Recognized as a leading research conference in the field of organic electroluminescence and light-emitting devices, the ICEL conferences have generally been held every two years since their inception in Fukuoka, Japan, in 1997, by Professor Tetsuo Tsutsui. A look back at ICEL2026, the 15th conference of its kind, held at UNamur.
Last May, the International Conference on Electroluminescence and Optoelectronic Devices (ICEL 2026), organized at the University of Namur by Professor Yoann Olivier, with the support of Professor Benoît Champagne, provided an excellent opportunity for intellectual and social exchange among researchers from around the world involved in the research, development, and fabrication of light-emitting materials to discuss their recent advances.
This 15th edition featured plenary lectures for the 125 participants, including both renowned and emerging researchers. The packed five-day program included five presentations by renowned international keynote speakers, 20 presentations by invited speakers, and some thirty oral presentations selected by the organizing committee, as well as two poster sessions featuring more than 50 presentations.
Participants also had the opportunity to mingle and engage in discussions during the various activities of the social program, which highlighted the City of Namur, its iconic sites, and its shops: a tour of the Citadel’s underground passages, a historical and/or culinary stroll through the heart of the pedestrian zone, a tour of the Félicien Rops Museum and the Grafé-Lecocq cellars, a dinner for guest speakers at the restaurant “Le Balthazar,” and a conference dinner at the restaurant “Le Panorama.”
Particular emphasis was placed on the active participation of motivated young researchers. A wide range of topics was explored, offering a comprehensive perspective on contemporary advances in the fields of materials science, fundamental physics, and their applications in cutting-edge devices and technologies.
“A VERY big thank you - this was a really excellent conference - great science and a wonderful sense of being welcome - just how conferences should be!” – Sir Richard Friend, University of Cambridge, UK
“I would like to congratulate you on such an excellent conference. I really liked its scale (not too big), it being single session, affordable, in a nice place, with lots of chance to talk to other participants over coffee/lunch/poster refreshment. The scientific level was excellent (which I fully expected with you as organisers) and there was good variety in the programme. The social activities/invited speaker dinner and spectacular conference dinner all added to a wonderful week. It was an amazing week.” – Prof Ifor Samuel, St Andrews University, UK
“It was a real pleasure to be at the ICEL conference. It really felt like family and the atmosphere was so warm that it completely overcame the cold weather and my flu. Excellent organization and perfect timing!”, Prof. Illia Serdiuk, University of Gdansk, Poland
“Thanks again so much for the organizational effort, the conference went so smoothly!” – Prof Barry Rand, Princeton University, USA
Professor Barry Rand has, in fact, taken over the reins, as he will be organizing the 16th edition of the conference at the prestigious Princeton University in the United States in 2028.
The organizing committee would like to thank its sponsors and partners for their support: Universal Display Corporation, Angstrom Engineering, The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), Chemistry Europe, the University of Namur, the Namur Institute of Structured Matter (NISM), the Namur Research College (NARC), the C.G.B. (Comité de Gestion du Bulletin) – C.B.B. (Comité van Beheer van het Bulletin), the Namur City Tourist Office, and the F.R.S.-FNRS thematic doctoral schools CHIM, MAIN, and METAMORPHOSE.
