IWHT-2021

   The 6th International Workshop on Heat/Mass Transfer Advances for Energy Conservation and Pollution Control (IWHT2021)

Harbin, China – August 16, 2021

The 6th International Workshop on Heat/Mass Transfer Advances for Energy Conservation and Pollution Control (IWHT2021) wrapped up a four-day virtual academic extravaganza on August 16, 2021, after fostering intensive knowledge exchange and collaboration among global experts in Harbin, China. Adapted to the challenging COVID-19 pandemic context, the fully online workshop emerged as a pivotal platform for showcasing cutting-edge research, facilitating cross-border dialogue, and driving innovations in heat and mass transfer technologies—critical enablers for global energy sustainability and pollution mitigation.

As a flagship biennial event launched in 2011, the IWHT series has established a distinguished legacy of connecting researchers worldwide, with previous editions hosted in Xi’an (China, 2011, 2013), Taipei (China, 2015), Las Vegas (USA, 2017), and Novosibirsk (Russia, 2019). IWHT2021 carried forward this mission under the stewardship of Harbin Engineering University as the organizer, with robust support from prestigious institutions including the Chinese Society of Engineering Thermophysics, Harbin Institute of Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, and the International Center for Heat and Mass Transfer. The workshop was led by Chair Prof. Yanjun Li (Harbin Engineering University, China), alongside Co-chairs Prof. Qiuwang Wang (Xi’an Jiaotong University, China) and Prof. Yitung Chen (University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA), whose expertise ensured a high-caliber academic program.

The core objective of IWHT2021 was to create a global forum for exchanging frontier technological insights and disseminating high-impact R&D outcomes focused on heat and mass transfer challenges tied to energy conservation and pollution management. The workshop’s comprehensive agenda featured 8 plenary lectures, 49 keynote lectures, 96 oral presentations, and 96 poster submissions, covering a diverse spectrum of critical topics: nuclear energy, advanced energy systems, heat exchangers, multiphase flow and heat/mass transfer, transport phenomena in porous media, and heat/mass transfer enhancement techniques. This wide-ranging focus reflected the interdisciplinary nature of the field and its central role in addressing pressing global energy and environmental issues.

IWHT2021 boasted several standout highlights that set it apart. Notably, the fully online format eliminated geographical barriers, allowing non-submitting attendees to participate free of charge—democratizing access to world-class academic content and expanding the workshop’s global reach. Additionally, the event innovatively integrated 4 special thematic sessions and 3 competitive tracks, recognizing excellence through awards for outstanding contributions: 3 Best Paper Awards, 4 Best Presentation Awards, and 3 Best Poster Awards. These competitions not only celebrated academic achievement but also inspired early-career researchers to pursue innovation in the field.

Prof. Qiuwang Wang, a leading organizer and distinguished scholar from Xi’an Jiaotong University, emphasized the workshop’s significance: “IWHT2021 has demonstrated the resilience of global academic collaboration amid unprecedented challenges. By leveraging online platforms, we brought together diverse perspectives to advance solutions for energy and environmental sustainability.