The 18th Symposium on Piezoelectricity, Acoustic Waves, and Device Applications Successfully Held in Dongguan, China
The Symposium on Piezoelectricity, Acoustic Waves, and Device Applications (SPAWDA) has grown over the past two decades into a premier gathering for researchers from around the world, significantly advancing the field of piezoelectric devices and their engineering applications. As new theories and technologies continue to emerge in piezoelectricity and acoustic wave research, the field has become increasingly diverse, and the market for piezoelectric devices has expanded exponentially. This growth has brought both opportunities and challenges to the steady number of participants in this symposium.
The 18th SPAWDA, jointly sponsored by the Chinese Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (CSTAM), the Chinese Acoustical Society (ASC), and the IEEE UFFC Society, was successfully held from November 8 to 11, 2024, in Dongguan, Guangdong, China. The event was organized by Dongguan University of Technology (DGUT) and the Key Laboratory of Intelligent Disaster Prevention and Emergency Technology for Urban Lifeline Engineering of Guangdong Province. Co-organizers included the City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan), the international journal Lifeline Emergency and Safety, and the Guangdong Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics.
As its tradition, the symposium focused on the latest advancements in piezoelectric and acoustic wave theory, ultrasonic detection and imaging, piezoelectric and ferroelectric materials, and the manufacturing technologies and applications of piezoelectric devices. The conference brought together academic researchers, engineers, and graduate students to explore many cutting-edge topics, including the integration of theoretical research with product design methods to accelerate the development of sensors, actuators, transducers, and many other products. This year it also highlighted the role of piezoelectric technologies in advancing urban lifeline monitoring systems, with active participation from faculty and students at DGUT and other institutions.
The overarching goal of the symposium was to foster the creation of innovative piezoelectric devices with enhanced functionalities, enabling their applications in critical areas such as communications, healthcare, and structural health monitoring, to name a few. By bridging theoretical research and practical applications, the Symposium aimed to drive technological evolution and address emerging challenges in the field.
The 18th SPAWDA attracted 508 registered participants, including distinguished scholars, engineers, graduate students, and technical professionals from over 130 universities, research institutions, and leading enterprises worldwide. This event served as a premier platform for sharing the latest discoveries, visionary insights, and innovative practices in acoustic wave technology. A total of 328 abstracts were submitted, with 308 presentations scheduled and 18 exhibitors actively participating, setting new records for both attendance and contributions. The conference proceedings feature 132 carefully selected papers, chosen for their technical excellence and relevance by the executive committee.
The Symposium featured presentations by renowned scholars, including Professors Ken-ya Hashimoto, Weibao Qiu, and Jiangyu Li, among others. In keeping with tradition, the conference also hosted a dedicated forum for young scholars and a student paper competition, providing a platform for emerging researchers to showcase their work. These sessions highlighted the latest advancements in piezoelectric and acoustic wave technology and offered insights into future research directions. The student paper competition, generously supported by participating companies, attracted over 70 doctoral and master’s candidates from institutions around the world, with 12 outstanding papers recognized for their technical excellence.
The success of the 18th SPAWDA was made possible by the exceptional hospitality and meticulous planning of the DGUT team. Special thanks go to the conference chair, Professor Hongwei Ma, President of Dongguan University of Technology, as well as the two executive chairs, Professors Yu Zheng and Xueqian Fang, for their unwavering support and leadership.
The 18th SPAWDA once again demonstrated the enthusiasm and commitment of the Chinese research community to advancing piezoelectric devices and materials, further solidifying the Symposium’s reputation as a valuable and visible platform for innovation and collaboration in the field.