On the morning of November 20, 2024, Professor Julien LECLAIR from Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, France, visited ICARE. He was warmly received by Chinese mentors from ICARE, including Professor Zhao Yongchun and Professor Li Xiaoshan. Both sides held a symposium focusing on carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology.

Professor Zhao Yongchun presented his team’s research and achievements in low-carbon technologies, particularly in carbon capture, storage, and utilization, as well as in technology transfer. Professor Julien LECLAIR shared insights into his team’s progress in water-efficient solvent carbon capture, carbon mineralization for utilization, and metal purification for fuel cells. Both parties expressed their hope that this exchange would foster collaborative efforts to advance CCUS development and application, enhance cooperation in green energy, and contribute to global sustainable development.

During the visit, Professor Julien LECLAIR explored ICARE's history and educational accomplishments through a guided tour of the institute’s cultural wall. Accompanied by Professor Zhao Yongchun, he also visited the National Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion and Low-Carbon Utilization.

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, the largest higher education institution in Lyon—a major city in southeastern France—is a comprehensive public university specializing in natural sciences, technological sciences, and health sciences.

The integration of Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 into the Université de Lyon in January 2020 was part of a broader initiative by the French government to enhance the international visibility and competitiveness of its higher education institutions. This strategy encouraged universities to form larger entities through mergers or federations, aiming to create multidisciplinary academic powerhouses comparable to leading global institutions.