China-UK workshop on solid oxide fuel cells and solid oxide electrolysis cells was successfully held in the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SICCAS) from 21st – 23rd October 2019. The workshop was jointly sponsored by National Nature Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and British Council (BC). Prof. Zhaoyin Wen, president of Asian Society for Solid State Ionics, was the chairman. Prof. Zhongliang Zhan (SICCAS) and Prof. Ming Li (University of Nottingham) served as executive chairmen. Over 40 young researchers from China’s and UK’s universities, research institutes and enterprises participated the workshop.

At the opening ceremony, Prof. Lixin Song (Direct of SICCAS) delivered a warm welcome to all participants. On behalf of BC, Prof. Ming Li (University of Nottingham) introduced the current situation and various financial aids of international cooperation between China and the UK.

Prof. Lixin Song (Director of SICCAS) delivered the welcome speech

Prof. Ming Li (University of Nottingham) introduced the cooperation situation between China and UK

This Workshop focused on the academic exchange of SOFC and SOEC materials, stacks, systems and applications. Prof. John Irvine (University of St Andrews), Prof. Gavin Walker (University of Nottingham), Prof. Mingfang Han (Tsinghua University), Prof. Zhaolin Wang (Xiamen university), Prof. Chusheng Chen (University of science and technology of China), and Prof. Zhaoyin Wen (SICCAS) gave plenary the presentations. Thirth young scholars from Imperial College London, University of St Andrews, University College London, University of Sheffield, University of Aberdeen, Newcastle University, University of Bath and from SICCAS, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Ningbo Institute of materials technology and engineering, Tsinghua University, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xiamen University, Wuhan University, Hubei University, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Southwest University, Jiangsu University of science and technology, Shandong Normal University, Nanrui Group and other universities, research institutes and enterprises gave the oral presentations. The presentations gave rise to the in-depth discussions.

Invited representations given by Prof. Mingfang Han, Prof. Chusheng Chen, Prof. John Irvine, Prof. Gavin Walker, Prof. Zhaoyin Wen, and Prof. Zhaolin Wang

Five panel and roundtable discussions had been set up in the workshop, i.e. Surviving and Thriving in Academia, Publishing in high-profile journals - high impact research and better writing, Careers outside academia and setting up spin-out companies, Roundtable discussions on challenges facing SOFC/SOEC. The mentors Prof. John Irvine, Prof. Gavin Walker, Prof. Chuansheng Chen and Prof. Zhaoyin Wen discussed with young scholars, answered their questions, shared their academic research experience, and established academic contacts with young scholars. The young scholars took this opportunity to share their research ideas and broaden their research horizons.

Panel and Roundtable Discussions

This workshop has promoted academic exchanges between young scholars from China and the UK, enhanced their understanding of future career paths and development opportunities, and laid a good foundation for further bilateral cooperation and cross integration innovation.

Group photo of China-UK workshop on solid oxide fuel cell and solid oxide electrolysis cells