During the 2026 Shanghai Science and Technology Festival, the School of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at ShanghaiTech University, in collaboration with the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Medical Materials and Medical Devices, hosted a laboratory open event. The event was open to primary and secondary school students, parents, and community groups, inviting the public to experience cutting-edge biomedical engineering research firsthand. Over the course of the event, multiple visiting groups arrived, including affiliates from Pudong Teaching College Affiliated Primary School, Zhangjiang Town Primary School, Pudong Jincai Experimental Primary School, the Culture and Education First Branch of the Pudong New District Committee of the Democratic League of China, and the Songjiang Science Youth League. A total of more than 200 visitors were welcomed.
The open event featured科普 lectures, laboratory tours, and hands-on interactive sessions. Visitors toured specialized laboratories including the Brain & Child Development Lab, Holographic Digital Human Lab, Advanced MRI Lab, Photon Detection and Imaging Lab, X-ray Imaging Systems Research Lab, and Wireless and Intelligent Bioelectronics Lab. Teachers and researchers explained the latest advances in brain science, medical imaging, bioelectronics, medical materials, and medical devices.
At the Brain & Child Development Lab, the Fantastic Journey into Brain Science themed activity used lively explanations, interactive games, and hands-on experiences to help young visitors understand early brain development and cutting-edge brain science. The Holographic Digital Human Lab showcased digital human modeling and medical visualization technologies. The Advanced MRI Lab introduced MRI equipment and its applications in disease diagnosis and scientific research. The Photon Detection and Imaging Lab and X-ray Imaging Systems Research Lab focused on medical imaging detection, imaging systems, and advanced device development. The Wireless and Intelligent Bioelectronics Lab demonstrated smart medical devices and bioelectronic technologies. Throughout the tours, researchers actively engaged with students and parents, patiently answering questions and creating a vibrant atmosphere.
During the event, the school also organized several science lectures for young audiences. Professor Zhiwei Ma delivered a lecture titled Seeing the Moment the Brain Thinks: Functional Imaging Takes You Through the Inner Universe of the Brain, using engaging explanations to guide children into the brain universe. Children enthusiastically asked questions such as How does the brain think? and What interesting brain activities do different animals have? Through these interactions, they learned how functional imaging reveals the mysteries of brain activity. Shiji Xiang presented Can the Brain Speak? Enter the Amazing World of Brain-Computer Interfaces, helping students understand how brain-computer interfaces read brain signals. Kaiwen Shi spoke on Introduction to Photon-Counting Spectral CT, introducing next-generation medical imaging technology. Yu Cheng gave a lecture titled MRI: Why Can It 'See' Inside the Body?, using accessible and vivid language to unravel the scientific principles of magnetic resonance imaging and help students understand how MRI non-invasively visualizes internal body structures. These lectures transformed abstract scientific knowledge into engaging content, sparking students' strong interest in life sciences, medical engineering, and future technologies.
During the Shanghai Science and Technology Festival, the BME School's laboratory open event not only showcased research achievements in medical imaging, brain science, and smart medical devices but also built a bridge between the university's research platforms and the public. Through immersive tours and interactive, the predominantly young visitors experienced the spirit of science in authentic research settings, broadened their scientific horizons, and deepened their enthusiasm for exploration and innovation. In the future, the BME School will continue to leverage its disciplinary strengths and research platform advantages to consistently deliver high-quality activities, promote the opening of cutting-edge scientific resources to the public, and contribute to improving public scientific literacy and nurturing young people's interest in scientific and technological innovation.
Staff
Lecture Presenters: Ma Zhiwei, Xiang Shiji, Shi Kaiwen, Cheng Yu
Lab Docents: Li Dandan, Fu Yuxin, Qin Linbo, Lei Yuehao, Zhang Zhihao, Yang Long, Li Yongji, Dong Zhanbin, Cui Ziang, Yue Linjie, Gao Yuxin, Ma Anni
Volunteers: Liu Kai, Wang Xin, Zhang Lingyu, Yang Yalong, Yang Luyuan, Xie Jiale, Zhou Feiyang, Zhu Jianhao, Zhu Xinchen, Shen Jianhui
Coordination: Liang Chunyan, Yang Qing, Li Dandan, Wei Zhao, Gu Yue, Ding Zhiyuan, Zhang Jinfeng
