On May 12th, Prof. Gong Xingao, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chancellor of Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of Technology came to Shanghai Fudan High School and gave Grade 10 students a lecture with the title of “Sunlight Light Up the “Double Carbon” — From Photoelectric Effect to Solar Cells”. Due to the space limited, the lecture was also broadcast live to Grade 11 students.

President Xi Jinping proposed at the 75th United Nations General Assembly that China will adopt more powerful policies and measures, strive to reach the peak of carbon dioxide emissions before 2030, and to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. Emission Peak and Carbon Neutrality are commitments that China has made to the international community after comprehensively considering ecological civilization and economic development. It is of great significance to the climate change and the high-quality development of China. Prof. Gong Xingao believes that to achieve these goals, we must achieve carbon emissions reduction. Because the process of using conventional energy may produce a large amount of carbon dioxide, obtaining energy directly from the sun can help us achieve the goal of “Double Carbon”.

"Although only about one-billionth of solar radiation energy reaches the earth, one hour of it can cover a year of energy consumption." Prof. Gong Xingao explained. We couldn’t use solar radiation without the photoelectric effect theory discovered by French scientist 180 years ago, that is, photons of a certain energy can "punch" electrons out of matter and the explanation of Einstein at almost 70 years after discovered it. Einstein said that if an electric field is applied near "punch" electrons to allow the electrons to move in a directional direction, and then to the solar cell that achieve the purpose of working. The invention of solar cells is inseparable from the cooperation of scientists in different fields. 

Prof. Gong Xingao explained the difference between science and technology through the application of photoelectric effect to solar cells. Science is to listen to thunder in silence, curiosity and scientific experiments without economic benefits play a key role. It is scientific revolution not the technological innovation that subverting the technology. The achievements of the national goal of  Emission Peak and Carbon Neutrality are inseparable from the development of science and technology and the effort of every scientist. At the end of the lecture, Prof. Gong Xingao encouraged the students not only to study hard, but also to take the responsibilities of society.

"What is the meaning of quantum mechanics spawned by the photoelectric effect?" "Technology is developing so fast, is the science knowledge that we have will become obsolete when we enter universities?" "If I want to become a scientist like you, what should I do now?" Prof. Gong Xingao’s wonderful lecture was highly praised by the students. During the questioning session, students raised their hands to interact, appreciated the opportunity to have face-to-face communication with the academician and showed great interest in scientific knowledge.