From September 26 to 28, the 8th International Symposium of Flexible & Stretchable Electronics (ISFSE 2024) was held in Wuhan, hosted by HUST, with co-sponsorship from Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) and the journal Soft Science. Professors Huang Yong'an and Wu Zhigang from HUST, and Guo Chuanfei from SUSTech, served as co-chairs of the symposium. The event was conducted in a hybrid format, attracting over 500 experts and scholars in the field of flexible & stretchable electronics from various countries and regions.

The conference featured an opening ceremony, keynote speeches, parallel sessions, poster presentations, the Soft Science Junior Editorial Board meeting, a seminar on flexible & stretchable electronics education and textbook development, as well as a welcome banquet and academic awards ceremony.

On September 27, the opening ceremony was hosted by Professor Guo Chuanfei. Professor Zhang Yonghui, Vice President of HUST, delivered a welcome speech, warmly greeting all the experts and scholars and expressing hope for the success of the conference. Professor Wu Zhigang introduced the basic situation of the lab, reviewed the history of the ISFSE, and stated that this year's event would promote the application of flexible & stretchable electronics technology through high-level academic exchanges and cutting-edge presentations. Professors Guo Chuanfei and Wu Zhigang chaired the keynote speech session.

Academician Bao Zhenan from Stanford University, Academician Wang Zhonglin from the Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Professor Yin Zhouping from HUST, Researcher Li Runwei from the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering of CAS, and Professor Chengkuo Lee from the National University of Singapore delivered speeches in sequence.

At the various sub-forums, 78 scholars delivered invited reports. Additionally, 70 young scholars gave oral presentations, and 34 young researchers presented reports at the Young Scholars Forum. Lively and active discussions were carried out through various forms of academic exchanges. Ultimately, six Best Young Scholars Forum Presentation Awards were selected based on expert scoring, and six Best Poster Awards were determined through collective voting.

It is reported that on the 26th, Professor Huang Yong'an, as the Editor-in-Chief of the journal Soft Science, organized a Junior Editorial Board meeting. On the 27th, Professor Huang and Professor Zhang Haixia from Peking University jointly hosted the conference banquet and awards ceremony. On the 28th, Professor Huang initiated a seminar on flexible & stretchable electronics education and textbook development.

The International Symposium on Flexible & Stretchable Electronics, initiated by HUST, has been held eight times. Focusing on cutting-edge academic topics and encouraging open discussions, it has become one of the most influential academic conferences in the field of flexible and stretchable electronics. The symposium provides a high-level platform for experts, scholars, and students to exchange ideas, highlighting the innovative and practical aspects of flexible & stretchable electronics research. It plays a crucial role in advancing China's basic scientific research and promoting the application of advanced electronic technologies.

Written by: Li Yi

Edited by: Yu Shiyun, Chang Wen, Peng Yumeng