To further enhance the international competitiveness of South China University of Technology (SCUT), align the soft matter science courses with global education standards, expand students’ international experiences, as well as support SCUT’s “Double First-Class Initiative” construction, School of Emergent Soft Matter (SESM) successfully held the 2nd Research Frontiers in Soft Matter Sciences Summer School from July 17 to August 2, 2023. During the two-week period, 15 distinguished scientists and professors were invited to deliver a series of insightful lectures to our undergraduate students. They all come from top universities and research institutions worldwide, such as University of Pennsylvania, University of South Carolina, Case Western Reserve University, University of Akron, McMaster University, Queen's University, University of Tokyo, and French National Center for Scientific Research.

This summer school was conducted offline and has completed about 90 hours of all-English lectures. By providing lectures on different topics in soft matter basics, soft matter applications, and soft matter characterization fields, the summer school aimed at popularizing the basic knowledge of soft matter science for students, as well as introducing students to the latest international research advancements in these research areas.

Among the invited scholars was Professor Shibayama Mitsuhiro from the University of Tokyo, an internationally recognized leader in neutron characterization technology. His course “Light Scattering and Neutron Scattering” introduced the construction of Japan’s Proton Accelerator Research Device (J-PARC), also Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) and proton accelerator experimental equipment in Dongguan, China, to demystify large scientific devices for students. He also explained the basic principles of scattering methods in a simple way so that students can understand the similarities and differences in the application range of different scattering methods.

Professor Bernard Lotz from French National Center for Scientific Research has been deeply involved in polymer crystallography for nearly 50 years, to optimize the mechanical properties of polymer materials. In this summer school, he systematically shared his experience in studying polymer crystallization using different characterization methods. Professor Lotz emphasized the importance of meticulous observation and data analysis in experimental science. He also introduced the analysis of the crystal structure of polyethylene, polypropylene and other systems by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, helping students understand the formation of multi-level structures from atomic scale to micron scale. At the end of his lecture, Professor Lotz encouraged the students to devote themselves to the research of polymer crystallization.

The successful hosting of this summer school has facilitated the internationalization work of South China University of Technology (SCUT) and School of Emergent Soft Matter (SESM), strengthened the communication with overseas universities, and supported cultivating more high-level innovative talents. At the same time, it has promoted international exchanges and development in soft matter science discipline.