On December 13, the 22nd National Catalysis Academic Conference was held at the Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center. Hosted by Xiamen University, the conference marked the third time that Xiamen has served as the host city, making it the first city in China to host the conference three times. This event also represented the return of the conference to Xiamen after nearly 30 years.
As the largest and most influential national academic conference in the field of catalysis in China, the conference was held under the theme “Catalysis Science and Technology in the New Era: Upholding Fundamentals while Driving Innovation.” Through plenary lectures, thematic sessions, and poster presentations, the conference showcased the latest advances and applications of catalysis science and technology in chemical engineering, energy, environment, materials, and life sciences. Nearly 5,000 experts and scholars from universities, research institutes, and industry across China participated in the event.
During the conference, Professor Tao Zhang, Research Fellow of the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was awarded the China Catalysis Achievement Award (Zhang Dayu Award) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of single-atom catalysis.
Professor Zhang has long been engaged in fundamental and applied research in catalysis science. He is a pioneer of single-atom catalysis, leading systematic studies on the design, synthesis, characterization, and catalytic mechanisms of single-atom catalysts. His groundbreaking work has significantly advanced the understanding of structure–performance relationships in heterogeneous catalysis and has had a profound impact on catalytic science and industrial applications.
The China Catalysis Achievement Award (Zhang Dayu Award) is one of the highest honors in the field of catalysis in China, recognizing scientists who have made sustained, original, and influential contributions to catalysis research. Professor Zhang’s award highlights his exceptional academic leadership and the international influence of China’s catalytic science research.
