The 3rd thematic school, which was held at Porquerolles island in France from
September 15-20, 2024, focused the topic on “Multifunctional composite insulating materials
for electrical applications”, covering a broad range of approaches, ranging from functionalizing
and modulating the materials’ properties (composites, nanocomposites, functionalization,
gradation, etc.), combining multifunction (electrical, thermal, mechanical), integrating new
functions (self-healing, lifespan extension), designing new systems for power conversion and
transportation at higher voltage, physical understanding, reflection on the end-of-life (recycling,
second life).

The schedule of this thematic school is quite tight. Basically, we were assigned to attend two
professional speeches every morning or afternoon, hosted by experts in the industry or
academia. What impressed me the most was Professor Masahiro Kozako from Kyushu Institute
of Technology in Japan, who explained to us the significant improvement in the performance
of epoxy-based composite materials for high-voltage insulation and some challenges we will
face in the future. I am particularly interested in the online insulation measurement technology
mentioned in that presentation. After the speech, I discussed the feasibility of online
measurement of space charge with Prof. Kozako. By the way, I seem to have forgotten to
mention that after each speech, there is a half-hour coffee break where everyone can discuss
topics that attracted them to the speaker. This provides a platform for Ph.D. candidates to learn
about the forefront of the industry.

It has been a week since the thematic school, but I still miss the friends I made there. More
importantly, this thematic school provided me with the opportunity to communicate with
experts in the industry and academia, giving me a lot of new inspiration. Finally, I would like
to express my special thanks to Stichting 3E for your financial support in my participation in this
thematic school. Your support is undoubtedly a great encouragement for my scientific research,
which is of great significance for a Ph.D. candidate.

Xuliang Yu