The Department Physics and Astronomy is hosting an international visitor: Prof. Dr. Hai-Hu Wen from Nanjing University in China will be with us from May through July. The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation has awarded him the Humboldt Research Award—upon the recommendation of Bochum-based researchers Prof. Dr. Anna Böhmer and Prof. Dr. Ilya Eremin. The prize honors outstanding scientists from abroad whose research and scientific contributions have gained international recognition. The award enables the recipients to carry out research projects of their own choosing in collaboration with German colleagues.
Pioneer of new superconductors
Wen is recognized worldwide for his pioneering work on new superconducting materials and his research on complex high-temperature superconductors. He founded the Center for Basic Research on Superconductivity at Nanjing University, which has become a leading institution in Asia. The center promotes global academic exchange and research into the physics and materials science of superconductivity. He also founded the Nature-based journal npj Quantum Materials together with colleagues.
The start of a long-standing collaboration
At Ruhr-Universität, the surface physicist works closely with Eremin's Theoretical Solid State Physics group and Böhmer's Experimental Solid State Physics group. Together they will deal with current issues in the field of unconventional superconductors. These are materials that can conduct electrical current at high temperatures without resistance. In contrast to conventional superconductors, whose behavior is explained by the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer theory, the complex mechanisms of unconventional superconductors are not yet fully understood and offer exciting opportunities for research into new superconducting applications and mechanisms. During his stay in Germany, Wen will also visit other research groups working in the field of superconductivity in order to intensify scientific exchange and develop new collaborations. Further research visits are also planned over the next 5 years.
Photo: Prof. Dr. Hai-Hu Wen in the laboratory, provided by Nanjing University