The Nature Conference: CO2 Conversion by Renewable Energy, co-sponsored by Wuhan University of Technology, Foshan Xianhu Laboratory, Nature Catalysis, Nature, Nature Materials, Nature Chemical Engineering, Nature Chemistry and Nature Nanotechnology, was successfully held in Wuhan from November 8 to 10, 2024. The conference aims to advance sustainable development based on renewable energy and carbon dioxide utilization. Key topics included electrocatalytic and photocatalytic CO2 reduction, mechanism and characterization studies, and device scaling for practical applications.

The conference witnessed the participation of Academician Zhang Qingjie of WUT; Alex Zhang, Editor-in-Chief of Nature Energy; Benjamin Martindale, Editor of Nature Catalysis; Yanfei Zhu, Editor of Nature Chemical Engineering; Adam Weingarten, Editor of Nature Chemistry; Magdalena Helmer, Editor of Nature; and Wenjie Sun, Editor of Nature Nanotechnology. Experts and scholars from University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), California Institute of Technology (Caltech), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Siemens Energy, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Tsinghua University, Peking University, and other organizations, as well as representatives of various parties, totaling more than 200 people attended the meeting.

On behalf of WUT, Vice President Mai Liqiang warmly welcomed the guests to the conference. He expressed his aspiration that the conference would serve as a platform for intellectual exchange, fostering innovative ideas, advancing renewable energy-driven CO2 conversion, and contributing to the community with a shared future for mankind. Besides, he also introduced the achievements of WUT in materials and energy research.

The conference featured academic presentations by 30 prominent scholars and experts, including Academician Yang Peidong from UC Berkeley, Academician Bert Weckhuysen from Utrecht University, Professor Ye Jinhua from National Institute for Material Science, Academician Wu Lizhu from Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry ,Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Academician Luo Jingli from Shenzhen University, Academician Tang Junwang from Tsinghua University, Professor Xu Bingjun from Peking University, Dr. Guenter Schmid from Siemens Energy, and Professor Karthish Manthiram from Caltech. In addition to the insightful academic sessions, the conference hosted a variety of engaging activities. Having collected “Editors’ choice” short talks and Lightning talks, this conference served as a stage for outstanding young scholars to show themselves.

Four outstanding posters were selected for awards, with Dr. Benjamin Martindale, editor of Nature Catalysis, announcing the winners and presenting honorary certificates during the closing ceremony.

WUT’s strong foundation in energy materials research was instrumental in the success of this conference. This is the first international conference focusing on carbon dioxide conversion held by Nature Conference. It is also the third natural academic conference held by WUT, following the 2016 International Conference on Materials for Energy and the 2019 Nature Conference: Solar Fuels. The conference further strengthens the academic exchanges and cooperation between domestic and international researchers in materials and energy fields. It also provides an opportunity for domestic experts, scholars and students to engage with cutting-edge topics in this field. At the same time, this conference plays a positive role in enhancing WUT’s influence and reputation in the global materials and energy research community.

Written by: Zhang Yu, Yu Kesong

Rewritten by: Zhou You

Edited by: Liang Muwei, Li Tiantian

Source: Institute of New Materials（State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology For Materials Synthesis and Processing）