The 2024 Second Zhou Peiyuan Foundation Academic Annual Conference Successfully Held

2025-01-10 23:34:00

From October 13 to 15, 2024, the Second Zhou Peiyuan Foundation Academic Annual Conference was successfully held at the International Conference Center of the Yanqi Lake Campus of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) in Beijing. The conference was hosted by the Zhou Peiyuan Foundation, co-organized by UCAS, the Chinese Society of Mechanics, the Chinese Physical Society, and the China International Association for the Promotion of Science and Technology (CIAPST). It was organized by the School of Engineering Science at UCAS and the National Key Laboratory of Nonlinear Mechanics in Extreme Environments.

Distinguished guests included:

Gao Hongjun, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Researcher at the Institute of Physics, CAS
Chen Shiyi, Academician of CAS and Professor at Ningbo Institute of Technology, Zhejiang University
Cai Ronggen, Academician of CAS and Professor at Ningbo University
He Guowei, Academician of CAS and Researcher at the Institute of Mechanics, CAS
Lu Xiyun, Academician of CAS and Professor at the University of Science and Technology of China
Zhou Youhe, Academician of CAS and Professor at Lanzhou University
Guo Xu, Academician of CAS and Professor at Dalian University of Technology
Duan Huiling, Academician of CAS and Professor at Peking University
Wang Yanfen, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice President of UCAS
Luo Xisheng, Director of the Institute of Mechanics, CAS
Meng Qingguo, former Deputy Director of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Department, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)
Wang Jianxiang, Chairman of the Zhou Peiyuan Foundation and Professor at Peking University

The conference brought together over 260 experts and scholars from the fields of physics and mechanics, representing universities and research institutions across China.

The opening ceremony of the conference was held on the morning of October 14. Keynote addresses were delivered by Academician Chen Shiyi, Chairman of the Conference; Prof. Wang Yanfen, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice President of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS); and Researcher Luo Xisheng, Director of the Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

Researcher Meng Qingguo, former Deputy Director of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Department of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), presented a work report on behalf of the Zhou Peiyuan Foundation. The opening ceremony was chaired by Academician He Guowei, Co-Chairman of the Conference.

Academician He Guowei Presided Over the Opening Ceremony

Academician Chen Shiyi's Remarks
Academician Chen Shiyi highlighted that Professor Zhou Peiyuan was a distinguished scientist, educator, and social activist in China, who also held great esteem in the international scientific community. Recognized as one of the four greatest figures in 20th-century fluid mechanics, Zhou Peiyuan's life spanned the entire development of modern science and education in 20th-century China. He made outstanding contributions to global science, peace, and the advancement of Chinese science and education. The Zhou Peiyuan Foundation Academic Annual Conference serves as an important platform to carry forward Zhou's scientific spirit. Chen expressed hope that experts and scholars from physics and mechanics would use the conference to exchange ideas, foster collaboration, and envision a shared future.

Professor Wang Yanfen's Speech
On behalf of Zhou Qi, Secretary of the Party Committee and President of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), and the university itself, Professor Wang Yanfen welcomed all attendees to the UCAS campus. Reflecting on Zhou Peiyuan's early academic journey, Wang shared three key questions the university is currently exploring:

How to cultivate future talents with global perspectives and leadership in science and technology?
How to create a relaxed research environment for young talents, enabling them to focus wholeheartedly on scientific endeavors?
How to integrate the spirit of scientists, educators, and a conducive educational environment to maximize its guiding role?

She expressed hope that the conference would not only focus on academic discussions but also contribute to fostering talent, thus advancing China's science and education.

Director Luo Xisheng's Address
Director Luo Xisheng of the Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), emphasized that Zhou Peiyuan laid a solid foundation for the development of mechanics in China. Zhou's academic philosophy and research spirit have inspired generations of researchers in the field. He noted that the Zhou Peiyuan Foundation serves as a vital vehicle for promoting Zhou's scientific legacy and patriotism, making positive contributions to mechanics and related fields.

Luo stated that the Institute of Mechanics, guided by the example of Zhou Peiyuan, Qian Xuesen, and Guo Yonghuai, remains committed to its original mission, strengthening basic and applied research, and cultivating integrated talent in education and science. He expressed hope that the conference would facilitate academic exchange, innovation, and collaboration, and further advance the field of mechanics in China.

Researcher Meng Qingguo's Work Report
Researcher Meng Qingguo provided an overview of the Zhou Peiyuan Foundation's establishment and presented valuable historical photos and documents related to Zhou Peiyuan. He introduced the foundation's past board members and summarized its achievements in key areas.

Meng explained that the foundation has successfully carried out its core activities, including scientific awards, popular science initiatives, academic exchanges, and talent cultivation. He emphasized the foundation's ongoing collaboration with the Chinese Society of Mechanics, Chinese Physical Society, and the China International Association for the Promotion of Science and Technology to institutionalize and systematize its operations.

Meng called on attendees to continue supporting the foundation's efforts and jointly uphold and promote Zhou Peiyuan's scientific spirit.

(From top to bottom, from left to right: Academician Chen Shiyi, Professor Wang Yanfen, Researcher Luo Xisheng, Researcher Meng Qingguo)

Keynote Reports Following the Opening Ceremony

Following the opening ceremony, four academicians—Gao Hongjun, Cai Ronggen, Zhou Youhe, and Lu Xiyun—delivered invited reports titled:

"Observation of Majorana Zero Modes from Manipulation of Quantum Structures"
"General Relativity, Black Holes, and the Navier-Stokes Equation"
"Force-Induced Quenching in Superconductors"
"Research on Multi-Process Problems in Extreme Flows"

The reports were chaired by Academician Chen Shiyi, Academician Guo Xu, and Academician He Guowei.

Academician Gao Hongjun's Report

Academician Gao Hongjun introduced a series of recent works by his research team on detecting and utilizing Majorana fermions/zero modes in condensed matter systems. He noted that detecting Majorana fermions is a frontier scientific problem in particle physics, and their non-Abelian statistical properties hold significant promise for topological quantum computing.

He presented his team's research on precise graphene folding techniques using scanning tunneling microscopy, the construction and control of single-molecule motor arrays, single-molecule giant magnetoresistive devices, and their regulation. Gao concluded by exploring the potential of using Majorana zero modes for quantum computing in the future.

Academician Cai Ronggen's Report

Academician Cai Ronggen began his talk by deriving Einstein's gravitational field equation through discussions of the elevator experiment and Mach's principle. He described general relativity as "possibly the most elegant theory of time, space, and gravity" (quoting Landau).

Cai reviewed classical experimental tests of general relativity, including the precession of Mercury's perihelion, the deflection of light near the Sun, gravitational redshift, and the Shapiro time delay effect, emphasizing that the essence of gravity remains one of the fundamental problems in modern physics.

He further explored black holes, the most intriguing celestial objects predicted by general relativity, discussing the thermodynamic entropy of black holes and the holographic properties of gravity as theorized by Bekenstein and Hawking. Finally, he demonstrated that the dynamics of black holes could be described using the Navier-Stokes equations of fluid mechanics, revealing a natural connection between gravity and fluid mechanics.

Academician Zhou Youhe's Report

Academician Zhou Youhe discussed the significance of superconductivity, one of the most important discoveries of the 20th century, highlighting its critical role in national strategic needs and the global competition in advanced technology. He pointed out that preventing the quenching of superconductors in practical applications is a crucial research topic.

Zhou introduced the theory and experimental methods developed by his team to study force-induced quenching—the mechanical deformation of superconducting materials under service conditions and its impact on superconducting properties. He detailed research into the nonlinear mechanical deformations caused by the electromagnetic-thermal-mechanical coupling in superconductors, the mechanisms behind performance degradation, factors influencing magnetic field properties, and new strain detection methods for quenching. Zhou also shared advancements in the theoretical modeling, quantitative analysis, and development of superconducting materials and experimental facilities.

Academician Lu Xiyun's Report

Academician Lu Xiyun emphasized that fundamental flow processes such as shear, compression, and thermodynamics are the origin of many flow phenomena and structures, and they govern the overall characteristics of flow. From the history of fluid mechanics and current major demands, he pointed out that studying extreme flows through multi-process research is an inevitable trend.

Using examples of ultrahigh-speed flight and large-scale aeolian sand motion, Lu explained how extreme flows, characterized by ultrahigh Mach numbers, Reynolds numbers, and Rayleigh numbers, have become a frontier issue in fluid mechanics, posing challenges as well as opportunities.

He presented his team's progress in several areas, including finite-domain vortex moment theory for object forces, thermodynamic variable-based acoustic equations, and multi-process coupled aerodynamic heating prediction methods. Lu concluded by emphasizing the intrinsic connection between mathematics and mechanics, quoting Descartes: "Mathematics is the tool of knowledge." He reiterated that mathematics forms the foundation for establishing theories and methods in mechanics.

Invited Reports Following the Opening Ceremony

Invited Reports by Academicians Gao Hongjun, Cai Ronggen, Zhou Youhe, and Lu Xiyun

Academicians Gao Hongjun, Cai Ronggen, Zhou Youhe, and Lu Xiyun delivered invited reports titled:

"Observation of Majorana Zero Modes from Manipulation of Quantum Structures"
"General Relativity, Black Holes, and the Navier-Stokes Equation"
"Force-Induced Quenching in Superconductors"
"Research on Multi-Process Problems in Extreme Flows"

The reports were chaired by Academicians Chen Shiyi, Guo Xu, and He Guowei, respectively.

(From top to bottom, from left to right: Reports by Academicians Gao Hongjun, Cai Ronggen, Zhou Youhe, and Lu Xiyun; bottom image: Report chaired by Academician Guo Xu.)

Additional Invited Reports

In the subsequent invited report session, 11 experts and scholars from universities and research institutes nationwide presented their research achievements in various directions within physics and mechanics.

Highlights from Key Invited Reports

Prof. Ye Yanlin, Peking University

Prof. Ye Yanlin delivered a report titled "Key Scientific Questions in Unstable Nucleus Research." He explained that the nucleus, as a quantum many-body system governed by short-range nuclear forces, lacks a rigid core or defined boundaries, making it prone to structural changes or localized nucleon correlations. Ye discussed major interdisciplinary scientific issues related to unstable nuclei, such as:

The astrophysical production of heavy elements from iron to uranium.
The pursuit of superheavy element stability islands.
Measuring electric dipole moments at low energies to explore the origin of matter-antimatter asymmetry.

Ye also reflected on innovation in unstable nucleus research, emphasizing the importance of fostering creativity, mechanisms, culture, and emerging talent, and expressed his expectations for the younger generation of researchers.

Researcher Fang Shuangshi, Institute of High Energy Physics, CAS

Researcher Fang Shuangshi presented "Exploring the 'Microcosm' with 'Big Machines.'" He introduced the scientific problem of probing atomic nuclei during the era of atomic and nuclear physics, highlighting the revolutionary principles of phase stabilization, strong focusing, and colliders. These principles underpin high-energy particle colliders, which act as keys to the microscopic world, and high-energy detectors, or spectrometers, which serve as eyes for this exploration.

Fang elaborated on the Beijing Spectrometer's pivotal role in China’s high-energy physics experiments and its contributions to fundamental research, advanced technology, and talent development. He noted that advancements in accelerator technology, focusing on higher energy, brightness, and flux, would deepen our understanding of electromagnetic, strong, and weak interactions.

Prof. Feng Xiqiao, Tsinghua University

Prof. Feng Xiqiao gave a report titled "Biomechanical Theories for Major Diseases." He discussed the mechanics of tissue growth and development involving force-chemical-biological coupling and emphasized the demand for biomechanics in diagnosing and treating major diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and immune system disorders.

Feng outlined five fundamental questions in force-chemical-biological coupling, such as coupling mechanisms, multiscale mechanics, cell dynamics, and temporal issues in life systems. He introduced findings on lymph node swelling, tumor mechanics, optimized treatments for specific cancers, and stability theories in biomechanics, which have foundational scientific significance and some clinical applications.

Prof. Wang Jinjun, Beihang University

Prof. Wang Jinjun's report, "Velocity Field Measurement Techniques for High-Speed Flows in Aerospace," highlighted 30 years of progress in Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) at Beihang University. Starting with the Reynolds experiment, he recounted the history of PIV development, which was dominated by Western countries and faced export restrictions on products for high-speed flow measurements.

Wang introduced innovations by his team, such as single-camera 3D imaging mimicking compound eyes, enabling precise measurements of high-Reynolds-number flow fields, which have been applied in the development of aircraft carriers, large aircraft, and high-speed trains. He also addressed challenges in hypersonic flow measurements and shared advancements in overcoming optical distortion and low particle density.

Prof. Liao Shijun, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Prof. Liao Shijun presented "Clean Numerical Simulations of Turbulence." He described the milestone contribution of Orszag’s Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) in the era of numerical experiments, while highlighting unresolved issues about numerical noise propagation.

Liao introduced the "Clean Numerical Simulation" (CNS) method, which minimizes truncation and rounding errors, ensuring negligible numerical noise over long periods. Using CNS, his team increased the number of periodic solutions to the three-body problem by several orders of magnitude. Comparing DNS and CNS through Rayleigh-Bénard convection and Kolmogorov turbulence, he demonstrated how numerical noise in DNS grows exponentially, affecting macroscopic statistics. CNS offers a new tool for studying turbulence, enabling precise investigation of chaotic systems.

Prof. Ni Mingjiu, UCAS

Prof. Ni Mingjiu delivered a report titled "Liquid Metal MHD Free Surface Problems and Development of Fusion Reactor Liquid Divertors." He outlined the development and principles of tokamak-based magnetic confinement fusion, emphasizing the significance of divertors as key components exposed to plasma.

Ni highlighted the advantages of liquid metal divertors, including self-repairing capabilities, resistance to neutron damage, and unlimited service life. He showcased advancements by the UCAS MHD Laboratory in potential-temperature coupling measurement, arrayed ultrasonic Doppler techniques, and computational platforms for liquid lithium film flows. Ni summarized progress in understanding liquid metal spreadability, MHD drag, evaporation-phase transitions, and plasma interactions, all critical to advancing liquid metal divertor technology for fusion reactors.

Invited Reports

(From top to bottom, from left to right: Prof. Ye Yanlin, Prof. Fang Shuangshi, Prof. Feng Xiqiao, Prof. Wang Jinjun, Prof. Liao Shijun, Prof. Ni Mingjiu)

Invited Reports

Chairpersons for the Six Key Reports

The six reports by Professors Ye Yanlin, Fang Shuangshi, Feng Xiqiao, Wang Jinjun, Liao Shijun, and Ni Mingjiu were chaired by:

Researcher Fan Heng, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
Professor Wang Rui, Chongqing University
Professor Qu Shaoxing, Zhejiang University
Professor Fu Song, Tsinghua University
Professor Ding Hang, University of Science and Technology of China
Professor Wan Minping, Southern University of Science and Technology

October 15 Morning Reports

Prof. Qiao Congfeng, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS)

Prof. Qiao Congfeng presented a report titled "Concept of a Tetrahedral Space Gravitational Wave Observatory." He began by explaining concepts related to the Standard Model of particle physics, general relativity, and gravitational waves. Qiao highlighted that the 2016 direct observation of gravitational waves by the LIGO collaboration marked the dawn of gravitational wave astronomy and advanced humanity's understanding of the universe.

He introduced major gravitational wave detection programs such as LISA, TianQin, and Taiji, emphasizing their significance in exploring the universe and advancing measurement and control technologies. He noted that most observatories adopt the triangular three-satellite configuration, which has limitations, such as reduced functionality if one satellite fails and constrained capabilities for testing theories beyond general relativity. To address these issues, his team proposed the Tetrahedral Space Gravitational Wave Observatory (TEGO), which offers numerous advantages over the three-satellite model and could serve as a promising alternative for future gravitational wave detection.

Prof. Zhang Shian, East China Normal University

Prof. Zhang Shian delivered a report titled "Ultrafast Optical Imaging Technology and Applications." He explained that traditional pump-probe ultrafast optical imaging techniques require multiple measurements, making them unsuitable for capturing irreversible or difficult-to-reproduce transient phenomena. Developing single-shot ultrafast imaging is thus a critical research direction.

Zhang introduced his team’s innovative passive and active ultrafast optical imaging techniques. For passive compressed ultrafast imaging, he discussed advancements in hardware, such as ultrafast electro-optical deflection imaging, multimodal fusion, discrete illumination, molecular alignment assistance, hyperspectral imaging, spectral stereoscopy, and polarimetric spectroscopy, along with high-performance reconstruction algorithms. For active ultrafast imaging, he covered techniques like chirped spectral mapping, time-polarization mapping, and coherent modulation. Finally, Zhang shared future plans for applications in super-resolution imaging, laser processing, and biomedical imaging.

Prof. Li Yan, Tongji University

Prof. Li Yan presented a report titled "Mechanics and Advanced Composite Structures for Aviation Applications—A Case Study on Domestic Aramid Honeycomb Paper for Large Aircraft." She outlined the characteristics, application scenarios, and challenges of advanced composite structures in design and manufacturing.

Li showcased her team’s breakthroughs in developing domestic aramid honeycomb paper, a critical material for large aircraft that is currently imported. Key innovations included technologies such as high-speed fiber deposition, ultrasonic sloshing for inclined web-forming, mixed-temperature negative-pressure rolling, and improvements in adhesive compatibility and bonding. Li concluded that mechanics plays a significant role in addressing national strategic needs.

Prof. Lu Tongqing, Xi’an Jiaotong University

Prof. Lu Tongqing gave a report titled "High-Throughput Fatigue and Fracture Experimental Methods and Applications." He noted that material strength is a complex issue involving multiple spatial and temporal scales and is central to solid mechanics. Obtaining fatigue and fracture strength data is challenging due to variability, long testing cycles, and high costs.

To address these issues, Lu’s team developed a high-throughput parallel fatigue and fracture testing method, capable of testing 1,000 specimens simultaneously. He introduced methods for tensile fracture, fatigue S-N curves, fatigue crack growth rates, and stress-strain curves, emphasizing the method's potential to optimize material and structural performance iteratively.

Researcher Yang Xiaolei, Institute of Mechanics, CAS

Researcher Yang Xiaolei’s report, "Data-Driven Large-Eddy Simulation Model for Separated Turbulent Flows," focused on simulating high-Reynolds-number wall turbulence and boundary layer separation. He noted that classical theories and methods struggle to handle these issues effectively.

Yang’s team developed a Features Embedded Learning (FEL) model for large-eddy simulation, which incorporates data and wall law predictions for wall shear stress, as well as near-wall eddy viscosity models using ensemble Kalman methods. Tests demonstrated the model’s strong predictive capabilities in scenarios such as periodic hills and Gaussian bumps.

Summary

These cutting-edge reports covered a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from gravitational wave detection and ultrafast optical imaging to advanced composite structures and turbulence simulation. The presentations showcased innovative methods and technologies, contributing to the advancement of physics, mechanics, and related applications.

Invited Reports

(From top to bottom, from left to right: Prof. Qiao Congfeng, Prof. Zhang Shian, Prof. Li Yan, Prof. Lu Tongqing, Researcher Yang Xiaolei)

Chairpersons for the Five Reports

The five reports were chaired by Prof. Yang Zhenwei (Peking University), Prof. Guo Haizhong (Zhengzhou University), Prof. Wang Tiejun (Xi’an Jiaotong University), and Researcher Shi Xinghua (National Center for Nanoscience and Technology).

Successful Academic Discussions and Exchanges

Over a day and a half, 15 experts and scholars delivered engaging presentations covering various directions in the fields of physics and mechanics. After each report, attendees actively asked questions or used tea breaks to engage in face-to-face discussions with the speakers, fostering academic exchange and thought-provoking dialogue. The conference concluded successfully, and it is expected to effectively promote the future development of physics and mechanics-related disciplines.

Tributes to Zhou Peiyuan

Many guests shared heartfelt anecdotes and memories of Zhou Peiyuan during their speeches and reports. They expressed deep admiration for his scholarly demeanor and profound respect for his remarkable academic contributions.

Visit to the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" Memorial Exhibit

On the afternoon of October 15, some participants visited the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" Memorial Exhibit located on the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences campus.

The scientific and educational spirit exemplified by Zhou Peiyuan and other pioneering scientists was a recurring theme throughout the annual conference. This spirit is expected to have a profound and positive impact on the teaching, mentorship, and research endeavors of the participating scholars in the years to come.