Physics Sample Lecture by Associate Professor Bent Weber in SPMS Lecture Theatre 5

Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter and are inherently governed by the laws of quantum mechanics. In this lecture, we will explore what is entailed to image matter at the atomic-scale, and how matter can be manipulated – atom-by-atom – to create atomic-scale electronic devices that can exploit quantum mechanical principles for information processing.

At the heart of our explorations lies the scanning tunnelling microscope (STM), which won their inventors the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1986. We will learn how the basic working principle of the STM is based on quantum mechanical tunnelling of electrons, giving rise to the STM’s unrivalled spatial and energy resolution. Finally, we will explore examples of advanced applications of STM which allow for atomic-scale manipulation of matter and coherent control of individual atomic-scale quantum systems.

Maths Sample Lecture by Associate Professor Cheong Kang Hao in SPMS Computer Lab 1

Ever heard of winning by losing? Sounds impossible, right? Welcome to Parrondo's Paradox – a concept whereby two losing strategies can be combined to produce a winning outcome! This interactive workshop is for anyone who love a good mathematical mystery and want to challenge their intuition.

We’ll start with an exciting presentation breaking down this paradox, its origins, and how it pops up in real-world scenarios, from biology to game theory. Then, get ready to code! You’ll have the chance to program your own Parrondo's games, tweak the settings, and see how losing streaks magically transform into victory.

No matter your experience level, this workshop will leave you questioning what you thought you knew about probability and strategy. Are you ready?