Institute of Mechanics Contributes to China’s First Space Metal 3D Printing

Recently, the research team from the Institute of Mechanics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) successfully completed a space metal 3D printing experiment using the microgravity metal additive manufacturing returnable experimental payload independently developed in Huairou Science City, which was carried by the CAS Space Lihong-1 Y1 vehicle. This marks China’s first returnable scientific experiment of this kind based on a rocket platform. During the mission, the team broke through key technologies including stable material transport and forming under microgravity and full-process closed-loop control. After the experiment, the payload cabin was smoothly recovered via parachute system. Researchers obtained core data such as melt pool dynamic characteristics and forming precision, accumulating valuable information for technological iteration. This breakthrough signifies that China’s space metal additive manufacturing has entered a new stage from “ground-based research” to “space engineering verification.”

Source: Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

SECUF Contributes to New Breakthrough in Quantum Computing Research

Recently, the superconducting quantum computing and simulation team from the Institute of Physics, CAS collaborated with the School of Physics, Peking University, the Institute of Theoretical Physics, CAS, Imperial College London, Technical University of Munich, and Max Planck Institute to conduct a prethermalization experiment under random multipolar driving. Relying on the independently developed 78-qubit superconducting quantum processor “Zhuangzi 2.0,” the research team clearly observed the prethermalization plateau and its lifetime power-law behavior for the first time, achieving quantum simulation’s superiority over classical numerical algorithms on this problem. The micro-nano fabrication laboratory of the Synergetic Extreme Condition User Facility (SECUF) provided key technical support for this research. Related research findings have been published in Nature.

Source: Synergetic Extreme Condition User Facility (SECUF)

EarthLab Contributes to Revealing the Critical Impact of Three-Dimensional Initial Soil Moisture Errors on Sub-seasonal Heatwave Outbreak Forecasting

Recently, the research team from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, CAS systematically revealed how optimal soil moisture initial errors with specific three-dimensional structures significantly affect forecast uncertainty of heatwave outbreaks in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River through land-atmosphere interactions. The study shows that soil moisture initial errors causing the greatest heatwave forecast uncertainty exhibit obvious three-dimensional spatial structures, mainly manifested as locally concentrated and consistent soil moisture deficits, with synergistic enhancement effects between errors in different soil layers. This research has important guiding significance for improving high-temperature heatwave forecasting. Through targeted observations and strengthening accurate characterization of soil vertical structure and land-atmosphere coupling processes, the forecasting capability for sub-seasonal heatwave outbreaks can be effectively enhanced. Related research has been published in the Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society.

Source: Earth System Science Numerical Simulator Facility (EarthLab)

BLAIC Tumor Treatment Device Advances to Engineering Prototype Stage

Recently, the “Laser Proton Knife Treatment Device” developed by the Beijing Laser Acceleration Innovation Center (BLAIC) has successfully advanced from a proof-of-concept prototype to an engineering prototype stage. The core of the laser proton knife is an ultra-high-power laser facility. Researchers focus the laser beam on a target point, instantly releasing extreme energy to bombard proton beams approaching the speed of light. After regulation and guidance, these protons enter the human body to efficiently destroy tumors while maximizing protection of surrounding healthy tissue. After five years of dedicated R&D, the peak power of the domestic laser facility has been substantially increased from 0.2 petawatts to 1 petawatt. Currently, this device has achieved the critical leap from proof-of-concept prototype to engineering prototype, formally entering a new stage of transformation toward medical devices.

Source: Beijing Laser Acceleration Innovation Center (BLAIC)

Institute of Physics and Collaborators Discover Quantized Conductance and Hidden Rashba Effect in Bi₂O₂Se Nanoribbons

The research team led by Researcher QU Fanming and Researcher LYU Li from the Institute of Physics, CAS/Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics grew high-quality Bi₂O₂Se nanoribbons based on chemical vapor deposition, fabricated nanodevices, and conducted systematic transport studies in low-temperature and high-magnetic-field environments. The team observed clear quantized conductance platforms at zero magnetic field, far exceeding previous records in nanowires and other one-dimensional systems, powerfully proving the excellent ballistic transport characteristics of this material. The research demonstrates the application potential of layered semiconductor Bi₂O₂Se in spintronic devices, while also providing an experimental platform for studying correlation effects in systems with strong electron-electron interactions. This research received technical support from the Synergetic Extreme Condition User Facility (SECUF), and related results have been published in Physical Review Letters.

Source: Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research Achieves New Progress in Research on Vegetation Greening’s Impact on East Asian Dust

Recently, researchers from the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, CAS addressed the core scientific question of “how to clarify the multi-timescale driving mechanisms of dust changes within a unified framework,” taking the Mongolian Plateau and surrounding Gobi-desert areas as main dust source regions. By integrating physical dust emission models, multi-source long-term observational data, and CMIP6 future scenario simulations, they constructed an analysis framework distinguishing different timescales. Results indicate that dust prevention and control should not be judged solely based on short-term weather or extreme events, but should emphasize the influence of slowly evolving land surface ecological processes. The research reveals the impact of vegetation changes on dust from a long-term timescale, providing scientific basis for ecological restoration in East Asian arid regions, regional sustainable development, and related policy formulation. The research received technical support from the Earth System Science Numerical Simulator Facility (EarthLab). Related results have been published in Nature Communications.

Source: Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences