NexTech 4 SDG UNIDO Pavilion at CSITF Focuses on Green Technology and Youth Innovation

2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) participating in the CSITF. Aligned with the theme of the 10th CSITF, "Digital Chain Era, Green Future," and UNIDO's theme day, "Green Sti Stirs up New Quality Productive Forces," UNIDO's booth design this year is centered around the future-oriented NexTech Matrix. It showcases industrial technological innovation, the World Industry Innovation and Technology Solutions (WiiTs), outstanding projects from previous carbon neutrality technology calls, and features the "NexTech × NexTalent (Future Technology × Future Talent) Zero Carbon Hour" event. Through the UNIDO knowledge sharing platform, it facilitates dialogues and exchanges between public and private sectors, especially among youth. Over three days, the booth activities included eight teams representing industry, academia, and research, presenting more than ten cutting-edge green innovation technologies and solutions. The booth attracted 442 interactive participants and 652 visitors.

New Technologies Bringing About New Quality Productive Forces

In 2021, Shaanxi Huatuo Technology Co., Ltd. (Huatuo Technology), certified under UNIDO Shanghai ITPO's "Industry Technology Innovation and International Cooperation Initiative" (WiiTs), introduced several advanced technologies. These include digital curved surface micro-droplet jetting low-carbon technology, high-end five-axis linkage CNC machine tools and processing centers (advanced "industrial mothership"), and complex hard-surface conformal circuit direct printing technology certified by the China Association for Science and Technology. These advanced manufacturing skills are widely applied in sectors such as automotive, aviation, high-speed rail, shipping, and household appliances. They are expected to have profound impacts on global environmental carbon reduction, efficient utilization of new materials, and sustainable industrial development.

Beacons of Excellence Showcasing the Latest Scientific Research Achievements

Several scientists from the University of Nottingham's Beacon of Excellence Program (Ningbo) showcased their cutting-edge research achievements at the UNIDO booth. They presented advancements in hydrogen economy and achieving net-zero emissions goals, rapid biomass pyrolysis processes and product development, principles and research methods for wastewater treatment using sewage, sludge, and waste shrimp shells. These presentations highlighted the Beacon of Excellence Research Institute's explorations and innovations in the field of science and technology.

The Beacon of Excellence Research Institute's Smart Manufacturing and Green Chemical Engineering and Energy Research Team also showcased their 3D printing research achievements. These include lightweight metal components with excellent mechanical properties such as strength and hardness, along with features like damping, shock absorption, energy absorption, thermal and magnetic insulation. These innovations find applications in aerospace, energy, biomedical, and other fields. Additionally, the team has expanded its research into the food 3D printing domain, successfully printing various customized food products.

Future Talents Exploring Infinite Green Possibilities

College youth also brought innovative ideas and technological solutions that can be incubated. Zhejiang University showcased four project presentations. The first team introduced a digital agriculture education program based on practical and digital interaction platforms. It aims to deeply integrate green awareness and actions into daily life, cultivate talents who understand, love, and work in agriculture, and promote dual sustainable development of humans and nature. Inspired by the UNIDO Center for South-South Industrial Cooperation’s project on hydro-solar complementarity, the second team proposed an innovative multi-energy complementary technology based on the "small hydropower+" model. It aims to promote sustainable development through potential exploration, energy low-carbon transformation, and economic benefits. The third team introduced a new green dyeing technology that uses environmentally friendly and stable microbial strains instead of chemical dyes. They developed a dyeing system with both memory and random modules, offering new possibilities for integrating innovative technology with traditional craftsmanship. The fourth team focused on the concept and enterprise practices of the low-altitude economy, providing a comprehensive and detailed introduction and analysis.

Two teams from the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering at Fudan University shared innovative technologies at the exhibition. One team presented innovations in microbial electrolysis cells for wastewater treatment and energy supply, as well as CO2 electroreduction. Another team showcased a greenhouse agriculture green disease prevention and control system. These technologies not only aim to address current environmental and ecological issues but also provide new solutions for future sustainable energy development.

A doctoral team from the School of Physics Science and Engineering at Tongji University detailed the working principles of zinc-air batteries and their application potential in the field of sustainable energy. Compared to traditional lithium batteries and lead/iron flow batteries, zinc-air batteries use an aqueous electrolyte and oxygen from the air as the positive electrode reaction material. The high abundance of zinc in the negative electrode makes it cost-effective, easily recyclable, and environmentally friendly. The team has established an electrode material computational simulation platform using well-known domestic and international simulation software to efficiently screen, predict, develop, and synthesize high-performance electrode materials.

"Zero carbon in one hour, NexTech × NexTalent, creating infinite green possibilities. UNIDO Shanghai ITPO looks forward to embarking on a sustainable future with professionals from all walks of life!"