On April 12, 2025, the Fourth National Conference on Ultrafast Vibrational Spectroscopy, hosted by the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of Shaanxi Normal University and the Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, opened at the Xi’an Slater Hotel in Xi’an.

The conference invited renowned scholars to deliver plenary reports, including Prof. Zhong Dongping from Shanghai Jiaotong University, Prof. Zhou Mingfei from Fudan University, Prof. Su Hongmei from Beijing Normal University, Researcher Weng Yuxiang from the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Prof. Wang Hongfei from Westlake University, Prof. Fang Chong from Oregon State University/Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (CAS), Researcher Wang Jianping from the Institute of Chemistry (CAS), and Prof. Zheng Junrong from Peking University.

By the conference opening, over 200 experts, scholars and young chemical researchers from 41 universities and research institutions, including Peking University, Fudan University, CAS, the University of Science and Technology of China, and Shanghai Jiaotong University, had registered. The conference received 123 abstract submissions and scheduled 8 plenary reports, 47 invited session reports, 19 oral presentations, and 49 poster presentations.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Prof. Bian Hongtao of the Institute of New Concept Sensors and Molecular Materials of Shaanxi Normal University. Prof. Xue Dong, director of SNNU Department of Science and Technology and dean of the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, delivered a welcome speech introducing the university’s profile, educational positioning, disciplinary development strategies, and encouraged its faculty members to actively engage with attendees to accelerate research progress.

Researcher Wang Jianping from the Institute of Chemistry (CAS), one of the conference founders, expressed gratitude to the organizing committee, reviewed the original purpose of establishing the conference and the previous three editions, and commended the SNNU’s preparatory and organizational efforts.

Researcher Weng Yuxiang from the Institute of Physics (CAS), chair of the Time-Resolved Spectroscopy Committee of the Chinese Chemical Society, acknowledged the conference’s quality and attendance scale, urging young scientists to address major national challenges, apply their expertise in industry, and advance large-scale instrumentation development.

Conference chair Prof. Fang Yu delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony. He reflected on his early work in time-resolved fields such as single-photon fluorescence and synchrotron radiation, marveled at the rapid advancements in ultrafast science, introduced current ultrafast research platforms established in Xi’an and by the university, and encouraged young scientists to use advanced facilities to tackle fundamental research challenges.

Held biennially, the Conference aims to exchange the latest research advances in ultrafast vibrational spectroscopy and promote developments in theoretical and experimental methodologies. It provides a valuable platform for global academic exchanges, significantly enhancing the university’s disciplinary influence and strengthening collaborations between academia and society.