Biography: Prof. Bin Ding is the Director of Institute of Science and Technology in Donghua University. He is Distinguished Young Scientist of National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), “Changjiang Scholar” of Chinese Ministry of Education, Leading Talent of National “Ten Thousand Plan”, and Highly Cited Chinese Researchers of Elsevier. Since 2000, Prof. Ding has made significant contributions to the controllable fabrication, functionalization, and application of fibrous aerogels. He has authored and co-authored over 400 peer-reviewed SCI papers published on journals such as Nat. Commun., Sci. Adv., Adv. Mater., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. etc., and held over 140 approved innovation patents. He has undertaken more than 40 research projects ranging from Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, NSFC, Science and Technology Commission of the Central Military Commission to industrial community. He has received many precious honors including the Distinguished Achievement Award of The Fiber Society (USA), First Prize of Scientific and Technological Progress in Shanghai, Textile Academic Award of China Textile Engineering Society, etc.  

Abstract: Electrospun nanofibrous membranes, as the forefront of advanced fibrous materials, hold extraordinary potential applications ranging from environmental, energy to biology owing to their integrated advantages of fine diameter, extremely high aspect ratio, and high porosity. Despite their outstanding potential, the major problem associated with electrospun nanofibers is their anisotropic lamellar deposition character, which leads to the bottlenecks in further improving the thickness and porosity of current electrospun nanofibrous materials. Alternatively, three-dimensional nanofibrous aerogels (NFAs) with both high porosity and excellent compressive resilience might open up the possibility of solving the above problem and expand the applications of electrospun nanofibers; however, creating such NFAs has proven extremely difficult. Herein, we demonstrate a novel strategy to create fibrous, isotropically-bonded elastic reconstructed (FIBER) NFAs with a cellular honeycomb network by combining electrospun nanofibers and the fibrous freeze-shaping technique. The aerogels exhibited low densities of > 0.12 mg cm^-3 and superelasticity. By further regulating the microscopic structures of the aerogels, they could be widely used in the field of sound absorption, warmth retention, and so on. In addition, the superelastic and bendable ceramic nanofibrous aerogels were prepared by using flexible ceramic nanofibers, breaking the mechanical boundaries between ceramics and polymeric materials. The successful synthesis of such fascinating ceramic NFAs will open broad technological implications in thermal insulation, catalyst supports, and flexible electrical devices.

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Biography: Sufeng Zhang, female, professor, doctoral supervisor, Director of International Division, Dean of International Education College and Director of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Office of Shaanxi University of Science and Technology. Shaanxi young and middle-aged leading talents in science and technology innovation, academic leader of pulp and paper making and engineering. Shaanxi Province Youth Science and Technology Award, Youth Surgeon, China Paper Society Cai Lun Youth Award winner; Ministry of Education national science and technology awards, degree centers, national natural science funds, postdoctoral funds, multi-provincial and municipal scientific research project evaluation experts, light industry discipline assessment experts; concurrently serving as Hunan Province Special Paper and Paperboard Engineering Technology Research Center expert steering committee members, International Ecological Economic Association (IEEPA) board members He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the International Ecological Economic Association (IEEPA), a member of the Board of Directors of the Xi’an European and American Friendship Association and the Xi’an Association of Overseas Chinese Students, and the Secretary General of the Shaanxi University of Science and Technology. He is a member of the editorial board of "China Paper" and a reviewer of Green chemistry, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Carbohydrate polymer and other journals. He is mainly engaged in the research of fiber chemistry and functional materials.

Abstract: In recent years, wearable flexible electronic devices have developed rapidly and have potential applications in the fields of motion monitoring, medical rehabilitation, and soft robotics. Stretchable ionic conductive hydrogels are considered to be one of the ideal flexible sensor options due to their excellent flexibility, high elasticity, transparency, and tunable mechanical properties. However, it remains a challenge to construct ionic conductive hydrogels that combine excellent mechanical properties, high ionic conductivity, self-healing, self-adhesion, and good water retention by a simple one-step method. In view of this, an ionic conductive hydrogel with a semi-interpenetrating network structure (PAM/PBA-IL/CNF) was prepared by designing a multifunctional phenylboronic acid ionic liquid (PBA-IL) monomer in the presence of nanocellulose (CNF) through a one-step polymerization of PBA-IL/acrylamide (AM), which can simultaneously achieve excellent mechanical, conductivity and multifunctionality at the same time.

Biography: Prof. Ji Liu joined the Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology (Sustech, China) in Sept 2019. He obtained his PhD from the University of Liege (Belgium) and University of Bordeaux (France) under the framework of Erasmus Mundus Joint PhD program in 2013. Prior to joining Sustech, he conducted post-doc research in the University of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard Medical School. His research interest includes soft material engineering, extreme mechanics, tissue engineering, flexible electronics, and has published over 40 papers in those journals like Sci. Adv., Nat. Commun., Acc. Chem. Res., PNAS, Adv. Mater., JACS, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., Adv. Funct. Mater. He is also the recipient of several awards, including Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (2021), Innovators Under 35 of China by MIT Technology Review (2020), Guangdong Pearl River Talents Program Introduces High-Level Talents (2020), Overseas High-Caliber Personnel in ShenZhen (2020), Young Investigator Award by Japan Polymer Group (2017), Marie-Curie Research Fellow (2015), etc. 

 Abstract: The human tissues and organs are mostly soft, wet and bioactive; however, machines are commonly hard, dry and biologically inert. Bridging human-machine interfaces is of importance to address those grand challenges in health, energy and suitability. Functional soft materials emerging at the interface between engineering and biological systems are challenging our fundamental knowledges, motivating technological innovations, and enabling impactful applications. Inspired by the nature’s design principles, a great variety of functional soft materials with extreme mechanics and functions could be readily manufactured.

Biography: Dr. Qigang Wang received his bachelor’s degree in 1999 and Master’s degree (Supervisor: Prof. Jinsheng Gao) in 2002 from East China University of Science and Technology. He then obtained his Ph.D. in 2005 from Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Supervisor: Prof. Qiuming Gao). He was the postdoctor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology from 2005-2007 (Supervisor: Prof. Bing Xu). He continued the postdoctor trainning at The University of Tokyo and Riken from 2005 to 2011 (Supervisor: Prof. Takuzo Aida). He is a currently a professor in the School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tongji University. He has obtained the National Science Foundation of China in 2021. He has published about 70 SCI paper as first author and corresponding author, which include Nature, Nat. Commun., Adv. Mater., J. Am. Chem. Soc. and Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.

Abstract: Due to its 3D crosslinked networks and adjustable physicochemical properties, hydrogels have been widely applied in tissue engineering, drug-delivery system, pollution regulation, polymer electrolyte, agricultural drought-resistance, cosmetic and food area. However, the harsh prepared conditions and high chemical residues of traditional hydrogel both seriously limited their bio-related applications. We introduced the recent advances on tandem enzyme complex for the radical polymerization and the biomedical application of the enzyme-laden hydrogel by the controllable regulation of biochemical signals in body. The results are shown as followed: 1) Developed the biomimetic self-initiated polymerization by multienzyme complex and introduced supramolecular assembled components to solve the undisturbed enzyme immobilization and the optimization of biocatalytic channel; 2) Verified the multi-enzymatic hydrogelation within tissue microenvironment and explored the application for in-situ tissue repair and in vivo imaging; 3) Applied hydrogel integrated multienzyme for the metabolic regulation of reactive oxygen species on tumor sites and established a redox homeostasis based tumor biocatalytic or physical-biochemical combined therapy strategies. 

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Abstract: Hydrogel has been widely used in traditional fields such as bioengineering and medical equipment. At the same time, it has also been applied in emerging fields such as underwater acoustics, sports, and biomimetic smart materials. However, there are still some problems in the application of hydrogels in these emerging fields, such as weak mechanical properties of large-scale hydrogels, non-tunable acoustic properties, and low degree of intelligence. To further improve the mechanical properties of large-scale hydrogels, we proposed an in situ inhibition approach to simultaneously improve the homogeneity and ionic crosslinking density of hydrogel. Regarding the non-tunable acoustic properties, we developed a method to achieve hydrogels with broadband tunable acoustic properties by varying the volume ratio of the channels and adding filler materials, and the underwater acoustic transmission coefficient can be changed from 0 to 1 at the frequency from 0.4 kHz to 150 kHz. Focusing on the problem of low intelligence, we proposed a method of interfacial polymerization and achieved self-growing hydrogel materials. Our research demonstrates the potential application of hydrogels in ice rink construction, underwater acoustics, intelligent robotic and other fields.

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Biography: I obtained the B.E. (2011) and Ph.D (2016) from Beijing Institute of Technology and Peking University, respectively. After postdoc research from 2016-2021 in Nanyang Technological University, TU Dresden, and Hong Kong University, I joined Beijing Institute of Technology in 2021 as professor. My research focus on controlled synthesis of metals-, nanocarbons-, and polymers-based aerogels and hydrogels, and their applications towards electrocatalysis, energy storage and conversion, and environment remediation. Particularly, a series of achievements in the field of metal aerogels have been made. So far, I have published more than 40 SCI papers, and I am the first or corresponding author for more than 20 papers published on journals such as Nature Communications, Science Advances, Matter, and Advanced Materials. I am a youth editor for SmartMat and a review editor for Frontiers in Nanotechnology. I have been invited for reviewing more than 100 papers published in journals including Nature Communications, Advanced Materials, and Nano Letters.

Abstract: As a new member in the aerogel family, metal aerogels (MAs) are a class of porous materials entirely structured from metals. Combining the attributes of metals and the unique structure of aerogels, MAs feature broad application prospects, particularly in the field of electrocatalysis. Compared to the classical aerogel systems, the synthesis of MAs involves a couple of new processes, such as the formation and fusion of nanoparticle (NPs). This fact brings new challenges to the controlled synthesis of MAs, thus restricting their materials basis as well as application investigations. In this regard, we extract several key parameters (e.g., initiators, reductants, ligands, and external fields) during MAs fabrication. By rational manipulating these factors, we demonstrate how to enrich composition/structure diversity of MAs and promote their application performance.

Biography: Prof. Dr. Shen Jun, who is director of Center of Nano Science and Technology of Tongji University and director of Shanghai Key Laboratory of Special Artificial Microstructure Materials and Technology. He is also vice chairman of the Chinese Ceramic Society Sol-Gel Branch, vice chairman of the Chinese Ceramic Society Insulation Branch, the vice chairman of the Aerogel Branch of China Adiabatic and Energy Conservation Association, and member of the China Electrotechnics Association Supercapacitor and Energy Storage Specialized Committee. Enjoy the special allowance of the State Council. Had been in the field of aerogel research for 30 years, in recent years, responsible for more than 10 national science and technology projects, got 10 awards of science and technology with the provincial and ministerial level, published more than 500 scientific papers in important academic journals, obtained more than 30 Chinese national patents, and published 3 monographs.

Abstract: This report introduces some new developments of aerogels in the field of thermal insulation, and also introduces the research and application of aerogel materials in many new fields, including environmental protection, catalysis, energy storage, energy conversion, sensors, biomedicine, safety and health. The interactions of aerogels with electromagnetic wave, acoustic wave, intense laser and high-speed moving particles are emphasized.

Biography: Hao Bai is a professor at Zhejiang University. His research interests fall in multiscale design and fabrication of bioinspired materials. Representative works include high-performance thermal insulation fiber materials mimicking polar bear hair and lightweight, high-strength aerogel materials. His researches have been published in top-tier academic journals such as Nature, Nature Materials, Nature Communications, Science Advances, and Advanced Materials. His works have over 10,000 citations and have been highlighted in Nature, Science, and Chemistry & Engineering News. He has won the "Outstanding Youth Foundation" from National Natural Science Foundation, the National Overseas High-level Talents Introduction Plan Youth Project Funding, as well as the "Qiu Shi Outstanding Youth Scholar Award" from the Qiu Shi Science and Technology Foundation in Hong Kong, the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Excellent Doctoral Dissertation Award, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences President’s Special Award. Currently, he serves as a member of the Biomimetic Materials Chemistry Professional Committee of the Chinese Chemical Society, the standing committee member of the Micro-Nano Composite Materials Professional Committee of the China Composite Materials Society, and the editorial board member of China Science and Technology Science.

Abstract: High-performance aerogel materials with low density, high specific surface area, high strength, and thermal insulation are in great demand in many fields, such as construction, energy, environment, aerospace. However, traditional aerogel materials still suffer from complex preparation processes and poor mechanical properties. The ice-templating technique holds promise to become a powerful technique with a balance between precise architectural control, easy scalability, versatility, and low cost. This report introduces the research progress of our group in using ice-templating technology to prepare high-performance aerogel materials, including a systematic study of ice-templating technology and the proposal of a new method to induce the ordered assembly of materials through the surface characteristics of the cold source and the design of the temperature fields. Based on the ice-templating technique, our group has developed graphene aerogels with both high strength and high elasticity, expanding its potential applications in the field of flexible electronics, as well as flexible and stretchable silicone rubber aerogels for high-performance thermal insulation materials.

Biography: Member of the Standing Committee of Heilongjiang Youth Federation and winner of Heilongjiang Province Top Ten Outstanding New Youth Award. A National Young Talent, winner of National Excellent Youth Medal and Youth May Fourth Medal of Heilongjiang Province. He was selected into the Young Talent Support Project of China Association for Science and Technology, Top Talent in Forest and Grassland Science and Technology Innovation of the State Forestry and Grassland Administration, and Young Scholar of Longjiang Scholars Program. Mainly engaged in the research of wood physics, he’s made a series of innovative research work in the depolymerization, recombination and utilization of forest wood fibrils. He has published more than 70 research papers in journals such as Advanced Materials, Chemical Society Reviews, and Matter, etc. He has published two academic works in Science Press. He has won the China Forestry Youth Science and Technology Award, Heilongjiang Youth Science and Technology Award, the second prize of the Heilongjiang College Teacher Teaching Innovation Competition, and the Young Teachers Fund for Higher Education Institutions of Fok Yingdong Education Foundation, etc. He is a member of National College Huangdanian-style Teachers Team, National Worker Pioneers Team, and Heilongjiang Province Touyan Team Backbone Member. He is a member of China Young Science and Technology Workers Association and member of the Cellulose Professional Committee of the Chinese Chemical Society.

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Biography: Yan Feng, Distinguished Professor of Suzhou University, Distinguished Professor of Jiangsu Province (2015), Winner of National Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (2014), Chief Scientist of National Key Research and Development Program (2021). Mainly engaged in the design and synthesis of poly ionic liquid functional materials and its research in the fields of energy devices, electrochromic and other intelligent response materials. He was selected into the "New Century Excellent Talents Support Plan" of the Ministry of Education in 2007, the "Six Talents Summit Plan" of Jiangsu Province in 2008, the "333 Project" talent plan (the second level) of Jiangsu Province, the leading talents of scientific and technological innovation of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the outstanding educators of Jiangsu Province in 2016. In 2017, he was selected into the leading talents of scientific and technological innovation of the national "Ten Thousand Talents Plan" and won the first prize of Jiangsu Provincial Science and Technology Award (ranking first). In 2019, he was selected as a cultivated member of "New Era Exemplary Grassroots" in Suzhou. In 2020, he was selected as a young and middle-aged expert with outstanding contributions in Jiangsu Province. In 2021, it was selected into the "333 Project" talent plan (the first level) of Jiangsu Province.

Abstract:Polyionic liquid is a kind of ionic polymer produced by polymerization of ionic liquid monomers and has anionic and cationic groups on the repeating unit. It has the excellent properties of both ionic liquid and polymer. Because polyionic liquids have the advantages of both ionic liquids and polymers, and overcome the fluidity of ionic liquids, they have become one of the hotspots in the field of polymer science in recent years.

This report will introduce the main preparation methods of (poly) ionic liquid based gels and their applications in the fields of energy science such as ionic skin and batteries, etc.

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Biography: Lu Lingbin, Ph.D. in Applied Chemistry from Central South University, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Hainan University, second-level candidate of "515 Talent Project" in Hainan Province, top-notch talent in Hainan Province. She has been a visiting scholar at the University of Pennsylvania and the School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Manchester. Her main research direction is the development and application of sustainable, environment-friendly functional materials, including using natural polymers and carbon dioxide to develop a series of environmentally friendly functional materials, such as materials for environmental remediation, superabsorbent materials, biomedical materials, biodegradable materials, smart response materials, etc. He has presided over and participated in 12 projects and published more than 80 academic papers, including over 30 high-quality papers as the first or corresponding author, has been granted 4 invention patents, and participated in the compilation of 5 textbooks. He has won the first prize of Hainan Science and Technology Progress Award, the first prize of Haikou Science and Technology Progress Award, and the second prize of Excellent Scientific Research Achievements of Colleges and Universities in Hainan Province.

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Biography: Zhang Xuetong, Ph.D., Distinguished Key Researcher of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ph.D. Supervisor of University of Science and Technology of China, Deputy Director of the SINANO Academic Committee, Visiting Professor at University College London (UCL), Newton Advanced Fellow of the Royal Society, Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), talent introduced by the "100 Talents Program" of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and talent introduced by the "Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program" of Jiangsu Province. He is also a member of American Chemical Society, Director of Sol-Gel Committee of the Chinese Ceramic Society, and member of the Nanochemistry Professional Committee of the Chinese Chemical Society. Evaluation expert of the National Natural Science Award (Materials Group) and member of the Aerogels National Standard Preparation Team. He’s mainly engaged in the structural design, controlled synthesis and application research of aerogel materials and has undertaken more than 30 projects as team leader, including the national key R&D plan. He has published more than 100 academic papers in well-known academic journals such as Nature communications and Advanced Materials, etc. as the first or corresponding author and his research results have been widely covered by Xinhua News Agency, People’s Daily and other news media.

Abstract: Aramid is a high-performance strategic material. Aerogels are porous, disordered and low-density solid materials with a nano-scale continuous network by sol-gel transition and special drying processes. Among them, aramid nanofiber aerogels, featuring both light weight and high strength of aramid and the lightweight and porosity of aerogels, are one of the polymer aerogels with the most extensive application prospects. This report focuses on how to design and prepare aramid aerogel fibers, aramid aerogel films and 3D printing aramid aerogel materials using aramid nanofibers as the basic construction units and making full use of the dynamic sol-gel transition, and explore the application prospects of these aerogel materials in emerging fields such as infrared stealth, electromagnetic shielding, thermal management structures and devices, and smart protection, etc.