The three-day program followed a structured format with parallel and sequential sessions across eight main topics. Day 1 opened with a ceremony and featured sessions on quantum information and quantum computing (Parts I and II), thermodynamics and energy systems, and applications of entropy in science and engineering, accompanied by Poster Session A. Day 2 covered complex systems and network science (Parts I and II), soft and living matter, and non-equilibrium systems and entropy production, with Poster Session B. Day 3 continued complex systems discussions, addressed information theory, data science and artificial intelligence (Parts I and II), and statistical physics and stochastic processes (Parts I and II), alongside additional poster sessions.

Keynote presentations delivered focused content across these domains. Notable talks included Prof. Ariel Caticha on “Towards an Entropic Quantum Gravity,” Prof. Eli Barkai on “First-Passage and Hitting Times in Monitored Quantum Systems on NISQ Platforms,” and Prof. David Reguera on “Shaping Viruses with Entropy: Assembly Kinetics of Viral Capsid Formation.” Additional keynotes addressed neo-Gibbsian statistical energetics with applications to nonequilibrium cells, the statistical mechanics of motion, and the capacity of a single quantum neuron. Organizer updates noted active engagement in oral and poster presentations exploring quantum information, thermodynamics, and entropy across diverse applications.

Awards and Publication Pathways for Participants

The conference facilitated interaction through poster sessions, networking breaks, and a dinner banquet. The Award Ceremony and Chairs’ Closing Speech on July 2 recognized outstanding contributions with Best Oral Presentation and Best Poster Awards. Organizers reported strong scientific exchange and positive interdisciplinary dialogue through live updates and a final wrap-up statement describing the event as a wonderful success.

Participants were invited to submit full manuscripts to a special issue in the Entropy journal, which offered a 20% discount on article processing charges. Extended papers of 4–8 pages could be submitted free of charge to Physical Sciences Forum with a deadline of August 17, 2026. Certificates of attendance were made available post-event via participants’ Sciforum dashboards. These publication options provide structured pathways for disseminating research findings presented at the conference to the wider scientific community.

Find out more here. Related Entropy 2026 content from The Qubit Report is found here. 

Further articles, reports, and the latest quantum computing news may be found at The Qubit Report.