From September 21 to 26, 2025, the 31st International Symposium on Discharges and Electrical Insulation in Vacuum (ISDEIV 2025), hosted by Sichuan University, was successfully held at the Tianfu International Convention Center in Chengdu. Since its inception at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1964, ISDEIV has established itself as the premier international academic conference in its field. It serves as a critical platform for scholars worldwide to exchange cutting-edge scientific progress and promote technological convergence in vacuum discharge.
At the opening ceremony, Ye Ling, Vice President of Sichuan University, and Wang Youcai, a senior official (Level II Bureau Rank) from the Sichuan Provincial Development and Reform Commission, delivered speeches welcoming the guests and congratulating the organizers. They noted that hosting ISDEIV in Western China for the first time signifies the international academic community's high recognition of China’s research capabilities and contributions to the field of vacuum discharge. They emphasized that this event would further deepen cooperation between Sichuan University—and China at large—and top global institutions and industry leaders in frontier areas such as high-voltage power equipment, pulsed power, and fusion energy. The goal is to jointly explore scientific frontiers, achieve breakthroughs in key technologies, and contribute to the development of global energy technology.
The conference gathered nearly 300 experts and scholars from 17 countries and regions, including the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Russia. Attendees included over 70 international scholars from prestigious institutions such as the University of Helsinki (Finland), the University of Tokyo (Japan), Tel Aviv University (Israel), KEMA Laboratories (Netherlands), and the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (Germany). Executives from leading power equipment manufacturers, including Siemens (Germany), Xuguang Electronics, Pinggao Electric, Baoguang, and Southwest Electric, were also in attendance. The scale of participation set a new record in the history of the symposium.
During the conference, 22 renowned scholars from various countries delivered special reports. Over 200 experts and scholars shared their latest research progress and application results on cutting-edge topics such as vacuum breakdown, vacuum arcs, pulsed power, and fusion devices. The event also featured specialized workshops and invited talks, fostering deep academic dialogue.
The conference was organized by the "Advanced Electrical Materials and Novel Electrical Equipment Team" from the College of Electrical Engineering at Sichuan University. This team has long focused on basic theory and key technologies for high-voltage vacuum switches, garnering widespread domestic and international influence. They have systematically completed research and product development for key technologies in 126 kV and 252 kV high-voltage vacuum switches, with relevant achievements already applied in engineering and commercialized. Currently, the team is actively advancing breakthroughs in 550 kV vacuum switches to support the green transformation of China's power equipment.
Hosting ISDEIV 2025 in China, with Sichuan University leading the organization, has significantly elevated the university's global influence and discourse power in the field of international vacuum discharge and insulation. By building a high-level platform for international exchange, the conference effectively promoted global scientific cooperation and the integration of innovation resources. It also created a significant opportunity for Sichuan University to deepen international collaboration and advance its disciplinary construction.
