The 13thSino-US Forum on Nanoscale Science and Technology was successfully held at the InterContinental Chengdu Global Center from June 29thto July 3rd. Acknowledged by the nano community in China as “the best” large-scale nano conference – especially with regard to the encouragement that it provides to young scholars and students – the forum has brought ethnic Chinese researchers together once a year since 2006.
For several years, Sichuan University has endeavoured to bring the forum to Chengdu and was honoured last year to be selected to host the 13thforum, jointly with Southwest Jiaotong University. Several government departments of Sichuan Province and Chengdu City provided strong financial support. More than 1,300 people participated in the forum, including prestigious national and international academicians, senior and junior professors, students and industrial researchers. The forum organized 51 invited talks on leading-edge nanoscience and nanotechnology, together with 42 invited posters and 124 student posters and 4 panel discussions on current topics in the field.
On the evening of June 29th, the Vice Governor of Sichuan Province, Mr. Zhu Hexin, hosted a special dinner ceremony to welcome the scientists who came to Chengdu for the forum. SCU President, Professor Li Yanrong, and Chinese-American Academician Zhang Xingdong, also of Sichuan University, joined the ceremony.
Assistant President of Southwest Jiaotong University, Professor Wang Xiaoru, chaired the opening ceremony on the morning of June 30th. During the same session, the President of Southwest Jiaotong University, Professor Xu Fei, and SCU Vice President Professor Yan Shijing each addressed the forum.
The forum focused on “Nanoscience and Advanced Nanotechnology” and consisted of four sessions, namely, “Nanobiology and Nanomedicine,” “Nanomaterials Synthesis and Characterization,” “Nanomaterials Potential for Energy and Environmental Sectors” and “Nano-production for Applications.”
July 1stwas dedicated to a celebration marking the 10th anniversary of Nano Research. The Editor-in-Chief ofNano Research, American Academician Professor Dai Hongjie, announced that Academician Professor Chad Mirkin from Northwestern University and Academician Professor Jiang Lei from the Chinese Academy of Sciences would share the 2018 “Nano Research Award” for their outstanding contributions to the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The two awardees delivered inspiring presentations on their scientific research. Also, another 12 experts participated in the celebration with their scientific presentations.
In the four stimulating and fruitful panel discussions, the audience, including senior and junior professors, students and industrial researchers, shared their enthusiasm with the panel members. In this way they provided much insight with their fervent contributions. Professor Nie Shuming (Nanjing University) led the discussions on “Prospective of Nanomaterials in Medical Applications,” Academician Zhao Dongyuan (Fudan University) on “Fundamental Research in the Foreground,” Professor Song Yanlin (Chinese Academy of Sciences) on “Outlook of Nanomaterials in Energy and Catalysis Markets,” and Academician Jiang Lei (the Chinese Academy of Sciences) on “Development Directions of Novel Nanomaterials and Advanced Characterization Tools.”
In the closing ceremony held on the afternoon of July 2nd, two of the three forum chairmen, Professor Sun Shouheng (Brown University) and Professor Zhou Zuowan (Southwest Jiaotong University), announced the winners of the Student Poster Award of the 2018 Forum.Nano Researchsupported the Award also. Academician Zhao Dongyuan (Fudan University) and Professor Liu Jie (Duke University, Editor ofNano Research) presented the six gold awards to the winners. Professor Yu Kui (Sichuan University, the third Forum chairman) and Professor Peng Xiaogang (Zhejiang University, Editor ofNano Research) gave the 18 silver awards to the winners.
Last but not least, deep gratitude was expressed to the organizers and sponsors whose tireless work and generous support were invaluable to the successful convening of this year’s forum, which provided an excellent opportunity for the world to learn more about Sichuan University, in addition to Chengdu and Sichuan Province. Moreover, the forum enabled and strengthened the capability of Sichuan University to collaborate with the best research groups in nanoscience and nanotechnology from around the globe. This outstanding 13thSino-US Forum is sure to contribute significantly to SCU’s important efforts toward developing a world-class university.
