NSFC-BHKAEC Joint Symposium on Electrochemical Interfaces in Energy Conversion and Storage

To deepen the scientific research collaboration between Hong Kong SAR and Mainland, NSFC-BHKAEC joint symposium on Electrochemical Interfaces in Energy Conversion and Storage was held at HKUST on 8-11 November 2024. The event was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre (BHKAEC). Prof. LO Kam Hong, Dean of Engineering, and Prof. SHAO Minhua, Director of Energy Institute, welcomed more than 30 renowned speakers and over 100 participants at the opening ceremony.

Renewable energy is playing an increasingly vital role in the global energy transition. The importance of energy storage technology to enhance grid flexibility, support renewable integration, and promote industry decarbonization has become increasingly prominent. Throughout the Symposium, speakers presented their latest research findings and shared their perspectives on scientific challenges and potential solutions in the areas of “Advancements in Perovskite Solar Materials”, “Hydrogen Energy and Electrocatalysis”, “Battery Health Monitoring Technologies”, “Solid State Battery”, and “Electrocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Reduction”.

The Symposium facilitated fruitful discussions among participants, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to address the challenges in energy conversion and storage. Future research directions were identified, focusing on enhancing material stability, optimizing catalytic processes, and improving battery technologies, all of which are crucial for advancing sustainable energy solutions. It not only provided a platform for scientists in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area to exchange scholarly ideas and to establish future collaborations, but also an excellent opportunity for the students and young researchers to widen their scientific horizon.