GTIIT held a seminar on "Future Functional Materials under Extreme Conditions". Specialists and scholars from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and many well-known universities across the country gathered together. After the meeting, they accepted interviews from GT student journalists, talked with students about their life experiences such as education and scientific research, and put forward valuable suggestions for the future development of GT students.

Introduction of Prof. Wang Weihua 

Prof. Wang Weihua is the Academician of the CAS, Fellow of the American Physical Society, Academician of the World Academy of Sciences for the Advancement of Science in Developing Countries, Director of the Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, and currently a researcher and doctoral supervisor of the Institute of Physics, CAS. He is mainly engaged in the development of amorphous materials, and the basic and applied basic research of physical and mechanical properties.

Scientific research results in folding screens

"How to apply scientific and technological achievements in industries" is a question that Prof. Wang Weihua and his team often think about. At present, China is actively promoting the implementation of the innovation-driven development strategy, taking scientific and technological self-reliance as strategic support for national development. "Songshan Lake Laboratory actively responds to the call of the country, accelerates the practical application of scientific research results, and contributes to the promotion of the development of China’s economy. In addition, we are cooperating with many domestic companies. The national laboratory and the enterprise can complement each other's advantages and effectively solve the material issues and promote the implementation of scientific research results," Prof. Wang said.

Prof. Wang's team's result of "high-temperature bulk metallic glass developed by materials genetic engineering" was listed as one of the top 10 scientific research advances in China in 2019, and they have since cooperated with related companies to apply their achievements to foldable phones. "Foldable phones need to be opened and closed repeatedly during use. If the material in the foldable area does not meet certain requirements, the screen will have problems, which affects the use of the phone." The scientific research results of Prof. Wang's team will be a good solution to this problem. He said that in the future, Songshan Lake Material Laboratory will continue to develop the third generation of semiconductor materials to help enterprises solve chip problems.

Good research requires a good platform

In Prof. Wang's opinion, physics is the crystallization of human wisdom. "It is very important to understand the concept of physics. It tells people that the world is made of matter, that matter contains energy, and how the matter will move, etc. For example, electron movement produces light and wave, and matter movement produces information." Prof. Wang said that physics had a wide range of applications and that having a solid foundation was essential for learning physics well. "Learning physics can not only train students' thinking skills, but also cultivate students' ability to ask questions and think correctly. During scientific research, hard work is indispensable, but you also need opportunities, a good platform, and excellent tutors. Choosing a good tutor is very important. They can guide your research so that you can avoid many detours."

Prof. Wang has repeatedly emphasized the importance of platforms. After knowing that GT students were included in the International Exchange Program of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and can apply to more than 100 world-class partner universities of science and technology for exchange and study, he praised it and encouraged the students to study abroad in the future. "There are two advantages to study overseas. One is that you can learn a wealth of frontier knowledge, the other is that you can cultivate your way of thinking and living habits in a different cultural and political environment."

Once a person relaxes, it's hard to get tense again

Prof. Wang said that it was common to meet academic difficulties in undergraduate period, especially for science and engineering students. He used mountain climbing as an example to encourage students to cherish their college time and grasp the critical period of life growth. "If a person usually climbs high mountains, it will be easy for him to climb a mountain that is not that high; but if he never climbs a mountain, it will become very difficult even climbing a regular mountain. Courses are tight and difficult in overseas universities. But this is in line with human physiology. University is the time when students are in their best physical condition and learning ability. In the process of studying, students can learn to manage themselves and become more self-disciplined. Once a person relaxes, it is difficult to get tense again. "

In addition to professional studies during university, the development of comprehensive abilities is essential. "Students should not only learn mathematics and science but also cultivate their own learning skills, social skills, leadership, cooperation and the ability to overcome difficulties," Prof. Wang said.

Journalist's note

I am very grateful for the valuable interview opportunity given by GTIIT, which allows me to get to know the academician up close.

This conversation was a deep ideological study for me. I have learned a lot of knowledge that I can't get in books, and have also been exposed to new thinking concepts and truths. Among them, I was most impressed by Prof. Wang’s comment that "the process of learning is also the process of learning to overcome difficulties. If you can pass the undergraduate stage, you will be able to deal with difficulties you encounter in the future." I feel much encouraged by his words. It makes me realize that learning can also train the ability to overcome difficulties.

Prof. Wang is very kind, talkative, and humble. Like our father, he told us a lot of truths, shared a lot of stories, showed us pictures of famous buildings he saw abroad and told us the stories behind. As we talked, I also discovered that Prof. Wang knew much about science and art. He likes to read and has read a lot. He also mentioned the benefits of books. Reading a book is like talking to a person. The author will confide his thoughts without reservation. In addition, it is also very important to read literature, from which you can learn the methods of others, and you will also get some inspiration in scientific research. The first thing the professor does when he gets up every morning is to read the latest scientific literature and magazines, and he also knows the research results of various celebrities well. His enthusiasm for scientific research and his extreme concentration left a deep impression on me, and I admire him very much.

Text: Chen Yuanwei, GTIIT News & Public Affairs

Photos: GTIIT News & Public Affairs