Group 1: Energy Dependency and Trends - The current global energy consumption is still heavily reliant on carbon-based fossil fuels, with over 80% of energy coming from coal, oil, and natural gas [6][10][11] - As of the end of 2020, the proven global oil reserves stood at 17,320 million barrels, which can sustain current production and consumption for over 50 years [9] - China's energy structure is still dominated by coal, which accounted for 56% of energy consumption in 2022, and the country faces significant geopolitical risks due to high foreign dependency on oil and gas [11][13] Group 2: Renewable Energy Challenges - The development of renewable energy is still in its infancy and faces a "triangle dilemma" of not being able to simultaneously meet stable supply, environmental friendliness, and low cost [14] - Despite a growing share of renewable energy, challenges remain, and fossil fuels will continue to be the primary energy source for a considerable time [14][15] Group 3: Technological Innovations in Energy - The chemical and materials research sectors are crucial for the efficient and clean utilization of fossil fuels, with innovations in catalytic processes being key to maximizing resource use [15][18] - The development of advanced catalytic materials, such as mesoporous materials, has significantly improved the efficiency of heavy oil processing, with new catalysts achieving a conversion rate of 78.6% for heavy oil [22] Group 4: AI and Material Science - The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing materials research, enabling the discovery and synthesis of new materials at unprecedented speeds [31][32] - AI-driven systems have demonstrated the ability to predict stable structures with over 80% accuracy and have drastically reduced the time required for material synthesis from months to days [32] Group 5: Future Directions in Energy and Materials - The integration of AI in materials science is expected to lead to breakthroughs in energy technologies, with a focus on developing high-performance catalysts and optimizing energy processes [33][34] - Continuous innovation and a shift in research paradigms are necessary to address the complex challenges in energy and materials, emphasizing the importance of creativity and curiosity in scientific endeavors [34]