Jointly nominated by Prof. YE Hengqiang and Prof. CHENG Huiming, the awardee of 2013 Einstein Professor of CAS, Prof. Sumio Iijima from Meijo University, Japan visited Institute of Metal Research Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMR CAS) on 19-21 Dec. 2013.

During his visit, Prof. Iijima gave a lecture entitled“Carbon Nanotubes: Science and Applications”. The lecture was hosted by Prof. CHENG Huiming, and Prof. ZHANG Jian, the Deputy Director of IMR, presented the certificate of Einstein Professor of Chinese Academy of Sciences to Prof. Iijima. With old historic pictures and newspaper reports, Prof Iijima recalled the cooperation history and deep friendship with China, especially with IMR. Then he introduced the discovery ofcarbon nanotubes, reviewedtheir unique performance commercialization in the fields like touch screen and thenew development of transition between light and heat. He also showed new progress of modern electron spectrometry technology including high resolution microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopyand their application in nanomaterials research such as carbon nanotubes, graphenechip and other relevant nanomaterials.

“Every discovery deserves strict attitude since in most cases great achievement is hidden in it.” said Prof. Iijima, who was applauded for his excellent lecture and a sense of humor.

Prof. Iijima has also visited Solid Atomic Imaging Division, Catalysis and Materials Division, Non-equilibrium Metallic Materials Division and Advanced Carbon Division of Shenyang National Laboratory for Material Science (SYNL). Prof. LU Ke, the Director of SYNL, discussed his most recentresearch progress with Prof. Iijima.

Prof. Sumio Iijima, a famous scientist for electron microscopyand nano-materials, is the member of The Japan Academy, the foreign member of US National Academy of Science, foreign member of Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, and foreign member of Chinese Academy of Sciences. He was born in Japan in May 1939 and granted Doctor’s Degree in Tohoku University, Japan in 1968. He is now a professor of Meijo University, chief scientist of Nanotubes Research Centre of Agency for Industrial Science and Technology, and senior researcher of NEC Laboratory.

Prof. Iijima discovered carbon nanotubes in 1991that have initiated nano-materials science and nanotechnology and being attracted world-wide researchers in academia and industry.. Following the discovery, he has been honored with numerous awards and prizes that include: Franklin Medal in physics (2001), Agilent Europhysics award (2002), Balzan Prize (2007, Italy-Switzerland), Kavli Prize (Norway, 2008), Prince of Asturias Award (Spain, 2008), Order of Culture (Japan, 2009).

Prof. Iijima was elected as a Foreign Member of CAS for his contribution to nanotechnology and electron microscopy. As a member of SYNL International Advisory Committee, he has long-term relationship with IMR, and makes great contribution to the development of SYNL.

Prof. ZHANG Jian presents the certificate of Einstein Professor of CAS to Prof. Sumio Iijima (Image by IMR)

Prof. Iijima gives hislecture (Image by IMR)

Prof. Iijima discusses with audience (Image by IMR)

Prof. Iijima visits Catalysis and Materials Division (Image by IMR)