The 2026 International Symposium and Summer School on Innovations and Future Perspectives in Silsesquioxane Chemistry kicked off at Shandong University (SDU) in late July. More than 40 international scholars from over 10 countries and regions, including Russia, the United States, France, Poland, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, attended the event.

Established a decade ago, the symposium has provided a platform for international academic exchange in silsesquioxane chemistry, which revolves around the study of organosilicon compounds.

This year, the symposium was held under the theme "Silsesquioxane Chemistry in Transition: Challenges and Responsibilities". Liu Hongzhi, chair professor of the symposium, noted that the industry is undergoing an unprecedented transformation as artificial intelligence reshapes chemical research, from molecular design, reaction prediction to data-driven materials discovery.

Silsesquioxanes have distinctive structures and physicochemical properties. They play a vital role in fields including hybrid composites, nanocomposites, and optoelectronic devices.

Attendees discussed the development of reliable, market-ready silsesquioxane products for 5G and 6G electronics, controlled drug delivery systems and high-performance separation membranes.

They also discussed renewable raw materials and solvents, carbon emission reduction through full material life cycles, the recycling and degradation of materials, as well as the transition from trial-and-error experimentation to data-driven material discovery.

Researchers presented several cutting-edge advances in organosilicon chemistry. They also introduced a breakthrough that addressed a challenge in this field that had remained unresolved for half a century.

The symposium combined academic presentations and discussions with opportunities for international exchange and future collaboration. Its open and welcoming atmosphere encouraged dialogue among veteran researchers, early-careerscientists, and students.