Plenary Speakers
The speakers represent expertise across fundamental and applied ionic liquid science. Their research spans molecular-level investigations of structure and dynamics through to industrial applications. Work on new synthesis methods, characterization techniques, and property measurement provides mechanistic insights into ionic liquid behavior. This enables advances in energy storage technologies, chemical separations, biomass processing, catalysis, and materials development. Applications range from electrochemical devices and green chemical processing to biomedical systems and sustainable manufacturing. Several speakers have successfully translated their research into commercial technologies through start-up companies and industry partnerships.
The Ken Seddon Lecture
Maria Forsyth
Deakin University, Australia and
University of the Basque Country, Spain
Anna Martinelli
Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
Suojiang Zhang
Henan University, China
Debra Bernhardt
The University of Queensland, Australia
Rosa Espinosa-Marzal
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
Monika Schönhoff
University of Münster, Germany
Ralf Ludwig
University of Rostock, Germany
Burcu Gurkan
Case Western Reserve University, USA
Tamal Banerjee
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India
Maria Forsyth
Deakin University, Australia and University of the Basque Country, Spain
Maria Forsyth is an Emeritus Alfred Deakin Professorial Fellow and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Sciences. Her research at the Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University focuses on energy storage and corrosion science. She examines charge transport at metal/electrolyte interfaces and within novel electrolyte materials. Her work advances new electrolyte materials including polymer electrolytes, ionic liquids and organic plastic crystals. She maintains an additional appointment as an Ikerbasque Visiting Professorial Fellow at the University of the Basque Country.
Anna MartinelliChalmers University of Technology, Sweden
Anna Martinelli is a Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology, where she leads a research group focusing on the physico-chemical properties of ionic liquids and materials for clean energy technologies. Martinelli’s current research emphasizes developing new ionic and proton-conducting materials, with applications in energy storage, fuel cells, and sustainable chemistry. Her work bridges fundamental materials research with real-world energy solutions, and she has earned recognition and research grants from leading Swedish and international foundations.
Suojiang Zhang
Henan University, China
Suojiang Zhang is Dean of Chemical Engineering at the Henan University and Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. His research centers on green chemistry and process engineering, with particular focus on ionic liquids. As Editor-in-Chief of multiple journals including Green Energy & Environment, he shapes the field’s direction. His achievements in green process engineering are recognized through awards including the National Natural Science Award.
Debra Bernhardt
The University of Queensland, Australia
Debra Bernhardt is an Australian Academy of Science Fellow and ARC Australian Laureate Fellow known for advancing nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and thermodynamics. Her work examines far-from-equilibrium and confined fluids using theoretical and computational approaches. She brings expertise from positions at the University of Basel and Australian National University, and founded the Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre at Griffith University.
Rosa Espinosa-Marzal University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
Rosa Espinosa-Marzal investigates interfacial properties and dynamics at material interfaces. Her research creates new materials through polymerization, gelation, self-assembly and mineralization. She examines both interfacial and bulk properties to build complete understanding of material behavior. Her work addresses challenges in energy, health and environment through fundamental knowledge at the nanoscale.
Monika Schönhoff University of Münster, Germany
Monika Schönhoff leads research on polymers and nanostructures, focusing on self-assembled organic systems. She examines dynamics and transport of molecules and ions using nuclear magnetic resonance techniques and thin film characterization methods. Her research spans liquid and polymer electrolytes, polyelectrolyte self-assembly, and porous materials and colloidal carriers.
Ralf Ludwig University of Rostock, Germany
Ralf Ludwig specializes in ionic liquids research, employing quantum chemical calculations and experimental methods to understand fundamental properties. His work examines cation-anion interactions, hydrogen bonding effects on physical properties, and molecular-level structural characteristics. He develops methods to predict ideal ion combinations for creating ionic liquids with specific properties.
Burcu Gurkan Case Western Reserve University, USA
Burcu Gurkan is a Professor of Chemical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University examining ionic liquids and eutectic solvents. Her research investigates solvation, transport, interfaces and reaction mechanisms in concentrated hydrogen-bonded liquids. She applies these materials to energy storage, separations, sensors and electrocatalysis, with particular focus on carbon dioxide electro-reduction.
Tamal BanerjeeIndian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India
Tamal Banerjee is a Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, where he leads research on ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents, and functional materials for energy and environmental applications. Banerjee’s current work explores the development of advanced solvent systems and polymeric gels for energy storage, green separations, and sustainable technologies. His research bridges molecular modelling, thermodynamic prediction, and experimental design, with recognized contributions to batteries, supercapacitors, and eco-friendly processes. Banerjee has received national project support and collaborates widely across industry and academia.