Chemical Science & Technology towards a Low-Carbon Economy

Summary of 17^th CSCST-SCI conference in Oxford

The 17^th Joint Annual Conference of CSCST-SCI, co-organized by the University of Oxford, CSCST-UK (the Chinese Society of Chemical Science and Technology in the UK) and SCI-CS (the Society of Chemical Industry, Chinese UK Group), was successfully held in Oxford. The Conference was kindly supported by the Education Section and the Science & Technology Section of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, and SCICS.  The conference chairs were Prof. Zhanfeng Cui and Dr. Zheng Jiang.  The theme of the 17^th CSCST conference was Chemical Science & Technology towards a Low-Carbon Economy. More than 140 researchers registered for the Conference and approximately 180 people from academic and industrial institutions attended the Conference. The attendees, including chemists, chemical engineers and biochemists, came from the areas of green chemistry, sustainable energy, materials, chemical engineering, environment protection, and industries. According to the web statistics, the Conference website attracted visits from more than 40 countries, worldwide.

Prof. Zhanfeng Cui opened the conference, and Prof. Peter P. Edwards, FRS, head of the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Oxford, gave a welcome speech prior to his plenary lecture.  On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, Dr. Futao Chen, Counsellor of Science & Technology, introduced the low-carbon policy in China, and the collaborations between the UK and China in science and technology areas.  Mr. Hong Li, First Secretary of Education from the Chinese Embassy in the UK, addressed the development of education collaborations between the UK and China. The Executive Director of SCI, Ms Joanne Lyall introduced the activities and background of SCI and gave an overview to the potential of the SCI-China branch.  Mr. Shen Zhu, General Manager of Pujing (Shanghai) presented their efforts on sustainable energy and low-carbon technologies.  Pujing (Shanghai) was the first sponsor from China who kindly supported CSCST-UK for the annual conference in its 19-year history. Dr. David Clark from the Royal Society of Chemistry discussed the contributions of Chinese scholars to the RSC and its journals.  On behalf of the RSC, Dr Clark also presented a travelling award to a representative, Dr. Chuang Peng, of Chinese scholars in the UK.

The first plenary lecture, Turning CO₂ into Fuel, was given by Prof. Peter P Edwards, FRS covered the broad development of frontier research on the CO₂ capture and utilization (CCU).  He addressed how the conversion of CO₂ into chemicals plays a crucial role in creating a sustainable future for the human race, which is very much sought after by China, UK, and elsewhere in the world.  The second plenary lecture was given by Prof. Richard C Darton, FREng, from the Department of Engineering, University of Oxford, a former president of the Federation of European Chemical Engineering, with the title The Low-Carbon Economy: What We Can Learn from Previous Engineering Challenges.  Mr. John Kessels from the IEA Coal Institute, an IPCC Scientist with a recognized contribution to the IPCC Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, spoke on the Future of Coal and Carbon Capture and Storage.  Four keynote lectures from Prof. Wuzong Zhou, Prof. Tony Marmont, Prof. Yulong Ding and Prof. Guosheng Shao, lead the separate sessions in 2 lecture rooms split according to their academic disciplines. 28 Posters were displayed. The Conference received some 62 abstracts from attendees, including 3 plenary lectures, 4 keynote talks, 26 oral presentations, and 28 posters in total.

In the concluding session, Prof. Zhanfeng Cui summarized the conferences achievements and announced the prizes sponsored by SCI for the best oral and poster presentations in the conference. On behalf of the CSCST committee, Prof. Dongsheng Wen appreciated Dr. Chuang Peng’s contributions to the Society within his Chairship of CSCST. Dr. Cigang Xu, chair of the SCI-Chinese UK Group, introduced activities of the group and the membership. Finally, Dr. Zheng Jiang thanked the valued contributions from the attendees, local volunteers and sponsors, including (Shanghai) Chemical Industry Ltd, Akozo Nobel, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), and Air Fuel Synthesis Ltd.

The attendees commented that this conference had been “one of the best of its kind”. And the 17^th joint CSCST-SCI conference initiated the globalization of the CSCST-SCICS conference. The conference brought a marvelous platform to exchange ideas and initiate potential collaborations in combating the global climate change and pursuing a sustainable human being society, for Chinese and British scholars and students in the chemical science and engineering.

CSCST also nominated Dr. Zheng Jiang (Oxford), Dr. Nigel S Dong (IEA Coal Institute) and Dr. Yunfeng Gu (Cambridge) as candidates for the new president and Co-presidents. The results will be announced on the websites of CSCST and CSCST-SCI Conference, respectively.

(Written by Dr. Zheng Jiang)

Prof. Zhanfeng Cui giving the opening address.           Prof. Peter P. Edwards extending a warm welcome

Counselor, Dr. Futao Chen (Left) and Mr. Hong Li (Right), from the Chinese Embassy in the UK,

addressing the UK-China bilateral Sci-technology and Education collaborations to the audience.

Ms Joanne Lyall (SCI) and Dr. David Clark (RSC) addressing the Conference

Mr. Shen Zhu (Pujing) on his speech.             Dr. David Clark presents the award to Dr. Chuang Peng

Prof. Peter P Edwards, FRS and Prof Richard C. Darton, FREng, giving their Plenary Lectures.

Mr. John Kessels and Prof. Wuzong Zhou (St. Andrews) giving their Lectures

Prof. Tony Marmont (AFS, Ltd) and Prof. Guosheng Shao (Univ. Bolton, right) giving their Keynote lectures

Prof. Yulong Ding (Univ. Leeds) giving his Keynote Lecture and Chairing the Oral Presentation Session

Prof. George Chen (Univ. Nottingham) and Dr. Tiancun Xiao (OxfordCatalysts) Chairing the Oral Sessions

               

Prof. Dongsheng Wen Chairing a talk and presenting a gift to Dr. Chuang Peng (CSCST President)

Glimpse of the keynote Session.                    Registration members of Oxford local team

Exhibition of Royal Society of Chemistry                         Photo of the attendees after lunch

SCI Prizes for Best Oral and Poster Presentations

Prof. G.Chen Awarding 1^st Place Prize of Oral Presentation to Mr K. H. Zhang(Oxford)   Chuang Peng Awarding 1^st Prize of Poster Prsentation to Miss. L. Kong(Oxford)

Dr. T. Xiao Presenting 3^rd Place Prize of Oral Presentation to Miss Chen(Queen Mary)                Dr. D Wen Presenting 2^nd Prize of Poster to Mr. Daniel Minett(Bath)