Research field：

  Mei-Yin Chou was major in the studied of the development of nanotechnology-based material，by using  quantum mechanics principles calculations to predict the one-dimensional and two-dimensional properties of various materials,including the semiconductor nanostructure, graphene, metal thin film and hydrogen storage materials. She had wrote over 125 major thesis, and it had been cited more than 5977 times. The basic principles of quantum mechanics(the electron shell structure), optical and electronic properties, are all related to nanotechnology and has been closely followed by the world.

   Mei-Yin Chou believed, we were living in a three-dimensional world, which been made by X、Y、Z axis. No matter how thin that object is, it still has a certain thickness on the Z axis. However, the so-called two-dimensional thin film is formed by only one layer of atoms. Although this layer of atoms have diameter and thickness also, due to the reason that  the atoms are not vertically stacked, electrons can only be transmitted on X、Y axis, but not on the Z axis, therefore it will create a two- dimensional effect.For instance, mobility can only be transmitted in quantum form; it will not scatter, therefore it will not consume any energy .

On the Path of Learning

  Mei-Yin Chou’s father died when she was three, yet she didn't disappoint him. She was accepted in the Taipei First Girls High School with the highest score. In 1980, she was the only female graduate from the department of Physics, National Taiwan University.

She was the first chairlady from Academian Sinica, Institute of Mathematics and Physics and Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences.

Reviewing her schooldays, Chou had the talents of physics. Being a student who was constantly asking “Why”, a subject consists of investigating the principles of the world and studying the mysteriousness is just her forte.

Physics of National Taiwan University was her first choice in her University Entrance Examination. Despite she was the only girl in the class, deeply understood her interest and capability and believed Physics was her thing. After her University, she went to University of California, Berkeley, and got her Master’s and Doctor’s Degree.

“Physics is a beautiful science.” She claims, Physics is the path of understanding the nature and can be other disciplines’ basic.

Chou said, although Taiwan’s education builds a strong base for her, university levels courses are all limited. There are not much space to explore and discover.

Research Breakthrough

  At first in Berkeley, Mei-Yin Chou couldn't even define a “researchable” topic. She was frightened and bewildered for a while. Until once, her instructor mentioned that a professor discovered in a cluster that has more atoms than normal and hoped she could find the reason. She thought this physical structural problem could be solved by magic numbers. She did calculations and verified her point while her instructor was giving lectures for two periods. After discussing with the instructor, she spent a week calculating in computer programs; and modified her theories for a month, and eventually presented her thesis. This experience has given Chou confidence, and has developed her problem solving ability.

The Advantage of Being a Woman

  Mei-Yin Chou always believed that females have strong intellect and intuition. Once they’ve decided to devote themselves in scientific research, they will be hard working, firm, and seek perseverance. Those are the characteristics that provide advantages for females.

Most females are lacking confidence in Mathematics and Physics; Chou deemed that this is because of the conservative point of views. “Women should understand their potential, not limiting it.”

Overseas students are openly curious, and don't care whether or not that question is silly. Mei-Yin Chou thinks Taiwanese students have the equivalent potential as overseas students; the only not-as-good is the ability of expressing themselves. Expression includes applying precise languages in the research explanations. It also includes systematical organization, to interpret conclusions into texts. Science is a community, interactions are essential to keep yourself informed and updated.

Mei-Yin Chou encourages students to inquire more during classes. A saying goes, “rather not having a book than believing everything on it”. Especially in scientific fields, lots of knowledge on textbooks is based on the current research conditions, more precise measurement may change or even overthrow the theories.

Science is the process of continuously questioning, exploring, and answering under unknown circumstances. It is hard to reach any achievements without curiosity and creativity.

Science is passing on. If our predecessors didn't lay such firm foundation, the science of 21st century would not be so influential and important; therefore, cultivating scientists and engineers for our next generation is the most important mission of scholars.

Teaching is a way of staying young. Organizing your knowledge, effectively passing to the students, keep the teachers’ jaws sharpened; they teach and learn at the same time. For Chou, watching students acquiring knowledge and aiding them to reach further, is what excites her more than researches.

Chou pointed out, even in overseas research-based universities, there is only roughly 10%-15%researches in science and mathematic fields. Scientists can contact each other and share experiments throughout communication. She suggests students in high school who are learning science to read more popular science books, in order to understand own self’s interest in every areas. Before building your basics, don't forget to enrich your self-disciplines.

Family Life

  Her father died in such young age, thus Mei-Yin Chou decided to take care of her mother. Although she is busy in researches, she go back home everyday and cook for her (despite sometimes she has to return to the laboratory afterwards).

Scientific researches have became more competitive; constantly thinking has became her way of living; simplifying things and managing time effectively is the key of how she considerate both her family and her research career.