Core Viewpoint - The article commemorates the life and contributions of Yang Zhenning, a renowned physicist and Nobel laureate, highlighting his significant impact on modern physics and his dedication to education and national development [1][5][9]. Group 1: Contributions to Physics - Yang Zhenning is recognized as one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century, with foundational contributions to modern physics, including the Yang-Mills theory and the concept of parity violation in weak interactions, which earned him the Nobel Prize in 1957 [1][4]. - His work laid the groundwork for the standard model of particle physics, comparable to Maxwell's equations and Einstein's general relativity [1][4]. - He made significant advancements in various fields, including statistical physics and condensed matter physics, influencing the development of these disciplines [1][4]. Group 2: Educational Impact - Yang Zhenning established the Institute for Advanced Study at Tsinghua University in 1997, significantly contributing to talent recruitment and academic development [3][7]. - He actively participated in mentoring students and guiding research, emphasizing the importance of independent thinking and broad knowledge acquisition [7][8]. - His efforts in promoting education and scientific research in China have had a lasting impact, with many scholars benefiting from his initiatives [6][8]. Group 3: National Pride and Contributions - Yang Zhenning expressed a deep sense of national pride and contributed to changing perceptions of Chinese scientists on the global stage [5][6]. - He played a crucial role in fostering Sino-American academic exchanges and supported the development of scientific policies in China [6][9]. - His return to China and subsequent contributions were driven by a desire to support the nation's scientific progress and education [5][6]. Group 4: Legacy and Influence - Yang Zhenning's life exemplified a commitment to truth-seeking and excellence in science, inspiring future generations of scholars [4][5]. - His passing prompted widespread mourning and reflection on his contributions, with many expressing a desire to carry forward his spirit of dedication and patriotism [9]. - The article emphasizes the importance of learning from Yang Zhenning's character and contributions to continue advancing science and education in China [9].

Core Insights - Scientists at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology have developed a nearly frictionless, freely suspended rotating graphite rotor, addressing the long-standing issue of "eddy current damping" in macroscopic levitation systems [1][2] - This advancement opens new avenues for high-precision measurements and quantum research, as it allows for the isolation of experimental subjects from external disturbances [1] Group 1 - The rotor's torque and angular momentum can be utilized to measure physical quantities such as gravity, pressure, and momentum, with the potential for significantly improved experimental accuracy in a contactless, freely suspended state [1] - Unlike micro-scale devices that rely on complex optical or electrical systems, this macroscopic system can achieve magnetic levitation at room temperature, offering a simpler structure and better environmental adaptability [1] - The research team demonstrated that perfect axial symmetry in the system can completely eliminate eddy current damping, which is crucial for enhancing measurement precision [2] Group 2 - The newly designed rotor is expected to serve as a core component for high-precision sensors at millimeter and even micrometer scales, with applications in high-sensitivity gyroscopes [2] - Additionally, the rotor can enter a quantum state at low temperatures, facilitating the exploration of vacuum gravitational effects and other macroscopic quantum phenomena [2]