The Role of Thermal Science in Meeting Societal Challenges

Heat transfer, a major academic discipline originating from seminal studies of thermal non-equilibrium phenomena, has grown to include the science of transport phenomena for ions, electrons, and chemical species. Thus it deals with essential fundamentals such as energy, materials, food and water, and also with a range of technologies that support modern lifestyles. Heat transfer is now a vitally important field, as scientists and engineers face difficult challenges: development of cutting-edge technologies for highly efficient energy systems, massive information/communication equipment, high-value-added manufacturing, and comfortable living environments, to name just a few. Due to its enormous scope and impact, heat transfer is often called “thermal science.”

The International Heat Transfer Conference (IHTC), nicknamed the “Heat Transfer Olympic,” is the world’s premier conference for scientists and engineers in the heat and mass transfer research community, who convene every four year to exchange the latest information. Previous conferences have greatly enhanced mutual exchanges of knowledge and experience, and nurtured new and/or interdisciplinary research areas. Future conferences should realize an increasingly important mission: to foster international cooperation and facilitate the exchange of ideas among colleagues in order to solve urgent problems and improve peoples’ lives in the years ahead.

To pursue these aims, we invite forward-looking scientists, engineers, and researchers from all over the world to attend the Fifteenth International Heat Transfer Conference (IHTC-15) in Kyoto, Japan, August 10 to 15, 2014. In addition to exploring traditional research areas, IHTC-15 asks an important question so that we may better serve society: “What is the role of thermal science in meeting societal challenges?” Clearly, we face major issues such as ensuring sustainable development, healthy ageing, sufficient food for all, and economic growth, and we need to develop scientific and technological solutions. To do this, we should shape our current and future roles more concretely, and start to formulate an interdisciplinary framework for collaboration among colleagues active across a wider range of physical, life, and information sciences.

IHTC-15 will provide participants with unique opportunities for exchanging new knowledge, and facilitate intensive discussions throughout the conference period. We hope that IHTC-15 becomes a model for future IHTCs, and magnifies the scope of contributions made by the international community of thermal science professionals for the benefit and welfare of people everywhere.