UNIST brought together leading researchers in batteries, nanoscience, and energy chemistry for the second UNIST Pioneer Symposium, held from September 8 to 9, 2026. 

Hosted by the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, the two-day symposium welcomed nearly 400 participants from academia, industry, and research institutions. Building on last year's focus on electrochemistry, the 2026 program broadened its scope to next-generation battery materials and systems, electrocatalysis, energy storage and conversion, and related areas of materials science. 

Featured speakers included Professor Peidong Yang at the University of California, Berkeley, and Professor Arumugam Manthiram at the University of Texas at Austin, internationally recognized for their work in nanoscience and battery materials, respectively. Professor Manthiram delivered the Nobel Lecture on behalf of John B. Goodenough following his 2029 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. 

The program also featured researchers working at the forefront of all-solid-state batteries, carbon dioxide conversion, and other areas of materials and energy science. Talks and panel discussions were complemented by poster sessions showcasing research by students and early-career scientists.

Industry participation expanded this year, with Sa Heum Kim, Executive Vice President at SK On, who oversees next-generation battery research, joining representatives from major companies. The symposium was also supported by Samsung SDI, the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), Wiley, and other academic and research organizations.

The Pioneer Symposium was launched in November 2025 with a focus on innovation in electrochemistry. The inaugural meeting featured Stanford University Professor Yi Cui and research spanning battery energy storage, electrocatalysis for hydrogen production, and AI-assisted materials development. This year's program broadened that scope while strengthening exchanges among researchers from academia and industry.

Building on UNIST's research in advanced technologies, Ulsan is preparing for new opportunities in future mobility and secondary batteries,” said UNIST President Chong Rae Park. “I hope this symposium will foster meaningful scientific exchange and lead to new ideas and collaborations.”