Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speakers
Abstract
To facilitate the commercialization of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells, developing highly active and durable platinum-group-metal-free (PGM-free) catalysts for the acidic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of paramount importance. Cobalt-nitrogen-carbon (Co-N-C) single-atom catalysts (SACs) have emerged as premier candidates owing to their maximized atom utilization and tailored electronic configurations. Nevertheless, a major synthetic hurdle lies in suppressing metal aggregation during high-temperature pyrolysis while precisely regulating the coordination environment of the active sites.
In this work, we report a scalable synthetic strategy to fabricate atomically dispersed cobalt catalysts anchored on MOF-derived, nitrogen-doped porous carbon. By systematically tuning the coordination chemistry and thermal activation parameters, we successfully stabilized isolated Co atoms and effectively mitigated nanoparticle sintering. Advanced structural characterizations, including aberration-corrected STEM (AC-STEM) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), unambiguously confirmed the exclusive presence of atomically dispersed Co-Nx active sites. Consequently, the optimized catalyst exhibits exceptional acidic ORR activity with a significantly positive half-wave potential and robust long-term stability. This study offers critical design principles for engineering highly efficient, non-precious single-atom catalysts for next-generation clean energy technologies.
Biography
Dr. Chen-Hao Wang is a Professor and Department Chair of Materials Science and Engineering at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST), a Joint Researcher at the Research Center for Critical Issues, Academia Sinica, and the Vice President of the Taiwan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Society. Recognized in the top 2% of global scientists by ScholarGPS® ranking top 1.08% in Energy, 1.78% in Fuel Cells, and 1.85% in Flow Batteries, Dr. Wang directs the Energy Materials Laboratory (EML), which vertically integrates atomic-scale catalyst design, advanced operando characterization, and kilowatt-scale green energy systems. His pioneering research expertise spans low-platinum and platinum-free single-atom catalysts for PEMFC and AEMFC systems, electrode modifications for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs), molecular engineering for high-voltage non-aqueous organic flow batteries (NAORFBs), and durable seawater electrolysis utilizing electrochemically in-situ surface reconstruction. With over 130 SCI papers published in prestigious journals such as Nature Communications, Energy & Environmental Science, and Advanced Functional Materials, his work has accumulated more than 5,600 citations; furthermore, he holds 12 granted patents in the US and Taiwan, has successfully executed multiple technology transfers, and maintains robust industrial collaborations with market leaders including TSMC, CPC, and NARI.
Abstract
Self-assembled materials provide an effective platform for interface engineering in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by enabling precise control over surface chemistry, energy-level alignment, defect passivation, and perovskite crystallization. In our work, various self-assembled molecules bearing phosphonic acid or carboxylic acid anchoring groups were introduced at the ITO/perovskite and NiOₓ/perovskite interfaces. Their molecular dipoles, terminal functionalities, and hydrophilicity regulated the substrate work function and surface energy, suppressed interfacial defects, and promoted uniform perovskite growth. A strong correlation was observed between the HOMO energy levels of the self-assembled molecules and the open-circuit voltages of the resulting PSCs. Bilayer hole-selective structures combining NiOₓ with self-assembled molecules further enhanced charge extraction and reduced nonradiative recombination. Complementary molecular interlayers were also applied at the electron-selective interface to improve defect passivation and carrier transport. Structural, surface, and photophysical characterizations confirmed enhanced film quality, reduced trap density, and faster interfacial charge transfer. The optimized wide-bandgap PSCs achieved indoor power conversion efficiencies above 40% under 1000 lux white-LED illumination, while normal-bandgap PSCs exhibited power conversion efficiencies approaching 26% under AM 1.5G illumination at 100 mW cm⁻². These results demonstrate that molecularly engineered self-assembled materials offer a versatile strategy for developing highly efficient perovskite photovoltaics for both one-sun and indoor energy-harvesting applications.
Biography
Chih-Ping Chen received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from National Chung Hsing University in 2004. Before joining Ming Chi University of Technology in 2012, he was a Researcher at the Materials and Chemical Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Hsinchu, Taiwan. As of 20226, he has published more than 200 peer-reviewed papers and holds 10 patents; his work has an h-index of 43 with over 7,300 citations. His research centers on conjugated molecules for perovskite and organic solar cells as well as photodetectors. His honors include the Outstanding Young Polymer Science and Technology Award (2016) from the Polymer Society, Taipei, and the Outstanding Young Scholars Program (2018–2021). Research Interest: Materials for organic semiconductors, organic and perovskite photovoltaics and photodetectors.
Representative Publications
1. Z.-E. Shi, B. Orwat, Y.-H. Wang, Y.-Y. Yu, Y.-R. Lin, A. Bartkowiak, P. Ledwoń, W. Tejchman, T. Pędziński, M. Zalas, P. Data, C.-P. Chen*, I. Kownacki*, B. Łuszczyńska* Adv. Mater., (2026) https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202523276.
2. Z.-E. Shi, K. Kollimalaian, J.-K. Peng, C.-W. Lin, W.-T. Peng, B.-H. Jiang, Y. H. Lin, L.-Y. Yang, Y.-C. Lin, P. Venkatakrishnan*, Y. J. Chang*, and C. P. Chen* Adv. Energy Mater., 2025 15, 2404234.
3. K.‐H. Huang, B.‐H. Jiang, H.‐C. Lu, Y.‐J. Xue, C.‐F. Lu, Y.‐Y. Chang, C.‐L. Huang, S.‐Y. Chien, C.‐P. Chen*, Y.‐J. Cheng*, Adv. Sci., 2025, 12, 213045.
4. B.-H. Jiang, Z.-J. Gao, C.-Y. Lung, Z.-E. Shi, H.-Y. Du, Y.-W. Su, H.-S. Shih, K.-M. Lee, H.-H. Hung, C. K. Chan, C.-P. Chen * and K.-T. Wong* Adv. Funct. Mater., 2024, 34, 2312819.
Abstract
Halide perovskites have emerged as versatile materials driving the next generation of optoelectronics. In this talk, I will present my recent progress in advancing perovskite technologies across different material scales and fabrication paradigms. The first part of the talk focuses on macroscopic optoelectronic devices fabricated via vacuum deposition. As a solvent-free and highly reproducible technique inherently compatible with large-scale semiconductor manufacturing, thermal evaporation offers distinct advantages for device commercialization. I will discuss my breakthroughs in realizing high-performance inverted α-FAPbI3 perovskite solar cells using saturated-humidity annealing, alongside highly efficient, all-vacuum-deposited perovskite light-emitting diodes achieved through strategic guanidinium doping and ultrathin interfacial engineering. I will also briefly highlight the extension of these vacuum processes to hardware such as photonic synapses and memristors for neuromorphic computing.
The second part of the talk transitions to the nanoscale to explore my work on perovskite quantum dots. Distinct from the vacuum-deposited thin films, these unique nanocrystal systems present exceptional opportunities for quantum photonics. I will detail the development of ultrafast, nonblinking single-photon sources enabled by integrating perovskite quantum dots into plasmonic nanocavities. Together, these parallel advancements demonstrate the vast potential of perovskite materials to revolutionize everything from scalable energy and display technologies to advanced quantum information systems.
Biography
Prof. Hao-Wu Lin is a professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at National Tsing Hua University (NTHU), where he also currently serves as the Director of the Energy and Environment Research Center. His academic career at NTHU began in 2009, progressing from Assistant to Associate and then Full Professor in 2016, and he has also held leadership roles including Vice Director of his department. Prof. Lin holds both a Ph.D. in Photonics and Optoelectronics and a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from National Taiwan University. Before joining academia, he gained valuable industry experience as a Senior OLED Engineer at AU Optronics Corporation. A prolific and highly-cited researcher, Prof. Lin has an H-index of 53 with over 10,900 citations, and his work is consistently published in top-tier journals including Nature Photonics, Advanced Materials, and ACS Nano. His significant contributions to science and engineering have been recognized with several prestigious awards, such as the MOST Outstanding Research Award (2020), and his inclusion in Stanford University's list of the world's top 2% scientists. Complementing his impactful publications, he is an inventor on several key US and Taiwan patents covering innovations in halide materials, memristors, and perovskite solar cell technology.
Abstract
Plasma surface engineering has become a key enabling technology for sustainable manufacturing because it enables precise surface functionalization while reducing chemical consumption, waste generation, and processing temperature. This talk presents our recent advances in sustainable plasma surface engineering for the next generation of functional materials, highlighting the utilization of high-density plasma i.e. high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) and gas flow sputtering (GFS) to form functional coatings, and very high frequency capacitively coupled plasma (VHF-CCP) for dry etching technologies. Representative applications include advanced coatings, through-glass via (TGV) metallization for advanced packaging, functional thin films, smart sensing structures, and energy-related materials such as perovskite solar cells and hydrogen technologies. The presentation further discusses how in-situ optical emission spectroscopy, digital twins, hybrid plasma simulation, and artificial intelligence are transforming conventional plasma processing into intelligent, closed-loop manufacturing systems. Finally, future opportunities for AI-driven plasma manufacturing toward carbon-neutral production, circular manufacturing, and sustainable functional materials will be discussed.
Biography
Professor Ju-Liang He is Chair Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Feng Chia University (FCU), Taiwan. He also serves as Director of the Institute of Plasma and Director of the Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Surface and Production Engineering for Optical and Electrical Systems at FCU (FIP-SPE@FCU), established in collaboration with Fraunhofer IST, Germany. His research focuses on plasma science and engineering, advanced surface engineering, thin-film deposition, HiPIMS, GFS, PECVD, atmospheric plasma, advanced packaging, functional coatings, smart sensing, renewable energy materials, and AI-assisted intelligent plasma manufacturing. He has led numerous national and international research projects and established extensive collaborations with leading universities, research institutes, and industries in Europe and Asia. Professor He has made significant contributions to advanced coating technologies, through-glass via (TGV) metallization, plasma-assisted sustainable manufacturing, and intelligent surface engineering. His current vision is to integrate plasma science, artificial intelligence, digital twins, and sustainable manufacturing to develop next-generation intelligent plasma processing platforms that support carbon-neutral manufacturing and functional materials innovation.
Abstract
Powering the rapidly expanding population of Internet-of-Things nodes and wearable devices with batteries alone is neither scalable nor sustainable, motivating mechanical energy harvesters that combine the high output voltage of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) with the high current density and fast response of piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs). This keynote traces a materials pathway along which each generation of hybrid piezo–triboelectric nanogenerator developed in our laboratory was redesigned to gain sustainability without surrendering practical output. The starting point is a lead-free inorganic platform: BaTiO3/PDMS composites co-filled with Ti0.8O2 nanosheets and Ag nanoparticles, which delivered 60× voltage and 32× current enhancement over pristine PDMS and a power density of about 320 µW cm-2. Replacing randomly oriented nanoparticles with single-crystalline BaTiO3 nanowires grown by a template-free, salt-flux-assisted route (91% yield, ~70 nm diameter, >2 µm length, c/a = 1.0087) raised the poled d33 coefficient to ~115 pC N-1 and the maximum power to 1.72 mW. The synthetic PDMS matrix was then replaced by chitosan hosting BaTiO3 nanorods; combining a soft bacterial-cellulose/carbon-nanotube electrode with a Cockcroft–Walton self-charge-pumping circuit lifted the open-circuit voltage from ~111 to ~247 V and the peak power density to 1568 µW cm-2. The final step removed the inorganic filler altogether. Chitosan–protein composites based on albumin, eggshell membrane and silk fibroin revealed that the glycine fraction, rather than porous morphology alone, governs triboelectric output; silk-based devices powered 59 LEDs in series and remained functional after nine weeks in soil. Guided by this insight, γ-glycine — the most piezoelectrically active but metastable glycine polymorph — was synthesized by an in-house route and dispersed in chitosan, where percolation at 50 wt% produced a fully organic P-TENG delivering ~79 V, ~ 64 µA and ~706 µW, sufficient to drive 100 LEDs and a calculator. Taken together, these results establish quantitative design rules linking crystal polymorph, filler morphology, interfacial contact and circuit-level charge management, and demonstrate that fully organic, biodegradable nanogenerators are a realistic route to self-powered sensing.
Biography
Naratip Vittayakorn is a Full Professor of Materials Science in the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), Bangkok, Thailand, where he founded and directs the Advanced Materials Research (AMR) Unit. Established in 2018, the AMR Unit is the only research group in Thailand to have worked continuously on triboelectric nanogenerators, and it now brings together researchers from KMITL and partner universities around the design of electroactive materials for energy conversion. His research addresses the synthesis, characterization and device integration of electroactive materials for mechanical energy harvesting and self-powered sensing. Principal themes include triboelectric and piezoelectric nanogenerators and their hybrid architectures; lead-free perovskite piezoelectric ceramics such as BaTiO3, (K,Na)NbO3, Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 and BiFeO3-based solid solutions; ferroelectric polymers including P(VDF-TrFE); microwave dielectric ceramics; transparent and flexible sensors; and contact electrification at liquid–solid interfaces. In recent years his group has moved systematically from lead-free inorganic composites toward fully organic, biodegradable nanogenerators built from chitosan, structural proteins and amino-acid crystals such as γ-glycine, with the aim of reconciling device performance with environmental sustainability.
He has published more than 400 peer-reviewed articles, including work in Advanced Functional Materials, Nano Energy, Composites Part B: Engineering, Advanced Powder Technology, Journal of Materials Chemistry C and Journal of Science: Advanced Materials and Devices, and he has supervised a large number of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who now work across academia and industry in Thailand and abroad. His current programme is supported by a Senior Research Scholar grant from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) devoted to triboelectric sensors, with additional support from KMITL and PMU-B.
Alongside his research, Professor Vittayakorn is active in the regional materials community. He serves as General Chairman of the International Conference on Applied Physics and Materials Applications (ICAPMA 2026), to be held in Pattaya, Thailand, in December 2026, and as Guest Editor for Radiation Physics and Chemistry (Elsevier). He maintains long-standing collaborations with research groups in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China and India, and is a frequent invited and keynote speaker at international conferences on nanogenerators, ferroelectrics and sustainable energy materials.
Abstract
Biography
Abstract
Catalytic materials are the core for the conversion and utilization of renewable energy. Addressing the global demand for highly efficient and stable catalytic materials, we focus on three fundamental scientific challenges: the design of active site structures, the precise construction of catalytic surfaces and interfaces, and the operational lifespan of low-dimensional noble metal catalysts under practical conditions. Starting from the structural optimization of high-performance catalytic materials, we have precisely prepared a series of noble metal-based intermetallic compounds with well-defined structures, controllable compositions, and excellent performance. This presentation highlights recent achievements from our research group: by introducing a selective etching reagent during the co-reduction of metal ions, the differences in metal deposition rates caused by varying redox potentials can be balanced, thus enhancing the diffusion rate of different atoms within the particles. Based on this mechanism, we have achieved the customized preparation of various noble metal-based intermetallic compounds under mild conditions. Additionally, we synthesized a series of bcc-structured noble metal-gallium-based intermetallic compounds using a support anchoring method, revealing the temperature-driven atomic ordering mechanism. By systematically comparing the catalytic performance of these materials in reactions such as electrocatalytic water splitting and NO reduction, we clarified the relationship among crystal structure, atomic coordination environment, and catalytic performance.
Biography
Qipeng Lu is a Professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Science and Technology Beijing. He received his M.Sc. (2010) and Ph.D. (2014) from Beijing Jiaotong University under the supervision of Prof. Yanbing Hou. During his doctoral studies, he was a joint Ph.D. student in Materials Chemistry at the University of California, Riverside (2011–2013), supervised by Prof. Yadong Yin. He subsequently conducted postdoctoral research in Materials Science and Engineering at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (2014–2018), under the supervision of Prof. Hua Zhang. His research focuses on the development of advanced catalytic materials and high-efficiency energy conversion devices. He has served as principal investigator on eight national and provincial research projects. He has authored more than 130 SCI-indexed publications, including 17 ESI Highly Cited Papers. As first or corresponding author, he has published over 70 articles in leading journals such as Nature Chemistry, Nature Communications, Advanced Materials, Journal of the American Chemical Society, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Advanced Functional Materials, Advanced Energy Materials, ACS Nano. He holds more than ten granted or filed invention patents and is the first author of one Chinese monograph as well as a co-author of two English-language monographs. He has been selected for Beijing Nova Program and National Young Talent Program.
Abstract
Biography
Hongjie Wang, female, born in 1968, is professor and Doctoral Supervisor at Xi'an Jiaotong University. She received Ph.D. from Xi'an Jiaotong University in 1996. And she was a visiting scholar at Osaka University in Japan from August to November 2000, and at the University of Michigan in the United States from November 2010 to October 2011. Her main research direction is advanced ceramics and composite materials. Up to now, she has published more than 200 papers, over 130 of which are indexed by SCI, and has been granted more than 50 invention patents.
Abstract
Controlling how materials transition between liquid and solid states is fundamental to materials science, but the atomic-scale mechanisms remain poorly understood, especially in confined spaces where surfaces influence nucleation. Here, we use in situ transmission electron microscopy to trap and manipulate a single bismuth nanocluster within a tunable nanoscale gap. We observed reversible transformations between quasi-amorphous, crystalline, and liquid states driven solely by the cluster’s aspect ratio rather than its volume. Crucially, this confinement completely removes the classical nucleation barrier, providing a new route to drive phase transitions that are otherwise difficult to initiate. This geometric control also dictated the crystallographic texture of the resulting nanowire. These results provide the mechanistic foundation for geometry-driven phase and orientation selection, enabling the rational design of nanomaterials and energy-efficient processing routes such as low-temperature sintering and biomineralization through engineered confinement.
Biography
Xiahan Sang is a Professor at the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology. He received his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh in 2012, followed by postdoctoral research at North Carolina State University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Prof. Sang has developed advanced electron microscopy methods and extended them to innovative applications in materials science. He has published over 150 papers in journals including Science, Nature Communications, Advanced Materials, ACS Nano, and Nano Letters, which have been cited over 14,000 times. His current investigations push the boundaries of atomic-scale dynamics in materials, with a specific focus on in situ quantitative electron microscopy and in situ quantitative convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) techniques.
Abstract
Searching for an optimal component and composition of multi-metallic alloy catalysts, comprising two or more elements, is one of the key issues in catalysis research. Due to the exhaustive data requirement of conventional machine-learning (ML) models and the high cost of experimental trials, current approaches rely mainly on the combination of density functional theory and ML techniques. In this study, a significant step is taken toward overcoming limitations by the interplay of experiment and active learning to effectively search for an optimal component and composition of multi-metallic alloy catalysts. The active-learning model is iteratively updated using by examining electrocatalytic performance of fabricated solid-solution nanoparticles for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). An optimal metal precursor composition of Pt0.65Ru0.30Ni0.05 exhibits an HER overpotential of 54.2 mV, which is superior to that of the pure Pt catalyst. This result indicates the successful construction of the model by only utilizing the precursor mixture composition as input data, thereby improving the overpotential by searching for an optimal catalyst. This method appears to be widely applicable since it is able to determine an optimal component and composition of electrocatalyst without obvious restriction to the types of catalysts to which it can be applied.
Biography
Prof. Y. Kim has received his bachelor's degree (2008) in Materials Science and Engineering from POSTECH, and Ph.D. (2013) in Materials Science and Engineering from MIT. He has as a research professor (2014-2020) in KAIST. He has joined as a professor in the department of Materials Science and Engineering in Kookmin University (2020-2024) and in Korea University (2024-present). His research is focused on theory, simulation, and machine learning based nanomaterials design.
Abstract
Soft, biocompatible materials that can conform to living tissue while avoiding the toxicity and heavy processing burden of conventional rigid electronics are becoming central to next-generation eco-materials design. In this talk, I will present our group's work on gallium-based liquid metals as a room-temperature, non-toxic, and highly conductive materials platform for soft bioelectronics. These materials offer an environmentally benign alternative to the mercury- and lead-based conductive fluids historically used in flexible circuitry. This talk will describe direct-printing and micro-patterning strategies that allow liquid metal circuits to be fabricated on soft, biodegradable, or recyclable substrates with minimal solvent use and a low thermal budget, in line with green-processing principles. A central challenge for these materials is long-term interfacial stability in physiological environments. This talk will then present applications spanning implantable neural interfaces for the retina, brain organoids, and spinal cord, as well as smart contact lens platforms that continuously monitor biomarkers in tear fluid. For the latter, I will introduce our digital-twin approach, in which machine-learning models trained on sensor and physiological data predict blood-borne biomarker levels from tear-fluid signals. This illustrates how AI-guided materials design can extend the function of a bio-inspired sensing platform beyond what direct measurement alone can achieve. Together, these results outline a materials strategy in which liquid metals bridge electronic function and biological compatibility, pointing toward a broader design philosophy for sustainable, minimally invasive bioelectronic systems.
Biography
Jang-Ung Park achieved his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in 2009. Following his doctoral studies, he served as a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University from 2009 to 2010. He worked as an assistant / associate professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at UNIST from 2010 to 2018. In 2018, he joined Yonsei University as a professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, where he currently serves. He also holds a concurrent appointment as an adjunct professor in the Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Yonsei University. His current research is focused on wearable and biomedical electronics, bridging the gap between advanced materials engineering and medical applications.
Abstract
The sustainable utilization of biomass-derived resources has become an increasingly important strategy for achieving a circular economy while addressing global environmental challenges. Chitin and chitosan, abundantly obtained from crustacean shell waste generated by the seafood industry, represent renewable and biodegradable biopolymers with significant potential for high-value biomedical applications. Rather than treating these materials as industrial waste, our research aims to convert them into functional biomaterials for tissue regeneration through materials chemistry and bio-composite design.
This keynote lecture introduces our research on chitin/chitosan–siloxane hybrid biomaterials designed for tissue engineering applications. By incorporating silicon-containing organic–inorganic hybrid structures into natural polymer matrices, we have developed bio-composite scaffolds with improved mechanical properties, controlled degradation behavior, and enhanced biological functions for bone, ligament, nerve, and soft tissue regeneration.
Particular emphasis will be placed on the structure and biological functions of silicon in these hybrid systems. The relationships between siloxane network structures, degradation behavior, silicon-containing degradation products, and cellular responses will be discussed to illustrate how silicon chemistry contributes to tissue regeneration. Understanding these mechanisms provides scientific principles for designing next-generation biodegradable biomaterials with improved functionality.
Finally, this lecture will highlight how the upcycling of seafood shell waste into advanced biomedical materials offers a sustainable pathway that connects environmental conservation with regenerative medicine. This approach demonstrates how waste-derived natural resources can be transformed into high-performance biomaterials, contributing simultaneously to resource circulation, human health, and sustainable development.
Biography
Yuki Shirosaki is an Associate Professor in the Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan. She received her Ph.D. under the supervision of Professor Akiyoshi Osaka at Okayama University in 2005 and subsequently conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Porto, Portugal. Her international research experience has established long-standing collaborations with researchers in Europe and Asia in the fields of biomaterials and regenerative medicine.
Her research focuses on the development of bio-composite materials based on biodegradable natural polymers and silicon-containing organic–inorganic hybrid materials for tissue engineering scaffolds. By integrating materials chemistry and biological evaluation, she has developed functional biomaterials for bone, ligament, nerve, and soft tissue regeneration. A particular emphasis of her research is elucidating the relationship between material degradation, the chemical structures of degradation products, and cellular responses, thereby providing design principles for next-generation biodegradable biomaterials.
Over the past two decades, she has made significant contributions to the field of biomaterials through numerous scientific publications, book chapters, patents, and competitive research projects. She has led a variety of national and international collaborative research projects, particularly in the areas of regenerative medicine, bio-composite materials, and organic–inorganic hybrid biomaterials.
Her contributions to biomaterials research have been recognized by several awards, including the Young Investigator Award from The Ceramic Society of Japan, the Young Scientist Award at IUMRS-ICA 2014, and the KFC Research Award.
She actively contributes to the scientific community through leadership roles in several professional societies. She serves as the Vice Chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Committee of The Ceramic Society of Japan, a Director of the Society of Japanese Women Scientists, a Council Member of the Japanese Society for Biomaterials, and a Director of the Japanese Sol-Gel Society. She has also contributed to the organization of numerous international conferences and symposia and has delivered invited and keynote lectures worldwide. She is also committed to fostering the next generation of materials scientists through international education, student exchange programs, and interdisciplinary research in sustainable biomaterials.
Abstract
Copper is an attractive alternative to silver for printed conductors and die-attach materials because it combines high conductivity, low cost, and low electrochemical-migration risk. Its major limitation is oxidation: nanosizing promotes sintering but simultaneously increases reactive surface oxide. Our strategy is not simply to eliminate oxidation, but to control it as a reaction-active surface state that can drive low-temperature sintering.
We have developed chemically synthesized Cu fine particles and nanoparticles stabilized by organic molecules while retaining a small amount of copper suboxide. Cu particles combined with a Cu-based metal-organic decomposition component can form conductive films at temperatures as low as 100 °C under nitrogen (RSC Adv. 2016). Later, 1-hexanoic-acid-stabilized Cu nanoparticles with an average diameter of approximately 80 nm were found to contain a Cu64O surface phase; its removal/reduction during heating activates the surface and promotes neck formation under nitrogen (Mater. Adv. 2022).
Our current work extends this concept to oxidation-state-engineered Cu particles with Cu64O/Cu8O-rich surface regions and concentrated pastes. In situ XRD and electron microscopy indicate that the metastable suboxide-rich surface transforms toward metallic Cu at low temperature, creating a transient state of enhanced atomic mobility. This reaction-driven process promotes interparticle necking and enables conductive films and Cu-Cu joints at substantially reduced temperatures. Recent die-attach experiments have produced joint strengths in the tens-of-MPa range at 200 °C under moderate pressure.
The presentation will connect particle synthesis, surface-phase control, dispersion, in situ characterization, sintering, and bonding performance with the broader materials-design framework for low-temperature Cu joining (Adv. Eng. Mater. 2026). The central concept is to turn copper oxidation from a processing liability into a controllable chemical driving force for next-generation electronic packaging.
Biography
Tetsu Yonezawa is Professor in the Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Japan. He received his Doctor of Engineering degree in Applied Chemistry from The University of Tokyo in 1994. During his doctoral studies, he also spent time as an exchange doctoral student at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL). After serving as a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Research Fellow, he began his academic career at Kyushu University, where he worked on colloid and interface chemistry, supramolecular materials, and metal nanoparticles. He subsequently became Associate Professor at Nagoya University and then at The University of Tokyo before joining Hokkaido University as Professor in 2009.
His research has consistently focused on the chemistry, synthesis, surface control, dispersion, organization, and application of metal and metal-oxide nanoparticles. A major current theme is the development of copper fine particles and nanoparticles for low-temperature conductive-film formation and sinter bonding. Because copper combines high electrical and thermal conductivity with low cost and low electrochemical-migration risk, his group is working to overcome its principal limitation: rapid surface oxidation. Their strategy includes molecular surface protection, controlled formation and transformation of sub-oxide phases such as Cu64O and Cu8O, high-concentration paste formulation, and mechanistic analysis by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. These studies target printed electronics, 3D interconnection, and die-attach technologies for advanced semiconductor and power-electronics packaging.
Professor Yonezawa also works on noble-metal nanoparticles, atomically controlled clusters, solution/plasma synthesis, self-assembled hybrid materials, and nanomaterials for energy-related applications. He has held visiting professorships including at EPFL, Georgetown University, Peking University, and Chulalongkorn University, and is International Chair Professor at National Taipei University of Technology. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in 2016. His work links fundamental nanoparticle chemistry to scalable processing and practical electronic-materials technologies.
Abstract
Ceramic manufacturing often requires high-temperature heat treatment and prolonged processing, and reducing the associated energy consumption and environmental impact is an important challenge for sustainable materials production. This keynote presents a novel approach to ceramic processing using pulsed electric fields with extremely short durations on the nanosecond timescale. Unlike conventional processes that rely primarily on prolonged heating of the entire material, nanosecond pulsed electric fields can apply intense electric fields within an extremely short period, offering the possibility of selectively inducing and controlling specific phenomena in materials. Through research examples including materials synthesis, alignment of particles and fillers, microstructure control, and sintering, we discuss the potential transition from thermally driven materials processing to field-assisted processing in which electric fields are actively employed to trigger desired phenomena. Finally, we explore a new direction for “eco-processing” that seeks to achieve both enhanced material functionality and reduced environmental impact during manufacturing.
Biography
Abstract
Biography
Abstract
In recent years, various electric-field assisted sintering technologies have attracted growing research interest. Among them, flash sintering has gained considerable attention for its capability to achieve rapid densification of materials within an extremely short time. Nevertheless, it still faces multiple challenges when fabricating large-size samples. Thermal runaway, uneven distribution of electric current and temperature give rise to various defects in samples, including cracks, voids and microstructural inhomogeneity. For this reason, bulk ceramic materials prepared by flash sintering have rarely been reported with respect to their mechanical and other properties.
This study proposes a novel technology of electric-field controlled sintering (ECS). By regulating the electric current parameters passing through the sample, ultra-rapid sintering of a wide range of ceramics is realized at relatively low sintering temperatures, including MAX-phase materials, cemented carbides, ultra-high temperature ceramics, alumina, silicon carbide and so on. Dense bulk ceramic materials are fabricated, which exhibit superior mechanical properties compared with those obtained via conventional sintering methods. The influencing mechanisms of electric fields on sintering densification behavior and material properties are preliminarily explored. The athermal effect during electric-field controlled sintering is investigated, referring to the changes in sintering behavior and material properties induced by electric current itself rather than Joule heat. Comparisons with conventional sintering methods demonstrate that the introduction of electric current can significantly accelerate densification and exert remarkable impacts on microstructure and mechanical performance. The findings provide an important reference for understanding the action mechanism of electric fields in material sintering processes.
Biography
Chang-An Wang is a tenured professor in School of Materials Science and Engineering at Tsinghua University. He received his B.S. in 1992 and Ph.D in 1997 at Tsinghua University. From 2001~2002, he was a post-doctor in Georgia Institute of Technology, USA. He is a Co-Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology, Associated Editor of Frontiers of Materials Science, editorial board member of Journal of Advanced Ceramics and so on. His active research covers advanced ceramics and ceramic matrix composites, porous ceramics, solid-state electrolytes and catalytic materials. He published over 300 papers in the journals including Nature Energy, Mater. Today, Nature Commun., Adv. Funct. Mater., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., Nano Energy, and so on. He owns more than 30 invention patents. He won five 2nd-class awards of science and technology at the provincial and ministerial level. He has received numerous awards, including the Richard M. Fulrath Award of the American Ceramic Society and the Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan. Most recently, he received the Academic Award of the Ceramic Society of Japan for his contributions to novel ceramic processing based on nanosecond pulse technology.
Abstract
Recently, quasi-2D lead-free layered double perovskites (LDPs) with formula Cs4M(II)M(III)2X12 (e.g., M(II) = Cu2+; M(III) = Sb3+) have been discovered and developed, demonstrating several intriguing characteristics such as direct and tunable bandgap nature (down to ~1.0 eV in theory), low- or none-toxicity, low effective masses and superior structural stability. The crystal structure of LDPs within one unit cell consists of one layer of [M(II)X6]4- octahedra sandwiched by two layers of [M(III)X6]3- octahedra, which forms an anisotropic conformation. To date, colloidal Cs4M(II)M(III)2Cl12 nanocrystals (NCs) or even quantum dots (QDs) have been primarily synthesized as attractive light absorber or emitter for diverse optoelectronics as well as photocatalysis.
In this talk, I will present several of our relevant works regarding the tuning of optoelectronic properties in novel LDP NCs. We first proposed a new system by replacing Sb with In at M(III) site, resulting in Cs4CuIn2Cl12 NCs (denoted as CCuI), which show an almost 2% photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) in the near UV range. We attributed the PL enhancement to the radiative transition of featured self-trapped excitons (STEs). We then conducted lattice engineering on the established CCuI NCs, by replacing Cu2+ with other transition metal ions, including Co2+ and Zn2+, to synthesize first-ever Cs4CoIn2Cl12 (CCoI) and Cs4ZnIn2Cl12 (CZnI) NCs with a wide bandgap of 3.5-3.8 eV. Benefiting from the formation of more STEs that relax in a radiative way, a broad PL spectrum was observed with a highest PLQY of 11.4% for CZnI NCs. To further reduce the bandgap, M(III) site engineering was investigated with Bi3+ and Sb3+ in the case of emissive Co-based NCs, i.e., forming C4CoBi2Cl12 (CCoB) and Cs4CoSb2Cl12 (CCoS) with a lowered bandgap of 2.8-3.2 eV, which excited state lifetimes have also been extended. We believe upon further structural and compositional engineering the LDPs with a wide range of tunable bandgaps can be a promising light emitter or absorber for eco-friendly, stable and efficient light-converting applications such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), photocatalytic reactions and solar cells.
Biography
Dr. Maning Liu is an Associate Professor (Docent) of Materials Chemistry and a WISE Fellow (largest ever investment in Materials Science for Sustainability in Sweden) at Lund University, Sweden, a position he commenced in April 2023. His research is focused on the development of novel functional materials, with a particular focus on metal halide perovskites and semiconductor quantum dots for next-generation photovoltaic and photocatalytic applications, such as solar cells and solar fuel generation. Dr. Liu's distinguished academic path is uniquely complemented by significant industrial experience. He began his career as a senior Process Engineer in the TFT-LCD and thin-film solar panel industries, providing him with a robust foundation in scalable materials manufacturing. This practical drive for application fuels his fundamental research, which leverages cutting-edge time-resolved laser spectroscopy to unravel the photophysical mechanisms governing charge generation, recombination, and transport in nanomaterials. He holds a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from RMIT University, Australia, and further honed his expertise as a postdoctoral and senior research fellow at Tampere University, Finland. Dr. Liu has co-authored more than 70 influential publications, patents, and book chapters. As an emerging leader in his field, his group (Light-Activated Energy Materials Group) at Lund University is dedicated to bridging the gap between material discovery and device engineering for a sustainable energy future.
Abstract
Alloys composed of five or more distinct elements are categorized as high entropy alloys (HEAs). The intriguing variety inherent in these alloys can give rise to unforeseen properties arising from intricate interactions among the diverse elements. Through meticulous fine-tuning of the types and proportions of elements within the HEAs, it is possible to achieve enhanced mechanical and chemical properties, setting them apart from conventional alloys that typically consist of only two or three primary elements. In recent years, works have been carried out on HEAs with three or more elements with high affinities to hydrogen, such as titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), tantalum (Ta) and niobium (Nb). It has been found that these alloys have considerable hydrogen storage capacity (>2 wt.%), low hydrogen storage pressure, high resistance to corrosion and thermal stability. These properties allow the HEAs to be utilized for hydrogen storage and release operations in a wider range of temperatures and environments. In addition to the amount and type of hydrogen-affinity elements present in the HEAs, lattice strain (δ) and valence electron concentration (VEC) are considered to have considerable influence on the hydrogen storage properties of these alloys. The effects of these factors will be discussed in the presentation. We have designed a series of cost-effective TiZrVNb and TiCrVNb based HEAs for use in hydrogen storage applications. These HEAs have higher δ and VEC as compared with previously researched HEAs in the literature. Our HEAs could absorb up to 3 wt.% of hydrogen at 50 bar and 298K. The hydrogen storage capacity is comparable or exceeding the more expensive TiZrVNbHf HEA. These results, together with a few suggested research directions on the hydrogen storage of HEA, will be discussed in detail in the presentation.
Biography
Professor Sammy Chan is presently a chair professor at the National Central University (NCU), Taiwan, and an honorary professor at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia. Prof Chan started his career in Materials Engineering in England, where he received an Honours BSc(Eng) degree in Metallurgy from Imperial College, and a PhD from the University of Cambridge. He held professorial positions at different universities, including National Taiwan University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and UNSW. Chan’s expertise lies in the areas of materials design and energy materials. Chan has received numerous research and teaching awards, and is an Academician of the Asia Pacific Academy of Materials. He is also Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (UK), Australian Institute of Energy, and Materials Research Society (Taiwan). Chan serves as a Discipline Expert (Materials Science) for Engineers Australia. Chan has been listed among the top 2% of the Stanford University World’s Ranking of all researchers (Career) and yearly since 2021, Professor Chan is a co-editor-in-chief of Materials Chemistry and Physics (Publisher: Elsevier; Journal Impactor Factor = 5.2) and the founding editor-in-chief of MCP Sustainability and Energy, also by Elsevier.
Abstract
Nowadays, the energy sustainability is crucial to support our future development. In this context, the materials properties play key roles in the various aspects of the energy storage and energy conversion [1-5]. Particularly, the bio-based materials are of interest not only as active materials for the energy storage devices, such as supercapacitor, but also as quasi-solid electrolytes. Herein, I present our recent works on the theoretical and experimental on flexible supercapacitors. We investigate the ion transport properties of bio-based quasi-solid electrolyte and reveal the hidden properties behind the non-linear responses during the charging/discharging process for a flexible quasi-solid supercapacitor. This approach, called “Flux analysis”, allows determining new parameters that taking into account the non-equilibrium thermodynamic processes during the charging/discharging [6]..
Biography
Dr. Randriamahazaka Hyacinthe is Distinguished Professor at Université Paris Cité (Fance) and he is Director of Prospective and Strategic Partnerships within PRINTUP Institute (https://printupinstitute.fr/en/home-printup-institute/) which is a new Institute dedicated to printed electronics for healthcare at Université Paris Cité. He is member of the scientific council of the European Materials Research Society – E-MRS (https://www.european-mrs.com/), and leader of a new Working Group “Translational Approach for Sustainable Materials” within E-MRS. Recently, he is nominated as Member of the Commission Education of the International Union of Materials Research Societies (IUMRS). He is involved in many national and international projects in the field of energy storage/conversion. His major interest is focused on the surface modification processes, the photoelectrochemical processes, the heterogeneous electron transfer mechanisms, the charge transfer within new organic and carbon based materials. These studies aim to develop various energy storage/conversion devices (electrocatalysis, hydrogen production, supercapacitors, artificial photosynthesis, redox-flow batteries, actuators and artificial muscles). Particularly, he investigated the surface modification of carbon-based surfaces, carbon-based catalysts, and the use of nanocarbon as active materials. Prof. Randriamahazaka is the recipient of research funding (total €3,300 000 as PI) and he was involved in many national and international projects (China, Japan, Singapore, Korea) supported by CNRS, the French Agency for Research ANR, and European Union within the FP7, H2020 and Horizon Europe programmes.
Abstract
Electroless Ni–P coatings provide effective surface protection but are generally unfavorable hosts for luminescent materials because the Ni-rich matrix can absorb emitted light and promote nonradiative energy loss. Preserving upconversion emission within such a coating is therefore challenging, yet it could enable protective surfaces with optical sensing capability. In this study, Yb3+/Er3+-doped NaYF4 upconversion particles were incorporated into an electroless Ni–P coating deposited on low-carbon steel. The phase composition, surface morphology, mechanical and tribological properties, thermal stability, and optical behavior of the coating were systematically investigated. Structural analysis confirmed the presence of crystalline NaYF4 particles within the as-deposited Ni–P matrix. Heat treatment at 400 °C induced crystallization of the matrix, resulting in the formation of Ni and Ni3P phases together with a minor YF3 phase. Steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements were conducted under 980 nm excitation to examine the upconversion emission and decay characteristics of the coated surface. Despite the Ni-rich environment, the coating exhibited clear visible upconversion emission, confirming that the embedded particles retained their optical activity. No significant change in the overall emission profile was observed after heat treatment compared with the as-deposited coating. These findings show that optically active NaYF4-Yb3+/Er3+ particles can be integrated into an electroless Ni–P matrix without losing their essential emission characteristics. The temperature-dependent emission behavior is investigated to assess the coating as a non-contact optical temperature sensor. This work establishes a new route for combining surface protection and optical temperature sensing in a single Ni–P-based coating.
Biography
Dr. Yuwaraj K. Kshetri is a material engineer and physicist at Sun Moon University, Republic of Korea. He received his M.S. in Physics from Tribhuvan University, Nepal, and his Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from Sun Moon University. His research achievements were recognized through his selection as a Korea Research Fellow in 2020 and a Regional University Outstanding Scientist in 2021. Dr. Kshetri’s research spans advanced ceramics, functional coatings, low-dimensional materials, and semiconductor systems for optical, energy, environmental, electronic, and sensing applications. His work focuses particularly on oxide and nitride ceramics, including SiAlON-based structural and photonic materials, electroless composite coatings, and two-dimensional heterostructures. He has extensive expertise in X-ray and neutron diffraction data analysis for the investigation of complex crystalline materials. He also employs density-functional theory calculations to study electronic structures, defect chemistry, phase stability, and optical behavior. Dr. Kshetri has co-authored more than 67 peer-reviewed journal articles and several book chapters and has contributed to the development of multiple granted patents. He has led research projects supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea and collaborated with researchers across Asia, Europe, and the United States. In addition to his research activities, he has more than ten years of university-level teaching experience in physics and materials engineering.
Abstract
The rise of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has brought them to the forefront of next-generation photovoltaics, yet their long-term operational stability remains a major barrier to practical application. In the widely used n–i–p architecture, state-of-the-art PSCs rely on the benchmark hole-transport layer (HTL) Spiro-OMeTAD, typically doped with lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) and 4-tert-butylpyridine (tBP). Unfortunately, these conventional dopants introduce intrinsic chemical and thermal instability. Moreover, the complex in situ oxidation processes involved in conventional Spiro-OMeTAD doping make the underlying doping mechanisms difficult to understand, hindering the rational development of stable, high-performance HTLs.
In this presentation, I will share our step-by-step strategy for overcoming the stability limitations of Spiro-OMeTAD. We developed a clean, post-oxidation-free doping strategy based on stable organic radicals and ionic salts as dopant modulators, termed ion-modulated (IM) radical doping. Unlike conventional doping, the organic radicals directly generate hole polarons in Spiro-OMeTAD, enabling an immediate increase in both electrical conductivity and work function. The ionic salts subsequently modulate the energetics of these hole polarons, providing an additional and effective means of tuning the HTL work function. By optimizing the dopant system, we further achieved a substantial improvement in the thermal stability of Spiro-OMeTAD, with the doped HTL remaining stable at temperatures as high as 85 °C. Importantly, enhanced HTL effectively suppresses Au migration into the perovskite absorber. By further chemical engineering the dopant structure, we enhance its resistance to iodide-induced degradation, addressing a key degradation pathway in PSCs. Overall, these results demonstrate that IM radical doping provides a powerful and versatile strategy for overcoming the stability limitations of Spiro-OMeTAD-based hole-transport layers.
Biography
Feng Wang received his PhD from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Since 2023, he has been an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology at Linköping University, Sweden. He has previously been awarded a VINNMER Fellowship (Sweden, 2017), a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship (European Commission, 2018), and an Åforsk Entrepreneurship Scholarship (Sweden, 2023). His research has been supported by funding from the Swedish Research Council, STINT, the Formas Network Grant, Olle Engkvists Stiftelse, Carl Tryggers Stiftelse, and the Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science at Linköping University. His research interests focus on developing novel materials for sustainable energy technologies, particularly solar cells. Feng Wang has co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, such as Science, Nature, and Nature Photonics. His publications have received over 11,000 citations with an h-index of 49.
Abstract
The energy cost of artificial intelligence is no longer a design choice but a strict physical constraint. Global data-center power demand is projected to exceed 1,000 TWh by 2026, and rack power density now reaches 100–120 kW, beyond what conventional air cooling and grid connections can absorb. Under these conditions, alternative computing paradigms that exploit the intrinsic dynamics of physical systems are attracting growing attention worldwide. Among them, in-materio physical reservoir computing uses the nonlinear responses and collective phenomena emerging in materials to process information at high energy efficiency [1–3]. Nanomaterials are attractive candidates for such hardware because their complex network structures naturally exhibit nonlinear dynamics, memory effects, and stochastic behavior that can be harnessed for computation [1,2,4]. Self-organized nanomaterial networks, in particular, act as rich physical reservoirs that transform temporal information into high-dimensional representations while keeping power consumption low and device architectures simple [5–8]. Recent work has extended this idea to multifunctional devices that integrate sensing, memory, and computing functions within a single material platform [9–11]. We investigate nanomaterials as building blocks for next-generation AI hardware. Our work spans the design and fabrication of random network architectures [5–10], the development of unconventional computing devices and system-level implementations [12–14], and their integration into embodied AI platforms. In parallel, we have built advanced robotic systems through participation in international competitions [15], which serve as practical testbeds for real-world validation of physical AI technologies. Here we introduce representative nanomaterials and network architectures, discuss key functionalization strategies, and review our recent progress toward robotic applications. Attention is given to a carbon nanotube (CNT) sponge-based tactile sensor integrated into a robot hand [16]. The device performs sensing, memory storage, and on-sensor computation simultaneously, indicating a practical route toward compact, low-power, and highly efficient AI hardware for autonomous robotics and broader physical AI applications.
Biography
Prof. Tanaka completed his doctorate in materials science by studying the structural and magnetic properties of ferromagnetic nanoalloys at Osaka University in 1999. Then, moved to a national laboratory, RIKEN, to study the conductivity of metallic nanowires with double-probe scanning tunneling microscopy as a special postdoctoral researcher. After that, he advanced the molecular-ruler method in which precise multilayers of self-assembled molecular monolayers are used as lithographic resists to yield nanostructures with precise nanometer-scale spacings as a postdoctoral researcher at the Pennsylvania State University under Prof. Paul Weiss (presently UCLA, former chief editor of ACS Nano). Prof. Tanaka then joined the Research Center for Molecular-Scale Nanoscience at the Institute for Molecular Science in 2003 as an assistant professor, where he directed research in molecular electronics using carbon nanotube electrodes. He found that gold nanoparticles can switch from metallic conduction of SWNTs to semiconducting simply by nanoparticle adsorption. He has also focused on the development of atomic switches, exploring the ultimate miniaturization of electrical switches, and controlled by photo irradiation 2004-2008 in a key technology project of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) and receive an excellent journal award from Japan Society of Applied Physics in 2012. He moved to the Department of Human Intelligence Systems, Graduate School of Life Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech) as a full professor in 2014 and is focusing on bio-mimic and/or neuromorphic AI electric nanodevices such as material reservoir devices. He concurrently became a director of the Research Center for Neuromorphic AI Hardware, Kyutech, in 2020. He was awarded an honorary degree from Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand, in 2021 (see photo), and received the degree certificate from Thai HRH Princess Sirindhorn. He obtained a national project as a PI, ALCA-NEXT, during 2023-2026 supported by Japan Science and Technology Agency, focused on carbon neutral and green computing. His broad knowledge of materials, from metals and inorganic materials to organic materials, and techniques for measurement and fabrication helped lead efforts in molecular electronics and in combining nanocarbon and nanoparticles to realize a new world of materials intelligence in nanosystems.
Abstract
Achieving a sustainable, carbon-neutral energy economy relies on bridging two critical material lifecycles: the circular management of end-of-life energy storage devices and the scalable deployment of green hydrogen technologies. While electrochemical water splitting offers a clean pathway for fuel production, its industrial viability is frequently bottlenecked by sluggish interfacial charge-transfer kinetics, severe catalyst degradation, and competitive side reactions in complex electrolytes. This presentation highlights recent progress in overcoming these challenges by harnessing nanoscale kinetic phenomena at the solid-liquid interface, thereby transforming spent lithium-ion battery (LIB) cathodes into highly active and resilient electrocatalysts.
In this talk, I will discuss how nanoscale control over surface composition and morphology enhances active site accessibility and accelerates interfacial charge transfer, outlining foundational strategies for reconfiguring complex, multi-metal waste streams into structurally optimized catalytic frameworks. These principles are extended to direct seawater electrolysis, where competition between oxygen evolution and chloride oxidation typically limits performance. By tailoring the local chemical environment, the catalysts selectively lower the kinetic barrier for oxygen evolution while suppressing chloride-induced corrosion. The resulting materials exhibit high activity, selectivity, and durability at industrially relevant current densities. This approach establishes interfacial kinetic engineering as a powerful strategy for transforming electronic waste into functional materials for sustainable hydrogen production.
Biography
Prof. Lawrence Yoon Suk Lee earned his Ph.D. from McGill University, Canada, in 2006 and currently serves as a Professor in the Department of Chemistry, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He leads a research group specializing in electrochemistry, with a focus on the design and development of advanced nanomaterials and nanocomposites for (photo)electrocatalytic applications, including water splitting and CO2 reduction.
Prof. Lee’s work centers on unravelling structure–activity relationships to optimize reaction mechanisms, contributing to breakthroughs in sustainable energy technologies. His research interests also encompass the development of electrode materials for lithium- and sodium-ion batteries, as well as the environmentally responsible upcycling of spent cathode materials. Employing cutting-edge electrochemical and photochemical techniques, alongside state-ofthe-art characterization tools, Prof. Lee’s team investigates the atomic structures of nanomaterials and their catalytic evolution, aiming to advance the science of sustainable energy conversion and storage.
Abstract
Biography
Professor Wenbin Cao received his B.E. degree from the Northeast Institute of Technology in 1992, his M.E. degree from Northeastern University in 1995, and his Ph.D. from the University of Science and Technology Beijing in 1998. He subsequently conducted two years of postdoctoral research at the University of Science and Technology Beijing before serving as a COE Researcher at Osaka University, Japan, from 2000 to 2002. He then joined the faculty of the University of Science and Technology Beijing.
His current research focuses on photocatalytic materials, spanning fundamental research, technology development, and industrial applications. He has published more than 150 peer-reviewed papers and holds over 20 patents. He serves as an Associate Editor of both the Journal of Inorganic Materials and the International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology, and as an editorial board member of four journals. He is also a member of ISO Technical Committee 206 on Fine Ceramics (ISO/TC 206) and the National Technical Committee on Industrial Ceramics Standardization (TC 194).
Abstract
Biography
Professor Santi Maensiri received his B.Sc. in Physics from Khon Kaen University, Thailand, in 1994, followed by an M.Sc. in Ceramic Processing from the University of Leeds in 1996 and a D.Phil. in Materials Science from the University of Oxford, UK, in 2001. His research interests encompass applied physics, materials science, materials physics, functional materials, and nanomaterials. He has published more than 350 Scopus-indexed articles, with over 14,000 citations and an h-index of 60, reflecting the significant impact of his research in materials science and related fields.
At Suranaree University of Technology (SUT), Thailand, Professor Maensiri has held several key academic and administrative leadership positions, including Head of the School of Physics, Dean of the Institute of Science, and Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and Internationalization. He currently serves as Dean of the Institute of Science, Director of the Centre of Excellence in Advanced Functional Materials (SUT-AFM), and Director of the NANOTEC-SUT Research Network on Nanotechnology for Nanomaterials and Advanced Characterizations.
At the national and international levels, Professor Maensiri has played an active role in promoting materials research and fostering scientific collaboration. He served as President of the Materials Research Society of Thailand (MRS-Thailand) and currently serves as Treasurer of the International Union of Materials Research Societies (IUMRS). He is also Editor-in-Chief of Science and Innovation of Advanced Materials and serves on the editorial boards of Materials Chemistry and Physics (Elsevier), Rare Metals (Springer), cMat (Wiley) and SmartSys (Wiley).
In recognition of his contributions to science and materials research, Professor Maensiri has received several prestigious awards, including the Thailand Young Scientist Award, the National Research Award in Physical Science and Mathematics from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) in 2012 and 2013, and the Senior Research Scholar Award from the Thailand Research Fund (TRF) in 2013.
Abstract
Biography
Dr. Rameshwar Adhikari, Professor of Chemistry at Tribhuvan University (TU), Kathmandu, Nepal, studied Chemistry at TU and graduated from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany, in 2001, under the supervision of Prof. Goerg H. Michler. He served as Executive Director of the Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology (RECAST), TU, from 2017 to 2020. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati and as a Visiting Professor at the University of Rouen (France), Mahatma Gandhi University (India), and the Kyoto Institute of Technology (Japan) at different times.
Dr. Adhikari is a Fellow of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) and a recipient of prestigious fellowships from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Alexander von Humboldt (AvH) Foundation. He served as the first Ambassador Scientist of the AvH Foundation in Nepal from 2012 to 2016 and is currently the President of the Humboldt Club Nepal. He is also a recipient of the POLY-CHAR International Materials Science Prize and the Technology Award of the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST).
He currently serves as a Scientific Committee Member of POLY-CHAR (International Polymer Characterization Forum), a Steering Committee Member of the Asia Pacific Conference of Young Scientists (APCYS), a Life Member of the Nepal Chemical Society, and a Founder President of the Nepal Polymer Institute (NPI), the National Adhering Organization of the IUPAC.
Dr. Adhikari’s research interests span traditional technologies, polymers, biomaterials, eco-friendly and natural products, including fibers and textiles. He has (co)authored more than 300 research papers in peer-reviewed journals and eight books, and has (co)supervised 25 PhD researchers (15 completed) as well as more than 120 Master’s and Bachelor’s theses. Dr. Adhikari has wide experience in the formulation of policies and guidelines for various science and technology-related Nepal Government bodies. He has been actively engaged in promoting and mobilizing young scientists in Nepal. The annual “Young Scientists Summit (YSS)” is one of his flagship initiatives in this direction, with its 11th edition to be held in Kathmandu in December this year.
Abstract
Biography
Zeng Yi is a full professor in Shanghai institute of ceramics, Chinese Academy of Science. He is also the director of the Advanced Inorganic Materials Science and Engineering Industrial Technology Foundation Public Service Platform, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology; and the director of the Shanghai Quality Inspection Center for Key Ceramic Materials and Devices. He is mainly engaged in research related to scanning electron microscopy and serves as Chief Scientist of the Instrument Development Special Project of the National Key R&D Program of China. As a project leader, he has undertaken many national and local research projects, including a project under the Materials Genome Special Project of the National Key R&D Program, the 863 Program, international cooperation projects of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Shanghai Science and Technology Support Program. He has published more than 100 SCI-indexed papers as first author or corresponding author. He serves as president of the Shanghai Society for Microscopy and vice chairman of the Scanning Electron Microscopy Committee of the Chinese Electron Microscopy Society.
Abstract
Advanced materials are essential to the ecological energy transition, enabling more efficient energy conversion and storage, durable infrastructure, electromobility, and next-generation electronics. Yet their sustainability depends not only on what materials can do, but also on how they are made. This lecture examines how materials synthesis can reduce energy and resource consumption, improve atom economy, and limit reliance on critical raw materials. It will introduce emerging synthesis paradigms including field-assisted processing that use electrical, magnetic, microwave, or mechanical stimuli to influence reaction pathways, accelerate materials formation, and potentially access structures or properties unattainable by conventional routes. Particular focus will be laid on chemical processing of nanostructured ceramics as low-energy approach and the control of surfaces and interfaces, where composition, defects, and bonding govern charge transport, catalytic activity, and corrosion resistance. Examples will include functionalized inorganic surfaces for hydrogen-producing electrolysers and photon-harvesting materials for perovskite photovoltaics. The central message is that sustainable energy technologies require not only high-performing materials, but also resource-efficient synthesis strategies that deliberately control how those materials form and function.
Biography
Sanjay Mathur is a Chair Professor and Director of the Institute of Inorganic Materials Chemistry at the University of Cologne in Germany. He is a Distinguished Professor at IIT Madras and IIT Kharagpur, India. He is also the Director of the Institute of Renewable Energy Sources at the Xian Jiao Tong University, Xian, China and a World Class University Professor at the Chonbuk University in Korea. ceramics for energy technologies. He holds several patents and has authored/ co-authored over 600 original research publications that have been cited >27,100 times (h index, 88) and has edited several books. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief for Journal of Electroceramics, and Editor for Nano Energy. He is an Academician of the World Academy of Ceramics. He was awarded the Honorary Doctorate of Vilnius University in 2016. He is a Fellow of ACerS, ECerS, ASM International and MRS. He was elected Fellow of the European Academy of Science in 2020 and as Foreign Fellow of National Academy of Science, India in 2021. He was awarded the Woody White Award of the Materials Research Society (MRS) in 2021 and had received the Medal of the Chemical Research Society of India (2022). He is also the recipient of the Materials Frontiers Award (2022) of the International Union of Materials Research Society (IUMRS, 2022). He has served as the President of the American Ceramic Society (ACerS, 2022-23), USA. He was recognized by the Orton Jr. Lecture (2022/23) of the ACerS. He is the Secretary of IUMRS, and he serves on the Boards of European Materials Research Society (E-MRS), German Ceramic Society (DKG) and German Materials Society (DGM). He was recognized with the M L Bhagat award of the Indian Ceramic Society (2024). He was elected as Academician of the African Academy of Science (2023).
Abstract
Graphite/Cu composites show great potential for advanced electrical‑contact components, yet inferior interfacial compatibility severely degrades their mechanical strength and wear resistance. Inspired by natural core‑shell architectures, this work develops a core‑shell functional‑integration strategy to stabilize interfaces and synergistically tailor the mechanical, electrical and tribological performances. First‑principles calculations were adopted to evaluate interfacial adhesion and electronic structures of pristine Graphite/Cu and carbide‑modified interfaces (MeC = TiC, ZrC, WC). By comparing the adhesion work, equilibrium interfacial separation, surface energy and electronic characteristics, ZrC was screened as the optimal coating candidate. Subsequently, ZrC shells were fabricated on graphite via a molten‑salt method, and the obtained C@ZrC particles were introduced into copper matrix by powder metallurgy. Different from composites with separately‑added graphite and carbide fillers, the core‑shell C@ZrC integrates the solid‑lubricating effect of graphite and the interfacial‑bonding as well as rigid load‑bearing functions of ZrC in one single reinforcement, realizing interfacial bridging without introducing redundant heterogeneous interfaces. The optimized 5C@ZrC/Cu composite delivers a tensile strength of 209.9 MPa (22.9 % higher than pure Cu), an elongation of 43.7 %, and an electrical conductivity of 89.3 % IACS. It achieves a friction coefficient of 0.20 and a wear rate of 0.25 × 10⁻⁴ mm³·N⁻¹·m⁻¹. Microstructural characterizations indicate that the ZrC interlayer strengthens interfacial bonding and inhibits graphite pull‑out; the rigid shell facilitates load transfer, retains graphite and stabilizes lubricious tribolayer upon sliding. This core‑shell design provides an effective route to fabricate high‑performance graphite/Cu electrical‑contact composites.
Biography
Lei Jia is a Professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology (XUT), China, and currently serves as Vice Dean of the Institute of Excellence in Engineering at XUT. He received his Ph.D. in 2012 and joined the faculty of XUT, later conducting postdoctoral research at Osaka University, Japan, and a visiting scholarship at the University of Ottawa, Canada.
Prof. Jia's research interests lie in high-performance nonferrous metal alloys and composites, surface engineering and tribology, and multi-scale computation and numerical simulation. He has led 5 projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (including two as co-principal investigator) and one Young Scientists Fund project, together with several provincial research programs. He has published more than 40 SCI-indexed papers as first/corresponding author in journals including Carbon, Materials Science and Engineering A, and Progress in Natural Science – Materials International, and holds over 10 authorized patents and intellectual property rights. He was selected as a Shaanxi Provincial Young and Middle-aged Leading Talent in Scientific and Technological Innovation.