Keynote Speakers

Prof. Chikashi Sato, Idaho State University, USA

Bio: Professor Chikashi Sato is an environmental engineering and science educator, originally from Iwaki City, Japan, and now a U.S. citizen. For the past 29 years, he has been a faculty member at Idaho State University, where he serves as Director of the PhD program in Engineering and Applied Science and the MS program in Environmental Science and Management. Dr. Sato holds an MS in Environmental Health Engineering from the University of Kansas and a PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of Iowa.

Dr. Sato has been recognized with several prestigious fellowships throughout his career. In 2002, he was awarded a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) fellowship, during which he conducted research at the Public Works Research Institute in Tsukuba, Japan. In 2012, he received a Fulbright fellowship and taught at Tribhuvan University-Prithvi Narayan Campus in Pokhara, Nepal. In 2014, he was an invited Visiting Professor at Kyoto University's Graduate School of Engineering, Research Center for Environmental Quality Management. Additionally, in 2017, Dr. Sato was honored with the Chinese Academy of Sciences President’s International Fellowship Initiative (PIFI).

Dr. Sato has made significant contributions to the field of scientific writing, publishing Handbook for Scientific English Writing in 2009, a widely-used resource in Japan. He has served on the editorial boards of various academic journals and is currently a guest editor for the special issue “Microbial Fuel Cells, 3rd Edition” in the journal Energies.

 

Speech Title: Integrating Microbial Fuel Cell with Hydroculture System for Nutrient Recovery from Wastewater

Abstract: This study investigates the integration of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) with hydroculture systems (MFC-Hyp) to develop a sustainable, carbon-neutral energy-water-food (EWF) supply. The system is designed to enhance nutrient (N, P, K) recovery, CO2 utilization, and wastewater treatment while generating electricity. Potato-process wastewater, containing organic carbon and nutrients, served as fuel, and garlic chives (Allium tuberosum) were used as the hydroponic plant. Results showed that nutrients diffused from the MFC to the hydroponic system, promoting plant growth, while the organic content (COD) in the wastewater was significantly reduced. This integrated system offers a promising approach for renewable energy production, nutrient recovery, and wastewater treatment, though further optimization is needed to address the low power output.

 

Prof. Guangming Li, Tongji University, China

Bio: Prof. Guangming Li, professor and doctoral student supervisor at the College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University. Engaged in water pollution control and recycling, wastes management and recovery technologies such as urban solid waste, electronic waste, kitchen and organic waste, waste tires and plastics, and hazardous wastes, as well as urban ecological environment and low-carbon sustainable development technology and innovation planning research. He presided over and participated in more than ten major science and technology research projects under the National "Tenth Five Year Plan" 863, the Ministry of Science and Technology Support Plan, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and local governments. Since 2004, he has been involved in the formulation of medium and long-term scientific and technological development plans in Shanghai, serving as the leader of the Ecological Shanghai Special Group, participating in the formulation of Shanghai's "11th Five Year Plan", "12th Five Year Plan", "13th Five Year Plan", and "14th Five Year Plan" scientific and technological development plans, and serving as the leader of the Ecological Shanghai or People's Livelihood Special Group; Participate in the special planning, implementation management, promotion, and application of the World Expo Science and Technology Action Plan. He has conducted exchanges and cooperation with the German University of Technology Berlin, the University of East Anglia in the UK, Japan Construction Engineering Corporation, the Italian Federation for Waste Plastic Recycling, and Thailand Green Rubber. Served as the Deputy Director of the Department of Chemistry (1996-1999), Executive Deputy Director of the Training Center of Higher Technical College (2000-2001), and Deputy Dean of the School of Environmental Science and Engineering (2003-2010), responsible for teaching, research, training, and graduate management work. Currently serving as the Deputy Director of the Science and Technology Department of Tongji University (2010-2017), responsible for industry and university research cooperation and the service and management of scientific and technological achievements. Published over 200 research papers in mainstream academic journals both domestically and internationally in this field of expertise; Editor in chief/co-editor of 10 academic monographs and textbooks; Apply for more than 20 authorized patents.

 

Speech Title: Resource Technology of Waste Power Lithium Battery

Abstract: As the mainstream of power source for new energy vehicles, lithium-ion batteries are facing resource and environmental problems after spent and scrapping. The recycling and resourcing of waste power lithium batteries is the key for the sustainable development of the electric vehicle industry. In the presentation, it is introduced to the development of the electric vehicle and power lithium-ion battery industry; resource and environment problems of waste power lithium battery; and the technical route and development trend of resource of waste power lithium battery.

 

Prof. Dimitrios Karamanis, University of Patras, Greece

Bio: Professor of Alternative Energy Sources at the University of Patras leading the group of Renewable Energy Sources and Cool Environment. He studied Physics at the University of Ioannina (1986-1990) where he submitted his doctoral thesis (1990-1997). With Postdoctoral Fellowships at CEN Bordeaux (Marie Curie 1999-2001) and University of Ioannina (Marie Curie 2001-2002 and until 2008), Prof. Karamanis has thirty-four years of research experience in the fields of alternative energy sources with special emphasis on wind and solar energy utilization technologies in the last fifteen years. Participating in competitive National and International research programs as scientific coordinator and researcher, he has published over 110 scientific papers in scientific journals, patents and chapters in books with >3600 citations and h-index 37 (Scopus). He serves as Associate Editor of Green Technologies and Sustainability (Elsevier/KeAi). Prof. Karamanis teaches courses on renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and RES applications in Departments of the Universities of Ioannina and Patras since 2006.

 

Tentative Title: Transitioning to climate-neutral cities: From zero-emission buildings to urban decarbonization