Great Masters of Science and Technology Lecture Series of the 23rd Anniversary Celebration organized by Macau University of Sciences Technology, "The Vast and Profound Natural Sciences", was successfully held on the afternoon of March 27, 2023 in the D Hall of the University. Three honorary doctors from M.U.S.T. were invited to give lectures at the special session of the University Anniversary Science and Technology Masters, including academician Wang Enge, a famous physicist, academician Zhonghe Zhou, a famous paleontologist, and academician Lou-Chuang Lee, a famous space physicist and geophysicist. The theme of the lecture is " The Vast and Profound Natural Sciences". Vice President Jiang Zhihong of M.U.S.T. expressed his welcome and thanks to the three academicians for their special speeches for the masters and students of M.U.S.T. in his speech.
Vice President Jiang Zhihong took a group photo with three academicians
Academician Lou-Chuang Lee, Academician Zhou Zhonghe and Academician Wang Enge (from left to right)
Sam Hio Tong, Head of the Division of Quality Assurance of the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, representatives from mainland and local universities, Hong Kong and local secondary schools, local banks, enterprises, institutions, etc.; Xu Aoao, Member of M.U.S.T. Council, as well as representatives of M.U.S.T. institutes’ teachers and students attended this lecture.
At the beginning of the lecture, Academician Wang Enge focused on the theme of "Physics: The Foundation of Technological Development", introducing and emphasizing that in the development of social science and technology, physics has always played an irreplaceable role. He briefly introduces physics before and after the European Renaissance. After several important discoveries in classical physics that drove the scientific and technological revolution, it focuses on how modern physics breaks free from the shackles of classical physics ideas, completed a far-reaching intellectual revolution, and laid the foundation for subsequent high-tech development. In particular, the report will show how to evolve from quantum mechanics to integrated circuits as an example to reveal the importance of physics research rooted in the depths of today's information society.
Afterwards, Academician Zhou Zhonghe vividly presented a speech titled "The Origin and Early Evolution of Birds". The theory that birds originated from dinosaurs has been supported by many paleontological and multidisciplinary studies in the past 30 years and has become a generally accepted theory in mainstream academic circles. The discovery and research of dinosaurs from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods in China, especially that of feathered dinosaurs, has undoubtedly become the most important evidence supporting this theory.
He said that bird fossils from the Jehol Biota, a treasure trove of early Cretaceous fossils in China, are not only numerous in variety and quantity but also beautifully preserved. Not only has their study greatly enriched our knowledge of early bird diversity, but it also provides precious clues for us to understand the biological characteristics of early bird feathers such as color restoration, sexual selection, reproduction, and development, as well as the relationship between biological evolution and environmental background.
Thereafter, Academician Lou-Chuang Lee shared a speech titled "Interstellar Space, Solar Flares, and the Aurora Phenomenon". This talk will present several spectacular phenomena observed in the interstellar medium, the solar corona, and the Earth’s magnetosphere. Topics covered include: the interstellar medium has a Kolmogorov turbulence spectrum with wavelengths extending from 100m to 1018m, the formation and eruption of solar prominences as well as coronal rains, the formation of amazing auroras and auroral kilometric radiation (AKR), and the discovery of gigantic jets in the Earth’s upper atmosphere.
At the end of the lecture, the academicians answered questions for the students, and answered questions about whether the emergence of scientists is a product of the times or a gift, the evolution process of birds, and how to transform the energy spectrum from one-dimensional to three-dimensional.
Academicians interact with students: Academician Zhou Zhonghe (left), Academician Lou-Chuang Lee (right)
