Symposium on Bioinspired Intelligent Interface and Materials was held at SIAR from August 29 to 31, 2023. Hosted by the Nano Science and Technology Institute, USTC, the symposium invited more than 20 experts and scholars at home and abroad, including three foreign academicians, eight National Outstanding Youth Science Fund winners and renowned professors and researchers in the field of bioinspired intelligent interfaces and materials. In the Master Forum (Dushu Forum) and themed seminars, participants discussed the opportunities and challenges in the development of bioinspired nanomaterials, energy materials, interface materials, structural materials, and intelligent materials. Tu Jing, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice President of SIAR, Ni Rui, Vice President of SIAR, Li Jun, Director of the Scientific Research Department of SIAR, Xu Xiaorong, Director of the Human Resources Department of SIAR, Yang Qing, Vice President of Nano Science and Technology Institute and teachers and students at SIAR attended the symposium. The symposium was chaired by Professor Cheng Qunfeng, Secretary-General of the Conference.
Opening Ceremony
Vice President Tu Jing extended his welcome to the experts and scholars, and expressed his best wishes for the symposium. Professor Cheng Qunfeng introduced the basic information of SIAR and the history and plan for future development of the Nano Science and Technology Institute. Professor Xu Xiaorong put forward the expectations for the talent introduction of SIAR, and introduced relevant policies for talent introduction and training.
Dushu Forum – Master Forum
The Master Forum was held on the morning of August 30 at the Theater of Wei Zhen Building, USTC. Three foreign academicians were invited to give lectures.
Professor Ray Baughman, member of the National Academy of Engineering, foreign member of the European Academy of Sciences and professor at the University of Texas in Dallas, introduced the importance of artificial muscles by presenting the images of human muscles and robots, and shared how to use twisted, coiled and folded polymers or carbon nanotube yarns to create powerful artificial muscles. He also demonstrated the potential of the materials in medical robotics and soft robotics.
Professor Jacob Klein, member of the European Academy of Sciences, member of the Israeli Academy of Sciences, and professor at the Weizmann Institute of Israel, gave a detailed explanation on “Cell-inspired, massive electromodulation of interfacial properties”. He studied the massive, reversible modulation -- by up to 200-fold -- of the interfacial energy dissipation between surfaces sliding across the lipid bilayer membranes, and its potential applications in life sciences and other fields.
Huanting Wang, professor and ARC Laureate Fellow, Monash University, gave a lecture on “Smart materials and 2D membranes for water purification, lithium extraction and solvent nanofiltration”. He took the use of floating light-absorbing materials for solar desalination and water purification as an example, introducing the wide application of stimulus-responsive polymers and photothermal materials in various engineering research.
After the lecture, Li Jun, Head of Division of Science and Technology, and Professor Cheng Qunfeng awarded commemorative trophies to the experts who participated in the Master Forum.
Themed seminars
On the afternoon of August 30, the experts held in-depth discussions on bioinspired energy materials, interface materials, structural materials, and smart materials in Classroom A107, Mingde Building, SIAR. Professor Li Dan from the University of Melbourne, Australia, Professor Wei Lei from the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Professor Fan Zhiyong from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Professor Wang Zuankai from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Professor Lu Yang and Professor Xu Lizhi from the University of Hong Kong, Professor Wang Yilin from SIAR, Researcher Wen Liping, Wang Jianjun, Li Mingzhu from the Institute of Physics and Chemistry, CAS, Professor Chen Huawei and Professor Liu Huan from Beihang University, and Professor Jin Jian and Professor Feng Xinjian from Suzhou University shared their latest research results and practice that combines basic research with nanotechnology. They also discussed cutting-edge technologies, emerging applications and future trends in the field of bioinspired nanomaterials.
This symposium has received great attention and support from experts and scholars in the field of biomimetic nanomaterials. At the same time, it will promote the cultivation of innovative talents in the nano field and assist the development of nano research. It is of great significance in promoting the discipline construction of nano science and engineering of USTC. In the future, the Nano Science and Technology Institute will focus on the leading role of nanotechnology on new technologies and continuously strengthen academic exchanges, so as to improve the academic standards and cultivate more talents for the country!
