This symposium will bring together leading scientists, researchers, and experts in electrochemistry, sustainability, and carbon and nitrogen management for an inspiring and thought-provoking event. Participants will have the opportunity to explore cutting-edge advancements in (photo)electrochemical conversion of CO2 and N2 into valuable chemicals and fuels, as well as water electrolysis for sustainable hydrogen production. The symposium aims to provide a comprehensive platform for discussing the latest developments in CO2 and N2 (photo)electroreduction and water electrolysis, key technologies for addressing global sustainability challenges. Topics will cover a wide range of areas, including catalyst design and synthesis, advanced (in situ/operando) characterization techniques, energy efficiency, reactor design and scaling up, mechanistic and process simulations. Renowned experts from academia, industry, and government will present pioneering research, offering insights into real-world applications and future potential of these electrochemical conversion technologies. Attendees will also have numerous opportunities for discussions, networking, and fostering collaborations that can accelerate progress toward a more sustainable future. We invite you to join us in exploring and shaping the future of (photo)electrochemical CO2 and N2 conversion and water electrolysis, transforming CO2 from a climate challenge into a valuable resource, advancing decarbonization of nitrogen-based chemicals and fuels, and promoting clean hydrogen production.
- Electrochemical Interface
- Advanced (in situ/ operando) Characterization
- Understanding Reaction Mechanisms
- Catalytic Material Discovery and Design
- Electrolyzer Development and Optimization
- Electrolysis Processes for CO2, N2 and Water
- Process Modeling and Simulations
- Scale-Up Strategies for Electrochemical Systems
- Life Cycle Assessment
- Techno-Economic Analysis
Guillermo Díaz-Sainz received his Degree in Chemical Engineering (2015) from the University of Cantabria and his MSc. in Chemical Engineering (2017) delivered from the University of Cantabria (UC) and the University of the Basque Country. In 2021, he completed his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Energy and Processes focused on the development of processes for CO2 electrocatalytic reduction to formate. He is currently integrated into the Research Group DePRO (Development of Chemical Processes and Pollution Control), and at present, he is Assistant Professor in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department. Currently, the research activity and mid/long term interests of Dr. Diaz-Sainz are mainly focused on the development of an innovative process for the CO2 capture and photo/electrochemical conversion in products of interest, and at the same time, the production of green hydrogen by electrolyzers.
Mingchuan Luo is now an assistant professor at School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, China. He obtained his PhD degree in Chemistry from Beijing University of Chemical Technology in 2016 (with Prof Hong Zhu and Prof Yushan Yan). After graduation, he carried on postdoc research at Peking University (2016-2018, with Prof Shaojun Guo), University of Toronto (2018-2020, with Prof Edward Sargent) and Leiden University (2020-2023, Marie Curie Fellow, with Prof Marc Koper), before joining Peking University as PI in 2023. His research focuses on understanding the chemistry of electrified interfaces and transferring the knowledges into advancing electrocatalysis for renewable conversions.
Cátia AzenhaRoberto Fiorenza is Associate Professor of Industrial Chemistry at the University of Catania. His research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of catalytic materials for environmental and energy applications, with emphasis on photocatalysis and hybrid approaches, including unconventional materials. He has received several awards for his research. His teaching activity highlights sustainability in Industrial Chemistry and heterogeneous catalysis
Dr. Deepak Pant is a Senior Scientist at the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Belgium. His research focuses on bioenergy, specifically, the design and optimization of bio-electrochemical systems for energy recovery from wastewater and microbial electrosynthesis for production of value-added chemicals through electrochemically driven bio-processes. He has 3 books (on Springer, Elsevier and CRC Press), 4 Patents, 125 peer-reviewed publications with >9300 citations (h-index 55) and 28 book chapters to his credit. He is a member of scientific communities like ISMET, ISE, BES, BRSI, IFIBiop and AMI. He is an Editorial board member for ‘Bioresource Technology’, ‘Electronic Journal of Biotechnology’, ‘Biofuel Research Journal’, ‘Heliyon’ and ‘Frontiers in Environmental Science’ and Editor for the new Elsevier Journal “Bioresource Technology Reports”.
Sudhagar Pitchaimuthu is an Associate Professor at the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University. His research expertise is designing nanoscale light and electron-driven catalyst electrodes for solar-to-hydrogen fuel generation and recovering energy from wastewater treatment. Sudhagar is a recipient of the JSPS Post Doctoral Fellowship and Ser Cymru-II Rising Star Fellowship award.
Dr. Hesam Rabiee received his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Queensland, Australia, in 2022, where his thesis on electrode design for CO2 electrolysis was recognized with Dean’s Distinction. In 2024, he was awarded a Swiss National Science Foundation Fellowship and began his project at the University of Bern, focusing on the integration of CO2 capture and conversion. His research interests span a broad range of topics in electrochemical engineering, including CO2, CO, and N2 reduction, polymer valorisation, CO2 capture, and membrane science.
Dr. Hesam Rabiee received his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Queensland, Australia, in 2022, where his thesis on electrode design for CO2 electrolysis was recognized with Dean’s Distinction. In 2024, he was awarded a Swiss National Science Foundation Fellowship and began his project at the University of Bern, focusing on the integration of CO2 capture and conversion. His research interests span a broad range of topics in electrochemical engineering, including CO2, CO, and N2 reduction, polymer valorisation, CO2 capture, and membrane science.
Peter Strasser is the chaired professor of �Electrochemistry for energy conversion and storage� at the Chemical Engineering Division of the Department of Chemistry at the Technical University of Berlin. Prior to his appointment, he was Professor at the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Houston. Before moving to Houston, Prof. Strasser served as Senior Member of staff at Symyx Technologies, Inc., Santa Clara, USA. In 1999, Prof. Strasser earned his doctoral degree in Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry from the �Fritz-Haber-Institute� of the Max-Planck-Society, Berlin, Germany, under the direction of the 2007 Chemistry Nobel Laureate, Professor Gerhard Ertl. In the same year, he was awarded the �Otto-Hahn Research Medal� by the Max-Planck Society. In 1996, Dr. Strasser was visiting scientist with Sony Central Research, Yokohama, Japan. He studied chemistry at Stanford University, the University of Tuebingen, and the University of Pisa, Italy. Professor Strasser is interested in the fundamental Materials Science and Catalysis of electrified liquid solid interfaces, in particular for renewable energy conversion, energy storage, production of fuels and chemicals.
Soma VesztergomDamien VOIRY is a graduate of the École nationale supérieure de chimie et de physique de Bordeaux (ENSCPB) and obtained his PhD at the Centre de recherche Paul Pascal (CRPP) of the University of Bordeaux in 2010. From 2011 to 2016, Damien was a postdoctoral associate in Professor Manish Chhowalla's group at Rutgers University in the USA. His postdoctoral work focused on modifying the crystal structures of metal chalcogenide nanosheets for electrocatalysis and electronics. Since February 2016, he has been a CNRS researcher at the Institut Européen des Membranes in Montpellier. His current research aims to explore the use of low-dimensional materials to fabricate multifunctional membranes for separation and energy applications. After joining the CNRS, he focused his research on 2D materials for energy conversion and nanofluidics. In 2018, he was awarded an ERC Starting Grant to study the photo-electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 using 2D materials. He has received several awards including the CNRS Bronze Medal (2020), the Young Researcher Award from the French Chemical Society (2022) and the Innovation Award from the University of Montpellier (2024). He is a member of the Jeune Académie d'Europe since 2020.