Dr. Gloria Cárdenas Jirón, an academic from the Department of Environmental Sciences at the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology of the University of Santiago, Chile, participated as a guest speaker at the World Association of Theoretical and Computational Chemists (Watoc) 2025, the most important international conference in the field of theoretical and computational chemistry.
Her presentation, entitled “Charge Transport of Dyes and Electrodes by Molecular Junction Modeling,” was the only guest lecture at the national level, allowing the country to be recognized alongside scientific leaders like the United States and various European nations at the conference's opening ceremony. The event, held in Oslo, Norway, brought together leading experts from around the world to discuss the latest advances in these disciplines.
Dr. Cárdenas Jirón stated that her presentation showcased the most recent findings from her research group. "We presented a method for modeling and determining the charge transport properties of electrodes and dyes—crucial components in the functioning of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs)," she elaborated.
Using quantum models of molecular devices that incorporate these components, the researcher explained how new, more conductive materials can be suggested for use in solar cells in both indoor and outdoor environments.
“This type of modeling is not trivial and generated great interest among attendees, leading to fruitful discussions and the possibility of establishing future international collaborations aimed at developing sustainable energy solutions,” she added.
The conference covered a wide range of topics distributed across 19 areas, including electronic structure theory, molecular dynamics, quantum dynamics, catalysis, energy storage, environmental chemistry, quantum computing, machine learning, mathematical methods, and teaching, among others.
The academic noted that the inclusion of topics like quantum computing and machine learning highlights the technological advancements transforming theoretical chemistry. This has attracted researchers from various disciplines, promoting a more interdisciplinary approach.
The researcher highlighted the University of Santiago's commitment to strengthening theoretical and computational chemistry on a global scale. She credited key institutional support from the Office for Scientific and Technological Research (Dicyt) and the Vice-Rector's Office for Postgraduate Studies (VIPO). These programs, which include postdoctoral fellowships, event funding, and scholarships, are vital for training the doctoral students involved in the research.
Watoc is held every three years and is considered a key platform for defining future lines of research in theoretical and computational chemistry, promoting global collaboration networks.