On Oct 29th, Academician Geoffrey I. N. Waterhouse (Royal Society of New Zealand) visited us upon invitation. He shared academic guidance, exchanged ideas on scientific research with students, and gave a fantastic talk themed "Towards Electrification and Decarbonization of the Chemical Industry".

This presentation outlined recent collaborative research on the electrification and decarbonization of key chemical industry processes. It focused on the development of novel electrocatalysts for water splitting, hydrogen peroxide synthesis, CO₂ reduction to ethylene, ammonia production via nitrogen and nitrogen oxide reduction, as well as biomass valorization (e.g., HMF oxidation to FDCA or lignin depolymerization for the production of simple aromatic molecules). The report emphasized how to design electrocatalysts with high selectivity and durability to enable the continuous and stable operation of these reactions under high current density conditions, providing innovative research directions for faculty and students in relevant fields.

Geoffrey Waterhouse, a Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi (New Zealand) and current Professor at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, is an internationally renowned materials scientist and a globally recognized expert in single-atom catalysis with long-standing dedication to sustainability-related research. He has achieved systematic and pioneering research outcomes in energy conversion, green chemistry, and advanced functional materials, earning an outstanding reputation in the international academic community and publishing over 900 academic papers. A decade ago, Professor Waterhouse was elected a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (affiliated with the Royal Society Te Apārangi) in recognition of his exceptional contributions to chemistry and materials science. In 2024, he was further elected to the highest rank of Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi (Ngā Ahurei a Te Apārangi Fellow to the Academy of the Royal Society Te Apārangi) — the highest academic honor in New Zealand. This distinction acknowledges his remarkable achievements in research, scholarship, and knowledge advancement, affirming that his work has reached an internationally top-tier level.

Founded in 1883, The University of Auckland (UoA for short) is New Zealand’s largest public research university and ranks first nationwide in comprehensive performance, hailed as the country’s "national treasure" institution of higher education. It secured the 65th position globally (1st in New Zealand) in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, leading all New Zealand universities for 18 consecutive years.

Founded in 1867, the Royal Society Te Apārangi is New Zealand’s most prestigious academic institution. Each year, it elects only a small number of scientists as Fellows — those who have earned international academic renown and achieved the highest standards in knowledge creation and social contributions. Professor Waterhouse’s election fully reflects the international impact of his research and his significant contributions to advancing scientific development in New Zealand and globally. His research spans multiple areas, from single-atom catalyst design and the reaction mechanisms of energy and environmental catalysis to the construction of sustainable energy systems. His work has not only advanced the frontiers of materials science and catalytic chemistry but also provided innovative scientific solutions to address global energy crises and environmental challenges. His academic achievements have been published in top international journals, widely cited, and exerted a profound influence across multiple disciplines.