[ Biography ]

 

Across the border in Dongguan, a 3 billion RMB scientific facility, China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS), is under construction and scheduled to deliver first neutron beams at the end of 2017. Neutron scattering is a powerful tool for materials researchers and industries. Over the years, it has made substantial contributions in many areas of physics, chemistry, biology, materials science, and materials engineering. As an example, cold neutrons are uniquely positioned to probe dynamic processes in soft matter, where applications range from consumer products to photovoltaic materials and drug delivery. Neutron scattering also offers fundamental insight into mechanical deformation at the atomistic level and is likewise invaluable for assessing the integrity of larger engineering structures, such as wheel hubs of high-speed trains, and bridges.

The decision to locate CSNS in the southern city of Dongguan was strategic; it was set to promote scientific research and technology in the region, and thereby to accelerate economic development by creating value-added, high-tech products. Over time, CSNS is destined to become an international hub for materials research. Naturally, a major beneficiary of CSNS is the scientific community of Hong Kong, where there have been steady efforts to promote the use of neutron scattering. In this talk, we will discuss how this facility is going to transform the landscape of science and technology in Hong Kong, the enormous social and economic impact that it will generate, as well as the challenges to take full advantage of the facility.

一項造價30億人民幣的國家大科學裝置—— 中國散裂中子源，正於廣東省東莞市建設當中。它將按計劃於2017年底產生第一束中子束。中子散射是材料研究及工業界一個強而有力的研究工具。過去數年中，它在物理、化學、生物、材料科學和工程等領域作出了不可替代的貢獻。比如說，冷中子作為一種獨特的手段，可以用於探測軟物質裡的動力學過程。其應用領域涵蓋了消費者產品、光伏材料以及藥物載體等。此外，中子散射不僅能揭示材料機械形變過程中原子尺度的變形機理，而且可以探測大呎寸的工程結構的安全性能，比如高鐵的輪轂和橋樑。

中國散裂中子源選址東莞這座南方城市有其戰略目的﹕它旨在推進珠三角地區的科研能力，通過孵化產生高附加值的高科技產品，達到加速區域經濟發展。一直以來，中國散裂中子源都以建設成為一個國際材料研發中心為使命。自然而然，中國散裂中子源的建成，將為香港的科學界帶來極大的利益。與此同時，香港也都在持續不斷地努力去推廣中子散射的應用。這次報告，我們將討論這個大科學裝置將如何影響香港的科技佈局，以及它將為香港帶來的巨大社會經濟影響。另外，我們還會討論香港科技界在如何全方位利用這個強大科學裝置上所面臨的挑戰。