Session 1: High Energy and Particle Physics
Asst. Prof. Dr. Norraphat Srimanobhas
Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
Title: CERN: More Than a Particle Collider – Uncovering the Hidden Scientific Universe Beyond the LHC
While the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is CERN’s most iconic instrument, the biggest machine in the world, it represents just one side of a much broader scientific ecosystem. This talk will explore the diverse range of non-LHC experiments and facilities at CERN that are expanding the frontiers of knowledge in nuclear physics, antimatter, medical applications, environmental science, and beyond. We will discuss into facilities such as ISOLDE and MEDICIS, which harness high-energy proton beams to produce rare isotopes for several studies ranging from nuclear physics to astrophysics, and medical applications; the Antiproton Decelerator complex, where antimatter is created, trapped, and studied; and the CLOUD experiment, which investigates the role of cosmic rays in cloud formation and climate. We will also highlight innovative applications of CERN technology in fields like space science, radiotherapy, and cultural heritage preservation. Together, these initiatives demonstrate CERN’s role not just as a collider of particles, but as a collider of ideas with profound implications for science and society.
Session 2: Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Cosmology
Dr. Utane Sawangwit
National Astronomical Research Institute of
Thailand, NARIT
Title: JUNO Scientific potential for Astroparticle physics and Cosmology
Abstract: Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) will start its experiments later this year. Its main science goals are constraining the neutrino mass ordering (NMO) up to 4σ significance level and measuring neutrino oscillation parameters with precision better than 1% owing to its competitive sensitivity and excellent energy resolution, 2.95% at 1MeV. While these expected results are impressive and will be providing major breakthroughs for neutrino physics, JUNO also hold many potentials for astroparticle physics and cosmology, namely early detection and study during core-collapse supernova (CCSN), diffuse supernova neutrino background (DSNB) detection and indirect dark matter (DM) detection. I will review details and latest forecast on JUNO performance for real-time monitoring for the next CCSN, prospect for DSNB detection and sensitivity for indirect DM detection.
Session 3: Condensed Matter Physics
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chesta Ruttanapun
King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang
Title: The Small Pilot Plant for the Production of Graphene Oxide and Graphene Oxide Quantum Dots for Industrial Market Scale and Their Applications
Abstract: The pilot plant for producing Graphene Oxide (GO) and reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) is located at the School of Science, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology, Ladkrabang (KMITL). It was constructed on a small industrial scale as a unique machine model in Thailand and the world. The factory can fabricate both GO and rGO types in one machine. Graphene comprises a layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal structure and possesses several special properties: it is the thinnest material, stronger than diamond and steel, has good electrical conductivity, is very lightweight, and has a very high surface area. GO is an oxidized and separated form of graphite. Its 2D structure is modified by oxygen functional groups, such as hydroxy, epoxy, and carbonyl, with variable ratios across the layers. GO exhibits excellent properties as a thermal and electrical insulator. rGO is the form of GO processed through chemical, thermal, and other methods to reduce the oxygen content. Moreover, rGO shares properties closely related to graphene material. The production in the pilot plant utilizes chemical oxidation–reduction methods. In the production process, graphite oxide is first synthesized by oxidizing graphite with a strong acid and an oxidizing agent. The obtained sample is subjected to ultrasonication for GO production. Finally, the rGO suspension is achieved through a simple chemical reduction method. For the GO and rGO powder, the product suspensions are dried using the freeze-drying technique. The production capacity is approximately 15 kg per month. The reduced graphene oxide quantum dots (rGO-QDs) solution is fabricated using GO as the starting material, which is cut into small particles less than 10 nm via the chemical oxidation cutting process. Examples of rGO innovations include Thai silk dyed with reduced graphene oxide, rGO/polymer beads, filament composites, precast concrete thermal insulators, supercapacitor graphene, and battery graphene. In addition, innovations involving rGO-QDs consist of electrolytes, supercapacitor quantum dots, and gel rGO-QD electrolytes. For the business in GO, rGO, and rGO-QDs products, now, the authors have established the start-up company “K-2 Graphene X” under the KMITL holding company.
Session 4: Computational Materials Science and Condense Matter, Modeling and Simulations, Data-driven Material Modeling, Artificial Intelligence
Dr. Supawadee Namuangruk
National Nanotechnology Center, Thailand
Title: Theoretical study on CO2 conversion into Platform Chemicals
Abstract: An increase in CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is a serious issue causing climate change and global warming. Therefore, scientists have been attempting to deal with CO2 emissions for many decades. Electroreduction of CO2 (CO2RR) into platform chemicals is one of the most potential methods for CO2 recycling and energy regeneration. CO2 can be reduced to C1 and C2+ products in the electrochemical process. In addition, the co-reduction, such as NO, NO3, N2, can be coupled with CO2 reduction into urea, recognized as one of the most significant nitrogen fertilizers for agricultural food production due to its high nitrogen content. The key to promoting these methods is the development of high-performance electrocatalysts, especially increasing product selectivity and activity, which are difficult due to the carbon-carbon (C-C) and carbon-nitrogen (C-N) coupling processes. To design and develop promising catalysts, we applied atomistic modeling for the molecular-level understanding of the electronic properties of the catalysts as well as their interaction with reaction intermediates. By designing single and dual transition metal doped into 2D materials, we found that the oxidation state of TMs by different d-orbital occupancy results in a change in the electronic properties of the catalysts, leading to a difference in reactivity, reaction pathway, and selectivity of the final products.
Session 5: Nuclear Physics, Acceleration Physics, Synchrotron Radiation, and Advanced Characterization
Dr. Phakkhananan Pakawanit
Synchrotron Light Research Institute, Thailand
Title: Revealing Materials Applications: Synchrotron X-ray Tomographic Microscopy Technique
Abstract: Synchrotron X-Ray Tomographic Microscopy (SR-XTM) is a powerful non-destructive technique for visualizing the three-dimensional (3D) microstructure of materials. Utilizing the filtered back-projection algorithm, SR-XTM reconstructs tomographic images that enable detailed interpretation of structural properties at the microscale. In this work, we will present the fundamental concepts of the SR-XTM technique for achieving accurate 3D representations. Following the 3D volumetric rendering, we will apply segmentation techniques to differentiate between high- and low-absorption materials within the tomographic dataset. This segmentation is crucial for accurately calculating porosity, a key parameter in understanding the mechanical and electrical properties of materials. By presenting case studies involving both international and national users at the Siam Photon (SPS-I) facility, we highlight the practical impact of SR-XTM on advancing materials research.
Session 6: Quantum Technology, Photonics, and Optics
Assoc. Prof. Rainer Dumke
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Title: Towards Scalable Quantum Hardware: Innovations in Electronic Control and Quantum Processors
Abstract: This presentation explores the our advancements in superconducting quantum processors, focusing on scalability, resilience, and hybrid approaches. Key topics include the development of the fast control system, which enables precise microwave generation and detection for superconducting qubits with scalable and cost-effective solutions. The presentation highlights advanced fabrication methodologies, achieving high qubit fidelity through innovative design and noise mitigation techniques. Additionally, the integration of atomic systems with superconducting qubits is discussed, offering promising solutions for quantum memory and communication. Future directions aim at further improving qubit control and hybrid system performance, driving the progress of quantum computing technology.
Session 7: Energy Materials Physics
Prof. Kisuk Kang
Seoul National University, Korea
Title: Oxygen-redox chemistry in layered transition metal oxides for advanced lithium-ion battery cathode materials
Abstract: The discovery of layered TiS2 and LiCoO2 compounds has led to the proliferation of modern lithium-ion batteries, exploiting the lithium-ion insertion/deinsertion chemistry toward the high-energy-density battery system. For the past decades, extensive efforts have been placed in improving the performance of these layered compounds for cathodes such as by compositional tuning and structural modifications. One of the notable approaches in recent years is to exploit the oxygen redox activity by adopting excess amounts of lithium-ions in the layered materials. This shift from the conventional cationic redox reaction relying on transition metals (Co, Ni and Mn) to the cumulative cationic and anionic (oxygen) redox reaction enables the boost of the specific capacity over state-of-the-art cathodes. In this journey to explore the ‘lithium-excess layered cathodes’, various new findings/challenges have been being disclosed. In this talk, I will present our recent understandings on these materials with respect to the lithium insertion mechanism that differs from what have been observed in conventional layered materials and the effect of the layered stacking sequences, and discuss on the outlook on the lithium-excess layered cathodes.
Session 8: Ion and Plasma Physics
Assoc. Prof. Somsak Dangtip
Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology, Thailand
Title: Into the Second Year of the First Tokamak in Thailand: What We Learnt & Where We Go?
Abstract: Thailand Tokamak-1 (TT-1), i.e., the first tokamak in Thailand, has been in operation and now entering into its second year. The facility is an example of collaborative effort from the Thai government through (TINT), Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), and Institute of Plasma Physics (ASIPP, China). Some typical operating parameters of TT-1 tokamak are 100 kA in plasma current, 0.9 T for magnetic field, 123 ms for plasma flattop, and 5 – 7 × 1018 m-3 in electron density. More experimental plasma scenarios are planned for machine operation and open for application. A few partners from Center for Plasma and Nuclear Fusion (CPaF) are carrying out or scheduled for their experiments. A run campaign of up to one month can now be applied under the consent of a steering committee. Few selected preliminary results will be presented. Also, results from TT-1 on magnetohydrodynamic behaviors of TT-1 plasma or electrically conducting fluids under the influence of magnetic and electric fields, from a few cases are reported. With the complexities and rapid dynamics in the plasma behavior render conventional diagnostics method too slow, machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) are utilized for analyzing of multi-magnetic probes to help locate plasma positions in a thousand-fold faster fashion for live monitoring. With these improving diagnostics in hands, better and faster plasma positioning can be envisaged. Certain activities under collaboration of TINT and CPaF are broadened to international level to other tokamak facilities than TT-1. Schools, trainings, and workshops for fusion and plasma technology are organized regularly to nurture and train students, engineers, and industrial partners under the human resource development program. Engineers from EGAT, researchers and graduate students from universities, and staff of TINT have experienced eight-week trainings at the bigger fusion facility under construction, ITER in Europe. ASEAN school for plasma and nuclear fusion (ASPNF) is for example and has been organized annually and opens for ASEAN and Thai participants. A few full scholarships are available under the Thailand Academy of Sciences (TAS) Dimension-3 through TINT by PMU-B (two cohorts, year 2023-2024, up to now). A wider collaborative network, e.g., ASEAN advanced engineering center in fusion technology is under discussion. Updates of the fusion initiative in Thailand and progress of TT-1 in its second year will be presented in this talk.
Session 9: Nanomaterials, Surface Science and Thin Film Technology
Assoc. Prof. Pongsakorn Kajanaboos
Mahidol University
Title: How To Reduce Cost of Perovskite Solar Cells and Radiative Cooling Films
Abstract: Thin films are simple and innovative materials useful for countless applications due to minimal materials usage along with great practical impact. Perovskite thin films have gained tremendous attention for various applications in optoelectronics due to their charge/photon conversion capability and low-cost fabrication via scalable solution processes i.e., spray coating, dipping coating, and roll-to-roll printing. As precursor inks are in liquid form, doping and compositional tuning are facile. Precursor inks later solidify into perovskite thin films via selected fabrication processes, which affect perovskite nucleation and crystallization processes. As cost is related to all components and processes required for solar cell fabrication, layer reduction, electrode choice, precursor ink stability, and other cost reduction strategies will be discussed in this talk. In the similar fashion, radiative cooling films can be fabricated via low-cost processes like spray coating and polymer extrusion, which allow facile compositional and morphological tuning to maximize heat release into the atmospheric transparency window for carbon reduction in agriculture and real estate sectors.
Session 10: Physics Education and Innovation
Assoc. Prof. Suttida Rakkapao
Prince of Songkla University, Thailand
Title: Using Arduino-Based Sensors in Physics Learning
Abstract: The open-source Arduino microcontroller is a versatile and accessible tool that empowers users to create various electronic projects. Its user-friendly interface and extensive community support make it ideal for beginners and experts. Arduino’s low cost and compatibility with a wide range of sensors enable hands-on learning in physics. Using Arduino-based sensors in teaching physics allows students to collect real-time data and analyze it, enhancing their understanding of mechanics, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and heat and thermodynamics [1-4]. This practical approach bridges the gap between theory and experimentation, making abstract principles more tangible and fostering deeper engagement in learning science and technology.