On the morning of May 11, 2017, staff and students of the university were given a special treat: the visit by two towering figures in the arena of science. The first is Yu Mengsun, a distinguished member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, who also wears another hat as the Director of Aviation Medicine Engineering Research Center of the Air Force Aviation Medical Research Institute. The other is Prof Jiang Zonglai, Honorary Director of the Institute of Mechanical Biology at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. These two world-leading scientists came to our department to mentor our students, sharing their experience of undergraduate education and scientific research. They gave our students a pep talk on how to improve their academic skills for professional development and advised them to be mindful of serving the needs of the state and society. The two distinguished scientists also held talks with faculty members, including Academician Xu Zhenghe, Dean of the Engineering Institute.

The Forum in Progress

The Meeting of Minds–with Academician Xu Zhenghe

The highlight of the visit was a speech by each of the two distinguished visitors. Academician Yu Mengsun gave an eye-opening speech on “The Problems of Human Health Engineering” while Prof Jiang Zonglai delivered a spell-binding talk on “the Progress from Biomechanics to Mechanical Biology”. The speeches were moderated by Prof X. Edward Guo, founding Dean of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at our University.

A near capacity audience for a great forum

The special significance of Academician Yu’s visit was underscored by the fact that he is a revered as a pioneer and leading expert in aviation biomedical engineering in particular and biomedical engineering in general in China. If there are national heroes in science in our country, he is surely one of them. In the early 1960’s, he was the first to develop the “aviation bio telemetry device” and “physiological electrographic recording device” in China which was applied successfully to remote-monitor 12 kinds of physiological and physical information of the pilot, from acceleration, electrocardiogram to electroencephalogram at a 12,000-meter altitude, and within a 300-kilmoeter flight radius. This enabled China to become only the third country after the United States and the former Soviet Union with aviation medical telemetry technology. More good things were to follow. By the 1990’s, he made another significant contribution, discovering electrodeless current detection technology. It comes as no surprise that he leads China’s charge in this field, currently holding the position of Director of Aviation Medicine Engineering Research Center of the Air Force Aviation Medical Research Institute. He is also the Honorary Chairman of the China Biomedical Engineering Society.

Prof Jiang Zonglai is no less an illustrious member of the scientific community. He is former Chairman and Member of the National Biomechanics Specialization Committee. He has been honored as Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (or AIMBE Fellow). He is a scientific heavyweight, having been showered with multiple honors, holding a long list of prestigious positions, such as the Honorary Director of the Institute of Mechanical Biology at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Director of the World Council of Biomechanics (WCB),and Honorary Vice President of the China Biomedical Engineering Society. He is equally in demand in scientific writing as the Subeditor of the Chinese Journal of biomedical Engineering and Executive Subeditor of the Journal of Medical Biomechanics. Here is a man with  a life-long devotion to the research on vascular morphology, biomechanics and mechanical biology, stretching over a span of nearly 40 years.

Making a point—Academician Yu holding court

In his speech, Academician Yu first explained what human health medical engineering is all about. He believes that a wholesome person should be a system of harmony between man and nature, or the unity of mind and body. The external world environment or the human physical system is known as Yang (one of the antitheses of Chinese philosophy and medicine), but it needs to be in harmony with Yin, the mental system. Human beings are a huge, complex system, with advanced mental activities. They need to receive all kinds of external information and chain-react to such information. He then pointed out that the physical states can be divided into static state and transient state, leading to the key concept of the transition state. He then delved into Tsien Hsueshen’s concept of the dynamics of the functional state. From there, he introduced five types of transition states: consciousness (or relaxation), smooth transition state (or healthy lifestyle), the physiological stress of the transition state (medical care, exercise and physiological responses), overloading the stress transition state (excessive stimulation, acute diseases and therapeutic errors), and crisis transition state (beyond the capability of the organism). Finally, he explained the so-called specific model or the SIR model, with people’s health as its core. This is a new type of health industry that is now growing rapidly in China. At the meeting, Yu was at great pains to drum the idea of a healthy lifestyle, including sound sleep habits, into the students. Now past 80 years of age, Prof Yu charmed the young audience with his vitality and humor, with much lively exchanges and hearty laugher. It was an experience to remember.

Prof Jiang Zonglai in mid-speech

Then it was Prof Jiang Zonglai’s turn to take to the stage. He gave the audience an overview of modern biomechanics and made reference to the contributions of Fend Yuanzheng. Jiang walked the attendees through the progress from biomechanics to mechanical biology, and the current development and breakthroughs of biomechanics in China. He also introduced his own specialty of vascular mechanical biology. Looking ahead, he saw nothing but rosy prospects in the development of biomechanics in our country.

After the speechmaking, both speakers signed the Book of Messages for the SUST Lecture Hall. Yu penned a bold prediction that this University “ is bound to make outstanding contributions to the study of human health”. Jiang for his part, wrote to urge the University to “develop biomechanics for the benefit of human health” wishing the University success in making magnificent progress in this endeavor.

Prof X. Edward Guo is awarding Academician Yu Mengsun lecture certificate of Southern University of Science and Technology

Prof X. Edward Guo is awarding Professor Jiang Zonglai lecture certificate of Southern University of Science and Technology

Group photo

For two days in late April 2017, 23 and 24 to be exact, a delegation from our University, led by our founding Dean Prof X. Edward Guo called successively on three universities, i.e.Hebei University of Technology, Nankai University, Tianjin University. The team, in addition to the Dean, was composed of Executive Dean Prof Chen Fangyi, Prof Wu Changfeng, and Associate Professor Tang Bin. They were there to get acquainted with the latest developments in teaching, research and talent-building in these three peer institutions. They were also there to talk collaboration.

The Dean in full flow

Prof Guo kicked off the visit on the morning of the 23^rd by giving a lecture on “Building a Research Career: My Personal Experience” at the Biophysics Institute at Hebei University of Technology. Presiding over the proceedings was Prof Zhan Yong, Director of the Institute. Interestingly, Prof Guo began his speech by quoting Confucius as it related to his life and development, followed by valuable insights from his research in the United States in the prime of his life. Prof Guo had the audience lapping up his words of wisdom. He must have been pleased by the passionate discussions that ensued. After the lecture, the visiting scholars were given a guided tour of the laboratory.

Waiting to get into the lab

Later, in the afternoon, our delegation headed for the Institute of Life Science at Nankai University. They were graciously hosted by Prof Kong Deling, Director of the Key laborary of bioactive materials of the Ministry of Education, as well as Prof Wang Shufang. The Director introduced the personnel of the key lab and their scientific research. After mutual briefing, the two sides reached an understanding or intent to begin exchange visits and research cooperation. Finally, they were given a VIP tour of the key lab.

The fruits of friendship

The second day of the itinerary was taken up by a visit to the Institute of Precision Instruments at Tianjin University where they were warmly received by the Director of Tianjin Key Laboratories of Biomedical Detection Technology and Instruments. They were delighted to be given an insider’s look at the lab.

All eyes on you

About the Three Universities:

The discipline of Biological Physics at Hebei University of Technology was established in 1999. A year later, it was granted the right to confer Master’s degrees in Theoretical Physics, and with that it began to recruit graduate students to its biophysics program. By 2002, it was further granted the right to confer Doctoral degrees in electrical engineering. With this right, they began to recruit doctoral students in biophysics. The following year, it was formally authorized to confer Master’s degrees in biophysics, and within that same year, it established the biophysics research institute. By 2012, this discipline was classified as a key academic discipline in Hebei province. A year later, the physics lab of molecular biology under the multi-discipline of Biological Physics was designated the key lab in Hebei province.

Nankai University’s Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactive Materials under the authority of the Ministry of Education was established in 1994. By virtue of its relationship with Nankai University, it was authorized to be open to the outside world by the Ministry of Education in 1996. Three years later, its name was changed to Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials under the Ministry of Education, and as such, it passed the assessment by the same ministry another three years later. Its research domain encompasses biomedical engineering, which is a cross discipline between chemistry, biology and medicine. This being so, it enjoys the right to confer Master’s degrees and Doctoral degrees in polymer chemistry and physics, biochemistry and molecular biology.

Tianjin University’s School of Precision Instrument and Opto-electronic Engineering, or School of Precision Instrument for short, was established on 2 October, 1995. It was built on the foundation of the original Precision Instrument Engineering Faculty that came into being in 1959, whose predecessor was the Precision Instrument Engineering Discipline that dated back to 1952. In 2008, it was reconstituted as “the Integrated Reform Experimental District”. By 2011 it was designated a “National Experimental School”.

The 2017 China Biomedical Engineering Conference opened in Beijing on April 21. Our university sent a strong delegation of four specialists to the event, consisting of Professor X. Edward Guo, founding Dean of our department, Associate Professor Chen Fangyi, Executive Dean, Professor Wu Changfeng, and Associate Professor Tang Bin. Our delegation was greatly cheered when our department won the title sponsorship of the Biomedical Photonics Society. Two of our delegates, Professor Wu and Professor Chen each gave a well-received speech on “Fluorescence Modulation and Optical Imaging of Polymer Quantum Dots” and Middle Ear Nondestructive Testing System Based on Phase Sensitive OCT” respectively.

Associate Professor Chen Fangyi speaking to a capacity audience

Jointly sponsored by the China Biomedical Engineering Society and the China Academy of Medical Science, the conference had a triple purpose of building an academic exchange platform for interdisciplinary biomedical engineering; furthering international cooperation and promoting the innovative development of China’s health-oriented biomedical engineering industry. To these ends, nine forums were set up with the participation of 23 professionals covering the frontiers of biomedical engineering and life sciences, includidng biomedical materials, brain science, medical imaging, medical robots, wearable technology, biological materials, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. There were also in-depth discussions on the developmental trend of medical science and technology, biomedical engineering education, innovative medical equipment, medical research and the interface between medicine, enterprise and research in biomedical engineering. Participants enthusiastically shared the latest academic research results, and went over hot-button issues in the field. They unselfishly worked together to address the many challenges facing the integration of medicine and engineering.

The Opening Ceremony

Our department the proud winner of the title sponsorship of the Biomedical Photonics Society

The theme of the conference is “integral development of medicine and engineering—leading the future through innovation”. As biomedical engineering is by definition an integrated, health-oriented and cross-discipline science, it calls for a fusion between medicine and engineering technology, especially advanced technology. It was therefore no surprise that participants at the conference came from many sectors, ranging from industry, academia, research, medicine, as well as from technology management, industry oversight, and technical review. The conference was truly a kaleidoscope of “meeting, exhibition, competition and performance.”

A huddle of academic heavyweights

The conference handed out a special “Huang Jiasi biomedical engineering award”, established by the Chinese Society of Biomedical Engineering (CSBE). This award was named after the first chairman of CSBE, to focus on the fusion between biomedical science and engineering and promote indigenous innovation and encourage clinical applications and trials, and ultimately drive innovative research. Three first-prize awards were separately won by teams led by Academician Cheng jing, Academician Yu Mengsun and Professor Fan Yubo. To ignite young people’s professional and passionate interest in this field, the conference would also give out the award for “Outstanding Paper by a Young Scientist”. It is hoped that this will bring about the infusion of fresh talent into biomedical engineering.

Group photo