2014 KIFEE conference in Kyoto (Writer:Dehlia Brennhaugen)

2014 KIFEE conference in Kyoto (16th – 19th of March 2014)

I was invited to join Kyoto International Forum for Environment and Energy (aka KIFEE), and traveled to Kyoto to give a poster presentation of my work in the Amezawa-lab on Li-ion batteries. The KIFEE conference is an arena for research cooperation between Japan and Norway and focuses on environmentally friendly energy technologies for a sustainable future. Presentations were given on a wide range of topics like offshore wind turbines, hydrogen technology, solar technology, rechargeable battery technology, ionic conducting solids and many other hot topics. The conference also had a large amount of student participants who gave poster presentations. The presenters came from different fields and backgrounds, but still there was a strong united vision for a sustainable future which permeated the conference.

The conference was hosted by Doshisha University which was an excellent venue. On Sunday we got to see some of Kyoto’s famous sights before the evening reception dinner took place in the gorgeous riverside Funatsuru Kyoto Kamogawa Restaurant. On Monday evening the Norwegian embassy hosted a NorAlumni event to promote cooperation and student exchange between Norway and Japan. On Tuesday evening there was a student get-together which was a lot of fun, and which resulted in several after parties. Good times!

The 8th KIFEE is to be held Norway in 2015 and will surely be an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest research developments in materials and energy technology, while experiencing Norwegian culture. All in all, KIFEE is an excellent platform for developing academic collaborations and tying friendship bonds between Japan and Norway. It has been a great experience.