VinFuture InnovaConnect: Platform connecting global scientists with Vietnam

(Dan Tri) - More than 350 domestic and foreign experts gathered at the InnovaConnect workshop with the theme "New solutions and materials for sustainable development" organized by VinFuture Foundation in collaboration with the University of Education - University of Danang.

The event continues to demonstrate VinFuture Foundation's efforts to connect knowledge and promote sustainable development in Vietnam and globally.

New material technology - Driving force for green future

In the context of increasingly serious environmental pollution and energy crisis, advanced material technologies are opening up breakthrough directions for sustainable development.

At the InnovaConnect conference, international and Vietnamese scientists introduced a series of promising solutions, from hydrogen and ammonia production to wastewater treatment and CO2 capture.

VinFuture Foundation cooperated with the University of Education - University of Danang to organize the InnovaConnect conference, expanding the science bridge program nationwide.

Mr. Yeon-Tae Yu (Jeonbuk National University, Korea) introduced advances in the research of the core-shell nanostructure Metal@MOS, a potential catalyst for application in the process of water splitting using solar energy.

“The MOS metal core-shell nanostructure fundamentally addresses two key challenges in photocatalysis: enhancing reaction efficiency with noble metal catalysts, while ensuring long-term stability by protecting the catalysts from degradation,” he said.

According to Professor Yu, with a structure combining precious metals and a semiconductor oxide shell that makes the most of the photocatalytic effect, this material not only improves energy conversion efficiency but also prolongs catalyst life, promising wide application in hydrogen production systems from small to large scale.

Prof. Yeon-Tae Yu (Jeonbuk University, Korea) shared the latest advances in the research of MOS metal core-shell nanostructures.

Regarding the development of clean energy solutions, Dr. Du Hoang Long (Monash University, Australia) - a Vietnamese scientist with a breakthrough research achieving nearly 100% efficiency in ammonia production - introduced electrochemical technology to synthesize ammonia from nitrogen in the air and protons from water, using renewable energy. This method completely replaces the traditional Haber-Bosch process, helping to reduce emissions and save energy.

“We capture nitrogen directly from the air and combine it with protons from clean sources like water to synthesize ammonia, thereby eliminating the need to burn fossil fuels in the hydrogen production process,” he stressed.

According to Mr. Long, ammonia is not only a raw material for fertilizer production but also an effective energy storage solution that is easier to transport than hydrogen.

Dr. Du Hoang Long brought breakthrough research in ammonia production and clean energy solution development to the InnovaConnect conference.

Sharing Vietnam's advances in sustainable materials science, Associate Professor, Dr. Vo Thang Nguyen, University of Education - University of Danang, introduced in-depth research on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) - a new group of promising materials in environmental applications.

At the workshop, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen showed that MOFs can be used to decompose pollutants, produce hydrogen and capture CO2. In particular, the research team is developing MOFs from biological waste, aiming for a green - clean - economical solution. However, to commercialize, MOFs still need to overcome challenges in durability, integration and reusability.

These new material technologies are not only the result of research but also the foundation for a clean, sustainable and environmentally friendly energy future.

Connecting knowledge, promoting Vietnamese science to reach the world

According to Ms. Nguyen, to realize the transfer of achievements from the laboratory to practice, the core is the multidisciplinary connection mechanism, especially between businesses and universities. On that basis, she highly appreciated the efforts of VinFuture Foundation in creating practical bridges through initiatives such as the InnovaConnect workshop - a place to promote inter-regional cooperation and spread knowledge nationwide.

“This is an opportunity for research groups in the Central region - an area that has little access to large support programs,” she shared.

Associate Professor, Dr. Vo Thang Nguyen shared his research on the promising MOF group of materials, and highly appreciated initiatives such as the InnovaConnect workshop in promoting inter-regional cooperation and knowledge dissemination.

VinFuture Foundation's InnovaConnect program is also considered by international experts to be a strategic platform connecting global scientists with Vietnam.

Prof. Yeon-Tae Yu (Korea) commented: “Such collaborations are of great value, helping researchers complement each other in the field of clean energy, thereby leading to more comprehensive and effective approaches to solving energy and environmental challenges.”

Mr. Du Hoang Long also affirmed that international and interdisciplinary cooperation is a key factor to accelerate the development and application of clean energy solutions, while facilitating the transfer of advanced technology to Vietnam and taking advantage of the abundant renewable energy resources here.

“Collaboration is the key to solving global challenges. By bringing together researchers and scientists from many countries, we can clearly identify the nature of the challenges and find solutions together,” he emphasized.

Piloted since 2024, InnovaConnect has connected world-leading experts in the fields of semiconductors, environmental science and public health with key universities in the Hanoi area, such as: Hanoi University of Science and Technology, University of Science - Vietnam National University, Hanoi and University of Public Health.

In 2025, InnovaConnect has announced its nationwide expansion. Interested parties can visit the VinFuture Foundation website at https://vinfutureprize.org/vi/tin-tuc/2025-innovaconnect/ to download the application forms and documents. The application deadline will take place four times a year, on January 2, April 2, July 2, and October 2. Partner organizations have 60 days to complete the application and send it (in soft copy) to the email address: secretariat@vinfutureprize.org.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/vinfuture-innovaconnect-nen-tang-ket-noi-nha-khoa-hoc-toan-cau-voi-viet-nam-20250530152609175.htm