From July 28th to 31st, 2022, the Second National Conference on Solar Cell Materials and Devices was held in Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China. The conference was jointly organized by Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, North China Electric Power University, Huaqiao University, Southwest University, and the International Thin Films Society.
Due to the impact of the pandemic, this conference was conducted both online and in-person. There were over 120 in-person attendees and approximately 25,000 online participants who accessed and viewed the conference through the live streaming platform. The conference covered eight topics, including Perovskite Solar Cells, Organic Solar Cells, Nanocrystal Sensitized Solar Cells, Quantum Dot Solar Cells, High-Efficiency Silicon-Based Solar Cells, Compound Film Solar Cells, Other New Solar Cell Materials, Large-Area Module Fabrication, and Industrial Applications. A total of 105 abstracts were collected, with 52 presented in-person and 23 presented online. Over 10 companies were invited to participate and give presentations.
Professor An Shengli from Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology served as the Chairman of the conference, with Professor Peng Qiang from Sichuan University, Professor Qiu Jieshan from Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Professor Shen Hui from Sun Yat-sen University, and Professor Shen Wenzhong from Shanghai Jiao Tong University as Co-Chairs. Professor Li Meicheng from North China Electric Power University, Professor Wu Jihuai from Huaqiao University, Yun Sining from Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, and Zhang Shanyong from Southwest University served as Executive Chairs.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Professor Wu Jihuai from Huaqiao University, the Executive Chair of the conference. Professor An Shengli from Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology delivered the opening speech, Professor Ren Huiping, the President of Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, gave the welcome address, and Professor Zhang Shanyong from Southwest University, also the President of the International Thin Films Society, and Professor Li Meicheng, the Dean of the School of New Energy at North China Electric Power University, delivered speeches both in-person and online. Xu Yang, the Responsible Editor of Energy Materials journal, introduced the publication status of the journal’s papers. Wang Xiuren, Deputy Director of the Baotou Science and Technology Bureau, represented the municipal government in offering congratulations.
Professors Meng Qingbo from the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhang Shanyong, President of the International Thin Films Society and Southwest University, Li Meicheng, Dean of the School of New Energy at North China Electric Power University, Wu Jihuai from Huaqiao University, Qiu Jieshan from Beijing University of Chemical Technology, and Wang Yaxiong from Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology each delivered keynote presentations on topics such as “Low-Temperature Carbon Electrode Solar Cells,” “Stability Issues of Perovskite Solar Cells,” “Research Progress on High-Efficiency and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells,” “Engineering of Small Molecule Additives for Perovskite Solar Cells,” “Creation and Application of Novel Functional Carbon Materials based on Coal,” and “New Technologies for Solar Thermal Power Generation and Energy Storage.”
The convening of this conference has played a promoting role in the development of solar cell materials and devices, facilitating cooperation and exchanges among scientific and technical workers and engineering personnel in solar cell materials and devices across the country. It has also promoted collaborative efforts in basic research, applied research, and technological development, advancing technological innovation in the field of solar cell materials and devices.
The conference received strong support from Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Southwest University, Huaqiao University, North China Electric Power University, the International Thin Films Society, as well as the Baotou municipal government and participating companies.
The supported journal for this conference is “Energy Materials” (homepage: https://energymaterj.com/). The organizing committee will review the conference abstracts of all participating authors, and special invitations for Mini/Reviews, Research Highlights, and Perspectives will be extended to authors of outstanding papers. “Energy Materials” is an open-access, rigorously peer-reviewed online international journal that publishes fundamental scientific research, technological advances, materials characterization, theoretical guidance, and energy data analysis related to energy materials. Priority is given to research and analysis in the development of cutting-edge materials, synthesis methods, and basic theories.