The International Conference on Nature-Inspired Materials and Chemistry, co-organized by the Hangzhou Innovation Institute and the School of Chemistry of Beihang University, was convened at the Hangzhou International Campus, attracting over 100 experts and scholars from different countries and regions including China, the United States, France, South Korea, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Australia, and Israel to discuss the latest advancements in biomimetic science and chemistry.
The opening ceremony was held on the morning of January 19. In attendance were Zhao Weisheng, vice president of Beihang University, Jiang Lei, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and chief scientist at the Hangzhou Innovation Institute’s Biomimetic Science and Technology Innovation Center, and other key leaders. Liu Mingjie, dean of the School of Chemistry, moderated the event.
In his welcome speech, Zhao Weisheng expressed his warm greetings to the guests. He emphasized that the conference provides a high-level platform for academic exchange and hoped that it would foster international collaboration and innovation in the field of nature-inspired materials and chemistry through intellectual engagement.
Jiang Lei delivered a keynote speech titled “Quantum Ionics: Ultra-Low Energy Consumption of Energy Conversion/Information Transmission in Biological Systems,” discussing cutting-edge research in biomimetic energy conversion. Professor Takuzo Aida, member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, presented on “Supramolecular Plastics for a Sustainable Future.” Professor Makoto Fujita, recipient of the Wolf Prize in Chemistry, explored “Molecular Confinement Effects by Self-Assembled Cages.” Professor Chen Xiaodong, member of the Singapore Academy of Sciences, shared the groundbreaking achievements in bio-interfaced electronics with the theme of “Wrapping Bio-Interfaced Electronics.” These four keynote speeches sparked lively discussions among the attendees.
The conference featured two thematic sessions: Bio-Inspired Soft Materials and Interfaces and Bio-Inspired Nanomaterials and Energy. Notable experts, including Professor Andreas Herrmann from RWTH Aachen University, Professor Volker Abetz from Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Professor Ho Seok Park from Sungkyunkwan University, Professor Zhang Hua from City University of Hong Kong, and Vice President Cheng Jianjun from Westlake University, shared their research findings in the fields of new materials, energy, and catalysis, offering innovative insights into complex challenges and showcasing practical applications of novel mechanisms.
In the invited report session, Qiao Shizhang, fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, Nita Dragoe, director of the SP2M Center at Paris-Saclay University, David Quéré, professor at École Polytechnique, Liu Xiaogang, academician of the Singapore National Academy of Sciences, and Jacob Klein, academician of the European Academy of Sciences, respectively presented topics covering electrocatalytic refining, new materials synthesis, capillary biology, energy conversion, and molecular proliferation.
The conference concluded with a summary speech by Jiang Lei. He stated that as an emerging interdisciplinary field, nature-inspired materials and chemistry hold immense potential. He urged scholars to deepen international collaboration, tackle scientific challenges, and advance research in this field to new heights.
With a focus on frontier technologies and future development, the Hangzhou Innovation Institute of Beihang University continues to build high-level platforms for academic exchange and cooperation, striving to optimize the academic research ecosystem and establish an international hub for science and education collaboration.
(Approved by: Hong Guanxin, Zhang Wei, Xu Ran)
Edited by: Yuan Xiaohui
