Student teams of the University of Michigan-Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute (UM-SJTU JI, JI hereafter) have won three gold medals, 12 silver medals, and 16 bronze medals in the 2024 University Physics Competition (UPC), according to the official results released by the organizer recently.
UPC is an annual international contest for undergraduate students, organized by the American Physical Society and the American Astronomical Society. Teams of up to three students collaborate to apply physics principles in analyzing real-world scenarios and must submit a formal paper within 48 hours. Each competition presents two problems, with participants selecting one to solve using simulations and calculations to provide a concrete solution. This year, the problems focused on estimating the time for air leakage from a space station and evaluating power supply options for Mars. The competition emphasizes students’ innovation, academic reasoning, teamwork, and English writing skills.
The space station model diagram created by the gold-winning team A427
The JI student team A427, a gold medal winner, chose the problem of estimating air leakage time from a space station. They accounted for the compressibility of gas under high pressure differences and applied aerodynamic principles to solve the problem. “From problem selection to modeling, from theoretical derivation to simulation, every step was challenging. We grew through discussions and collaboration, continuously learning and adjusting. When facing difficulties, we analyzed the issues together, explored new solutions, and supported each other. Winning the gold medal is exciting, but the most valuable part was the knowledge gained, the experience accumulated, and the strong friendship we built,” said team member Xu Ruan.
The pressure-time variation curve of the space station created by the gold-winning team A520
While reflecting on the UPC experience, Runzhe Zhang, a member of the gold-winning team A520, said: “The competition was intense, requiring us to complete problem selection, modeling, writing, and diagramming within two days. However, it significantly improved our teamwork skills. We worked together to refine the model and used AI tools to ease the workload. Staying calm and focusing on each step was the key to our success.”
The pressure-time variation curve of the space station created by the gold-winning team A422
“The competition tested not only our technical skills but also our mindset. A critical error emerged in the model we were initially confident about, leaving us with limited time to adjust. It required us to stay calm, make tough decisions, and support each other as a team,” said Hongyi Jiang, a member of the gold-winning team A422.
A total of 681 teams from worldwide universities attended this year’s competition. SJTU teams mainly composed of JI students started to participate the annual event from 2012. JI students have maintained strong performance over the past five years, winning a total of 8 gold medals, 41 silver medals and 43 bronze medals.
