The 2018 Functional Materials Symposium and Research Project Achievement Exhibition by the Ministry of Science and Technology was recently held at the Niantzi International Conference Hall on the 13th floor of the Library Building (Building E) of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, organized by the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, sponsored by the Engineering Center of the Ministry of Science and Technology and assisted by the Department of Chemical Engineering, NCKU, and Southern Taiwan Textile R&D Consortium. Approximately 180 officials, students, researchers, and professionals from the industry participated in the symposium.

【Vice President Hong-De Chang of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology was delivering a speech.】

The symposium invited 6 outstanding experts and scholars from the industry and academia to give keynote speeches this year, including Professor Si-Sheng Deng from the Department of Chemical Technology, NCKU; Professor Ke-Shao Chen from the Department of Material Engineering, Datong University; Professor Hong-Mao Lin from Nanjing University of Science and Technology, and Dr. Chang-Ming Weng from Moldex3D Technology Co.; Dr. Wen-Shiang Chen from the Institute of Textile Research, and Professor Jun-Tai Chen from the Department of Applied Chemistry, National Jiaotong University. As the research results of the six experts and scholars in the field of organic and inorganic functional materials are quite outstanding and fruitful, participants gained a lot from their speeches.

【Professor Si-Sheng Deng from the Department of Chemical Technology, NCKU, was delivering his speech.】

In order to accelerate industrial transformation and upgrading, the government is actively planning to implement its three major policies: "to be integrated with the local industry," "to support industries with domestic demands," and "To enter international markets." The polices will be further bolstered by the "5+2" new creative industries: Green Energy Technology , Asia Silicon Valley, Biotech Pharmaceuticals, Intelligent Machinery, National Defense Industry, New Agriculture and Eco-Efficient Economy. These encompass scientific and technological Research and Development to supporting Industrial Innovation. Functional materials, which are used in these key industries, have shown its importance in recent years.

【In the 2018 Functional Materials Symposium】

Chairman Cheng-He Chen of the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, emphasized that this seminar was for the third time organized by the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering. The number of participants was approximately 180, which means that organic and inorganic functional materials are the focus of current academic and industrial research and closely related to people's livelihood. This year paper contribution was quite enthusiastic. There were 141 research papers this year, of which 128 were poster papers. The other 13 were oral reports by students in English. This was the best opportunity for students to practice their ability to express their related majors in English. After careful evaluation by the reviewers, this year Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology had great performances in the poster paper contest, with more than 10 papers awarded.

【Deputy President Hong-De Chang of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology (middle in the first row) and Professor Si-Sheng Deng of the Department of Chemical Engineering, NCKU (right fourth in the first row), honorable guests, and school head officials】

As Vice President Hong-De Chang of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology pointed out at the opening ceremony, the functional materials are materials with excellent optical, electrical, magnetic, thermal, chemical, biochemical, and other specific functions. There are a wide range of functional materials and they are widely used. With broad market prospects, all countries in the world have attached great importance to its research and development and application, and it has become the focus of research and development of novel materials in various countries in the world. In the field of global novel materials research, functional materials account for about 85%. Through the speeches and exchanges at this conference, the academic community and the industry jointly explored new research directions. What is more important is to promote mutual exchanges between the academic and industrial circles, provide technology transfer, counsel manufacturers to improve production technology, enhance research and development strengths, cultivate talents in the related fields, and thereby promote domestic economic development.