Physics
Condensed matter physics, in particular the properties of
superconducting materials, is an area of intensive study at CityU. To
open the Physics series on October 19, Danfeng Li described his role
in discovering the world’s first infinite-layer nickelate superconductors
through a soft-chemistry approach and how these materials might allow
zero electrical resistance, which could revolutionize high-performance
electric power transmission. For more on power, battery expert Qi Liu
explained how changes in using lithium cobalt oxide could improve a
battery’s energy capacity but not destroy its structure. Wrapping up this
lecture, microelectronics engineering specialist Cheng Wang showcased
his success in enhancing the light–matter interactions in nanophotonic
structures, such as integrated lithium niobate photonic circuits, which can
be applied to optical communications and nonlinear optics.Materials science
Materials science, the study of the structure and properties of solid
materials, is a key research field for CityU and HKIAS. Opening the
November 5 lecture, Yang Lu—an expert on the nanomechanics of the
hardest natural material, diamond—highlighted diamond’s potential
as a future semiconductor and how microfabrication and deep-strain
engineering can optimize diamond’s electronic properties for use in
microelectronics, quantum-information technologies, and optoelectronics.
In describing the confinement of light on the nanoscale in optical cavities,
Dangyuan Lei used plasmonic and photonic low-dimensional materials
and structures as examples and revealed their unprecedented potential
applications, such as using dielectric microcavities to construct a
waterproof perovskite microlaser and symmetry-broken particle-on-film
nanocavities to boost the second-harmonic conversion efficiency of noble
metals. Last in this session, Tao Yang revealed his passion for developing
new materials for advanced engineering applications by introducing the
audience to a family of chemically complex intermetallic alloys.Life sciences
In the final lecture of the HKIAS Rising Star Series on November 24,
three researchers explained how basic research in the life sciences might
be translated to patients. As an example, Gigi Pui Chi Lo—a specialist in
photosensitizing agents—talked about advances in nanophotosensitizers
that could improve photodynamic therapy in cancer patients. Another
expert in cancer biology and proteomics, Liang Zhang, proposed the
CRISPR-assisted RNA–protein interaction detection method to delineate
RNA–protein interactions in live cells, which could lead to the development
of new biomarkers and therapeutics. Closing out the series, neuroscientist
Kwok On Lai updated attendees on how the motor protein kinesin mediates
intracellular transport to control the formation of neuronal connections. This
work could answer long-standing questions around dendritic messenger
RNA transport and translation, two important processes disrupted in
various brain disorders.IMAGES: HKIASProduced by the Science
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their research presentations
Danfeng Li
Assistant Professor, Department of Physics
“Soft-Chemistry Approaches to Superconductivity in
Infinite-Layer Nickelates”Qi Liu
Assistant Professor, Department of Physics
“High-Voltage Lithium Cobalt Oxide Cathode Materials
for Future Smart Phones”
Cheng Wang
Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering
and Member of the State Key Laboratory of Terahertz and
Millimeter Waves
“Scaling Up Lithium Niobate Photonics for Future
Optoelectronics”Yang Lu
Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
“Diamond Semiconductor: Deep Elastic
Strain Engineering”Dangyuan Lei
Associate Professor, Department of Materials Science
and Engineering
“Plasmonic Nanocavity for Light Manipulation and
Energy Conversion”Tao Yang
Assistant Professor, Department of Materials Science
and Engineering
“Chemically Complex Intermetallic Alloys: A New
Frontier for Innovative Materials”Gigi Pui Chi Lo
Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences
“Development of Nanophotosensitizing Systems for
Targeted Photodynamic Therapy ”Liang Zhang
Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences
“Dissecting Protein Interactome in Health and Diseases ”Kwok On Lai
Assistant Professor, Department of Neuroscience
“RNA Transport in Neuron and Why It Matters ”Physics
Materials science
Life sciences
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