Sharing the love of engineering physics with the world.

Recalling his decision to choose Engineering Physics in 2021, Man Anh Minh admits he was a bit reckless when he selected the PH1 major. He has a soft spot for Hanoi University of Science and Technology because of its proud academic tradition and the outstanding individuals who have graduated from it. With the simple thought that he liked the university and was best at Physics, Minh entered the Engineering Physics department, beginning four years of growth filled with invaluable experiences. The magic of nanoparticles and the warmth of the C10 classroom.

After four years studying Engineering Physics - PH1, Faculty of Engineering Physics, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Minh realized that natural science is like a magnet; the deeper one delves into research, the more captivated one becomes by the desire to unravel the mysteries of the world. During his studies, Minh often likened his work to a "magic trick" to help his acquaintances easily visualize this novel field. The student frequently recounts a story about a glass of water that turned a deep pink due to contamination with the industrial dye Rhodamine B. He explained that by adding tiny particles and then shining light on it, the water would gradually become clear without the need for any additional cleaning chemicals. In reality, behind this transformation lies a complex "photocatalytic" mechanism. When these nanoparticles absorb light energy, they release free radicals that break down the structure of organic pollutants, sustainably purifying the water. This visual representation helps people understand that the path he is pursuing is to bring research from the laboratory into real life, creating smart materials to solve challenging problems in life.

Man Anh Minh and Dr. Nguyen Nhat Linh on the day of their graduation thesis defense.

Knowledge of physics and semiconductor components, microelectronics technology, and analytical physics techniques provided a solid foundation for Minh's research on ZnO nanomaterials. His thesis, "Fabrication and Investigation of the Optical Properties of ZnO Nanomaterials for Application as a UV-Resistant Coating on Cotton Fabric," was a significant achievement during his student years. This marked the first time he stepped beyond academic theory in the lecture hall to directly conduct experiments, measurements, and analyze real-world data. Although the results were modest at the time, the research served as a frame of reference, helping Minh see his own maturity compared to his initial hesitant beginnings. The growth of this outstanding student, graduating with a GPA of 3.63, bears the strong imprint of the dedicated teachers at the Department of Engineering Physics. Minh is always grateful to Professor Dr. Nguyen Huu Lam, a teacher who always creates space for students to think for themselves and figure things out on their own… This freedom within a framework helped Minh learn how to delve deeply into and understand problems completely and comprehensively. In addition, his connection with Dr. Nguyen Nhat Linh at the Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, opened up Minh's first steps into the field of cold plasma physics. Dr. Linh was both a teacher and a mentor, guiding Minh in research on the fabrication of flexible plasma emitters for external wound sterilization, building automated plasma systems to improve experiment efficiency, and designing an in-situ UV-Vis measurement system for real-time monitoring of chemical reactions. The Polytechnic Identity and Cross-Continental Steps: At the Polytechnic, academic and exam pressure is notoriously fierce, yet Minh has a very unique approach. The engineering physics student from PH1 maintained a disciplined schedule, starting his studies and research at 8 a.m. and finishing at 6 p.m. This perseverance earned Minh well-deserved academic rewards: a Grade A scholarship and the prestigious Odon Vallet scholarship. To keep his mind from becoming numb to numbers and machines, Minh joined the Hanoi University of Technology Book Lovers Club. From an introverted and shy young man, his role as Head of Content helped him become more confident in communication. Minh discovered an interesting contrast: scientific research demands absolute precision, while literature attracts with its ambiguity and unanswered questions. Thanks to this, his reading habit and love of literature became a quiet space for him to take a break from the complex experiments, nurturing the inspiration to continue on his chosen path. But that's not all; Minh is also a member of the PR SEP media team, trying his hand at content creation, image building, and spreading inspiring stories of engineering physics students at the Polytechnic University. The dynamic environment helped Minh learn to balance reason and emotion. For this PH1 student, friendships at the Polytechnic University are also incredibly wonderful. Minh still remembers the afternoon he and his friends sat in the Ta Quang Buu library, each holding a doctoral dissertation, trying to find the answer to a difficult problem posed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luong Huu Bac – a lecturer in the Engineering Physics Department. It's a naive memory of his first encounter with academic research materials as a second-year PH1 student.

Minh with engineering and international students at the University of Wyoming, USA

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Photo 3. Minh and professors at the IWAMSN 2024 International Conference.

Stepping into the international environment, the knowledge and confidence honed at the Polytechnic University helped Minh become more self-assured and resilient. His internship at the University of Wyoming (USA) in the summer of 2025 was a major turning point, as Minh was the only engineering physics student selected to participate alongside a group of students from other fields. In the early days in the US, Minh and the other Polytechnic students faced difficulties due to the 11-hour time difference and the pressure of academic exchange in specialized English. However, the perseverance and effort of the Polytechnic students, along with his IELTS 6.5 certificate, helped Minh adapt quickly, leaving a positive impression on international professors. At the University of Wyoming, Minh participated in the research "Conversion of coal to graphene using metal-catalyzed microwaves" under the guidance of Professor Teyu Chien and attended the International Conference on Magnetism in the United States. Minh's success continued when he won first prize in the 42nd University-level Student Scientific Research Competition for the 2024-2025 academic year with his project "Automated Plasma - Enhancing the Efficiency of Rhodamine B Decomposition Experiments". Previous failed experiments forced Minh to slow down and think more deeply in order to learn valuable lessons. At the IWAMSN 2024 international conference, receiving the "The Best Poster Award" brought immense encouragement to the PH1 student from the Polytechnic University. Minh felt extremely honored that his "brainchild" was listened to and received with openness and respect by foreign experts. The professors asked thought-provoking questions about its practical applications, helping him broaden his perspective on the meaning of his work. Aspiration to return home. Currently, Minh is pursuing an integrated Master's-Doctoral program at Kyung Hee University (South Korea), focusing on the research and development of flexible polymer-based electronic devices for e-skin applications. Studying and researching in a new environment with many modern devices, the foundational knowledge accumulated during his PH1 studies has helped Minh stay on track. Minh believes that the greatest value of a Polytechnic student lies in their ability to self-learn and adapt flexibly in a high-pressure environment. Looking at his classmates who are now R&D engineers at large corporations like Samsung or Viettel , this PH1 student is even more proud of the knowledge and skills he has acquired. From his initial research on nano ZnO at C10 to flexible electronic devices for future e-skin technology, Man Anh Minh is still moving forward every day with his curiosity, perseverance, and the characteristic self-learning spirit of Polytechnic students. Despite having traveled extensively and been exposed to cutting-edge technology, Minh's biggest dream is to return to the Polytechnic University as a lecturer. He hopes to continue the passionate legacy of his mentors, such as Professor Nguyen Huu Lam – who always creates the best conditions for students; Professor Nguyen Nhat Linh – who is always tolerant and patient with his students' mistakes; Professor Luong Huu Bac, with his ever-present smile, always ready to sit down and chat with students like friends; and Professor Nguyen Cong Tu – who is always dedicated to his profession and his students. Perhaps one day soon, this young man will return to the familiar lecture halls, continuing to ignite a passion for science in the next generations of PH1 students.

* The Engineering Physics - PH1 program has specialized areas in: Optics - Optoelectronics; Semiconductor Physics and Technology; Computational Physics and Applications; * PH1 admissions are based on: Talent assessment, high school graduation exam results (A00, A01, K01), and the Thinking Skills Assessment test (K00). * With an integrated Bachelor's or Master's degree, PH1 students have the opportunity to become engineers at leading high-tech companies such as LG, Amkor, Viettel, Vinfast, Rang Dong, Qorvo, or pursue in-depth research at universities and research institutes in developed countries.

Source: https://hust.edu.vn/vi/news/hoat-dong-chung/mang-tinh-yeu-vat-ly-ky-thuat-di-khap-the-gioi-655920.html