Assoc. Prof. Trần Lê Quan, President of VNUHCM–University of Science, delivering the opening remarks at NMEC-4.

On 12 October 2026, the 4th International Workshop on Nano Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion (NMEC-4) officially opened at VNUHCM–University of Science (HCMUS). Held over two days, on 12 and 13 October, the workshop brought together scientists from Viet Nam and around the world to exchange the latest research findings in nanomaterials, energy storage, energy conversion and hydrogen.

The 4th International Workshop on Nano Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion (NMEC-4) serves as a specialised academic forum in materials science and energy technology. The workshop focuses on three main themes: energy storage and conversion; energy materials and data-driven materials; and hydrogen energy.

As the global energy transition, renewable energy development and emissions reduction become increasingly urgent priorities, materials science plays a crucial role in advancing more efficient energy storage and conversion technologies. Research areas such as next-generation batteries, electrode materials, electrolytes, electrocatalysts, fuel cells, green hydrogen and data-driven materials design are opening up new possibilities for sustainable energy development.

NMEC-4 features prominent scientists from universities and research institutes in Viet Nam and abroad, including experts from the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Washington, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the University of Maryland, the University of Tennessee, Rice University, Columbia University, Queensland University of Technology, Toyota Technological Institute and many other research institutions. Notable participants include Professor Jun Liu, Director of the Innovation Center for the Battery500 Consortium (USA) (H-index 207), and Professor Jun Lou, Editor-in-Chief of Materials Today, a leading journal in materials science with an impact factor (IF) of 24.1 (H-index 120). They are among the distinguished speakers presenting recent findings and emerging research directions in energy materials.

The participation of international scientists broadens opportunities for academic exchange and enables research groups in Viet Nam to engage with emerging developments in energy materials.

In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Trần Lê Quan, President of VNUHCM–University of Science, emphasised that challenges such as climate change, the transition to renewable energy and the prospects of a hydrogen economy raise important scientific and technological questions, with advanced nanomaterials playing a pivotal role in addressing them.

According to Assoc. Prof. Trần Lê Quan, the topics discussed at NMEC-4 extend beyond specialised research questions to address broader considerations concerning the future of energy and sustainable development for generations to come.

Over the two-day workshop, the programme features 29 oral presentations and 22 poster presentations. Through NMEC-4, VNUHCM–University of Science continues to strengthen connections within the international scientific community and advance research in nanomaterials, energy materials and technologies that support sustainable development. The workshop also provides a platform for scientists in Viet Nam to expand research collaborations, strengthen research capacity and engage more actively with scientific and technological challenges of global significance.