Prof. Fabiana Arduini from the University of Rome Tor Vergata, a valued partner of RELIANCE project, was a distinguished plenary speaker at the 7th International Symposium on Electrochemistry, held from April 13th to 16th, 2025, in Durban, South Africa. The symposium, titled "Electrochemical Solutions for a Sustainable Future," provided a vibrant platform for researchers to exchange cutting-edge developments in electrochemistry and foster new collaborations.

Prof. Arduini's lecture focused on “Paper-based electrochemical (bio)sensors for sustainable analysis”. It captivated the audience as she outlined the roadmap and significant advancements achieved by her team in the realm of paper-based electrochemical (bio)sensors, highlighting their ongoing work and accomplishments within the Horizon Europe projects RELIANCE and Phoenix-OoC.

The presentation showcased impressive results demonstrating the potential of paper-based electrochemical (bio)sensors as an innovative biosensing technology for the rapid and convenient detection of viruses and bacteria on various surfaces. This technology holds significant capability for diverse applications, contributing to more sustainable and efficient analytical methods.

The 7th International Symposium on Electrochemistry, hosted at the scenic Maharani Hotel in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, attracted leading researchers working across a broad spectrum of electrochemistry and related fields. The scientific program encompassed key themes such as sensors and biosensors, electroanalytical chemistry, electrochemistry for water treatment, energy, environment, food, process industries, electrocatalysis, electrochemistry of materials, and computational electrochemistry.

Organized by the Electrochem SA division of the South African Chemical Institute (SACI), this prestigious international event underscored the dynamic and interdisciplinary nature of electrochemistry and its crucial role in addressing contemporary challenges. The symposium facilitated the sharing of the latest research findings and encouraged the establishment of valuable partnerships within the electrochemical community.