Bulletin Summer 1975

Under One Roof Progress at Science Centre Science Centre Building integration, which makes for better teaching and research, is possible. The University Science Centre, opened in April 1972, is the largest buildin g on the University campus, providing a net usable area of 206,200 sq.ft. It consists of two 5-storey parallel blocks with a circular lecture theatre complex of unusual design in between. The British Government contributed £250,000 (equal to about 4 million Hong Kong dollars) towards the total building cost of H K $16,500,000, and the Hong Kong Government paid the balance. Upon the completion of the Science Centre, the Chemistry, Biology , Biochemistry, Physics and Electronics Departments moved in, but the Mathematics Departments remained at the three Colleges pending construction of the extension. This was commenced in April 1974 and completed in April 1975, at a cost of H K $7.5 million, which was borne entirely by the Hong Kong Government. The Mathematics Departments moved into the extension in July; so did the Electronics Department, which used to occupy laboratories and offices of the Physics Department. Now, all faculty members and student s of the six Departments are working under the same roof and complete 3 New Equipment The various laboratories and diverse equipment of the Centre enable the faculty members to maintain high standards of research competence and to contribute to the advancement of their respective fields. Two notable new pieces of equipment have been installed at the Science Centre recently. Helium Liquefaction Plant The installation and testin g of a complete plant for the liquefaction of helium was completed at the University Science Centre recently. The plant, which was donated by the Volkswagenwer k Foundation, is now producing liquid helium for use in a number of research projects in the Physics and Electronics Departments of the University. Helium is a rare gas which has the lowest condensat temperature among all the elements: it is only 4.2°C above the absolute zer o degree or 269°C below the freezing-point of water. At such a low temperatu the thermal agitation of atoms and molecules