Message from the Director

2024 marked the inaugural year for the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) to fully implement its core mission of seizing the high ground in science and technology. Over the past year, under the strong leadership of the CAS Party Committee, our institute has thoroughly studied and implemented the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the National Science and Technology Conference. We have remained steadfast in our mission as a national strategic scientific and technological force. United and determined, the entire institute has focused on the core task of seizing the high ground in science and technology, adhering to the principle of “planning for the big picture, implementing major initiatives, and achieving great accomplishments”. Throughout the year, we undertook over 300 major projects, including the “Two Engines” Special Project, national major science and technology infrastructure projects, national science and technology innovation initiatives, and strategic priority research programs, with funding exceeding 2 billion CNY, reaching a historic high.

In 2024, we deepened reforms and upheld innovation while preserving integrity. Planning for the big picture, we promoted innovative development through institutional reforms. We strengthened strategic planning research by establishing the Frontiers and Planning Office, adopted a “large corps” interdisciplinary research model across laboratories, founded the Intelligent Unmanned Aerial Systems Laboratory, and initiated the establishment of the Combustion Dynamics Research Center. We also expanded future development space by accelerating the construction of the Huairou New Campus. Focusing on the source, we organized systematic basic research. The Basic Science Center for Ordered Energy Conversion passed its evaluation with excellence and received rolling support, while the Basic Science Center for Interface Transport Theory and Regulation Methods of Advanced Aircraft was launched. Forging key instruments, we enhanced the construction of science and technology innovation platforms. The Light Turbine Power National Key Laboratory further improved its systematic development, and the Long-Duration Large-Scale Energy Storage Key Laboratory entered the preparatory phase. The High-Efficiency and Low-Carbon Gas Turbine Test Facility began joint commissioning, and the construction of the Thermal Physics Test Facility for Key Components of Air-Breathing Engines was fully initiated. Implementing major initiatives, we refined talent incentive mechanisms. We added three national-level talents, including recipients of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, eight provincial and ministerial-level talents, and recruited 29 outstanding talents from home and abroad.

In 2024, we strived tirelessly and made steady progress. Facing global frontiers in science and technology, we proposed original theories such as the solar energy quality-potential theory, water-based chemical looping hydrogen production and decarbonization methods, a novel three-step coal gasification method, and a thermochemical three-step hydrogen  roduction cycle, achieving international leading levels. We secured nearly 70 million CNY in National Natural Science Foundation projects, with funding increasing by over 100%. Addressing national major needs, we independently developed a series of light turbojet and turbofan engines, achieving mass application. The wide-speed-range new-concept ATR engine successfully ignited and reached its design speed. The medium- and longrange intelligent patrol flight system completed multi-drone intelligent networking flight verification. The key technology and application of rapid air-start for light turbine engines won the First Prize of Technological Invention from the Chinese Society of Engineering Thermophysics. Serving the main battlefield of the national economy, relying on the strategic priority program for clean coal combustion and low-carbon utilization, we broke through 20 key technologies, including low-load stable combustion of gasified and upgraded pulverized coal boilers, and completed 15 industrial demonstration projects. The world's first 300 MW advanced compressed air energy storage system, independently developed by our institute, achieved grid-connected power generation, maintaining global leadership and strongly supporting the energy revolution and the “dual-carbon” strategy. These achievements were nominated for the CAS Outstanding Science and Technology Achievement Award.

In 2024, we continued our legacy and looked forward to a bright future. Large-scale compressed air energy storage was selected as one of the “75 Innovation Stories” celebrating the 75th anniversary of CAS. Six Party members, including Academician XU Jianzhong, were awarded the “Four Excellences” Party Member title by central state organs. The Party branches of the Energy Storage R&D Center and the Advanced Gas Turbine Laboratory were honored as “Four Strengths” Party Branches by central state organs. The research project “Strengthening Innovation Culture in Research Institutes in the New Era” won the First Prize for Outstanding Achievements from the National Party Building Research Association. The institute's trade union was awarded the National and Central State Organs Model Workers' Home, achieving the first grand slam in CAS history.

The drumbeat urges action; the time to set sail is now. 2025 is a critical year for implementing the CAS “3+5” Year Development Strategy, accomplishing the goals of the 14th Five-Year Plan, and planning for the 15th Five-Year Plan tasks. The institute's leadership will unite and guide all staff to resolutely implement the directives of the CPC Central Committee and the decisions of the CAS Party Committee. Focusing on the core task of seizing the high ground in science and technology, we will drive the output of critical, original, and pioneering scientific and technological achievements with a spirit of dedication, bold innovation, and reform. We will make new contributions to achieving high-level self-reliance and self-improvement in science and technology.