The “Forum on Applications of Electron Microscopy Imaging Technology in Materials and Cultural Heritage Conservation,” hosted by ShanghaiTech University, was held from November 15 to 18 in Xi’an, a city renowned for its rich history and cultural heritage. This forum focused on electron microscopy (EM) imaging technology and archaeological science, fostering interdisciplinary academic discussions aimed at advancing cultural heritage conservation and archaeological research. Over 300 researchers and students from the fields of science and archaeology participated in the event.
Li Xiaojie, former vice minister of the Ministry of Culture and former administrator of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, was invited to attend the forum. Wu Qiang, deputy party secretary of ShanghaiTech University, delivered the opening remarks. Assistant Professor Wang Zhu-Jun from the School of Physical Science and Technology (SPST) of ShanghaiTech served as the forum chair. More than 20 renowned experts were invited to give presentations. They represented such institutions as the Palace Museum, the Institute of Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics at CAS, Ningxia University, the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, Peking University, South China University of Technology, East China Normal University, the Nature Computational Science journal editorial board, Wuhan University, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shaanxi Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Fudan University, ShanghaiTech University, and other universities and research institutes.
In his welcoming remarks, Li emphasized the urgence of cultural heritage conservation which has great significance, noting that the ongoing development and application of advanced scientific techniques promise a more scientific and efficient future for the field.
Li Xiaojie attended the forum.
Wu Qiang, in his opening address, acknowledged the critical role of EM imaging technology in materials science and cultural heritage conservation. He highlighted the forum as a valuable platform for experts and scholars to share research and foster collaboration across disciplines. He encouraged participants to actively exchange research findings and explore new trends and applications in the field of EM.
Wu Qiang delivered the opening remarks.
A total number of 21 academic presentations were delivered by participants, revolving around six main topics: cutting-edge applications of EM in materials science; its use in archaeology; its use in cultural heritage conservation; integration of new technologies and methods in EM; interdisciplinary collaboration in EM; and future development directions of EM. The discussions that followed addressed the practical needs of archaeology and cultural heritage preservation from a multidisciplinary perspective, yielding significant insights and results.
During the event, participants also visited key cultural sites, including the Mausoleum of Han Emperor Jing, the Shaanxi History Museum, and the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum. These visits provided opportunities to propose valuable suggestions for conservation efforts and research.
This forum not only deepened academic understanding of the field but also further advanced the disciplines of archaeology, history, and cultural heritage conservation. It provided a vital platform for interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration, underscoring ShanghaiTech’s pivotal role in promoting the integration of science and humanities, advancing archaeological science, and contributing to societal development.