In a groundbreaking move for the fields of medical and energy research, Nobel laureate Gerard Mourou announced his collaboration with China’s prestigious Peking University. Speaking at this year's Beijing Forum, which runs from November 1 to 3, Mourou expressed his enthusiasm for advancing ultra-high-intensity laser technology.
\"I'm going to work on extreme light for medical and energy fields,\" Mourou stated, highlighting the transformative potential of his work. As a chair professor in the School of Physics, Mourou is set to establish a new institute dedicated to scientific research and international cooperation, focusing on laser physics, particle physics, nuclear physics, medical physics, and astrophysics.
Mourou, who shared the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2018 with Arthur Ashkin and Donna Strickland for their pioneering work in laser physics, emphasized the importance of collaboration in driving innovation. \"The best is yet to come,\" he declared, underscoring his optimism for future applications of his research.
The 2024 Beijing Forum is attracting over 500 scholars and experts from more than 30 countries and regions, all converging to discuss topics such as sustainable development, the environment, health, digitalization, and artificial intelligence. Mourou’s presence adds a significant boost to the forum's focus on scientific advancement and international partnership.
Peking University is not the only institution benefiting from global talent influx. Fields Medal winner Caucher Birkar has been teaching mathematics full-time at Tsinghua University since 2021, while structural biologist Yan Nieng founded a medical academy in Shenzhen after returning from Princeton University in 2022. These collaborations highlight China’s commitment to fostering a robust scientific community.
At a recent symposium celebrating the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the J particle, prominent figures like Nobel laureates Samuel Chao Chung Ting, Sheldon Glashow, and David Gross gathered to honor China's remarkable scientific achievements. Mourou praised China's rapid advancements, noting, \"I knew some of the scientists, and they are interested in what I'm doing.\"
As China continues to invest heavily in science and education, the influx of international talent like Mourou plays a crucial role in positioning the country at the forefront of global innovation.
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Nobel laureate Gerard Mourou to work on extreme light in China
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