On November 5th, 2018, the grand opening of the first China International Import Expo attracted worldwide attention. During the time when the world's leading experts in Science and Economics gathered in Shanghai, Soong Ching Ling School invited Mr. Andy Tan, a young scientist who had been exploring dark matter for six years, to deliver a lecture entitled“Particle Physics and Underground Dark Matter Detection”. Mr. Tan shared his research experience and led students to consider the physical world, the universe and the future.
Applause erupted frequently during the presentation. Students were interested in the topics discussed and learned more about astronomy and cosmology through the Q & A session with Mr. Tan. Meanwhile, his rigorous attitude towards science deeply affected every student.“Scientists discover truth, which requires curiosity, perseverance, teamwork and systematic training,”he said.
Soong Ching Ling School has long adhered to an innovative and open-minded educational philosophy. The school has made full use of available resources to provide the students with a platform for understanding cutting-edge science, foreseeing the future and expanding their horizon. Through scientific lectures and researches, the students are able to pursue their dreams and contribute to the rapidly changing world.
Andy Tan Having graduated from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Mr. Tan is currently a PhD student in Physics at the University of Maryland, College Park. As a member of the“Panda Project”which explores dark matter, he has been dedicated to the detection of dark matter particles for quite a long time.
Mr.Tan is experimenting in the Jinping Underground Laboratory in China.
Question about stars, eternity, the big bang, and everything in the universe.
Mr. Tan opened his lecture with a famous saying by the German philosopher Kant.
“There are two things in the world. The deeper I think about them, the more awe they evoke in my mind. One is the vast starry sky above us, the other is the moral standard in our heart.”
Meanwhile, he put forward two inspiring questions:
1. What is the world made of?
2. How do objects interact?
After three days travelling 3,500 kilometers, the experimental equipment was finally transported to the underground laboratory by the members of“Panda Project”. The first-phase experiment did not detect dark matter, and the sensitivity was also lower than that of other experimental teams in the world. Nevertheless, they did not give up and assembled a larger and more sensitive detector. Although the dark matter has not yet been found, in 2016 it was internationally recognized as the dark matter detector with the highest sensitivity.
