Biomass Group, Nanjing Agricultural University, PO Box 68, 40 Dianjiangtai Road, Nanjing 210031

 Profs. Kozinski and Fang visiting bioenergy enterprises in Mingguang City

On July 22, 2025, in the morning at 7:50 am, the sky being clear with white clouds floating in the blue sky, Profs. Kozinski and Zhen Fang drove to Mingguang City close to Nanjing with great joy and arrived at the highway exit in 1 hour and 20 minutes, meeting Dr. Weiwei Liu of Bioenergy Team (Anhui Agricultural University, AAU) and leaders of the city. After 10 minutes, they arrived at Sanjie Town Bioenergy Industrial Park.

Accompanied by the Municipal leaders, Mr. Wei Shi (Vice Director of the Organization Department of Party Committee) and Mr. Daoju Jiang (Director of the Science and Technology Bureau), as well as Mr. Zhenguo Li (Secretary of the Party Committee of Town), all experts visited Anhui Yinxie Technology Co., Ltd. (Deep Green Energy), Anhui Charcoal High tech Group Co., Ltd., and Guohuan (Chuzhou) Biomass Energy Technology Co., Ltd. in the park, respectively, and had discussions with the enterprises to explore specific problems that the enterprises need to solve.

During a discussion with Mr. Yingmin Dong (owner of Yinxie Technology), Profs. Kozinski and Fang believed that the company’s main products, biomass pellet fuel and activated carbon, make significant contributions to the national low-carbon economy and local economy. They hope that the company can achieve profitability and sustainable development. During the discussion, Mr. Dong presented to everyone the packaging board made from biomass compression, which happened to be compatible with the adhesive free straw-board developed by the Biomass Group of Nanjing Agricultural University (NJAU). Both parties expressed a strong desire for cooperation.

During the visit to Charcoal High tech Group, everyone was very interested in their research and development of continuous feeding and discharging carbonization equipment, and hoped that another production line would be put into operation and profitable as soon as possible.

At Guohuan (Chuzhou) Biomass Energy Company, there is a strong interest in the largest traditional charcoal kilns in China. Prof. Fang strongly recommended building it as a patriotic education base and applying for intangible cultural heritage protection.

At noon, Profs. Kozinski and Fang met with Mr. Jianguo Dong, the director of Organization of Mingguang Party Committee, and Mr. Qihao Zhu, the Deputy Mayor. They suggested strengthening the practical cooperation among NJAU, AAU, and Mingguang City, especially the establishment of research groups in enterprises. At the same time, Vice Mayor Mr. Qihao Zhu strongly expressed that he would strengthen cooperation with sister city St Adele City in Canada, Prof. Kozinski stated that he hoped a close collaboration between the two cities and invited a visit to Lakehead University.

After lunch, without stopping, Profs. Kozinski and Fang, and their delegation were invited by Mr. Lu Liu, Director of AAU Mingguang Tech Transfer Center (Wandong Comprehensive Experimental Station) to visit and discuss at the experimental station. Everyone expressed that the facilities and space of the experimental station are very complete, and the AAU Bioenergy team and NJAU Biomass group can conduct some experiments at this experimental station. The AAU Bioenergy team will apply the biochar developed by them and the ash fertilizer from local biomass power plants in experimental fields. At 4:00 pm, Profs. Kozinski and Fang embarked on their return journey and arrived at the hotel and residence at 5:30 pm, while the AAU Bioenergy team continued their tour to explore ash treatment from a local bioenergy power plant after combustion.

In the scorching summer of nearly 40 degrees Celsius, there is a group of people working-hard silently. Prof. Fang completed the plan he had set for himself, and his heart was filled with immense joy. In order to reward himself, the excise under the red flag on the track in NJAU was suspended for one day. This time, Prof. Fang did not get tanned because he wore a face mask,  sunglasses and the LV Little Red Riding Hood gifted by Prof. Konzinski. Ms. Chen praised herself effort and the hood by Prof. Konzinski, and Prof. Fang finally felt at ease. It is so touching that Prof. Konzinski, despite the scorching heat, always wore suits and leather shoes without any sunscreen equipment to show respect for local businesses and officials. After returning to the hotel, he persisted in brisk walking and weightlifting exercises for decades. During the visit, Prof. Konzinski kept asking questions (Can I make comments?), and Prof. Fang deeply realized that UNDERSTANDING THROUGH COMMUNICATION, INNOVATING FROM QUESTIONING.

A few days later, on a rainy afternoon at 7:00 pm, Prof. Fang was the only one running on the wet track. After the rain, in the oxygen-rich breeze, under the sound of cicadas and the moonlight transmitted through the faint clouds, Prof. Fang suddenly realized how colorful life is. He is always having a brave heart! As suggested by Prof. Kozinski,  always be prepared and look forward to next year’s Skywalker in Toronto CN Tower challenge. Prof. Fang‘s childhood favorite summer is coming to an end, and he is looking forward to the cool autumn harvest.

Prof. Janusz A Kozinski, Engineering Dean at Lakehead, a world well-known scientist in renewable energy, is Fellow of Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Board member of the Academy, he severed as Associate Vice-principal of McGill, Founding President, Hereford University of Technology and Engineering (UK), Engineering Dean at U Saskatchewan and York.

Kozinski和方真教授访问安徽明光市生物能源企业寻求合作

2025年7月22日上午7：50 am，天空晴朗，蓝蓝的天空飘着白云，Kozinski和方真教授怀着无比喜悦的心晴驱车前往安徽明光市，1小时20分到达高速出口和安徽农大生物能源团队刘伟伟博士等4人以及市镇领导会合，10分后直达三界镇生物能源产业园。

在市委领导史卫组织部副部长、姜道巨科技局局长和李振国镇党委书记陪同下，分别走访园区安徽银蝎科技股份有限公司，安徽炭元高新科技集团有限公司和国环（滁州）生物质能源技术有限公司并和企业进座谈，探讨企业具体要解决的问题。

在和银蝎科技董应民董事长讨论中，Kozinski和方真老师认为公司主要产品生物质颗粒燃料和活性炭对国家低碳经济和当地经济很大贡献，希望企业能够盈利和持续发展。讨论中，董总向大家呈现了生物质压制的包装板材，刚好和南京农业大学生物能源组研制的无任何粘合剂的秸秆板材契合，双方表示强烈的合作愿望。

在炭元高新科技集团参访中，大家对其研发的连续进出料的碳化设备很感兴趣，希望另一条生产线尽快投产盈利。在国环（滁州）生物质能源公司，大家对国内最大的传统烧炭窑炉表现出浓厚的兴趣，方真老师强烈建议将其建为爱国主义教育基地并申请非物质遗产保护。

中午会见了明光市组织部长董建国和副市长朱其昊，大家建议加强南京农大，安徽农大和明光市的实际合作，特别是研究组进驻企业。同时，朱其昊副市长强烈表示加强和加拿大姐妹城市圣.阿黛尔市合作，Kozinski院士表示将向圣.阿黛尔市转达并邀请顺访湖首大学。

午饭后，马不停蹄，Kozinski和方真老师一行，应安徽农大明光现推中心（皖东综合试验站）刘路主任邀请，到试验站参访和座谈。大家表示，试验站设施和空间很完善，安农生物能源团队和南农生物能源组可将部分实验在该试验站进行。安农生物能源团队将对对其研制的生物炭以及当地生物质电厂灰分肥在实验田的应用。下午4点，Kozinski和方真院士踏上返程，5：30 pm到达宾馆和住家，而安农生物能源团队继续前往生物能源电厂探讨燃烧后灰分处理。

在近40摄氏度的盛夏，有这样一群人在默默地辛勤工作。方老师完成了自己设定的计划，心中充满无比的欢乐。为了奖励自己，田径场红旗下的练习暂停一天。这次方老师没有晒黑，因为带上了面罩，墨镜和Konzinski院士送的LV猛龙队小红帽，陈老师自己表扬了自己以及Konzinski院士的红帽，方老师终于放心了。令人感动的是，Konzinski院士不畏酷热，为了表示对当地企业和官员的尊重，始终西装革履不带任何防晒设备。回宾馆饭后，他还坚持几十年如一日的快走和举重练习。参访中，Konzinski院士始终不断地提出问题（Can I make comments?），方老师深深体会到：UNDERSTANDING VIA COMMUNICATION, INNOVATION FROM QUESTIONING (在交流中理解，质疑中创新)。

几天后，某一雨后下午7 pm点，湿漉漉的田径场跑道就方老师一人练习。雨后富氧微风中，在知了声中和微暗云层透射的月光下，慢跑中的方老师突然发现生命是如此多彩, “I am always having a brave heart!”。如Kozinski院士的建议，时刻准备着，还看明年Skywalker in Toronto CN Tower挑战。方老师儿时最喜欢的盛夏即将过去，正期盼凉爽秋季的收获。

Janusz A. Kozinski院士是国际可再生能源领域权威学者，加拿大工程院院士和工程院主席团成员，注册工程师，现任湖首大学工学院院长和教授，历任加拿大麦吉尔大学研究副校长助理、英国赫里福德科技工程大学创建校长、约克大学理工学院院长和工学院创建院长、萨斯喀彻温大学工学院院长等。

银蝎科技生物质颗粒燃料和活性炭, Yinxie Technology biomass pellet fuel and activated carbon

银蝎科技生物质颗粒燃料和活性炭, Yinxie Technology for biomass pellet fuel and activated carbon

银蝎科技生物质颗粒燃料和活性炭, Yinxie Technology for biomass pellet fuel and activated carbon

炭元高新科技连续进出料的碳化设备, Charcoal High tech Group for Carbonization equipment for continuous feeding and discharging of Charcoal

国环（滁州）生物质能源公司传统烧炭窑炉, Guohuan (Chuzhou) Biomass Energy Company with largest traditional charcoal kilns in China

国环（滁州）生物质能源公司传统烧炭窑炉, Guohuan (Chuzhou) Biomass Energy Company with largest traditional charcoal kilns in China

安徽农大明光现推中心座谈，discussion in AAU Mingguang Tech Transfer Center

安徽农大明光现推中心试验地, field in AAU Mingguang Tech Transfer Center

安徽农大明光现推中心合影, group photo in AAU Mingguang Tech Transfer Center

泰宁我梦想开始的地方, Taining, where my dream started

My Experiences in Learning and Study – Taining, where my dream started

As invited by Principal Ms. Xie, in the morning of June 18^th, 2025, Professor Zhen Fang (Fellow of Canadian Academy of Engineering) from Nanjing Agricultural University gave a lecture entitled “My Experiences in Learning and Study – Taining, where my dream started” to pupils of Alma Mater Taining Experimental Primary School for his 50th Anniversary of Graduation (1975-2025). Taining Experimental Primary School was founded in 1905, officially named “Experimental Primary School” in 1953, and designated as a Fujian provincial key primary school in 1979. There are currently over 1800 students and 77 faculty members.

In the lecture, Professor Zhen Fang deeply recalled his learning and life experience at his alma mater, telling the story of the teachers who carefully cultivated and patiently guided him, giving him wings to soar and achieve his dreams. Professor Fang presented pictures of student era materials to his younger students through carefully crafted courseware. The yellowed paper recorded the difficulties of learning during that special period and also documented the changes in education.

Meanwhile, he provided a detailed introduction to the learning methods and techniques of various subjects, the experience of preparing for the college entrance examination, methods of adjusting mentality, and how to efficiently use time and develop detailed and reasonable study plans based on his own experience that inspired students to bravely face challenges and persistently pursue their dreams.

After lecture, students raised many interesting questions. Professor Fang patiently explained and responded with humor. They communicated and collided with each other, making the bond of campus inheritance even tighter.

Later, Mr. Xu director of the bureau of education of Taining and Mr. Xiao Principal of Taining No.1 Middle School, invited Prof. Fang to his Alma Mater to discuss the 100^th  anniversary celebration of the school next year. Prof. Fang and his delegation also visited a wooden board company in Taining to seek collabration.

我的成长心路历程 – 泰宁我梦想开始的地方

应谢世莲校长的邀请，2025年6月18日上午，南京农业大学方真教授（加拿大工程院院士）为纪念毕业50周年（1975-2025），在母校泰宁实验小学为学生们做了题为“我的学习经历——泰宁，我的梦想开始的地方”的讲座。泰宁实验小学创办于1905年，1953年正式命名为“实验小学”，1979年被确定为福建省重点小学。现有学生1800余人，教职工77人。

演讲中，方真教授深情回忆了自己在母校的学习生活经历，讲述了母校老师们精心培养和耐心指导，为自己圆梦插上腾飞的翅膀。方教授通过精心制作的课件向学弟学妹们展示了记录学生时代资料的图片，泛黄的纸张记录了在那个特殊的时期求学的不易，也记录了教育的变迁。

同时，他结合自己的经历详细介绍了各科学习方法和技巧、高考备考经验、调整心态的方法以及如何高效利用时间、如何制定详细且合理的学习计划等，他们鼓励同学们要勇敢面对挑战，坚持不懈地追求自己的梦想。

讲座结束后，同学们向方老师提出了很多有趣的问题，方老师耐心讲解，幽默回应，他们相互交流、碰撞，让校园传承的纽带愈发紧实。方老师一行还访问了泰宁一家木板企业，寻求合作。

 “A Sustainable Bio-future Perspective” by JA Kozinski

As invited by Prof. Zhen Fang based on the grant from the National Foreign Expert Bureau of China, Prof. Janusz A Kozinski (Dean of Engineering, Lakehead, Fellow of Canadian Academy of Engineering) as a distinguished visiting professor is jointly working with our group for two months from July to August in the biomass group, college of engineering at Nanjing Agricultural University (NJAU). On July 21, 2025 (13:30 pm – 4:30 pm), Prof. Kozinski gave a second lecture entitled “A Sustainable Bio-future Perspective” to our students and faculty members.

Prof. Kozinski is presenting his second lecture, Kozinski院士进行第二场演讲

In his lecture, Prof. Kozinski captivated the audience with an engaging presentation on the power of engineers and scientists in shaping the world. He emphasized the crucial role they play in creating everything that isn’t naturally occurring, as highlighted by the visual of a human hand reaching out to a robotic hand.

Human Creativity, 人类的创造力

Prof. Kozinski also discussed critical global issues such as fossil fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and their impact on climate change. He presented compelling data on the leading contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, stressing the significant role of countries like China and the U.S. He further explored the increasing demand for energy, the depletion of resources, rising fuel prices, and the geopolitical issues that come with them. At the end of the lecture, Prof. Kozinski discussed the role of engineers in addressing these challenges, particularly in the context of renewable energy and sustainable solutions. He also presented detailed research on renewable energy conducted by his Canadian research group, which will collaborate with our Biomass Group at Nanjing Agricultural University to tackle key issues in bioenergy.

Global challenges in energy 地球面临的能源挑战

Prof. Kozinski’s research fields in bioenergy, Kozinski院士研究组的研究领域

Giving a Motto to encourage young people, 以座右铭鼓励年轻人

 After the lecture, students and faculty members engaged in a lively discussion, raising insightful questions on the future of energy and engineering as well as joint research projects and exchange plans between China and Canada.

Discussion with students, Kozinski院士与硕士留学生热烈讨论

Discussion with young faculty members, Kozinski院士与青年教师热烈讨论

Prof. Janusz A Kozinski, a world well-known scientist in renewable energy, is Fellow of Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Board member of the Academy, he severed as Associate Vice-principal of McGill, Founding President, Hereford University of Technology and Engineering (UK), Engineering Dean at U Saskatchewan and York.

Prof. Zhen Fang summarizing the presentation, 方老师对演讲进行了总结

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Kozinski院士讲座 “可持续生物未来的前景”

应方真老师邀请，由中国国家外国专家局高端人才项目的资助，Janusz A Kozinski教授（加拿大工程院院士、湖首大学工学院院长）作为杰出的访问教授，于2025年7月至8月在南京农业大学生物质组工作2个月。2025年7月21日下午，Kozinski教授为我们的师生们做了第二场题为“可持续生物未来的前景”的特别讲座。

在他的讲座中，Kozinski教授通过生动的演示吸引了观众的注意力，强调了工程师和科学家在塑造世界中的关键作用。他指出，正是工程师和科学家创造了所有非自然存在的事物，正如那张展示人类手与机器人手相握的图像所传达的意义。Kozinski教授还讨论了全球面临的关键问题，如化石燃料的消耗、温室气体排放及其对气候变化的影响。他展示了关于主要温室气体排放者的有力数据，特别指出了中国和美国在这一问题中的重要地位。他进一步探讨了能源需求的增长、资源的枯竭、燃料价格的上涨以及随之而来的地缘政治问题。讲座最后，Kozinski教授讨论了工程师在应对这些挑战中的作用，特别是在可再生能源和可持续解决方案的背景下，他加拿大研究组在可再生能源中的详细研究，他们将与我们南京农业大学生物能源研究组共同合作解决生物能源方面关键问题。讲座结束后，师生们进行了热烈的讨论，提出了关于能源未来和工程学的深刻问题。

Discussion with students, Kozinski教授和与会者热烈讨论

Citing Prof. Zhen Fang’s words in the Speech of his Alma Mater Taining Experimental Primary School for his 50^th Anniversary of Graduation to inspire students and young faculty members，引用方真老师毕业50周年给母校福建泰宁实验小学的赠言鼓励硕博生和年青教师

Janusz A. Kozinski院士是国际可再生能源领域权威学者，加拿大工程院院士和工程院主席团成员，注册工程师，现任湖首大学工学院院长和教授，历任加拿大麦吉尔大学研究副校长助理、英国赫里福德科技工程大学校长、约克大学理工学院院长和工学院创建院长、萨斯喀彻温大学工学院院长等。

New Wave Engineering Linking Megatrends and Future Skills by JA Kozinski

As invited by Prof. Zhen Fang based on the grant from the National Foreign Expert Bureau of China, Prof. Janusz A Kozinski (Dean of Engineering, Lakehead, Fellow of Canadian Academy of Engineering) as a distinguished visiting professor is jointly working with our group from July 1 to August 31, 2025 in the biomass group of college of engineering at Nanjing Agricultural University (NJAU). In the afternoon of July 10, 2025, Prof. Kozinski gave a special lecture entitled “New Wave Engineering Linking Megatrends and Future Skills” to our students and faculty members.

In his lecture, Prof. Kozinski first shared his adventures in the parabolic zero-gravity flights in France for his space ambition and in Toronto CN Tower as Skywalker to show his determination, and demonstrated a modern magnificent engineering building at York initiated and built under the guidance of him as founding Dean to inspire young people to realize their engineer’s dream. Subsequently, he indicated what engineering skills we need to meet future technologies. Finally, he showed us the detailed research of his Canadian research group on renewable energy, which will collaborate with our Bioenergy Research Group at Nanjing Agricultural University to address key issues in the field of bioenergy. After the lecture, the teachers and students raised questions and had a lively discussion.

Parabolic zero-gravity flights in France, Kozinski院士抛物线零重力高空飞行中以实现太空梦想

Adventure in Toronto CN Tower, Kozinski院士在多伦多加拿大国家电视塔空中探险以表决心

A fantastic modern Engineering building at York

Kozinski院长发起建造的约克大学一座梦幻般的现代工学院大楼以实现年青人工程师梦想

Prof. Kozinski’s group research areas in Energy, Kozinski院士研究组研究领域

Prof. Janusz A Kozinski, a world well-known scientist in renewable energy, is Fellow of Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Board member of the Academy, he severed as Associate Vice-principal of McGill, Engineering Dean at U Saskatchewan and York.

Afterwards, 12 master students presented their thesis proposals, Prof. Kozinski and other participants give constructive comments and revised suggestions.

Listening to thesis proposals of Master students, 认真听取硕士生开题预答辩

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Kozinski院士讲座“连接大趋势和未来技能的新浪潮工程”

应方真院士的邀请，由中国国家外国专家局高端人才项目的资助，Janusz A Kozinski教授（加拿大工程院院士、湖首大学工学院院长）作为杰出的访问教授，于2025年7月1日至8月31日在南京农业大学工学院生物质组与我组共同工作。2025年7月10日下午，Kozinski教授为我们的师生们做了一场题为“连接大趋势和未来技能的新浪潮工程”的特别讲座。

在讲座中，Kozinski教授首先分享了他在法国为实现太空梦想而进行的抛物线零重力飞行的冒险经历，并在多伦多加拿大国家电视塔上空作为天行者以显示他的工作决心，同时，展示了他作为约克大学创始工学院长发起和建造的一座现代宏伟的工学院楼，以激励年轻人实现他们的工程师梦想。随后，他指出我们需要哪些工程技能来满足未来的技术需求。最后，他向我们介绍了他的加拿大研究组在可再生能源中的详细研究，该团队将与我们南京农业大学生物能源研究组共同合作解决生物能源方面关键问题。讲座结束后，教师和学生们提出了问题并进行热烈讨论。

A Master student presents thesis proposal, 一位硕士生开题预答辩

报告结束后， 12名硕士生进行开题预答辩，Kozinski教授和其他与会者发表了建设性的意见和修改建议。

Janusz A. Kozinski院士是国际可再生能源领域权威学者，加拿大工程院院士和工程院主席团成员，注册工程师，现任湖首大学工学院院长和教授，历任加拿大麦吉尔大学研究副校长助理、英国赫里福德科技工程大学校长、约克大学理工学院院长和工学院创建院长、萨斯喀彻温大学工学院院长等。

Group photo, 最后合影

Invited plenary lecture on Int’l Conf. on Green & Low Carbon Utilization of Biomass

Zhen Fang, “Techniques and applications of converting agricultural biomass to biofuels and high value-added products”, The Int’l Conf. on Green & Low Carbon Utilization of Biomass July 1-4, 2025 Nanjing, Jiangsu, Institute of Chemical Industry of Forestry Products, Chinese Academy of Forestry (Invited plenary lecture).

方真，“农业废弃物转化为燃料和高附加值产品技术和应用“，生物质绿色低碳利用国际学术会议，中国林业科学院林产品化学工业研究所，大会特邀报告，2025年07月1-4日，江苏∙南京。