Konstantin Novoselov, the 2018 Nobel laureate in Physics, visited USTC and delivered reports at the Hefei Master Forum on Oct. 20th.

Vice Principal CHEN Chusheng welcomed the guest and paid tribute to his outstanding achievements and contributions in material science.Minister of the International Cooperation and Communication Office HOU Zhonghuai then introduced the profile of the school to the guest. 

Prof. Konstantin Novoselov welcomed by the school faculty

Despite visiting USTC for the first time, Prof. Novoselov had learned about the university from cooperation with USTC’s professors in the past. He expressed his interest in USTC’s combination with the institutes of Chinese Academy of Sciences, as well as scholarship programs for students studying abroad.

In particular, he noted his observations of differences between approaches to studying abroad in US and Europe among graduates in our university.

After the meeting, he was presented with the Hefei Master Forum Speech Certificate by Vice Principal CHEN Chusheng.

 Prof. Konstantin Novoselov presented with the certificate of Hefei Master Forum

In the afternoon, Prof. Novoselov gave an academic report on Materials in the Flatland in the lecture hall of the Physical Science Building, with meeting hosted by Prof. YU Shuhong from the Institute of Chemistry and Materials Science. He introduced the unique structure and superior physical properties of graphene, including some of the most recent advances and discoveries. He then introduced the family of graphene-like two-dimensional materials, and the heterostructures and composite materials composed of these materials. Apart from the examples and prospects of applications of two-dimensional materials, he also introduced the key engineering technique — macroscopic quantity preparation.

 (Up)Prof. Konstantin Novoselov giving report; (Down) Meeting hosted by Prof. Yu Shuhong

Crowd attracted to the report filled the seats and even the aisles. Heated atmosphere pervaded the lectures hall at the questioning time as animated interaction and discussion went on. Provoked by the great enthusiasm of students, the professor recalled the times when joining in his group’s Friday Night event, where everybody could innovate ideas freely and boldly. Promoting interests in the science is crucial to achieve real profound contribution, as he stressed. Therefore, he expressed appreciation for the enthusiasm and professional skills of the USTC students.

Students of the report meeting in the lecture hall

 Students interacting with Prof. Konstantin Novoselov

Born in Russia in 1974, Konstantin Novoselov is a professor at the University of Manchester, UK. In 2004, Konstantin Novoselov received his Ph.D. from the Radboud University in Netherlands. In 2010, Konstantin Novoselov won the Nobel Prize in Physics with Andre Geim for their pioneering experimental work on graphene.

(Written by ZHAO Shuxin, edited by YANG Xinqi, USTC News Center)