Mr.Ma Zifeng: The International Expert Bridging China and the World in Battery Industry

The development and application of new energy have become a global focal point and concern, given the world's energy shortages and environmental challenges. When discussing the field of new energy, one name immediately comes to mind - Mr. Ma Zifeng.

Mr. Ma Zifeng has tirelessly dedicated himself to the R&D of new energy, driven by an unwavering ambition and a profound sense of duty and purpose. His journey began in the field of fuel cell research and has now led him to head a crucial national energy project, the 973 Program, under the Ministry of Science and Technology in China.

Discovering His Path through Unexpected Circumstances

Mr. Ma Zifeng initially applied for a major in optical engineering at Zhejiang University. However, due to differences in his test scores, he found himself studying petrochemical engineering instead. Despite this unexpected turn of events, Mr. Ma developed a strong interest in the chemical industry and possessed an insatiable thirst for knowledge and an impressive ability to learn.

After graduation, Mr. Ma faced a series of challenging part-time jobs, from working as a cleaner to processing leather shoes and serving in a plastic materials factory. Despite his daily toil, his low salary prevented him from affording a plane ticket home. In a state of confusion and frustration, Mr. Ma was fortunate to receive enlightenment from an entrepreneur in Hong Kong. This encounter set the direction and purpose for his career, leading him into the realm of chemical engineering research and paving the way for a promising future.

The hardships of that period now serve as fulfilling memories for Mr. Ma Zifeng. Those experiences have shaped him into the calm, optimistic, and positive person he is today.

Relentless Pursuit of Excellence in Scientific Research

In August 2009, a seminar at Shanghai Jiao Tong University brought together numerous international experts and scholars in the field of fuel cells for global collaborative research. At this event, colleagues described Professor Ma as a pioneer of fuel cell development in China and a witness to its history. They believed he had the potential to document the evolution of China's fuel cell industry. Such casual compliments vividly illustrate Mr. Ma Zifeng's pioneering achievements and leadership in this field.

A letter from Mr. Xie Shengwu, the President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, filled Professor Ma with confidence and hope. In February 1998, Mr. Ma Zifeng was invited to participate in a seminar on fuel cell technology development at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Shortly after returning to Guangzhou, he received a handwritten letter from Professor Xie Shengwu, sincerely inviting him to join Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Grateful for the opportunity, Professor Ma decided to pursue his career at the university.

Professor Ma is dedicated to researching new materials for electrochemical energy systems, the foundations and applications of fuel cell technology, and new catalysts and catalytic processes. He serves as the director, professor, and doctoral supervisor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. As a project leader, he has successfully completed one critical project under the National 863 Program, three critical projects of the National Natural Science Foundation, and dozens of scientific research and enterprise cooperation projects at the provincial and ministerial levels. To date, he has authored over 120 academic papers, including more than 50 SCI papers, and has received recognition such as the Third Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress of Shanghai, along with seven Chinese invention patents.

As the chief scientist of the 973 Program established by the Ministry of Science and Technology and a member of the review and evaluation group for energy projects, Professor Ma has returned to the path of his original aspiration. He bravely scales new heights in scientific research, demonstrating the same thirst for knowledge and curiosity he had as a student.

A Chance Encounter with Sinopoly

In addition to his roles as a diligent Educator and a dedicated Researcher, Professor Ma also plays a pivotal role as a Bridge. This bridge connects academic research to practical applications by facilitating communication and exchange between China and international industries. Professor Ma carries out this role diligently, adhering to international standards on the cooperation platform provided by Sinopoly in the battery industry.

As a liaison between industry and academia, Professor Ma has always been committed to applying scientific research results practically. In the early 1990s, during the surge of the market economy in China, Professor Ma attempted to establish School-Enterprise Cooperation but encountered difficulties in aligning academic institutions with enterprises through chemical unit operations and basic theoretical research in chemical engineering. The plan ultimately fell through due to unmet expectations. However, as the dean of the Shanghai Research Institute of Sinopoly Battery, Professor Ma has once again channeled his enthusiasm and efforts into bridging the gap between research and practice. He generously contributed his patents to the research institute and collaborated with domestic manufacturing bases on R&D projects, with ample financial support from Sinopoly Battery.

Several influential turning points have defined Professor Ma's journey. He received crucial guidance from an entrepreneur in Hong Kong during a confusing post-graduation phase, and he relocated to Shanghai thanks to an invitation from Mr. Xie Shengwu, the President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. These connections underscore the deep and potential friendship between Hong Kong and Shanghai. Sinopoly Battery Limited, headquartered in Hong Kong, established a Shanghai research institute, further strengthening the bonds between Professor Ma and his friends in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

As an international connector, Professor Ma has leveraged his exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. He remains at the forefront of cutting-edge trends in high-tech fields such as Silicon Valley, Berkeley, and MIT, contributing to his leadership in the international academic community and his role as a catalyst in the lithium-ion battery industry.

Professor Ma has served as a visiting scientist at the Brookhaven National Laboratory of the United States Department of Energy (USDOE) and as a visiting professor at the Institute of Physical Chemistry at the University of Bonn in Germany. He is now a member of the American Electrochemical Society. In August 2012, at the invitation of the USDOE, Dean Ma participated in the 6^th U.S.-China Electric Vehicle and Battery Technology Seminar held in Boston, USA. As the co-chairman of the meeting, he delivered a special report and chaired the battery technology seminar. During his visit to the United States, Dean Ma also visited the Renewable Energy Technology Center of Northeastern University. He signed an official cooperation agreement with the director of the center on behalf of the Sinopoly Battery Research Institute. The two parties agreed to collaborate on research related to electrode materials, electrode structures, and the performance of high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries, as well as their new systems. They also committed to joint talent training and personnel exchange visits. On December 21^st-22^nd, 2012, the 2^nd Technology Innovation Forum was successfully held by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Sinopoly Battery. Professor Ma Zifeng served as the host, and many well-known scholars and experts from around the world participated as special guests. They engaged in profound discussions on energy storage technology for electric vehicles and lithium-ion battery-related fields.

Today, Professor Ma has dedicated many years to cultivating the landscape of new energy. While he has achieved fruitful results, he continues to set his sights on even loftier goals. In the future, he remains committed to further advancing the new energy industry and serving as an international bridge.

 ——摘自《海峡经济网》

  —Excerpt Refined from the Cross-Straits Economic Network