From August 12 to 14, 2024, the 2024 International Conference on Sensors Technology and Applications and 5th International Conference of Fiber Optic and Photonic Sensors for Industrial and Safety Applications (OFSIS) were successfully held in Ireland. Organized by the Institute of Measurement and Control (Inst MC) in the UK, co-organized by the China Instrument and Control Society, and hosted by the University of Limerick, the conference featured keynote speeches from distinguished guests including Academician Fang Yu and Academician Wang Guofa from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and Academician Kenneth Grattan from the Royal Academy of Engineering, UK. The conference attracted over 100 academic experts from 8 countries: China, Australia, Germany, India, Ireland, Malaysia, Norway, and the UK. A total of 65 reports were delivered, including the 5 keynote speeches. These reports were distributed across 9 thematic sub-forums, including Industrial Sensors, Spectral Sensors, Fiber Optic Sensors, Biomedical Sensors, Photonic Sensors, Microwave and Optoelectronic Sensors, Environmental Sensing Technologies, the Strategies and Applications of Emerging Sensor Technologies. More than 30 participants from China shared their latest research findings in their respective fields.
Keynote Speech by Academician Fang Yu: Adlayer Structure Innovation and Film-Based Fluorescent Sensors
Keynote Speech by Academician Wang Guofa: Development of China’s mines and Underground Spatiotemporal perception detection Technology
Keynote Speech by Professor Kenneth Grattan: Fibre Optic Sensors Systems for Industry 4.0-promise and potential
The opening ceremony of the conference was hosted by Professor Elfed Lewis from the University of Limerick. Shane Kilcommirs, Vice President of the University of Limerick, welcomed participants from around the world to the beautiful University of Limerick. He introduced the current collaborative projects of the university with global partners in the fields of health, environment, and industry. It is anticipated that this conference will pave the way for friendly cooperation between Ireland, the UK, and various countries in Asia.
Welcome Address by Professor Elfed Lewis
Steff Smith, Secretary General of the Institute of Measurement and Control (InstMC), and Professor Andy Augousti from Kingston University, extended special thanks to the academic professionals from around the globe for their participation. They also expressed gratitude to the China Instrument and Control Society for its strong support of the conference.
The welcoming remarks were delivered by Ms. Steff Smith and Professor Andy Augosti
As a representative of the co-organizer, Ms. Huimin Shan, Director of the International Department of the China Instrument and Control Society, delivered a warm welcome to the conference participants from both domestic and international backgrounds. She expressed the intention from China Instrument and Control Society to establish long-term, friendly cooperative relationships with international organizations in the field. Ms. Huimin Shan also highlighted Chengdu, China, as a central city known for its rich cultural and tourism resources that attract numerous visitors from around the world. She emphasized the openness and inclusivity from Chengdu as a foundation for deepening international exchanges and described it as an ideal location for hosting international academic activities. She sincerely invited relevant companies, experts, and scholars to join other academic events organized by the China Instrument and Control Society in Chengdu in 2025.
Ms. Junying Huang, Science and Technology Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Ireland, was invited to attend the conference opening ceremony. She noted that this year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Ireland. This conference is a result of the continuous advancement of pragmatic cooperation and the growing cultural exchange between two countries. She emphasized the embassy is committed to encouraging cultural exchanges and mutual learning between the two nations and to creating new cooperation platforms in the new era of technological revolution.
Dr. Tongyu Liu, Director of the Shandong Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing Technology and Director of the Shandong Optical Fiber Sensor Engineering Technology Research Center, on behalf of the Chinese attendees, expressed sincere gratitude to the hosts and representatives of the organizing committee for this conference.
After the conference, Academician Yu Fang from the Chinese Academy of Engineering expressed to the China Instrument and Control Society and other social organizations: “The participation of the Society in this international conference is of great significance. Both domestic and international scientists need such international platforms. We need more opportunities to engage in international exchanges, especially for young scholars who should actively practice ‘going out’ and participating in global interactions. International academic conferences not only provide participants with professional gains but also foster valuable collisions and reflections of ideas and perspectives through face-to-face interactions with global scientists”.
Dr. Wei Junxiong, R&D Director of Hanwei Electronics Group, highly praised the conference as a representative of the participating enterprises: “Since to the high sensitivity, precision, and electromagnetic interference resistance of fiber optic sensors, this year, fiber optic sensing technology has emerged as a prominent ‘tech newcomer’ and is widely applied in fields such as urban structural health monitoring, rail transportation, geology, and water resources. China Instrument and Control Society has keenly identified the application and cooperation opportunities of fiber optic sensor technology in these fields. The Society invited renowned scientists and academic leaders, including Academician Fang Yu, Academician Wang Guohua, and Academician Kenneth Grattan, to attend and deliver impressive reports. They shared the latest research findings and explored solutions to industry technical challenges. These results not only showcase the cutting edge of fiber optic sensor technology but also indicate the future direction of the global industry, providing valuable insights and research ideas for private enterprises on their path to internationalization”.
As a co-organizer of the 2024 International Conference on Sensors and Applications, the China Instrument and Control Society not only successfully hosted its first overseas international academic conference but also innovatively created a comprehensive and multi-layered international academic exchange and exhibition platform for experts and scholars in the field of sensor technology. This initiative has not only facilitated deep cross-border and interdisciplinary exchanges and collaborations among domestic scientists in the field of intelligent sensing but has also significantly enhanced the international perspective and communication skills of young scientific talents. It has established a more open, trusting, and cooperative bridge for the international scientific community.
The China Instrument and Control Society has recognized the significant value and far-reaching impact of this conference. As a result, it has actively summarized and distilled successful experiences and established a clear cooperation intention with the Institute of Measurement and Control (InstMC) during the conference. Both parties plan to formalize this conference as a regular international event, continuously providing a high-quality exchange platform for experts and scholars in the field of sensor technology. This initiative aims to further promote international cooperation and innovative development in sensing technology.
Looking ahead, China Instrument and Control Society is committed to deepening cooperation with global partners and expanding the breadth and depth of international exchanges. This will provide strong impetus for the sustainable development of the sensing field. By continuously hosting such international academic conference, we aim to gather global wisdom, collaboratively address industry challenges, and propel sensors technology to new heights.
