From November 16th to 19th, 2023, the 1st Westlake Forum on Solar Energy Conversion and Catalysis was successfully held at the Yungu Campus of Westlake University. The forum invited numerous leading scholars from both domestic and international fields, adopting innovative formats such as academic presentations, roundtable discussions, poster sessions, and a Young Scientist Forum to facilitate exchanges. Over 600 participants, including faculty and students from universities, research institutes, and industry representatives, gathered at Westlake University to share cutting-edge theories and research achievements, discuss technological bottlenecks, and explore development trends. The forum achieved its intended goals and received positive feedback.
Venue Exterior
On-site Registration
On-site Registration
Venue Interior
At the opening ceremony, Forum Chair Academician Licheng Sun , Chair Professor of Westlake University and Director of the Center of Artificial Photosynthesis for Solar Fuels, presided over the event and introduced the center’s development journey and the original intent behind establishing the forum. Professor Li Deng, Vice President of Westlake University, Executive Dean of the School of Science, and Yiming Xu’s Chair Professor, delivered a welcome address, extending the warmest greetings on behalf of Westlake University to all attending scholars. As a special guest, Feixue Gao, Director of the Department of Chemical Sciences at the National Natural Science Foundation of China, affirmed the significance of the forum and encouraged scholars to engage in in-depth exchanges during the event.
Opening Ceremony presided over by Conference Chair, Academician Licheng Sun
Address by Professor Li Deng, Vice President of Westlake University and Executive Dean of the School of Science
Address by Director Feixue Gao, Department of Chemical Sciences, National Natural Science Foundation of China
Nearly a hundred distinguished guests, including Academicians Tao Zhang , Can Li, Yongfang Li, and Jinlong Yang from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, attended the forum. Over the course of three days, they delivered academic presentations and participated in roundtable discussions centered on themes such as "Novel Solar Cells and the Future of the Photovoltaic Industry," "Current Status and Challenges of CO2 Reduction for Solar Fuel Production," "Mechanisms of Natural and Artificial Photosynthesis," "Science and Technology of Green Hydrogen Production via Water Electrolysis," and "Theories and Mechanisms of Solar Energy Conversion Catalysis." The on-site atmosphere was lively, with in-depth discussions, and many attendees expressed that they benefited greatly from the event.
Academic Presentations
Roundtable Discussion
During the poster session of the forum, participants utilized tea breaks to learn from and engage with one another. All attendees and experts voted to select 6 outstanding posters from over 60 academic posters, with certificates awarded to the winners.
Poster Session
Poster Session
Outstanding Poster Award Ceremony
The forum also featured a Young Scientist Forum, which not only promoted dialogue and exchanges among early-career researchers and showcased team research progress but also provided opportunities for guidance from senior scholars.
Young Scientist Forum
The forum aimed to establish a platform for mutual learning and exchange among scholars in the field of solar energy conversion and catalysis, with a focus on fostering research consensus and inspiring innovative ideas through roundtable discussions. Let us look forward to gathering again at Westlake University for the Second Westlake Forum on Solar Energy Conversion and Catalysis.
