From June 12th to 14th, the 10th China (Shanghai) International Technology Fair (CSITF) grandly opened at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition Centre. The theme of this CSITF is ‘Exploring a Green Future in the Digital Era’, attracting nearly 1,000 participants. During this period, as an international institutional support unit this year, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), held the United Nations Industrial Development Organization Day (UNIDO Day) event, focusing on green technological innovation and new quality productivity, aiming to explore technological innovation and promote sustainable development with representatives from politics, business, and academia.
As a world-class scientific and technological innovation comprehensive platform based on the international scientific and technological innovation resources of the University of Nottingham, which integrates innovation research, achievement transformation, technology transfer, and talent cultivation, the Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute (hereinafter referred to as ‘the China Beacons Institute’) has been invited to participate in this year's CSITF and UNIDO Day events. Multiple scientists from the China Beacons Institute shared their cutting-edge research achievements, fully demonstrating the institute's exploration and innovation in technology.
Round-table Talks on New Sustainable Opportunities
New quality productivity points out that creating a favorable international cooperation environment, actively participating in international scientific and technological innovation cooperation, and promoting deep integration of global industrial chains cannot be ignored in sustainable development. The UNIDO Day 2024 brings together experts and leaders from more than ten countries and regions, including Germany, the United States, Canada and Spain. They explored the development of new quality productivity from the perspectives of green and digital transformation, and provided suggestions and strategies for promoting sustainable development through technology in the future.
Dr. Nicholas Musyoka, an expert in green chemicals and renewable energy technologies from the China Beacons Institute and one of the world’s top 2% scientists, participated in the round-table discussions themed ‘Collaborative Building for a Sustainable Future’ at the UNIDO Day 2024. He shared insights on the need of international cooperation in renewable energy storage, distribution and conversion, and renewable energy contributions to sustainable green chemicals and synthetic fuels, as well as their decarbonization potential and effects. Dr. Nicholas Musyoka mentioned, "Renewable energy and energy transition face certain challenges in many sectors such as transportation, industry, and manufacturing. While improving sustainable energy utilization and storage technologies, we should actively explore green chemicals and new materials and combine these technological processes with applications of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital twinning, to promote a low-carbon future. In addition, decarbonization endeavors also require extensive interdisciplinary, cross-disciplinary, and cross-border cooperation. When technology truly moves from the laboratory to the industry and ultimately to the market, it will be helpful in achieving the decarbonization impact in the global industrial value chain."
Dr. Nicholas also explored the prospects of the hydrogen economy. "In our research, we use bio-methane purified from raw biogas to produce ‘turquoise hydrogen’. The utilization of sustainably produced hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide, as feedstocks for the production of environmentally friendly synthetic fuels and chemicals. Under the action of catalysts, we can enable the production of some products such as green methanol and sustainable aviation fuels. These innovative technologies bring new opportunities to the development of the hydrogen economy and related industries. " he added.
In recent years, major economies around the world have successively released national-level hydrogen energy strategies to promote the development of net-zero emission ambitions. Dr. Nicholas Musyoka indicated, "Hydrogen energy plays an important role in the wide-spread adoption of renewable energy, climate adaptation, carbon neutrality, and other aspects. In international cooperation, we should attach importance to multiple aspects such as technology itself and professional training, and jointly build a green future."
Cutting-edge Achievements and Technologies Empower New Quality Productivity
During the event, the intelligent manufacturing and green chemical and energy research team of the China Beacons Institute presented their research results, showcasing innovative 3D printing products, and sharing cutting-edge technologies such as machine learning, smart food manufacturing and sewage treatment. They discussed innovative technologies with various sectors of society.
Among the numerous exhibits, the finely structured metal printing has attracted a large audience. The additive manufacturing team of the China Beacons Institute introduced that these metal components have low density, light weight, excellent mechanical properties such as strength and hardness, and can achieve functions such as vibration absorption, impact absorption, thermal and magnetic isolation. They can be applied in aerospace, energy, biomedical and other fields. In addition, the team also expanded their research to 3D printing for food and has successfully printed various customized foods.
Tian Zhennan, a graduate student involved in the research, remarked, "Our current study utilizes multi-material 3D printing in the production of customized foods. By ensuring each material is precisely positioned, we can accurately control the salt and sugar content in the printed foods, aiding diabetic or cardiovascular patients in managing their dietary needs."
Graduate student Ma Yeting added: "With the aid of machine learning, we can better understand what distributions of sugar or salt can ensure that the food retains its taste while controlling sugar and salt levels."
Meanwhile, two scientists from the green chemicals team shared how innovative technologies are empowering a sustainable future.
It is well known that the burning of straw, the residual material after crop harvesting, produces large amounts of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbons, leading to air pollution. Currently, the more common practice is to return the straw to the fields or process it locally into fertilizer.
Dr. Li Dongbing, an Associate Professor in Green Chemicals and Energy at the China Beacons Institute, is dedicated to the study of biomass fast pyrolysis processes and product development. At the exhibition booth, he shared with the audience an innovative piece of equipment—a mobile pyrolysis demonstration unit for the rapid processing of crop straw. He provided a detailed explanation of the design principles and innovations of the device, showcasing a new scientific perspective on returning straw to the field. Dr. Li explained, "Fast pyrolysis is a rapid and efficient technology for processing straw. By placing the shredded straw into our innovative device, it undergoes high-temperature pyrolysis at 500 degrees, converting it into high-energy-density bio-oil, while the biochar is returned to the fields as fertilizer."
It is understood that this technology not only brings new ideas for returning straw to the fields but also addresses the drawbacks of traditional methods, such as low crop germination rates, pest and disease accumulation, and harmful substance buildup. Additionally, this equipment can be flexibly moved to fields for on-site processing of straw, reducing transportation costs.
In addition, the resourceful handling of waste also plays a crucial role in a sustainable economy. Fathima Jerosha Ifthikar Ahmed, a scientist specializing in green chemicals at the China Beacons Institute, shared her green research perspective on ‘waste-to-worth’ strategies, exploring the principles and research methods of using sewage sludge and waste shrimp shells for wastewater treatment. Dr. Jerosha stated, "Waste materials from everyday life can be effectively utilized, turning waste into valuable resources. For instance, we have synthesized the various composite materials from sewage sludge and waste shrimp shells, which efficiently removes harmful emerging contaminants like heavy metals and organic contaminants from industrial and agricultural wastewater."
It is undoubtedly that Dr. Jerosha's research provides an alternative pathway for wastewater treatment and wastes reuse to meet the demands of ecology and economy for auspicious applications in industries.
In the era of Industry 4.0, breakthrough innovations in technologies like artificial intelligence and industrial internet will continue to empower new productivity paradigms. The China Beacons Institute has actively cultivated talent globally, forming an international and high-level research team. Focused on intelligent manufacturing, green chemicals and energy, as well as life science and healthcare, the institute conducts cutting-edge technology research and development to facilitate local industrial transformation and upgrading. As of June 2024, over 40% of the institute's full-time academic researchers have been recognized as ‘World’s Top 2% Scientists’ underscoring their expertise. The institute also engages in collaborations with various enterprises.
The recent CSITF attracted representatives and leaders from all sectors, culminating in a huge show of technology where diverse viewpoints were exchanged. Looking ahead, the China Beacons Institute remains committed to continuous innovation in research, aiming to contribute its own solution that drives new societal productivity standards.