Beijing — The 2025 Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum) kicked off in Beijing, unveiling China's 10 scientific advances of 2024! Hosted by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and its High Technology Research and Development Center, the event showcased discoveries that could reshape research and innovation. 🚀
One thrilling highlight came from the Chang'e-6 mission. Samples returned from the lunar far side revealed volcanic activity 2.8 billion years ago, with basalt, breccia, glass, and light-colored rock fragments offering fresh insights into the moon's complex volcanic history.
The forum also featured the breakthrough "Taichi" photonic chiplet, achieving 160-Tera Operations per Joule energy efficiency. This innovative chiplet paves the way for energy-efficient artificial intelligence, fueling rapid advances in computing for the post-Moore era.
Researchers further unraveled the molecular mechanisms of monoamine neurotransmitter transporters. Their work identifies how psychiatric drugs interact at new binding sites, which could help in developing safer neuropsychiatric treatments.
At the nanoscale, scientists introduced atomic-scale nanolasers with reconfigurable phased arrays. These tiny lasers, even displaying the Chinese characters for "China," promise more efficient imaging solutions for IT and life sciences.
Another exciting discovery was the giant magnetocaloric effect found in a spin supersolid state, offering a new approach to ultra-low temperature refrigeration without helium-3.
Additional advances include the successful use of allogeneic CAR-T therapy for autoimmune diseases, findings on how an extra X chromosome can impair male germ cell development, and the experimental discovery of graviton modes in condensed matter—each pushing the frontier of science further.
Energy innovation reached a new peak with the creation of a high-energy-conversion-efficiency actinide-based radio photovoltaic micronuclear battery, and researchers uncovered key evidence that supermassive black holes play a crucial role in the evolution of galaxies.
Under the theme "New Quality Productive Forces and Global Technology Cooperation," the forum will run until March 31, celebrating breakthroughs that not only inspire today’s innovators but also light the way for tomorrow's discoveries.
Reference(s):
China's 10 scientific advances of 2024 released at ZGC Forum
cgtn.com
