Source: Instrumental Analysis & Research Center
Written by: Instrumental Analysis & Research Center
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

Recently, the Instrumental Analysis & Research Center (IARC) of Sun Yat-sen University hosted lectures and demonstrations on modern instrumental analysis for students from The Middle School Attached to Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou No. 97 High School and Guangzhou No. 6 Middle School. Mr. Zhang Yong, Director of Popular Science Department of Guangzhou Association for Science & Technology; Prof. Luan Tiangang, Director of IARC; Ms. Cheng Lei, Assistant Director of IARC; and young teachers of IARC attended the activity.

Prof. Luan Tiangang hoped that the activity would bring modern scientific instruments closer to the real life and provide some inspirations for the growth and development of the youngsters. Mr. Zhang Yong said that the development of high tech such as space technology and ocean exploration needed accumulation of technologies and talents, and the science and technology exploration activities were significant for the youngsters.

Liang Chaolun, Feng Shunqing, Fang Ling, Xie Fangyan and Guan Yanyan respectively gave a lecture on the principle and application of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ion chromatography (IC), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), displaying how modern scientific instruments support cutting edge research and how they are closely linked to our daily life. Mysterious instruments, wonderful pictures and interesting stories attracted the attention of high school students and teachers.

After the lectures, the students visited the five technical divisions of IARC for a demonstration of scientific instruments. They raised many questions such as whether samples would be polluted by the instrument itself and how to prevent such pollutions; what are the advantages of different instruments in testing a particular sample; etc.

This practice activity was welcomed by the youngsters and praised by Guangzhou Association for Science & Technology. They hoped to organize more such popular science education activities in the future.