Solar-to-X Workshop 2026

23 to 26 November 2026 | Kensington Campus, UNSW Sydney, Australia

About Solar-to-X Workshop

Solar-to-X Workshop is an international research program hosted by the Particles and Catalysis Research Group at UNSW Sydney as part of the Sunlight to Hydrogen Research Hub. Held from 23–26 November 2026 in the beautiful city of Sydney, the Symposium will bring together PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, early-career academics, and industry professionals from around the world working in solar-driven energy conversion and catalytic fuel production.

Over four focused days, participants will explore the fundamentals and emerging advances in Solar-to-X technologies, which convert solar energy into fuels and value-added chemicals such as hydrogen, ammonia, synthetic hydrocarbons, and carbon-neutral feedstocks. Through expert lectures, interactive workshops, panel discussions, and networking activities, the Symposium will bridge cutting-edge academic research with industrial innovation in sustainable energy technologies.

The programme will cover:

  • Best practices and advanced research tools in catalysis and materials characterisation
  • Science communication and research impact
  • Commercialisation and technology translation

Research themes including photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, thermal catalysis, plasma catalysis, and hybrid or combined catalytic approaches.

Led by internationally recognised academics and industry leaders, the Symposium provides a unique platform for collaboration, professional development, and global networking. Set against the backdrop of Sydney’s vibrant research and innovation community, the event offers an inspiring environment to exchange ideas and shape the future of renewable fuels and sustainable chemical production.

Program

Monday, 23 November 2026 

  • Keynote on Power-to-X for Sustainable Chemicals and Fuels - Scientia Prof Rose Amal (UNSW Sydney)
  • Keynote on Recent Progress and Future Perspective in Photo(electro)chemical Water Splitting and CO2 Reduction - Prof Akihiko Kudo (Tokyo University of Science)
  • Best Practice in Photocatalysis - A/Prof Wey Yang Teoh (University of Malaya)
  • Best Practice in Electrochemistry - A/Prof Alexandr Simonov (Monas University)
  • High-throughput Synthesis and Testing - Prof Gerko Oskam (Universidad Pablo de Olavide)
  • Machine Learning and Catalysis Database - Prof Hao Li (Tohoku University)
  • Translating Research Into Societal Impact - Prof Tianyi Ma (RMIT University) and Prof Xunyu Lu (WarpEnergy)

Tuesday, 24 November 2026 

  • Keynote on (photo)Electrocatalysis for Sustainable Environment - Prof Wonyong Choi (KENTECH)
  • Best Practice in Photoelectrochemistry - Prof Yun Hau Ng (KAUST)
  • Best Practice in Thermal Catalysis - Prof Kazuhiro Takanabe (University of Tokyo)
  • Keynote on Photoelectrochemical Biomass Upgrading - A/Prof Fatwa F Abdi (City University of Hong Kong)
  • Keynote on Photo-thermal Catalysis - A/Prof Emma Lovell (UNSW Sydney)
  • GenAI tools for research - A/Prof Sasha Nikolic (Univeristy of Wollongong)

Wednesday, 25 November 2026 

  • Transient Measurement of Charge Transfer - Prof Shogo Mori (Shinshu University)
  • Modulation Excitation XAS - Dr Davide Ferri (PSI)
  • XPS for Catalysis - Dr Christopher Easton (CSIRO)
  • Powder Diffraction and Pair Distribution Function - Dr Qinfen Gu (ANSTO)
  • Keynote on Thermal and Plasma Catalysis - Dr Yunxia Yang (CSIRO)
  • Conference Dinner 

Thursday, 26 November 2026 

  • Charge Carrier Dynamic - A/Prof Fatwa F Abdi (City University of Hong Kong)
  • EPR Spectroscopy - Prof Nick Cox (ANU)
  • In-situ and Operando Vibrational Spectroscopy - Dr Davide Ferri (PSI)
  • Science Communication with Impact
  • Flash Presentation 

Registration

Registration Costs

  • Participant Registration (without accommodation): A$575
    Includes access to all workshop sessions, networking events, catering, and social activities.

  • Symposium Dinner: A$120
    Booked separately during registration.

Please note that Sydney is a highly popular destination in November, particularly during the spring and early summer season. We strongly encourage participants to arrange accommodation and travel well in advance.

Important Dates

  • Registration Opens – 1 July to 13 November 2026

  • Solar-to-X Symposium – 23 to 26 November 2026

 

REGISTER HERE: https://solar2xworkshop.eventbrite.com.au

 

Inquiries: partcat@unsw.edu.au

Speakers

Organising Committee