Good afternoon everyone! It is my privilege to address at the occasion of this special talk on grapheme by the honorable Nobel laureate Dr. Konstantin Novoselov. On behalf of the National Tsing Hua University, I would extend my sincere welcome for Dr. Novoselov’s visit. It is perhaps for the first time that the NTHU receives a Nobel laureate before his/her formal acceptance of the prize. I would therefore also like to congratulate Dr. Novoselov for the well-deserved and prestigious Prize.
Dr.
Novoselov and his co-worker Prof. Andre Geim were awarded 2010 Nobel Prize in
physics for their work in discovering the miraculous graphene. Prof. Geim was
also the PhD advisor of Dr. Novoselov a few years ago. Both laureates are
working at Manchester University, and both were originally from Russia.
According to the press release of Nobel Prize Committee: “Playfulness is one of
their hallmarks, one always learns something in the process and, who knows, you
may even hit the jackpot. Like now when they, with graphene, write themselves
into the annals of science.” In the age of big science, it is indeed refreshing
and stimulating to see small science with big impact.
Graphene
is a material with one atomic thick made of carbon atoms. If we describe bulk
crystalline graphite as a text book, then graphene would be a single leaf in
this book. Since we have already used and learned so much from this remarkable
book for centuries, now we finally have a chance to turn over a new single leaf
and read it in detail.
Before
2004, scientists believe that any freestanding single crystal in 2D is just
impossible based on a common sense of thermodynamics. However, Dr. Novoselov
and Prof. Geim surprised us in 2004 by separating the graphene with a very
brilliant, but simple, idea of using sticky tape to peel the layers off. It
sounds like a simple, even a little bit crude, idea but you can be sure that it
was not an easy process otherwise other people would have done it before.
Graphene makes experiments possible that give new twists to the phenomena in
quantum physics. It possesses extraordinary properties for conducting
electricity and heat and is very strong. A great deal of research has been
carried out following their pioneering work. Also a vast variety of practical
applications now appear possible including the creation of new materials and
the manufacture of innovative electronics.
The
famous Chinese novelist Chang Ai-Ling once said: “if possible, be famous while
you are young.” Although many of us also aspire to have a Nobel Prize, the
Prize is well known to be really, really difficult to come by. Hence I urge Dr.
Novoselov, while you have it, enjoy it and enjoy it tremendously, especially
when you are young. A good news for Dr. Novoselov is that, according to a U.S.
study, prominent academics often lived longer than their peers. Among those
academics, the Nobel Prize winners live the longest in average with the theory
that they have a more satisfying life. It is really a double blessing.
Earlier
this year, Dr. James Watson, who discovered the DNA structure, paid a visit to
our campus. Dr. Watson received the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine in 1962
at the tender age of 34. It can be said that Dr. Watson has basked in glory
ever since, for 48 years now, but he has also been instrumental in initiating
the human genome project. It will be wonderful for Dr. Novoselov to set a world
record to hold the Prize for even longer time, and possibly pick up another
Nobel Prize sometimes in the future.
Dr.
Novoselov’s timely visit and his talks will certainly give a tremendous boost
to graphene community in Taiwan. Most importantly, Dr. Novoselov will provide valuable
insight and inspiration for all our young scientists to realize their dreams.
Once again, I would take this opportunity to welcome Dr. Novoselov, and I am
looking forward to his marvelous talk. Thank you very much.
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