As a researcher at NanoLund, you are encouraged to international exchange. For visiting leading international groups in nanoscience, you can apply for financial support. PhD students Linnéa Jönsson and Patrik Nilsson were among the lucky ones last year, and here’s what they thought about their trips.
What part of the stay made the biggest impression on you, and why?
“The most impressive part was seeing and experiencing how things work in China – both in everyday life and in research and education. It’s very different from what I’m used to, and it was very interesting to get an insight into it. One big difference is the competition for jobs, which is much more intense than here. It creates a lot of pressure to work hard and succeed, which is clearly reflected in the work culture,” says Linnéa Jönsson who went to the Institute of Nanoscience and Applications (INA) at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in Shenzhen, China.
PhD student Patrik Nilsson applied for the NanoLund support of international visits, seeking support for a three-month research visit to Sydney, Australia. The visit was tailored to support his main research focus, the biophysical characterisation of artificial motor proteins, which is part of an international collaboration with the goal of designing and building functional, synthetic, protein based molecular-motors.
“Our colleagues in Sydney are responsible for the biochemical synthesis of these artificial motor proteins and I believed learning some of the techniques they use firsthand would have a very positive impact on the rest of my PhD project,” Patrik Nilsson wrote in his application.
Can you tell us a little about the purpose of your trips and how you came to go?
“We have collaborators in Sydney, so the purpose was to learn the techniques and language they use to be able to collaborate better in the future,” says Patrik Nilsson.
Due to the pandemic, Linnéa Jönsson never had the opportunity during her studies to go on an exchange.
“I wanted to take the chance during my PhD. I was advised to choose a location that was different from what I was used to – an idea I really liked! At a nano-seminar in K-space, I talked to Lars Samuelson, who is now the director of INA at SUSTech, and mentioned my interest in a research exchange. A few emails later, it was all set!” she explains.
“The project was about combining SUSTech’s expertise in quantum dots, which are used in displays, with Lund’s knowledge in aerosol technology. The goal was to increase the stability and lifetime of the quantum dots by aerosolizing them via a technique called electrospray and then encapsulating them in a protective shell. This would make them more resistant to the environment and retain their properties for longer,” says Linnéa Jönsson.
One of the most important lessons learned was how crucial communication is.
Her most important takeaway from the stay is clear:
“One of the most important lessons learned was how crucial communication is. Although many people could understand English, language was still a big challenge in many situations. I tried to learn some Chinese through Duolingo, but unfortunately, it didn’t go very far!
Beyond that, I’m proud that I managed to adapt to a new everyday life and make friends, even though I was there for a rather short period of time. I’m still in touch with several of them, which is great!” Linnéa Jönsson states.
Patrik Nilsson’s biggest impression was an unexpected one:
“That there was so much to learn. Sure, there were many specific techniques that I learned. But there are also so many much more subtle things that are a bit more difficult to put your finger on, but are required to be able to collaborate well. I don’t know if I’m explaining it properly, but I think of it as tuning in to the same radio frequency,” he says.
What was the most important thing you will take away from your stay, and why?
“Broadening of horizons, seeing how people do things differently and the result of all the long discussions we could have when we were in the same place,” Patrik Nilsson says.
Their advice for others who would like to do something similar is clear:
“Do it!” says Linnéa Jönsson. “You have to take the opportunity to do something like this if you get the chance. My best advice is not to have too high expectations of exactly how everything will turn out – things rarely turn out exactly as you imagined, and some things are completely beyond your control. And don’t forget to document! Take lots of pictures and videos, it’s so much fun to have afterwards. I have cut together a small movie from my trip!”
Broadening of horizons, seeing how people do things differently and the result of all the long discussions we could have when we were in the same place.
Patrik Nilsson has an important piece of advice, too:
“If you are going to start a new project that requires you to buy reagents, do it right away – mine arrived by mail two days before I was to go home!”
They both seized the opportunity to combine their stays with some leisure, too.
“I hiked up the various hills of Shenzhen, played soccer every Friday night, attended a traditional Chinese tea party, and went to the movies several times – where they had massage chairs! I also tried a lot of tasty and exciting food, including frog, cow belly, and pig intestine,” says Linnéa Jönsson.
Even Australia had a lot to offer in terms of Chinese food, according to Patrik Nilsson:
“My partner joined me for a few weeks and did some work but then we also took some vacation and went to Queensland. But above all, I will remember all the incredibly good food in Chinatown: Yum Cha is something I will keep an eye out for forever!”
