TBSI Graduate Story | ZHANG Chi: Every paper is like a “time capsule”

2020-07-03

Zhang Chi, a Class of 2020 master's graduate fromTsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (TBSI), majored in Material Science andEngineering. Supervised by Associate Prof. Liu Bilu, he studied the mass production of 2D materials and their performance in producinghydrogen from water electrolysis under a high current density. During his master's years, he published three papers. One ofthem was published in Nature Communication (IF=12.2), and another in NationalScience Review (IF=15.7), both with him as the lead author. He filed for twoChinese invention patents, for one of which he was the first student inventor.He received the First-class Comprehensive Scholarship and the OutstandingThesis Award from Tsinghua SIGS.

Every paper is like a “time capsule”

Q: What is it like to publish a paper in an SCI journal?

The first page of Zhang’s paper inNational Science Review

Prof. Novoselov, who discoveredgraphene and received the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics, wrote a highlight article in which he applauded Zhang Chi's research.

Zhang: Publishing a paper in an SCI journal is a long journeythat requires perseverance, carefulness, and patience. The research directionreflects one’s personal vision and awareness. It also has much to do with the capabilities of the author's supervisor and research group. When you choose among a variety of alternatives, have anin-depth discussion with your supervisor, because that steers you away fromdesign flaws hard to detect on your own. When you have kick-started anexperiment, work closely with peers in the research group.Besides, conduct regular reviews, and make reports accordingly, which helps parlay the experiment into a paper.

When I knew my paper was accepted, I felt grateful, for the fact that my hard work finally paid off, for therecognition of industry experts, and for the help I received from my supervisorand research group. Every paper is like a time capsule that stores memories,which are about my bond with my supervisor and research group. For me, thosememory are the most precious part of the whole process.

Open eyes to the world

Q: During your master's years, you took part in quite a fewinternational exchange program. What did you get from those activities?

Zhang: I must thank TBSI, and my supervisor for providing mewith opportunities to see the world and broaden my horizons. I participated intwo international exchange programs. I visited Japan as a member of TsinghuaUniversity's delegation invited by the Japanese government to attend thecelebration marking 40 years since the signing of the Treaty of Peace andFriendship between Japan and China. I also went to France for E-MRS SpringMeeting 2019, where I delivered an oral report.


Visiting Japan as a member of Tsinghua University's delegation

In Japan, I stayed with a host family. It was an ordinary ruralfamily with only two members -- a couple around age 70. The gentleman hadworked a job in the city and returned to the countryside for farming afterretirement. Every Friday afternoon, he learned English with an Americanteacher. That was a habit that he had kept for nearly 20 years. His story tellsme that we should not give up on the meaning of life and the pursuit of valueat any age.

Zhang Chi's oral report at E-MRS Spring Meeting 2019

On our tours of some top-notch research institutes, we foundthat we were almost at the same level as them equipment-wise and evenoutstripped them in certain aspects. Our good equipment, coupled with ourstrong technologies, determination, and diligence, will surely yield a largerquantity of more valuable research findings.

A witness to the construction ofShenzhen Geim Graphene Research Center

Q: What is particularly memorable about your three years atTBSI?

Zhang: I witnessed the rapid growth of TBSI. I have the clearestmemory about its annual retreat, when all the faculty members and studentsgather to talk about life and research.

As one of the 1Flab's second batch of graduate students, I have been lucky to witness thegradual development of the research group. When I first got on board, it hadonly 10-odd members. Back then, we just had a handful of research directions,and the catalysis team had barely been established. At TBSI, I have had thehonor of witnessing the research group set up Shenzhen Geim GrapheneResearch Center. Over the past three years, the membership of the researchgroup has grown nine-fold, our research directions have become moresystematic, we have fitted the lab with more equipment, and the catalysis team,which I was on, has made remarkable achievements.

Graduation photo of the catalysis team

At the institute, I got pretty close to my supervisor Associate Prof.Liu Bilu. I first saw him during the 2016 summer camp. He is always my rolemodel, because he is passionate about what he does and keeps pushing his ownlimits. Associate Prof. Liu has not only taught me knowledge, but also has influencedme with his rigorousness and pursuit of perfection, which will definitely benefitmy entire lifetime.

Balance life and work

Q: Could you use a single word to describe yourself?

Zhang: I would say 'perseverant'. That applies tolearning, research, life, and relationships. I tend to make constant efforts toachieve something. Over time, there is going to be a breakthrough.

Plus, I think that duties associated with my identity reallymatter. As a graduate student, I must be devoted to research. As a worker, Imust fulfill all responsibilities that my job entails. I am about to start mycareer. I will continue to explore how to balance life and work.

Group photo at Zhang Chi's thesis defense

Be an ordinary person who lives up toTsinghua’s education

Q: What is your plan for the future?

Zhang: Over the short term, I plan to work and get married so I have myown family. Over the long term, I plan to work for five decades without anymajor illness. Of course, I will care for my wife and parents, and I will be there for my children as they grow up. Anyway, Iwant to be an ordinary person who lives up to his Tsinghua education and harborsgreat ambitions.


Editor: Fei