From July 21 to August 8, Professor Zhang Desheng, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Fluid Center, led a delegation to visit the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) in Barcelona, Spain. The visit focused on in-depth discussions regarding student exchanges (both short-term and long-term), faculty visits, scientific research collaboration, and joint postgraduate training programs, further strengthening international cooperation between the two universities in the field of fluid engineering.
During the visit, Professor Xavier from UPC warmly welcomed Professor Zhang and his delegation. UPC and our university have maintained a long-standing partnership, characterized by frequent academic exchanges over the years. The Fluid Center has sent outstanding faculty members and students, including Chen Jian, Geng Linlin, Zhang Ruijie, and Ning Yanqiang, to UPC for advanced studies and research. The universities have successfully launched joint master’s and doctoral engineering programs, yielding significant achievements in collaborative efforts.
Both parties reviewed the history of their friendly cooperation and expressed optimism for future collaborations. During their discussions, they deliberated on the progress of the Jiangsu International Cooperation Project titled “Joint Research and Development of Key Technologies for Deep-Sea High-Gas Content Oil-Gas Multiphase Transport Mechanisms and Equipment,” as well as the NSFC Key International Cooperation Project titled “Coupling Mechanisms of Multi-Field Hydraulic Structures in Wide-Range Francis Pump Stations and Resilience Enhancement.” Both sides highlighted the importance of international collaboration in advancing cutting-edge scientific research.
Professor Xavier also led the delegation on a tour of the Fluid and Energy Laboratory at UPC. This laboratory has considerable expertise in the field of renewable energy and has hosted and participated in several major EU projects, including the Advanced Grid Interface with Storage Integrated Innovations (AGISTIN) project, the European Hydraulic Oscillation Power Extraction (H-HOPE) project, and the Active Flow Control System for Improving Off-Design Performance of Hydraulic Turbines (AFC4Hydro) project. In recent years, the laboratory has expanded its research scope to include other renewable energy sources and interdisciplinary projects. The lab actively engages in national and EU-funded projects and has established long-term collaboration alliances with large-scale enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises for technology transfer.
The delegation also visited the Catalonia Hydrogen Research Center, which integrates UPC’s research resources in hydrogen technology and provides technical support for innovation in the hydrogen energy industry. The center’s research spans the entire hydrogen energy value chain, including green hydrogen production from renewable energy, blue hydrogen production using emissions absorption, hydrogen storage, distribution, and applications in industries and transportation. Both parties held in-depth discussions on frontier research topics currently being conducted at the center, such as energy control and management for fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles, and mechanochemical preparation of catalysts for energy applications (e.g., methane activation and hydrogen production). These discussions laid a foundation for potential cooperation in the field of renewable energy.
During the visit, Professor Zhang Desheng and his delegation also met with Chen Jian and Zhang Ruijie, who are currently participating in exchange programs at UPC. They listened to reports on their academic progress and research developments, as well as updates on their living conditions. The delegation also held a seminar with alumni pursuing doctoral degrees and visiting faculty members, encouraging them to seize the opportunities to enhance their academic capabilities and research skills in an international environment.
This visit further deepened the collaboration between the two universities in fluid engineering and renewable energy, providing a solid foundation for promoting higher-level international exchanges and cooperation, and cultivating top-tier talents with a global perspective.
