China’s breakthroughs in chip technology and air pollution control lead to top nominations for science prize

A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) device for integrated circuits developed by a group of scientists from Tsinghua University’s School of Mechanical Engineering is expected to win the first prize at the National Technology Invention Awards.

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The machine uses chemical and mechanical processes to polish wafer surfaces to nano-level precision and is one of five key technologies in the integrated circuit manufacturing process. In 2015, the same team delivered China’s first CMP machine, marking a milestone for domestically produced high-end integrated circuit equipment.

The shortlist also highlights several achievements in communications technology. His major 5G technology and engineering applications research by industry leading researchers such as China Mobile and Huawei Technologies was shortlisted for the top award.

Projects focused on the environment and ecology are also on the shortlist. Since China launched a national campaign to clean air pollution in 2013, the concentration of fine particles smaller than 2.5 microns, known as PM2.5, has decreased by 56 percent, according to a 2022 report in China Daily. .

Research on elucidating the causes and management of PM2.5 pollution and an invention that prevents and controls groundwater pollution in the Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei regions were both shortlisted for first place.

There are 5 categories. State Natural Science Award. National Technology Invention Award. State Science and Technology Advancement Award. State Excellence in Science and Technology Award. Received the China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award.

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Chinese scientists try to stop glaciers from melting with innovative thermal blankets

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According to statistics compiled last Thursday by kejiangzaixian, a mainland social media account that analyzes Chinese science awards, in the first three categories, the average pass rate from nomination to first shortlisting is 18~ It’s in the 24 percent range.

These projects also face additional competition. For example, in the case of the National Technology and Invention Awards, five inventions have been selected as candidates for the top prize in 2023, but only one or two of them usually win the top prize.

A researcher at the China Environment Planning Institute under the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, whose project was listed, told the Post that this was just an initial assessment and the research team was still awaiting further evaluation. . notification.

Initially, three studies were nominated for the top state Natural Science Award, two of which were related to advanced materials.

A group of physicists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences could win the top prize for their innovation in calculating and predicting the topological properties of materials, which could make the search for topological materials much easier.

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Another team from Yanshan University in northern Hebei province was recognized for creating a class of materials that are harder and more durable than natural diamonds.

Several biologists from Zhejiang University are likely to win first prizes for their contributions to research into the brain mechanisms underlying emotions and social behavior.

In the field of technology, Chinese researchers and engineers have been recognized for making significant advances in fields such as agriculture, energy, mega-infrastructure, and ecology.

Systems designed to ensure safe drinking water were also shortlisted.

In geology, technology that helps engineers analyze the stress tolerance of large rock formations to determine the stability of mining operations, as well as advances in deep exploration and land-based seismic exploration, were expected to win the top prize. .

Meanwhile, technology to safely and efficiently develop offshore wind power generation is also considered a top candidate as China transitions to green energy.

In the chemical and materials field, discoveries such as new membrane technology for seawater desalination and high-performance membranes for lithium-ion batteries also made the list.

Significant innovations in the production of edible and medicinal mushrooms, the genetic engineering of watermelons, and the green and intelligent production of polyester fibers are also recognized.

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A major U.S.-China scientific cooperation agreement is about to end

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The award was established by the State Council of China in 1999 to promote the development of science and technology. But over the past two decades, the award system has been mired in controversy, with some critics saying it’s not scientific enough or transparent enough.

In 2011, the Ministry of Science revoked the second-place award in the National Science and Technology Progress Award category after an investigation revealed data plagiarism and falsification in the design of a refrigerant compressor.