Dr. Hartl and graduate student Pedro Leal presented current Maestro research results at the 8th Conference on Smart Structures and Materials in Madrid, Spain. During a four day conference, researchers from 32 countries discussed the current state and future of smart structures while not missing the opportunity to explore the great city of Madrid. Among the many attractions visited were the Cathedral Almudena (See Pedro’s figure), parks, the royal palace, and bullfigths at the famous Las Ventas. Overall, it was a great experience and further strengthened technical and personal ties with other universities such as Purdue University, University of Bristol, University of Patras, and University of Michigan, where Pedro will be spending his summer designing piezoelectric based morphing structures in a collaboration with Dr. Inman and Dr. Sodano.