On 26-27 November 2022, the 4th International Symposium on Plasma and Energy Conversion (iSPEC 2022) was successfully held both online and offline in Shenzhen. The iSPEC 2022 was co-sponsored by China Electrotechnical Society (CES), Institute of Electrical Engineering (IEE) of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), South China University of Technology, Nanjing Tech University and Foshan University, and co-organized by Plasma and their Applications Committee, CES, Youth Innovation Promotion Association (IEE, CAS), Beijing International S&T Cooperation Base for Plasma Science and Energy Conversion, College of Electrical Engineering and Control Science, Nanjing Tech University, IEEE NPSS Nanjing Section Chapter, National Innovation Center for Advanced Medical Devices and Guangzhou University. This conference accepted 200 plus paper abstracts and 33 full papers and attracted over 500 experts, scholars and students from domestic and foreign universities and research institutions.
The opening ceremony was hosted by the co-chair of the conference Prof Dong Dai of South China University of Technology. Mr. Yi Han, Secretary General of CES, Prof Tao Song, Vice Director of IEE, CAS, Prof Wenhu Tang, Dean of the School of Electric Power Engineering of South China University of Technology, Prof Zhi Fang, Dean of the College of Electrical Engineering and Control Science of Nanjing Tech University, and Prof Xin Liu, Vice Director and General Manager of National Innovation Center for Advanced Medical Devices gave welcoming and congratulation speeches.
During the keynote section, 5 world-reputed experts were invited to share their recent research achievements. Prof. Richard Wirz of University of California, Los Angeles, detailed the interaction mechanisms between plasma and complex material surfaces and their applications in space propulsion and fusion energy. Prof Hyun-Ha KIM of National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan talked about plasma technology for "power-to-X" conversions and the new achievements of green, sustainable oxidation and nitrogen fixation using spark discharge plasma. Prof Weidong Xia of University of Science and Technology of China analyzed the key technologies and scientific problems of thermal plasma in applications such as coal injection and acetylene preparation, in response to the Carbon Neutral target in Chinese Heavy Industry. Prof Xiaolei Fan of University of Manchester, UK, emphasized the new concept of rationally designing efficient catalysts and other challenging catalytic chemistry by non-thermal plasma activation. Member of Academia Europaea, Prof Annemie Bogaerts of the University of Antwerp in Belgium, shared the latest experimental and multiscale simulation results of plasma-driven CO2, CH4, and N2 gas conversion into value-added compounds.
4 parallel sessions were held, with 98 researchers invited to present on topics including high-voltage and discharge, basic plasma processes, diagnosis and simulation, plasma and hydrogen energy, carbon cycle and catalysis, plasma nitrogen fixation, clean combustion technology, plasma and interfacial interaction processes, plasma catalysis, energy storage material preparation and modification, and the latest advances in other plasma and energy conversion technologies.
The iSPEC, oriented towards national strategic needs and the forefront of emerging science, involves multiple disciplines such as electrical engineering, physics, chemical engineering, energy and materials. It is an academic event related to low-temperature plasmas and energy conversion research. The successful convening of this iSPEC and the past 3 symposiums provides a high-level communication and exchange platform for experts and scholars engaged in this research field at home and abroad and promotes cooperation in related fields.
