On the afternoon of November 1st, Professor Andre K. Geim, a foreign academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a fellow of the Royal Society of the United Kingdom, a foreign academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States, and a Nobel laureate in Physics, was invited to visit the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He delivered an academic lecture titled "Exploration of Two-Dimensional 'Void' Space" and engaged in discussions with young scientists and students in attendance. 

Professor Andre K. Geim, renowned for his discovery of graphene, has long been devoted to groundbreaking research on two-dimensional materials. In recent years, his team's scientific investigations into nanoconfined spaces constructed with two-dimensional materials have garnered significant attention. 

During the discussion, Professor Andre K. Geim noted that Shenzhen is a young city that has attracted top Chinese universities, research institutions, and technology companies due to its robust economy, vibrant atmosphere of technological innovation, and favorable climate. He emphasized that Shenzhen's appeal to scientists has resulted in many significant scientific discoveries. Dr. ZHENG Hairong, Vice President of SIAT, participated in the meeting and exchanged views on further cooperation. 

In his lecture, Professor Andre K. Geim elaborated on the recent achievements of his team in the field of "2D Empty Space," including materials preparation, theoretical exploration, and application expansion. These developments provide a fresh perspective on the research and development of two-dimensional materials. The presentation sparked widespread interest among the audience in phenomena such as selective transport behavior of molecules and ions and the unique properties of pressurized water in ？ngstr？m-sized two-dimensional cavities. The lecture was chaired by Professor CHENG Huiming, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the director of the Carbon-Neutral Research Institute at SIAT. 

During the interactive session, Professor Andre K. Geim engaged in in-depth discussions with young scientists and students present. When asked about how important scientific findings are made, he shared, "Maintaining focus is crucial when we discover intriguing phenomena. When I lack a research direction, I attempt to explore other fields for relevance and breakthroughs. This approach often leads to new discoveries and insights."  

At the conclusion of the event, CHENG Huiming presented Professor Andre K. Geim with a commemorative stamp album from SIAT. 

As an internationally renowned physicist, Professor Andre K. Geim has made significant contributions to the development of two-dimensional atomic crystal materials such as graphene in China. He has mentored dozens of Chinese graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and visiting scholars, many of whom have become leading young academics and key figures in China's graphene research field. 

Furthermore, Professor Andre K. Geim places great emphasis on collaboration and communication with Chinese scholars. He was awarded the "Einstein Professorship" by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2009. In 2017, he jointly established the "Shenzhen Geim Graphene Research Center" with Tsinghua University's Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute and serves as its director. Professor Andre K. Geim has established long-term and close collaborative relationships with various Chinese research institutions and universities, including the Institute of Metal Research and the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the University of Science and Technology of China, the National University of Defense Technology, and has co-published multiple articles in journals such as Nature and Science. 

Professor Andre Geim is giving the lecture. (Photo by SIAT)

Communicating with the audience. (Photo by SIAT)

Presenting the souvenir. (Photo by SIAT)

Media Contact:
ZHANG Xiaomin
Email:xm.zhang@siat.ac.cn