Prof. ZHANG Ze, expert in materials science and crystal structure in particular, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Director of the Academic Committee of Zhejiang University and professor of the School of Materials Science and Engineering of Zhejiang University, delivered a lecture on new materials, high-end manufacturing and microstructure control. YANG Deren, President of NingboTech, officiated at the event.
ZHANG is mainly engaged in studies of how the structural evolution of advanced materials correlates with their performance under the influence of external fields like high temperature and complex mechanical load by using modern electronic microscopy in-situ and dynamic analysis. The lecture touched upon three topics: the significance of seeking new materials against the backdrop of the China-US trade war, the establishment of full-chain science-technology-engineering platforms, and the importance of knowing the principles behind technology. He, citing relevant cases in the trade war, underlined the fact that innovation is the primary driving force for development. He also noted that science is a two-way path and platform between facts and phenomena, and that only when scientific discovery, technological innovation and commercial application are closely connected can successful results be achieved. He also believed that the core technology is of the utmost importance in research, and that only when one knows the principles behind can he or she be successful in scientific research. Prof. ZHANG constantly emphasized the attitude of seeking truth from facts and keeping vigilant, which was widely recognized by his peers in the academic circle, teachers and students present.
President YANG expressed gratitude to Academician ZHANG, whose last visit to NingboTech was paid a long time ago. In the Q&A session, when asked about professional questions and major choices in life, ZHANG noted that people who are diligent and brave are needed in academia regardless of their backgrounds. He also encouraged students to have confidence in themselves, accumulate knowledge and explore the scientific world so as to fully unleash their infinite potential.
As part of a series of events in celebration of the 20th anniversary of NingboTech, more academicians will be invited to share their views about cutting-edge technology in the near future. It’s expected that teachers and students will be motivated to engage themselves in research, which will surely promote the development of the university.
