From 28th October to 2nd November, the 16th International Conference on Metal-Hydrogen System in 2018 was successfully held in the Crowne Plaza Guangzhou, co-hosted by South China University of Technology and Guangdong Institute of Rare Metals. The meeting was chaired by Professor Min Zhu, Vice President of South China University of Technology and member of the Executive Committee of the Metal-Hydrogen System Series Conference. Zhi Dang, Vice-Chancellor of South China University of Technology, delivered a welcome speech. More than 300 experts and scholars from 36 countries and regions like China, the United States, France, Canada, Germany, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Spain, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Taiwan, and Macau attended the meeting. The topics of this Conference ranged from the basic theory of hydrogen storage materials innovation, nano-control, catalytic modification, multiply composite, to the application and development of materials synthesis, device preparation and others, which generated overwhelming response in the field of hydrogen storage.
Fig.1 International Conference on Metal-Hydrogen System held in Guangzhou
In the opening address, Vice-Chancellor Zhi Dang pointed out that in today's world, with resources like oil, natural gas and coal decreasing every day, the development of new energy is extremely urgent. Hydrogen energy as a sustainable and clean energy is one of the ideal energy for mankind in the future, and is strategically significant to the sustainable development of the world economy. Therefore, the utilization of hydrogen energy is an important energy solution for low-carbon society and economic development. The prospects will be broad, and it is every scientific researcher’s responsibilities to consistently explore and work hard in this field.
Fig.2 Exploring the development of hydrogen storage materials
SCUT has made remarkable achievements in the basic theory, materials synthesis and application of metal-hydrogen system. We have got the “973 Project” and the “Innovation Group” project by NSFC, with academic influence home and abroad.
The conference further promoted researches in the field of hydrogen production, hydrogen storage and hydrogen utilization. It expanded the academic influence of SCUT in the field of metal-hydrogen system, and improved the research level of hydrogen energy materials and devices in China. The Conference was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Guangzhou Association for Science and Technology, the Wang Kuancheng Education Foundation, and other hydrogen storage institutes home and abroad.
This Conference series is the oldest, largest and most important international academic conference series in the field of hydrogen storage materials science and technology. It started in 1990 and was held every two years in Europe, America, Asia or Oceania. In 1998, the 5th International Conference on Metal-Hydrogen System was held in Hangzhou, China. After 20 years, China holds this conference again, and it is also a great event for the international academic exchanges of SCUT.
