Nobel laureate gives talk at UM on the development of Solid-State Lighting

The International Workshop on Solid-State Lighting of LED and Laser Diode, co-organised by the University of Macau (UM) and the Physical Society of Macao, was held at MGM MACAU. Prof Shuji Nakamura from the University of California, Santa Barbara, the 2014 Nobel laureate in physics, as well as other renowned experts, scholars, and industry elite attended the workshop and had in-depth discussions on the latest developments, problems, and challenges in solid-state lighting (SSL). 

UM Rector Wei Zhao thanked Prof Nakamura and other guests for attending the workshop. He expressed his hope that the workshop would not only provide a platform for connecting the academics and industry, but would also help to raise public awareness of the importance of science and technology. He also expressed his hope that scientific research will grow together with the gaming industry in Macao to meet a great variety of needs in the local society.

Prof Tang Zikang, director of UM’s Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering and president of the Physical Society of Macao, reviewed the recent developments of SSL and LED. He noted that as an effective way to realise efficient use of energy, SSL technology has attracted considerable international attention over the past few years. The development of SSL now plays an important role in enhancing national welfare and people’s quality of life. The workshop is expected to promote innovation in and development of the related industries in Macao, so they can become new-technology pillar industries in Macao. 

The workshop was jointly initiated by UM, the Physical Society of Macao, the University of California, Santa Barbara, Guangdong Illuminating Engineering Society, and Tsing Hua University. It aimed to provide a platform for leading scientists in the field and industry leaders from the United States, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and mainland China to exchange ideas on the emerging trends and lighting technologies and to seek new opportunities and growth points in the optoelectronics industry. Prof Nakamura and Prof Tang served as the co-chairs of the workshop. Prof Da-Hsuan Feng, director of global affairs and special advisor to the rector at UM, was the consultant of the workshop. The workshop received great support from MGM MACAU. 

On the day following the workshop, Prof Nakamura will give a public talk at UM on the invention of high efficient blue LEDs and the future solid state lighting. He will also share his research experience with the audience.