At the invitation of Chen Li, Helgaker visited the College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering (CCME) at Peking University from November 24–29, 2025. During his stay, he interacted extensively with faculty members and students, including Prof. Chen Li, Prof. Yiqin Gao, Prof. Jian Liu, Assoc. Prof. Hong Jiang, and Assoc. Prof. Yunlong Xiao, as well as members of their research groups.
The XingDa Lecture by Helgaker was delivered on Friday, November 28, in tandem with a lecture by Frank Neese, Director of the Max Planck Institut für Kohlenforschung, Germany. The paired lectures drew a large and highly engaged audience.
In his lecture, “How to Combine High-Level Spectroscopy with Quantum Chemistry to Study Reaction Mechanisms”, Neese emphasized the importance of seeking chemical insight beyond numerical accuracy. He demonstrated how the integration of advanced spectroscopy with quantum-chemical calculations can unravel complex catalytic processes and metalloenzyme mechanisms.
In his talk, “The Exotic Chemistry of Ultrastrong Magnetic Fields”, Helgaker explored how the familiar rules of chemistry are profoundly modified in ultrastrong magnetic fields, comparable to those found on white dwarf stars. In such extreme environments, magnetic interactions can rival Coulomb forces, leading to strikingly unconventional molecular behavior. Covalent bonds may be weakened or destroyed, and common molecules such as methane can transform from their familiar tetrahedral geometry into perfectly planar structures. A central theme of the lecture was the need to reassess and adapt standard quantum-chemical methodologies, including density-functional theory (DFT), to ensure their reliability under non-terrestrial conditions.
Both lectures prompted lively discussions ranging from many-body quantum mechanics to the future of data-driven discovery in chemistry. Following the event, both speakers were presented with commemorative plaques in recognition of their contributions.
On Wednesday, November 26, Helgaker traveled to Tianjin, where he visited long-time collaborator Peter Taylor at Tianjin University and met with his research group.
Tianjin, a major coastal city located about 150 km southeast of Beijing, was was reached by high-speed train in just over half an hour, with the train reaching speeds of up to 347 km/h.
