On April 30, the 2nd session of Workshop Series on Catalysis and Electrocatalysis — Atomic Architecture & Quantum Frontiers — was successfully held as a lunch seminar in the lecture hall of the West Multi-Functional Building.

The event invited Prof. Jiwei Ma,Tenured Professor of Tongji University, as the keynote speaker. More than 40 participants attended the seminar, including faculty and students engaged in relevant research directions as well as administrative staff. The session was hosted by Chair Professor Nicolas Alonso-Vante of the college.

At the opening of the event, Professor Nicolas Alonso-Vante delivered a welcome address, extending a warm welcome to Professor Jiwei Ma. He also elaborated on the original intention of launching the Workshop Series on Catalysis and Electrocatalysis: to build a systematic academic exchange platform, helping faculty and students consolidate professional foundations, keep track of research frontiers, and promote collaborative scientific research.

Subsequently, Professor Jiwei Ma gave a keynote presentation. Focusing on atomically precise metal clusters as the core research direction, he thoroughly analyzed their role as a critical bridge connecting homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. He further explored how metal-support interactions (MSI) dictate catalytic performance and how supports can do more than just stabilize clusters—they can actively participate in the reaction through dual-site synergy, hydrogen spillover, or tandem catalysis.

During the lecture session, Associate Professor Chongqing Yang gave a special presentation entitled "Anchoring Atomic Metal Sites in Supports for CO₂ Reduction Reaction (CO₂RR)". Later, Assistant Professor Wenqiang Zhang focused on cutting-edge frontiers and introduced the concept of quantum-enabled catalysis.

During the discussion session, postdoctoral researchers and students raised questions and engaged in in-depth exchanges on core topics including the application prospects of quantum computing and implementation pathways for the dual-carbon goals. Interactive discussions centered on the practical deployment of quantum computing and the intrinsic electronic characteristics of quantum materials.

Professor Jiwei Ma and Professor Nicolas Alonso-Vante answered questions in detail one by one. Drawing on their own research experience, they shared research ideas and practical skills, triggering in-depth academic exchanges and inspiring intellectual dialogue.

As an important session of the Workshop Series on Catalysis and Electrocatalysis, this event has successfully built a high-end platform for international academic exchange. It has effectively broadened the academic horizons of faculty and students in the field of quantum-enabled catalysis, further consolidated the theoretical foundation of relevant research directions, and laid a solid foundation for the college to carry out subsequent international research cooperation, promote joint talent training, and advance scientific and technological innovation in smart energy and dual-carbon fields.