【Dr. Daniel Timmer delivers an academic report on frontiers of ultrafast spectroscopy】 To further advance cutting-edge research in ultrafast spectroscopy and polariton quantum dynamics, strengthen high-level international research collaboration, and support upgrades to the ultrafast two-dimensional spectroscopy experimental platform, Dr. Daniel Timmer from Philipps-Universität Marburg, Germany, visited our research group. The visit took place at the invitation of Associate Professor Jin-Hui Zhong. During his 11-day academic visit, Dr. Timmer gave a series of frontier academic lectures. Dr. Daniel Timmer is a full-time research scholar at Philipps-Universität Marburg. He earned his PhD from the University of Oldenburg in 2024. His long-term research focuses on developing ultrafast spectroscopy techniques and exploring polariton dynamics. Dr. Timmer has published abundant research results. He also possesses a strong theoretical background and rich hands-on experimental experience. 【Dr. Daniel Timmer communicates with faculty and students of the research group in the laboratory】 The academic visit lasted from September 13 to 23, 2026. During his stay, Dr. Timmer delivered a state-of-the-art academic report. He systematically introduced the core principles and technological breakthroughs of sub-10 fs time-resolved two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy. He also shared its innovative applications and latest findings in studying coherent Rabi oscillation dynamics of polaritons. After the

Recently, PhD candidate Weiming SONG and master student Zhenhao LIAO developed a wide-field Fourier transform hyperspectral imaging method for high-throughput monitoring of electrochemical reactions, demonstrating the group’s continued progress in high-throughput in situ hyperspectral imaging and dynamic electrochemical characterization of single nanoparticles. This method enables simultaneous in situ monitoring of electrochemical reactions on hundreds of individual nanoparticles. Using the electrochemical deposition of Pd/Pt metals on Au nanoparticles as model systems, the researchers obtained “optical voltametric” information at the single-nanoparticle level and revealed distinct spectral evolution behaviors of Au nanospheres and Au nanorods during electrodeposition. This work provides a new characterization approach for high-throughput investigation of structural evolution and reaction mechanisms in electrocatalysts. Figure: Schematic of the wide-field Fourier transform hyperspectral imaging method for monitoring spectral changes of numerous nanoparticles during electrochemical reactions. These findings demonstrate wide-field Fourier transform electrochemical hyperspectral imaging as a powerful platform for high-throughput investigations of dynamic electrochemical processes at the single-nanoparticle level. The technique enables the acquisition of large datasets with high spatial resolution, high spectral resolution, and statistical reliability in a short time. It is expected to find applications in real-time control of electrocatalysts preparation, screening of electrocatalysts, and monitoring of structural evolution of battery

Our team members has conducted in-depth studies on metal plasmon–organic molecule hybrid systems. By designing metal nanoparticle–molecule hybrid systems and metal nanostructure array–molecular aggregate systems, they achieved efficient generation of molecular triplet states under weak coupling conditions and anisotropic transport and regulation of exciton-polaritons under strong coupling conditions. These two achievements were published in the international journals Nano Letters and ACS Nano, respectively. Achievement 1. Efficient generation of molecular triplet states under weak coupling conditions Molecular triplet states have important applications in fields such as photodynamic therapy and photocatalysis, but their efficient generation has always been a research challenge. Developing new sensitizers and understanding sensitization mechanisms are at the forefront of this field. In this study, 9-anthracenecarboxylic acid (ACA) was used as a model molecule to construct gold (Au) and platinum (Pt) nanoparticle–molecule hybrid systems, revealing a new mechanism by which metal nanoparticles promote the generation of molecular triplet states. Experimental results show that after molecular photoexcitation, holes are transferred to the metal nanoparticles, followed by electron spin flipping and charge recombination within the metal to form the triplet state. The Pt-ACA system exhibits a faster hole transfer process, whereas the Au-ACA system demonstrates a higher triplet state generation efficiency. Figure 1.

We are pleased to congratulate members of our research group on their recent publications in Nano Letters and Aggregate, reflecting the group’s continued progress in nanophotonics, spectroscopy, and catalytic science. Master students Zhanzhao Li and Ziwei Xu have published a research article in Nano Letters entitled “Metal Nanoparticle Enhanced Molecular Triplet Generation for Singlet Oxygen Production and Antibacterial Application”. The work investigates the use of gold and platinum nanoparticles to enhance triplet-state generation of the photosensitizer ACA, characterized by ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy, and demonstrates the application of the nanoparticle-ACA hybrid systems in singlet oxygen production and antibacterial activity. In addition, Dr. Naiying Hao has published a research article in Aggregate entitled “In Situ SERS Study of Electrocatalytic CO₂RR on Au@Pd Bimetallic Catalysts: From Isolated Single Atoms to Monolayer of Pd”. This study employs in situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to systematically investigate the electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction reaction on Au@Pd bimetallic catalysts, revealing structure–activity relationships from isolated single atoms to Pd monolayers. These achievements highlight the group’s interdisciplinary research strengths in advanced spectroscopy, plasmonic nanostructures, and energy-related catalysis, and demonstrate the sustained academic impact of both current and former group members.

The 13th International Conference on Advanced Vibrational Spectroscopy (ICAVS13) and the 5th International Conference on Enhanced Spectroscopy (ICES5) were successfully held in Xiamen University, Fujian Province from November 30 to December 5, 2025. The conferences brought together top experts and young scholars worldwide from fields such as vibrational spectroscopy, enhanced spectroscopy, nano-optics, and ultrafast science to discuss the latest advancements in spectroscopic technologies and their interdisciplinary applications. Professor Jinhui Zhong and Master student Zhanzhao Li and Ziwei Xu attended the conference and presented the latest research.  Professor Jinhui Zhong delivered a talk titled “Ultrafast Carrier Dynamics and Anisotropic Propagation of Molecular Exciton–Surface Plasmon Polaritons“, showcasing the latest research progress of the group in the strong-coupling system. During the conference poster session, Zhanzhao Li and Ziwei Xu presented their latest research findings on “Enhancing Triplet Formation in Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons via Plasmonic Nanoparticles“. During the presentations, they actively communicated with scholars from around the world, and their performance fully demonstrated the solid academic literacy and promising research potential of graduate students from our university. Participation in the conferences in Xiamen not only provided the research group with a crucial platform to showcase their latest scientific achievements but also created favorable opportunities

From August 18 to 21, 2025, the 15th Asia-Pacific Conference on Near-Field Optics (APNFO 15) was grandly held in Bali, Indonesia. Professor Jinhui Zhong was invited to attend this prestigious academic event and delivered an academic presentation. The Asia-Pacific Conference on Near-Field Optics is one of the most influential international conferences in this field. It aims to bring together leading scholars, researchers, and industry experts from the Asia-Pacific region and around the world to exchange and discuss the latest research progress and development trends in near-field optics, nanophotonics, super-resolution imaging, and other related frontier technologies. During the conference, Professor Zhong delivered a presentation titled “Ultrafast Carrier Dynamics and Enhanced Propagation of Exciton-Polaritons”. He shared the latest research progress achieved by his team, whose innovative ideas and solid experimental results sparked great interest and lively discussions among the attending experts and scholars. After the presentation, Professor Zhong also engaged in in-depth academic exchanges with several international peers and explored potential directions for future collaboration.

From July 27 to 31, 2025, Professor Jinhui Zhong was invited to attend the “International Colloquium on Spectroscopy (CSI 2025)” in Ulm, Germany. During the conference, he actively participated in discussions on several cutting-edge topics and delivered an invited talk titled “Enhanced Propagation and Ultrafast Carrier Dynamics of Exciton-Polaritons”. Colloquium Spectroscopicum Internationale (CSI 2025) is one of the longest-standing, most prestigious and influential international conference series in the field of spectroscopy. It brings together spectroscopy experts, researchers and students from the global academic community, industry and government laboratories to exchange the latest research findings, technologies and applications. Professor Zhong’s invited talk on this occasion fully demonstrates the recognition of his research capabilities and academic contributions by the international academic community, and also effectively enhances the international reputation of our university in this research field. Taking advantage of this trip to Germany, Professor Zhong, at the kind invitation of Professor Christoph Lienau from the University of Oldenburg in Germany, made a special post-conference visit to the university for an in-depth academic exchange lasting several days. This visit was particularly meaningful for Professor Zhong, as he had previously carried out postdoctoral research at the University of Oldenburg from 2017 to 2021, forming

From May 9 to 12, 2025, Professor Jinhui Zhong, Ph.D. candidate Kaizhen Liu, and Master’s student Niu Xu attended the “1st National Conference on Surface and Interface Science of the Chinese Chemical Society” in Chengdu. The “National Conference on Surface and Interface Science” is held biennially to comprehensively showcase the latest research advances in surface and interface-related fields in China, promote disciplinary development, and contribute to the growth of China’s new quality productive forces. Professor Zhong delivered an invited talk titled “Investigating Charge and Energy Transfer Processes Using High-Repetition-Rate Ultrafast Two-Dimensional Electronic Spectroscopy“. Meanwhile, Master’s student Niu Xu was awarded the “Outstanding Poster Prize” for his work titled “Reversed Charge Transfer in Type I MoS₂/PtSe₂ Heterostructure Probed by Ultrafast Two-Dimensional Electronic Spectroscopy“.  

Dr. Naiying Hao, a postdoctoral researcher from our team, joined Shenzhen Xin Kailai Technology Co., Ltd. in February 2025 to engage in semiconductor-related research and development. During her postdoctoral tenure, Dr. Hao actively contributed to multiple R&D projects, demonstrating solid theoretical expertise and outstanding engineering capabilities. Her work significantly advanced technological innovation within the team. Our team extends sincere congratulations to Dr. Hao on the successful completion of her postdoctoral fellowship. We are confident that she will continue to leverage her professional strengths in the industrial sector, achieving new milestones in the semiconductor field. Furthermore, we look forward to maintaining close collaboration with Dr. Hao and Xin Kailai Technology Co., Ltd. in the future, jointly promoting synergistic innovation in industry-academia-research partnerships to drive technological advancement.

Dr. Hao He, Research Assistant Professor of our team, officially joined Sun Yat-sen University (Shenzhen) as an Assistant Professor in March 2025. During his tenure as a Research Assistant Professor in our team, Dr. He Hao achieved prolific research outcomes, publishing multiple high-level academic papers and securing several research projects, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) – General Program. His exceptional research capabilities and academic potential were fully demonstrated, and his contributions significantly advanced the development of our team, earning deep respect and recognition from colleagues and students. Our team extends heartfelt congratulations to Dr. He Hao on his new appointment. We are confident that he will continue to leverage his academic expertise to achieve even greater accomplishments in his new role. Furthermore, we look forward to fostering more academic exchanges and collaborations with Dr. He Hao and Sun Yat-sen University (Shenzhen) in the future, working together to advance scientific research and educational development.

Recently, Niu Xu, a 2022 master’s student from the research group, was awarded the 2024 National Scholarship of Southern University of Science and Technology after a rigorous evaluation process. This prestigious honor recognizes his outstanding academic achievements, solid research capabilities, and excellent overall performance, fully demonstrating his exceptional accomplishments during his graduate studies. Warm congratulations to Niu Xu on this remarkable achievement!

On the afternoon of December 31, 2024, a warm and harmonious atmosphere filled the research group. A unique and exciting mooncake gambling activity was held enthusiastically to jointly celebrate New Year’s Day and welcome the dawn of the new year. At the event site, laughter and cheerful voices intertwined, and the atmosphere was lively and joyous. All members of the research group gathered together, sharing this warm and pleasant moment, and their friendship grew and became stronger in this cheerful atmosphere. It is particularly worth mentioning that this activity received full support from Lubang Optoelectronics. We would like to express our sincere gratitude here. This support not only provided a solid guarantee for the smooth progress of the activity but also demonstrated the enterprise’s attention and care for the cultural construction of the scientific research team. It inspired all members to continue to strive forward on the path of scientific research, bravely scale new heights, and write a new chapter in the new year with even greater enthusiasm and high spirits.