The scientific research world is full of wonderful magic, and scientists are magicians with their own "superpowers". They can turn plots in the science fiction world into reality. Have you ever thought that one day we could wear an invisibility cloak like Harry Potter, or pass through the wall like a fairy in mythology? Zhang Xiang, president of the University of Hong Kong and an alumnus of Nanjing University 1988, led the team to develop invisible material technology, which will push humans to make invisible clothing and realize their dream of invisibility to the possibility. In this issue, let’s listen to the “magic story” behind him together -
studies at Nanjing University. He takes Nanda as a proud person and the 16th president of the University of Hong Kong. When Zhang Xiang mentioned his hometown of Nanjing and his alma mater, Nanjing University, he was full of pride and pride. "The teachers of Nanjing University have devoted a lot of effort to the students," Zhang Xiang said that the style of Nanjing University and the free and relaxed atmosphere of Nanjing University made him very enjoy and missed. "I am very proud of Nanjing University."
In 1981, Zhang Xiang was admitted to the Department of Physics of Nanjing University and began his seven-year undergraduate and master's degree in Nanjing University. Recalling his experience of studying at Nanjing University, Zhang Xiang admitted that the teacher who had the greatest influence on him was the retired professor of physics at Nanjing University, Feng Zhiguang . Feng Zhiguang’s teaching method is to encourage students to ask questions and question them. "Influenced by Teacher Feng, during my later study, I asked myself to ask at least 5 questions in each class. Although the questions asked at the beginning were a bit stupid, I gradually found the tricks and asked in-depth questions."
In Zhang Xiang's view, his biggest gain during his study period is not the knowledge he has learned, but the collision of sparks of thinking while actively communicating with his tutors and debating with his classmates. He believes that the inspiration for scientific innovation and invention is realized in the process of asking questions and solving problems. In scientific research, we must carry forward the spirit of breaking the question to the end and cultivate innovative thinking in this way. "We cannot just absorb knowledge like a sponge. We must learn to think. Only by thinking about what others cannot imagine can we see what others cannot see."
went to the world. He created many world's firsts
After graduating from Nanjing University, Zhang Xiang went to the United States to start a new stage of study. At first, he defined particle physics as his research direction. However, the US economy was in a downturn at that time, and the projects he participated in were forced to be interrupted because he did not receive government funding support. Zhang Xiang had no choice but to choose the environmental engineering of the University of Minnesota . Due to the limitations of English level and the inability to do research in the field, he was "exposed" by his supervisor. After being fired, he lost his financial support and had to work as a dormitory manager, a gardener, and a cleaner to make a living. "These two years are the darkest time in my life." After learning from the pain, Zhang Xiang determined the research direction that suited him.
In 1996, Zhang Xiang successfully obtained his Ph.D. Since then, he has been committed to the preparation, characterization and design of micro-nano structures. He has made pioneering work in the fields of metastructure materials, surface plasmon lasers, optical frequency conversion optics, etc., and has also made outstanding contributions to micro-nano engineering and micro-nano devices of micro-electronics and optoelectronics.
As an expert in photoelectric information materials and devices, Zhang Xiang is one of the pioneers in the field of information mesostructure materials and surface plasmon photonics. He is obsessed with scientific research and has set many world-class results : In 2004, Zhang Xiang became the winner of the highest award of the American Century Science and Technology Award, which attracted widespread attention from the academic community. The following year, Zhang Xiang's research team developed the world's first superlens , demonstrating the imaging effect of breaking through the diffraction limit of light for the first time. The research was selected as the top 100 scientific and technological developments in the world in 2007 by Exploration Magazine;
In 2008, Zhang Xiang's research team successfully prepared the world's first three-dimensional material with optical negative refractive index coefficient. This technology about invisibility was selected by Time Magazine as the top ten scientific and technological discoveries in the world in 2008 and the top 50 inventions.Promoting the principle of negative refractive index of light to acoustics, realizes the first acoustic superstructure materials and devices with negative elastic modulus ;
In 2009, Zhang Xiang developed the world's first surface plasmon semiconductor laser; in addition, he also realized the first electronically controlled valley-spin photoelectric tube, opening up a new field of valley-optoelectronics...
In January this year, the International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE) announced the list of annual honorary award winners, and Zhang Xiang was awarded the 2021 SPIE Mozi Award (SPIE Mozi Award), became the first winner of the award to win a degree from a mainland university since its establishment. Zhang Xiang was very happy with the award, but he said in a low-key manner: "This honor is a recognition of my and the research team's efforts over the years, and it is a great encouragement to us. We will continue to work hard and strive for excellence."
continues to grow, and he admitted that he is not a top student
Judging from scientific research achievements, Zhang Xiang is already a leading figure in the industry, but looking back at his career, Zhang Xiang admitted that he is not a top student: "I have never been the best, at most it is just a top student." His elementary and middle schools are very ordinary, and during the 7 years he studied at Nanjing University, he was also an inconspicuous ordinary student. But in Zhang Xiang's view, moderate academic performance is the norm and may not be the first, but you can grow and improve at every stage, always stand at a new height and starting point, and constantly face new challenges.
He used a vivid metaphor to describe: every stage of life is like a level-breaking game, one level after another, and the next level is compared with the previous level. There are always greater challenges and difficulties. You must always be enterprising, maintain interest in learning, lay a solid foundation, opportunities will appear at any time, and be prepared at all times.
Although Zhang Xiang has graduated from Nanjing University for 33 years, he has always been concerned about the development of his alma mater. In 2011, Zhang Xiang promoted Nanjing University and the University of California, Berkeley to sign a cooperation agreement between the two schools, implementing the plan for further study and mutual visits for young teachers and students; in 2012, Zhang Xiang was hired as the "Nanjing University President's Talent Work Consultant"; on October 17, 2015, the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the physics discipline of Nanjing University was held in the gymnasium of Xianlin Campus, and Zhang Xiang delivered a speech on behalf of the alumni of the physics discipline of Nanjing University.
Becoming a connection with Nanjing University, and working tirelessly, Zhang Xiang wrote his own brilliant chapter in his life with his own efforts. I hope that in the future, he will continue to uphold the scientific spirit of Nanda University’s “Studying things to seek knowledge and pursuing truth”, deepen his fertile soil for scientific research, and create new brilliant achievements!
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