12 Sep 2024
On 6 September, 2024, a delegation from the School of Science (SCI) at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), led by Dean of SCI, XJTLU, Professor John Moraros and Head of XJTLU Graduate School, Wei Zhou, visited the State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Materials Science at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in Hefei. The delegation also included Associate Professors Dr Shuihua Wang and Dr Lifeng Ding from the SCI, XJTLU.
The Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry of USTC was approved by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in January 2023, with the School of Chemistry and Materials Science of USTC as the main body and an interdisciplinary team of information/engineering/computer/mathematics disciplines in the university. The Chemistry programme at USTC is globally renowned and ranked as #1 in the world by the prestigious Newsweek organization among others and the laboratory is recognized as a world leader and innovator in the frontiers of science and technology, focusing on the key scientific question of how to change the paradigm of chemical research by infusing artificial intelligence and robotics.
During the visit, Professor Zhenyu Li, Director of USTC's Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry hosted the meeting. Deputy Directors, Professor Jiang Jun and Professor Wenwan Zhong, as well as Deputy Dean of the School of Chemistry and Materials, Professor Bin Jiang from USTC were also present. In his opening remarks, Professor Zhenyu Li warmly welcomed the XJTLU School of Science delegation and highlighted the broad prospects for research collaboration between USTC and XJTLU across Science and Technology. . He expressed hope that both institutions could deepen their cooperation through joint research projects, co-submission of research grants, co-supervision of PhD students, enhancing student exchanges, promoting faculty visits, and sharing academic and research expertise and resources.
Professor John Moraros provided an overview of the development of the XJTLU School of Science and newly launched Advanced Materials Research Center (AMRC), highlighting its ambitious vision, faculty strengths and research achievements. He praised the world-leading research at USTC and emphasized the significance of this visit. Professor Moraros stated: “I am most grateful to Dr. Lifeng Ding, XJTLU and Professor Jiang Jun, USTC for their initial discussions that brought us together on this day, where we are well positioned to build and strengthen upon our existing collaborations with USTC by integrating artificial intelligence technology and robotics to promote digitalization and intelligent transformation in chemistry research paradigms at SCI and XJTLU. This initiative aims to establish a similar lab within the AMRC at XJTLU so as to recruit top talents, cultivate high-level young scientists, facilitate technology transfer and train technical experts with interdisciplinary backgrounds to help support world leading scientific research.” Professor Moraros also noted that such collaborative research models would enhance the international academic presence of both institutions and their respective footprint on a global scale.
Professor Jun Jiang from USTC also elaborated on the research background, mission, primary research directions, and team composition of the laboratory. Professor Jiang said “The laboratory focuses on research and application in precision intelligent chemistry, striving for breakthroughs in understanding chemical reaction mechanisms and synthesizing new materials and changing the traditional conservative landscape of Chemistry in a forward thinking and innovative direction.” Both sides engaged in extensive discussions on faculty exchanges, joint graduate student training programs, regular bilateral academic conferences, and sharing research resources. They reached several points of agreement on how to advance their collaboration to a new level including the establishment of an AI + Chemistry Lab in SCI, XJTLU.
During the visit, representatives from both institutions formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking a new phase of closer collaboration in research and teaching activities. This visit enhanced the mutual understanding between the two institutions, deepened their bonds of collaboration and laid a solid foundation for future joint academic and research initiatives.
Following the MoU signing ceremony, the XJTLU delegation toured the impressive, cutting-edge laboratory. Professor Linjiang Chen from USTC presented the lab’s research outcomes combining theoretical simulations with AI automated experiments. He explained that by integrating high-throughput theoretical calculations and high-dimensional automated experiments, they have successfully built an intelligent platform that integrates theory and practice, demonstrating significant potential in discovering and optimizing new materials.
The SCI, XJTLU delegation showed great interest and highly praised the dedication and work ethic of the PhD students and faculty researchers at USTC and the extraordinary technological innovations and research capabilities of the laboratory. It vowed to jointly work in creating exciting opportunities of true partnership in the fields of chemical research and education in the near future.
Material: Dr Lifeng Ding
Review: Professor John Moraros
12 Sep 2024