▎HONOR

In 1934, a tiny spark observed by a research team in a darkened laboratory led to a landmark achievement in Asian science. Under the leadership of Professor Bunsaku Arakatsu, researchers at what is now National Taiwan University constructed Asia's first linear particle accelerator. On July 25, 1934, the team successfully accelerated particles and induced the fission of lithium nuclei—the first successful experiment of its kind conducted in Asia. Although the original accelerator was moved to Kyoto University in 1936, NTU physicists constructed an identical accelerator in 1948, which remained in operation until 1985. The NTU Physics Museum, established in November 2005, was curated around this remarkable story following the complete restoration of the accelerator by retired Department of Physics staff and historians. The restoration project was initiated and carried out during the tenure of Professor Ching Ray Chang as Chair of the Department of Physics.

In 2025, Professor Chang submitted the history of the accelerator to the IEEE History Committee. In May 2026, the IEEE Milestone Program officially recognized the linear particle accelerator as one of fewer than 400 IEEE Milestones worldwide. The IEEE Milestone Program honors landmark achievements in engineering, computer science and information technology, the physical sciences, biological and medical sciences, mathematics, technical communications, education, management, and law and policy.

To commemorate this achievement, NTU will hold an unveiling ceremony on November 9, 2026, honoring the pioneering researchers whose passion, know-how, perseverance, and scientific vision made possible the construction of Asia's first linear particle accelerator.

The Physics Museum, located on the ground floor of Building No. 2 on NTU's main campus, welcomes visitors to experience this newly recognized milestone in the history of science and technology.