Norton West (University of Manchester) reports on the SURFCAT Summer School, Denmark

The Solar Chemicals Network Travel Grant allowed me to attend the SURFCAT Summer

School. The week long conference was 27 talks, including three talks from industrial

partners. The talks ranged from studies of the mechanism of sustainable catalysts,

to development of operando techniques that are vital for the synthesis.

The support from the Solar Chemicals Network has really helped me expand both my

understanding of the work in bleeding edge surface catalysis, and connect to the greater

surface catalysis community.

Presenting my poster allowed me to learn from my contemporaries. I was able to learn

a lot about the complementary work that is occurring. I believe that this will help the

whole community more forward towards sustainable synthesis and catalysis.

I want to thank the Solar Chemicals Network for supporting my attendance to Surfcat

Summer School 2024.

Yifeng Wang (Imperial) awarded an SCN grant to attend the SURFCAT Summer School in Denmark

Attending the SURFCAT Summer School 2024 in Denmark was an incredibly enriching experience thanks to the support of the SCN. The program, which focused on surface chemistry and electrocatalysis, provided a unique opportunity to learn from highly cited scientists and the network with journal editors. The researchers’ presentations on the forefront of electrocatalysis and advanced operando characterization techniques were particularly inspiring. The event also offered invaluable networking opportunities with fellow students, professors, and industry professionals. Informal discussions during breaks and evening sessions facilitated knowledge exchange and provided me with valuable feedback on my PhD project. The poster presentations and flash talks were a highlight, showcasing the diverse backgrounds and talents of the participants. Overall, the summer school was both academically rewarding and personally enriching, and I am grateful to the SCN review panel for granting me this travel opportunity.

Clare Megarity (University of Manchester) attends 75th ISE Conference, Montreal with an award from the SCN

An international travel grant from the Solar Chemicals Network enabled me to accept an invitation to present as keynote speaker, in the bioelectrochemistry section of the annual International Society of Electrochemistry conference (Montreal, August 2024).  The conference theme was “Electrochemistry – Science and Technology for a Sustainable and Better Planet” and electrochemists from across the globe presented an exceptional range of research.  As invited keynote, I had a fantastic slot which kickstarted the bioelectrochemistry session.  I met several high-profile scientists from my field, for example, Donal Leech (University of Galway, Ireland), Nicholas Plumeré (Technical University Munich), Omer Yehezkeli (Technion, Israel), David Hickey (Michigan State University), and Fred Lisdat (Technical University Wildau, Germany); it was a brilliant experience being able to discuss both my own research, and also theirs, in person.  The opportunity to present my research to colleagues beyond my immediate sphere in the UK, was invaluable because I was able to explain specific aspects of my research in more detail and was asked excellent questions that forced me to consider things from different perspectives.  A highlight for me was the plenary lecture delivered by the Nobel Laureate, Professor Rudolf Marcus – simply inspirational.