Latest news with #ChineseAcademyofSciences'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
China builds world-first ocean ‘microscope' with half-mile resolution despite US curbs
Chinese scientists claim to have developed the world's most advanced ocean simulation system, achieving a resolution of 0.6 miles (1 kilometer). This breakthrough sets a new benchmark in global ocean modeling and defies ongoing semiconductor export restrictions imposed by the United States. The new simulation system, named LICOMK++, was created by research teams from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Atmospheric Physics and the Computer Network Information Centre. It offers unmatched precision in modeling how oceans behave and interact with climate systems. According to China's state news agency Xinhua, the simulator acts like an ocean 'microscope.' It can track detailed processes like ocean eddies and heat transport that were previously impossible to model at this scale. This improvement will drastically improve typhoons, floods, and marine heatwaves forecasting. This innovation reflects China's growing determination to achieve technological independence in critical areas, especially in the face of tight Western tech embargoes. Despite semiconductor import limitations, the team overcame performance barriers in supercomputing using custom algorithms and optimized programming strategies. 'The key to improving the accuracy of climate predictions lies in an ocean simulator,' the researchers explained. But achieving high-resolution simulations requires enormous computational power. Until now, this has been a major challenge in climate science. The LICOMK++ system is the first in the world to simulate global oceans at such a fine scale. With this capability, Chinese scientists can help global agencies refine climate predictions and create more accurate models for coastal planning and disaster response. The ocean plays a vital role in regulating the Earth's climate. It absorbs over 90 percent of the heat generated by global warming and more than 30 percent of carbon dioxide emissions from human activity. Simulating how these processes work is essential for understanding and adapting to climate change. LICOMK++ has already received widespread recognition. It was awarded the top supercomputing application prize at HPC China 2024, a major event hosted by the China Computer Federation. Last year, it was also one of three global finalists for the prestigious Gordon Bell Prize, the leading international award in high-performance computing for scientific advancements. A report from the Chinese research team highlighted that weather agencies using this advanced model would gain access to higher-quality data, which could help improve global and regional predictions of changes in the marine environment. In an article shared on its official social media page last Thursday, the China Meteorological Administration noted that LICOMK++ would also support various public services. These include better planning for coastal disaster mitigation, more effective marine resource management, and improved climate adaptation strategies. This innovation may serve as a turning point for global climate research. By enabling more precise ocean simulations, LICOMK++ promises to boost scientific understanding of the Earth's climate system and offer new tools to combat climate-related economic losses.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers make breakthrough on experimental device that will get hotter than the sun: 'It provides energy and cooling media'
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor in France is inching closer to completion with the delivery of essential magnetic components from China for its fusion reactor. The Correction Coil In-Cryostat Feeder is the last and most important of many massive components in the reactor's magnetic feeder system, according to Interesting Engineering. The device was developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Plasma Physics, and, according to the institution, it consists of nine sets of half-ring structures measuring approximately 52 feet wide and 10 feet high. Per the news report, ITER is jointly funded by the European Union, China, the United States, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, and Russia, all working together to unlock nearly unlimited amounts of clean and sustainable energy. Fusion is the process of harvesting energy released when two nuclei in a superheated plasma combine to form a new atomic nucleus. The energy and pressure required to heat the plasma are immense, even exceeding temperatures in our sun, where fusion naturally occurs. Although the success of human-made fusion reactors is still mostly theoretical, scientists are hopeful that this energy source is nearing viability. According to ITER, "Fusion research has increased key fusion plasma performance parameters by a factor of 10,000 over 60 years; research is now less than a factor of 10 away from producing the performance needed for a fusion power plant." The process does not emit harmful pollutants or long-lived radioactive waste and uses Earth-abundant deuterium and tritium as fuel. If successful, fusion reactors could complement solar and wind energy, pushing society further toward its sustainability goals. The ITER magnetic feeder system is known as the "lifeline" of the reactor's magnetic assembly, and Lu Kun, deputy director of ASIPP, explained how crucial it is to the project in a press release from the school. "It provides energy and cooling media to the fusion reactor magnets, sends back critical control signals, and also acts as a discharge channel to safely release stored magnet energy," Kun said. Other fusion reactor projects are making progress with incremental improvements to their design. China's Huanliu-3 reactor employs real-time data tracking to help fine-tune internal processes, while scientists at the UK Atomic Energy Authority successfully produced fusion-grade steel that can withstand the temperatures needed in these reactors. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
The Star
01-05-2025
- Science
- The Star
Park built on Yuanmou ape-man archaeological site opens to public
KUNMING, May 1 (Xinhua) -- A park built on the Yuanmou ape-man archaeological site in southwest China's Yunnan Province opened to the public on Thursday. Located in the Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, the park aims to become an integrated cultural space where visitors can experience millions of years of human history. The Yuanmou ape-man site, located on a hillside about 200 meters from Danawu Village in Yuanmou County, was where two fossils of ancient human teeth were discovered in 1965. These fossils date back some 1.7 million years. The park has a planned total area of over 370 hectares and is being developed in three phases. "We will strive to build the park into a comprehensive base that integrates paleogeological research and education, the scientific exploration of human origins, and the in-depth study of prehistoric cultural development," said Zhang Wenwang, head of the prefecture. Gao Xing, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, said that the Yuanmou ape-man and culture were significant discoveries of ancient human remains in China. They are the first chapters in China's elementary and middle school history textbooks, and an important testament to the survival and evolution of the early Homo erectus in East Asia. Also on Thursday, an event marking the 60th anniversary of the discovery of the Yuanmou ape-man site was held in the county. Scholars and researchers from diverse fields convened to discuss topics such as human migration tracing, Paleolithic archaeology, site value transformation and digital cultural innovation.
Associated Press
29-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Cangzhou Transforms Saline Land into "Golden Granary" through Innovation
CANGZHOU, China, April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from Xinhuanet: Cangzhou, a prefecture-level city in eastern Hebei province, China, is leading a major initiative to convert its saline-alkaline land into a productive agricultural hub. Focused on boosting the overall production capacity of these lands, the city is rolling out a pilot development program supported by a comprehensive platform to address long-standing agricultural challenges. New Farming Technologies Drive Agricultural Modernization As part of this transformation, a new generation of farmers in Cangzhou is applying modern scientific practices and advanced management techniques to drive the modernization of local agriculture and the development of adjacent rural areas. By implementing planting methods that emphasize high-density cultivation, labor-saving techniques, mechanization, and standardized operations, the number of pear trees per hectare has increased from approximately 900 to over 2,400. This approach has boosted yields to 45,000 kilograms per hectare, with more than 91% of the fruit classified as high-quality. Additionally, the integration of navigation systems and autonomous farm machinery has enhanced operational efficiency by 20% to 30%, while reducing seed usage by some 20%. Innovative Seeds Pave the Way for Cangzhou's 'New Granary' Seeds, often called the 'chips' of agriculture, are central to Cangzhou's agricultural strategy. The city is emphasizing a model that aligns seed selection with land characteristics, integrating production, education, research, breeding, and promotion to drive innovation in crop varieties. Spanning approx. 4,100 hectares, the Cangzhou Dry Alkaline Wheat Breeding Base has an annual breeding capacity of 18,000 tons. Eleven newly developed dry alkaline wheat strains are currently undergoing the approval process, while three new varieties, including Cangmai 18, have already received official approval. The Chinese Academy of Sciences' Ecological Agricultural Experiment Station has made significant strides by cultivating salt-tolerant and drought-resistant wheat varieties. Notably, Xiaoyan 60 has been listed in the national crop varieties promotion directory, and Xiaoyan 155 has demonstrated an expert-verified yield of 6,178.5 kilograms per hectare. At the Cangzhou Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, researchers are employing advanced technology to accelerate breeding processes. Using an artificial climate chamber capable of adjusting temperature, humidity, and other environmental conditions to simulate outdoor farmland, scientists are able to breed up to four generations annually, significantly enhancing breeding efficiency. Specialty Agricultural Products Lead Emerging Culinary Trends A growing array of specialty agricultural products from saline-alkaline land is making its way from fields to dining tables, quickly gaining popularity among health-conscious audiences. Cangzhou is now become home to 15 leading dry alkaline wheat processors operating above the municipal level, with a combined annual production capacity exceeding 1 million tons. Among the standout products, Huanghua Dry Alkali Wheat has been included in the national regional public brand catalog and featured on the national 'local specialties' promotion list. Meanwhile, Cangzhou Dry Alkaline Wheat has achieved recognition as a provincial-level regional public brand. In addition, 19 dry alkali wheat strains developed in the city have received green food certifications. The Institute of Agricultural Products Processing and Nutritional Health of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (Cangzhou) has also established six research and development centers, including the Dry Alkali Wheat Processing and Products Innovation R&D Center, and the Fruit and Vegetable Food Manufacturing and Nutritional Health R&D Center. View original content: SOURCE Xinhuanet
South China Morning Post
28-04-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
Former ASML head scientist Lin Nan drives China's latest EUV breakthrough
Chinese researchers have cracked a barrier to the home-grown production of advanced chips by building an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light source platform that operates at internationally competitive parameters, according to a research paper. Advertisement The team, from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, was led by Lin Nan, previously head of light source technology at ASML in the Netherlands. ASML , the world's only manufacturer of EUV machines – which are critical for producing chips with nodes below seven nanometres – has been prohibited from selling its most advanced models to China since 2019, thanks to pressure from the US. In a call to investors on April 16, ASML chief executive Christophe Fouquet said that it was 'always possible to generate some EUV light, but it would take many, many years for China to make an EUV machine'. Lin returned to China in 2021 as part of the country's overseas high-level recruitment drive and founded the advanced photolithography technology research group that was responsible for the paper. Advertisement Before joining ASML, Lin was mentored by Anne L'Huillier, winner of the 2023 Nobel Prize for physics and a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, as part of a scholarship awarded by the European Union's Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions programme.
