Leading Research

Finding Order in a Swirl of Information

Society is entering an information age driven by software, with billions of people having internet access. As the technological basis for artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, software engineering is having an impact on every aspect of life, including health and nutrition, medical diagnosis and treatment, visual arts and entertainment, and transport. At the College of Software of Nankai University, established in 2001, researchers are meeting the demand for intelligent software, with breakt

Transforming Life through Chemistry

Transforming life through chemistryNankai’s College of Chemistry pursues innovative research that furthers social development.The College of Chemistry at Nankai University has a history that can be traced back to the institution’s beginning in 1919. Leveraging its traditional strength in chemical synthesis, the school has developed applications in functional materials and biomedicine.From their pioneering work in agricultural chemicals in 1950s, to recent development of green herbicides, clean e

Zooming in on the Future of Computer Science

Nankai’s College of Computer Science has built on that experience to address national strategic issues by developing technologies in image processing and analysis, big data analysis and knowledge management, as well as distributed computing and 5G network architectures.Produced byThe AI capturing feature for Huawei’s Mate 10 was based on powerful computer algorithms, and inspired by the way humans perceive visual data. Credit: GRAFVISHENKA/GETTYSmartphones can use artificial intelligence (AI) to

Forging a Perfect Combination

Scientists at Nankai University are solving industrial problems by merging cutting-edge optical engineering with conventional electronic information technology.Produced byCredit: MIRAGEC/GETTYNankai University’s College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering was established in 2013, emerging from a strong bedrock of physics at the university that started a century ago. Since then, its researchers have been searching for solutions in clean energy, biomedicine, optoelectronics, and comm

A Case Study in Development of Material Science

Boosted bystronginvestmentandadrivetomakeadifference,NankaiUniversity’sSchoolofMaterialScienceandEngineeringisforging aheadwithdiscovery

A Clean Sweep for Air, Earth and Water

Nankai Universitys College of Environmental Science and Engineering (CESE) is among the earliest providers of environmental science education in China. It is focused on understanding environmental processes and the underlying mechanisms, and developing novel technologies for pollution control. The colleges research ranges from environmental geochemistry and toxicology to designing technology for real-time air pollution monitoring. CESE researchers are responding to urgent environmental protectio

Biotech Brilliance Bears Fruit for Discovery

Now housing two institutes covering biotechnology and applied physics, TEDA College explores new models for research and education innovation, leveraging Nankai’s strengths and the expertise of its industrial partners in commercializing research.The papaya was the first genetically modified organism to have its genome mapped.Credit: STUDIO BOX/GETTYA partnership between Nankai University and the Tianjin Economic and Technology Development Area (TEDA) led to the launch of TEDA College in 2000. No

Shining a Light on Applied Physics

With strong roots in optics and photonics, TEDA Institute of Applied Physics (TIAP) of Nankai University, founded in 2003 and located in the heart of the Tianjin Economic and Technology Development Area (TEDA), is known for combining basic and applied research, as well as interdisciplinary research that integrates condensed matter physics, information science and technology, materials science, and life sciences. It builds on Nankai’s traditional strengths to develop emerging disciplines and indu

Keeping Cyber Space Safe

Data and network security is essential for privacy and security in communication, finance, and all online transactions. In line with growing concerns about cyber security, Nankai University consolidated its research strengths in mathematics, cryptography, and computer networking, and established the College of Cyber Science in 2018. Focusing on secure artificial intelligence technologies, and improving chip and cyberspace security, researchers at the college have developed methods to safeguard s

New Heights for Artificial Intelligence

From crane control to brain control, Nankai University’s College of Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we think about AI. Established in 2018 with strong support from the central government and the Tianjin municipal government, the College of Artificial Intelligence has integrated Nankai’s strengths in automation, control, and robotic sciences, and developed AI technologies that can be applied in areas ranging from engineering to biomedicine.Produced byCredit: KTSDESIGN/GETTYHigh perfor

Break Throughs that Matter

Nankai University’s School of Physics is carrying on the strong traditions started by its creator, and one of the founders of modern physics in China, Rao Yutai.Produced byFrom experimentally detecting multi-quark states, to finely controlling optical metasurfaces, Nankai University’s School of Physics is carrying on the strong traditions started by its creator, and one of the founders of modern physics in China, Rao Yutai.In addition to conducting cutting-edge research in theoretical physics, o

New Targets of Discovery

New targets of discoveryNankais College of Pharmacy targets major public health concerns.Produced bySince established in 2007, Nankai University’s College of Pharmacy, in line with the university’s commitment to boost its capacity to serve public good, has been committed to easing patient symptoms. Integrating Nankai’s strengths in chemistry, biology, medicine, pharmaceutical science, economics and more, it educates young talented students for careers in the pharmaceutical industry and develops

Engineering New Medical Solutions

Engineering new medical solutionsFrom algorithms that mine medical big data, to intelligent diagnosis systems and surgical robots, a new interdisciplinary field, called intelligent medical engineering (IME), has emerged at the junction of engineering and medicine. The School of Medicine at Nankai University has launched China’s first IME programme to explore this.Produced byCredit: Nankai UniversityAdministering intelligent medicineWith subjects spanning intelligent drug discovery, medical robot

Pathways to Better Health

Credit: ARTBESOURO/GETTYFrom structural biology to drug discoveryTuberculosis (TB) is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide, claiming the lives of 1.6 million people in 2017 alone. Life scientists at Nankai, led by Rao Zihe, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), are investigating the molecular mechanisms behind the disease. “To end the TB epidemic and invent new, effective drugs, we need to enhance basic research,” says Rao. “New drug discovery cannot be separated from researc