On October 12, 2016, the Second International Symposium on Catalytic Science and Technology in Sustainable Energy and Environment opened in Tianjin. The aim of this symposium was to promote the exchange of information and cooperation between academic and industrial circles, and guide the development of the industry utilizing catalytic theories. More than 70 experts in this field from well- known domestic and overseas universities, research institutes and enterprises were invited to give reports. More than 300 delegates attended the opening ceremony. The ceremony was chaired by Dr. Johannes Schwank from the University of Michigan.
The Party Secretary of Tianjin University Li Jiajun attended the ceremony and gave the opening address. He said he highly valued the significant functions of catalytic science in the sustainable economic development of China and the world as a whole. At present, China is at a crucial moment featuring industrial transformation and upgrading, therefore the catalytic technology has a promising prospect of being applied to developing potential improvement in energy efficiency and environmental protection.
The Chairman and Professor of the School of Chemical Engineering and Technology of Tianjin University Li Yongdan was Chairman of the symposium. He briefly introduced the background of the symposium. The committee received 313 conference abstracts from 23 countries, and invited 78 prestigious international experts to make invited lectures. In addition, there would be 235 posters exhibited during the symposium. This symposium will strongly promote the exchange of information and cooperation between academic and industrial circles of different countries. Professor Li also expressed heartfelt thanks to the main sponsors and supporters, including Haldor Topsoe Company, Tianjin University, the Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Synfuels China, Catalysis Today Editorial Committee and the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy Editorial Committee.
At the ceremony, Tianjin University awarded Honorary Professorship to three professors. They were: Professor Johannes Lercher (member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and the Academia Europaea, Chairman of EFCATS (European Federation of Catalysis Societies), Professor of the Department of Chemistry of Technische Universitaet München), Professor Maria Flytzani Stephanopoulos (member of the United States National Academy of Engineering, Professor of Tufts University), and Professor James Spivey (Professor at Louisiana State University, Director of the Center for Atomic-level Catalyst Design at the United States Department of Energy).
