On March 16th, Heinrich Rohrer, winner of the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physics and one of the inventors of the scanning tunneling microscope (STM), gave a highly anticipated and well attended speech “From Einstein to Nanometer Science”at the Luojia Forum.

Rohrer’s discussion ranged from Einstein’s research and theories through the development and revolution of nanotechnology and modern advancements in science and technology.

Rohrer later mentioned his affection for Wuhan, “I have been to Wuhan in 1988 and visited Yellow Crane Tower. What left a deep impression on me was that 4 students accompanied me as tour guide without charges.”

When responding to student questions, Rohrer emphasized the importance of faith in the potential of science and creativity in advancing science. He also encouraged young students that through their diligent studies and perseverance they could help scientific advancements reach new heights.

Heinrich Rohrer was born in Switzerland in 1933. Together with his colleague, he developed the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) in 1981. By employing STM, they were able to observe the periodically arrayed silicon atom on the surface of silicon single crystal, the first time when people could see individual atoms directly. From this foundation, scientists have developed about 20 scientific instruments that have been used in the exploration of the sub-atomic world, helping usher in an era of international nanoscience research. Rohrer was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1986 for the invention of the STM.