Reported by: REN Shi
Photographed by: FENG Jian; JI Xing
Translated by: LI Zhijia
Edited by: Jonathan Wylie
On January 8th, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor of Jilin University, FENG Shouhua, and the winner of the Materials Research Society Award and Professor in the Departments of Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Nicholas Katov, gave speeches at the “Scientists Lecture Room,” entitled, “History and Innovation of Science and Technology” and “Self-organizing of Nanoparticles: From Basic Principles to Biology and Space Science.”
“With the rapid development of technology, in order to generate the power of technology and change the world, people should know the history and the current situation of science and technology,” Professor FENG began. Starting from the Big Bang, FENG reviewed scientific discovery and technological breakthroughs, which have had profound influences on humans. He pointed out that the future of science and technology would help solve resource and energy crises, and would protect the environment and maintain ecological balance. He also advocated a healthy and green life, through a series of examples, thus creating great interest in his presentation, and answered questions in detail.
"Nanoparticles’ ability to self-assemble is seen almost everywhere around us, but the mechanism of these processes is still unclear, which I believe must contain a lot of surprises," Professor Katov noted in his report, where he explained that self-assembling can be divided into the two common types of terminal and extended. The terminal type is generally unable to grow beyond a certain size, while the extended type can continue to grow along a specified direction. He also pointed out that the flaky nanoparticles of the extended type are surprisingly in good conductivity, and are especially suitable for equipment, which requires the acquisition of electricity and energy. Chiral nanoparticles can be used in the detection of DNA and proteins, which greatly reduces the detection limit. Katov’s speech attracted many teachers and students, who remained to have discussions with him even after the report.
FENG has engaged in the research of inorganic synthesis and materials chemistry for a long time, and systematically developed three series and more than 20 kinds of new microporous crystalline. He first applied moderate hydrothermal synthesis of inorganic chemistry to solid functional materials, and made breakthroughs in functional composite oxide systems and complex fluoride. He has been at the forefront in the fields of control deficiencies under hydrothermal conditions, mixed valence, nanoparticles, and inorganic helix generation extension hydrothermal synthesis technology. He also found a triple mixed valence of one element, developed an atomic scale rectifier and solid phase situ redox reaction, and revealed water and heat generation laws of functional inorganic materials and biomolecules.
Katov has been engaged in research of the self-assembling of inorganic nanoparticles, super Nano composites, engineering nanomaterials and implantable medical devices and other fields. He has published more than 450 articles in "Nature", "Science" and other well-known international journals, and has authored 12 monographs and books. His research results have been selected as the cover of prestigious journals. He has been interviewed by the international news media and academic journals many times.
After the reports, the Dean of the Institute of Interdisciplinary Science, SUN Kening, issued appointment letters to FENG and Katov as the keynote speakers of the “Scientists Lecture Room.”
Academician FENG Shouhua gives a speech
Professor Nicholas Katov gives a speech
