2019 Academic Exchange: Undergraduates of ZJU Physics Visited Singapore

From November 5 to November 9, 2019, led by Prof. Zhao Daomu, Associate Professor Lu Yunhao and Ms. Zhou Ting, 27 students from the Department of Physics of Zhejiang University went to the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Singapore Technology and Design University (SUTD) for exchange visits. The visits were mainly based on lectures and laboratory visits.

1. NUS—devotion to scientific research, a pure academic atmosphere

On the morning of November 7, 2019, a 30-member team from the Department of Physics of Zhejiang University went to the Department of Physics of the National University of Singapore for an academic exchange program. The group visited the Surface Physics Laboratory and Surface Chemistry Laboratory of NUS.

Research assistant Huang Yuli and Dr. Fang Hanyan from the laboratory explained the structure, principle and application of Scanning Tunneling Microscope in detail, and explained how to scan and move atoms with scanning tunneling microscope vividly. They introduced what are Piezoelectric Tubes, Electron Tunneling, Imaging and other related concepts, as well as Scanning Tunneling Microscope and Angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy. They also introduced about the cooperation with other laboratories around the world. The research team conducted extensive and in-depth research on the properties and applications of two-dimensional materials, such as graphene,molybdenum disulfide and tungsten disselenide.

In addition, the students from ZJU also visited and studied other instruments in the laboratory. Researcher Huang Yuli and others enthusiastically answered the questions asked by ZJU students and communicated in exchanges about academic life and employment friendly. Visiting the National University of Singapore laboratory not only stimulated the interest of ZJU students in laboratory research, but also deepened the enthusiasm of researching of students.

2. SUTD—combination of science and engineering

On the morning of November 8, 2019, 30 teachers and students from the Department of Physics of Zhejiang University came to a rookie university, the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). Prof. Ricky Ang, Dean of the School of Mathematics and Design, SUTD, welcomed the visit of the Department of Physics, Zhejiang University and detailed the school philosophy, global rankings, research results, graduation prospects, application conditions and scholarship applications.

Later, all professors gave a detailed introduction to their research fields. Prof. Yang Shengyuan introduced the current research directions and research results of the Quantum Materials Theory Laboratory, such as topological insulators and condensed matter systems with black hole horizons. Prof. Dario Poletti also introduced his research direction, which is multi-body open quantum systems and related results, and specifically talked about the student's scholarships. Dr. Ang Yee Sin introduced the research on high-performance electronic devices based on two-dimensional materials. Prof. Cheong Kang Hao introduced the theoretical simulation of game theory and the Palondo effect in the real world.

After the report, the professors and students of the two sides discussed further on several interesting topics, ranging from research to life, from current research interests to future graduation, and deepened mutual understanding in the communication.

This exchange activity not only made the visiting students better understand the research situation of the two universities in Singapore, but also appreciated the local conditions and customs of Singapore, which lays a foundation for the future study and research as well as the cooperation between the two sides.