NCKU's 2023 HIGEM International Conference shines with the presence of renowned German scholar Prof. Martin Winter and other exp-國立成功大學永續發展SDGs

National Cheng Kung University's Hierarchical Green-Energy Materials Research Center (Hi-GEM) held the "2023HIGEM" international conference at the Chonghua Hall of the Magic School of Green Technologies on the Li-Hsing Campus for two consecutive days starting from January 10th. The event began with a keynote speech by Prof. Martin Winter, a globally renowned scholar in the field of batteries from Germany. Eminent scholars from Taiwan, including Academician Li-Chyong Lin, and experts from Japan, Spain, India, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia gathered to exchange significant achievements in green energy materials.

The opening ceremony of the conference took place  on January 10th at 8:40 AM, with representatives from the Tainan City Government's Economic Development Bureau and NCKU President Huey-Jen Su attending. A total of 19 domestic and international experts gave speeches, attracting over 150 participants from academia, industry, and research institutions.

In her address, President Huey-Jen Su mentioned that the  Magic School of Green Technologies was selected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as one of the world's seven iconic low-carbon green buildings. She emphasized the importance of collaborative exchanges among scholars, industry, and government agencies in supporting academic research. Prof. Martin Winter witnessed the development and progress of NCKU's Hi-GEM over the years and expressed his pleasure at being able to share his research on green energy batteries and receive support from numerous experts in attendance.

Director Jow-Lay Huang, the chair professor of NCKU's Hi-GEM, stated that this conference, now in its third edition, showcases the most outstanding research achievements of Hi-GEM in its first five years. Seizing the opportunity of global economic restructuring after the pandemic, the conference aimed to link research energies domestically and internationally to accelerate Taiwan's transition to net-zero emissions. Under the cross-campus, cross-institution, and cross-disciplinary teamwork of Hi-GEM, pioneering academic research and technological innovation have been evident. With a focus on the trend of net-zero carbon emissions and sustainable development, Hi-GEM aims to seize opportunities in the next five-year plan and lead in the global supply chain.

Prof. Martin Winter, a distinguished German scholar invited to Taiwan, has been researching energy storage and energy conversion in the field of electrochemistry for 30 years. He is an academician of the National Academy of Sciences and Engineering of Germany, director of the MEET Battery Research Center at the University of Münster, and chairman of the German Battery Research Advisory Committee of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). His presentation focused on the latest research on dual-ion batteries under the theme "What is a Green Battery? Pros and Cons on the Example of the Dual Ion Battery."

The conference brought together domestic authorities, including National Taiwan University's (NTU) Professor Li-Chyong Lin, newly elected as an academician of the Academia Sinica in 2022, who shared trends in reducing carbon dioxide levels through artificial photosynthesis. It also featured Prof. Bing-Chao Huang of National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST), who received the highest honor from the Humboldt Foundation and was honored with a lifetime distinguished chair by the Ministry of Education, and Prof. Nai-Li  Wu of NTU, honored with the prestigious Yao Technology Chair. Additionally, Prof. Jo-Shu Chang, vice president of Tunghai University, listed among the top 2% of global scientists in 2022, participated in the event.

During the two-day conference, an "Industry-Academia Forum" was held for the first time to promote dialogue between academia and industry. Companies such as Genetics Generation Advancement Corp., Waters Corp., Aurora Borealis Technology Co., Ltd., LihYuan Co., Ltd., BenQ Materials Corp., and Junsun Technology Co., Ltd., shared their relevant technological developments. The forum was chaired by Prof. Kuan-Jung Fang, convener of the Advanced Battery Industry Alliance. The following day, a "Women in Science" forum was held to showcase the significant role of female scientists in addressing global challenges. (HIGEM's website)