Original title: "Always at the starting line of science" (theme)

——Recalling Wan Huilin, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and physical chemist (subtitle)

Science and Technology Daily reporter Fu Xiaobo Correspondent Cao Jingzhu Ouyang Guilian

On April 28, Wan Huilin, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a famous physical chemist and professor of the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of Xiamen University, died at the age of 86.

Wan Huilin has devoted his whole life to the research of catalytic chemistry, has always been active in the forefront of catalytic chemistry, has made a series of original major research achievements, and is the pioneer of catalytic chemistry research in China.

Be fearless on the way of innovation, and lead the way to achieve good results. This is a vivid portrayal of Wan Huilin's lifelong pursuit of truth and bravely climbing the peak of scientific research.

Devote yourself to catalysis and lifelong dedication

Catalytic chemistry has a profound impact on the development and progress of human society. More than 80% of traditional chemical processes are related to catalysis. Since entering this field, Wan Huilin has a strong sense of innovation and responsibility. He said: "Catalytic chemistry has developed very fast in the world in recent years. We should not follow others. We should be brave in innovation. We should not only make breakthroughs in basic theoretical research, but also innovate in research methods."

At that time, researchers at home and abroad mainly relied on cations to adjust the activity and selectivity of the catalyst. Wan Huilin's research group chose a unique way to study a new type of anion (i.e. fluoride ion) modulation catalyst. Because of their unique physical and chemical properties, these catalysts exhibit high catalytic performance in many chemical reactions.

After years of research and verification, Wan Huilin led the research group to clarify the nature of the catalytic effect of fluoride, and innovatively developed a series of fluorinated rare earth (alkaline earth) oxide catalysts with excellent performance, which opened up a new direction for the production of ethylene and oxygenated organic compounds from low-carbon alkane resources such as natural gas.

Wan Huilin's scientific research has always been at the forefront because of his strong sense of innovation. In his life, he has cooperated with his teachers and colleagues to publish more than 600 papers and one monograph in domestic and foreign journals; It has won two third prizes of the National Natural Science Award, two first prizes and three second prizes of the Ministry of Education's Science and Technology Progress Award, and more than 40 national invention patents, as well as the China Catalytic Achievement Award.

Wan Huilin always downplays his achievements in scientific research. He said: "I am just a person who is willing to learn. I seriously do the teaching and other tasks assigned by the organization."

In the eyes of colleagues and students, he is a typical "three no" professor, who has no Sundays, no holidays, and no rest before 12:00 p.m. Colleagues and students can often see his figure in the laboratory building as long as he does not travel on Sundays or holidays. The light in his study is always on after midnight.

In the eyes of Wang Ye, a colleague of Wan Huilin and professor of the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of Xiamen University, Wan Huilin is very strict with himself and the experimental data. His greatest interest is reading literature. Even during his field trips, he carried a large bag of literature to read at any time.

He was asked why he worked so hard?

Wan Huilin said, "I feel that I will always be at the starting line of science, and I will try my best to move forward." His interest in learning has always pushed him forward. Doing science and research has given him an indescribable sense of belonging and happiness.

Willing to be a ladder for people

While diligent in scientific research, Wan Huilin has also devoted himself to teaching, teaching professional courses for undergraduate and graduate students for a long time. In the impression of students, he gives lectures in simple terms, in clear order, attaches importance to the combination of teaching and scientific research, and can always stimulate interest and inspire thinking.

In order to give young people more time to do research, he shouldered the administrative tasks assigned to him by the college and the school. He once served as the dean of the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of Xiamen University, and the director of the State Key Laboratory of Solid Surface Physical Chemistry, during which he undertook a lot of administrative and service work.

Wan Huilin not only preaches to students, but also demonstrates how to teach them how to behave.

Long Ruiqiang, a student, remembers that more than 20 years ago, when he discussed a topic with his tutor, Wan Huilin told him frankly that he did not understand the details of the experimental device and asked him to explore it or learn from others. In Long Ruiqiang's opinion, Teacher Wan, who was speaking in front of him at that time, was already a nationally known "catalytic master". He could be arranged to ask others. There was no need to be so modest in front of a young man.

Long Ruiqiang wrote in his recollection of the article "My mentor, Academician Wan Huilin" that Mr. Wan's modest and honest attitude has had a profound impact on his life, especially in the future work, when he is ashamed to open his mouth because of problems he does not understand, Mr. Wan's words always echo in his ears.

"973" project "Catalytic Basis for Optimized Utilization of Natural Gas and Coalbed Methane" is one of the most important basic research programs in China. At that time, Wan Huilin was a newly elected academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, but he firmly recommended Bao Xinhe, who was 21 years younger than him at that time, as the chief scientist of the project, and gave full support in the subsequent work, so that the project was finally completed with high quality.

"Mr. Bao Xinhe, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and president of the University of Science and Technology of China, said," I always remember his noble quality of indifference to fame and wealth, support for future studies, and his broad mind of being a human ladder. ".

Zhang Rong, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and secretary of the Party Committee of Xiamen University, said that Wan Huilin was indifferent to fame and wealth and worked hard for governance. His lofty spirit and moral style of scientists are always worthy of learning and admiration by younger generations.