The 7th International Forum of Super Insulation Materials (IFSIM 2024) Successfully Held

From October 10 to 12, 2024, with strong support from the China Association of Thermal Insulation and Energy Efficiency Materials, the Taicang Association for Science and Technology, the Insulation Materials Branch of the Chinese Ceramic Society, and the International Vacuum Insulation Panel Association (VIPA), the 7th International Forum of Super Insulation Materials (IFSIM 2024) was successfully held in Taicang. The event was co-organized by Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the University of Victoria (Canada), the Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Inorganic Functional Composite Materials, and the Jiangsu Silicate Society. It was hosted by Suzhou Hongjiu Aerospace Thermal Protection Materials Technology Co., Ltd., along with the Vacuum Insulation Panel Branch of the China Association of Thermal Insulation and Energy Efficiency Materials.

Professor Phalguni, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering from the University of Victoria, served as the chair of the forum. The co-chairs were Professor Chen Zhaofeng from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, who is also Vice President of the China Association of Thermal Insulation and Energy Efficiency Materials and Secretary-General of the Vacuum Insulation Panel Branch, along with Professor Takao Katsura from Hokkaido University in Japan. The event was co-sponsored by NETZSCH Scientific Instruments Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Chuzhou Yinxing New Material Technology Co., Ltd., Anhui Kensihui New Materials Co., Ltd., Suzhou Rongrui Electronics Technology Co., Ltd., Shaanxi Wuhe Technology Co., Ltd., Nantong Yuanshun Heat Insulation Fiber Co., Ltd., Fujian Jianyi Vacuum Technology Co., Ltd., Zhengzhou Gexi New Materials Co., Ltd., and Yulin Tianshengyuan Glass Fiber Technology Co., Ltd.

The conference was chaired by Professor Chen Zhaofeng. Opening speeches were delivered by Han Jixian, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the China Association of Thermal Insulation and Energy Efficiency Materials and President of the Vacuum Insulation Panel Branch; Cui Sheng, Secretary-General of the Aerogel Materials Branch and Dean of the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Nanjing Tech University; Wang Jiaqing, Secretary-General of the National Standardization Technical Committee of Insulation Materials; and Li Bin, Secretary-General of the Jiangsu Silicate Society.

In his speech, Li Bin was followed by seven distinguished experts and scholars who delivered keynote presentations at the main conference hall. These included Professor Phalguni, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering; Professor Gao Yanfeng, a Changjiang Scholar; Professor Ding Bin, a recipient of the National Distinguished Young Scientist Award; Professor Harjit from Brunel University (UK); Dr. Yamamoto Hideya from EKO Instruments Development Center (Japan); Professor Memon from South Bank University (UK); and Professor Luo Sheng from Hokkaido University (Japan). Their presentations covered a variety of topics, including:

– “Dynamic Insulation Research for Climate-Adaptive Building Envelopes II”

– “Application of Cool Colored Coatings with Thermal Radiation Control in Energy Saving”

– “Ultrafine Fiber Materials for Thermal Insulation”

– “Development and Evaluation of Brunel’s Sustainable Green Vacuum Insulation Panels”

– “Prediction of Long-Term Performance of VIPs under Different Material Parameters”

– “Applications of Translucent Photovoltaic Vacuum Glass and Translucent Vacuum Insulation Panels in Net Zero Energy Buildings”

– “Structural Research on New Transparent Core Vacuum Insulation Panels for Existing Buildings”

In addition to the main sessions, the conference featured four breakout sessions, each focusing on different topics: vacuum technology, the design and manufacturing of vacuum insulation panels, the application of VIPs, and aerospace thermal protection materials. These sessions included 22 invited presentations that showcased the latest research findings and technological advancements in the field of super insulation materials, with VIPs as the primary focus.

The conference attracted over 120 participants from China, Japan, the UK, Canada, Turkey, Algeria, and Pakistan. For the first time, the event also included factory visits, providing participants with the opportunity to visit Nantong Yuanshun Insulation Fiber Co., Ltd. and Nantong Fumei New Materials Co., Ltd. for experience sharing and learning. The companies warmly hosted the visitors, and the tour received high praise from all participants. Representatives from upstream and downstream companies in the super insulation materials industry expressed that they greatly benefited from the visit. They committed to continuing to follow the development route of leveraging aerospace technology for breakthroughs in civilian markets, thus contributing to the nation’s “dual carbon” goals with enhanced quality and efficiency.

At the same time as the conference, an exhibition of innovative super insulation materials was held. Several innovations were awarded gold prizes, including Kensihui’s new VIP aluminum-plastic film, Rongrui Electronics’ vacuum-sealed glass solder, and Wuhe Technology’s localized ultra-high-speed heating equipment. Additionally, 10 presentations, including Professor Ding Bin’s “Ultrafine Fiber Materials for Thermal/Heat Insulation,” received the Excellent Presentation Award.

The conference also announced the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Vacuum Insulation Panels, as nominated by the conference presidium. The awards went to Mr. Jiang Yin, Chairman of Chuzhou Yinxing, and Professor Harjit from Brunel University.