Lecture Background

Jerome Friedman describes quantum mechanics as an essential means of understanding the microscopic world. He charts the amazing advances made in the last four decades which have enabled us to control and manipulate quantum systems.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University was founded in 1896 and is one of the oldest universities in China. Comprising 20 academic schools, two directly affiliated departments and one graduate school, it boasts over 38,000 students.

Shanghai’s population of over 20 million people makes it the largest city in China. Located at the mouth of the Yangtze River, Shanghai flourished as a centre of commerce between the East and West in the 19th and early 20th century, and in 2005 it became the world’s largest cargo port.