Message from the Director

2025 stood as an extraordinary year for the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics (IET), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), building on previous achievements and opening a brand-new chapter of development. Thanks to the thoughtful guidance and strong support from the Party Leadership Group of CAS and relevant authorities, and through the concerted dedication of all colleagues, we fully accomplished all targets set forth in the 14th Five-Year Plan and achieved a seamless leadership transition. The new leadership team infused fresh momentum into our undertakings, while a new journey ahead entrusted us with lofty missions. Standing at the critical juncture between the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan, we were united in aspiration and brimming with resolve, ushering in a new era of innovation-driven development.

In 2025, we surmounted various challenges and secured a series of outstanding innovative achievements. Closely aligned with major national strategic needs and global sci-tech frontiers, we advanced research in a systematic and standardized manner, adopted a large-scale collaborative research paradigm, optimized our research layout, and established new laboratories. Our researchers demonstrated a strong sense of mission and exceptional innovative capabilities. Taking the lead in a series of key technological research tasks, we delivered a number of landmark research outcomes, fully embodying the core competencies of a national strategic research force. Throughout the year, we secured 166 new research projects, with the total in-place research funding reaching a record high of 2.1 billion yuan.

In 2025, we proceeded with strategic planning and steadily refined the innovation system. Guided by the development goals formulated for the 15th Five-Year Plan, we adhered to top-level design and clarified strategic development priorities and frontier innovation fields. We methodically advanced the construction of national-level innovation platforms, thereby laying a solid foundation for long-term high-quality development. Two Basic Science Centers—Ordered Energy Conversion and Interfacial Transport Theory and Regulation Methods for Advanced Flight Vehicles—yielded fruitful original innovative outcomes. Two National Key Laboratories—Light-Duty Turbine Power and Efficient and Low-Carbon Utilization of Coal—launched substantive operation. Two major national science and technology infrastructures—the High-Efficiency and Low-Carbon Gas Turbine Research Facility and the Thermal Physics Test Facility for Key Components of Air-Breathing Engines—successfully fulfilled all key milestone objectives. In addition, two Beijing Municipal Key Laboratories dedicated to compressed air energy storage and UAV countermeasure technology were officially approved. These developments further enhanced the Institute's platform layout and bolstered its comprehensive innovation support capabilities.

In 2025, we took proactive steps to further consolidate the foundation for innovation. Bearing in mind the long-term talent development blueprint, we prioritized talents as the primary strategic resource and set up special talent funding. Externally, we formed dedicated overseas recruitment task forces and successfully recruited 48 outstanding young talents from home and abroad. Internally, we prioritized the professional cultivation of young researchers and rolled out targeted training programs to foster high-caliber talents for the Institute's sustainable development. Throughout the year, we retained one existing recipient of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, added three national leading talents and Distinguished Young Scholars, one innovation team recognized by the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, and four talents enlisted in national youth talent programs. A well-structured, dynamic and highly creative talent pool gradually took full shape.

In 2025, we upheld our founding principles and pressed ahead with steadfast dedication, continuously optimizing the institutional environment for innovation. Focused on boosting internal driving force and innovation vitality, we promoted the deep integration of Party building and scientific research, and gave full play to the leading role of Party organizations in major research missions. We intensified work style and integrity building to foster a sound and upright research atmosphere. We enriched trade union activities and fully delivered welfare and care for retired senior staff. The School of Space Exploration entered a new stage of development, and graduate students won numerous honors in a wide range of competitions. International cooperation and exchange were further deepened. The Conference on Engineering Thermal Physics hosted by the Institute achieved unprecedented success, steadily lifting the academic reputation and influence of the discipline of engineering thermal physics.

Looking back on 2025, we are filled with lofty aspirations. We worked round the clock in laboratories, toiled away at test sites, and strived unceasingly for excellence in administrative and support services. Every achievement we attained stands as testament to the hard work and selfless dedication of every member. All colleagues remain fully committed to fulfilling their duties with due diligence, united in vision and concerted in efforts, generating a strong synergy for the Institute's development.

Looking forward to 2026, we are filled with confidence. The journey ahead is long, and only persistent hard work will carry us forward. Let's maintain vigorous morale and pragmatic work styles, pool our strengths and march forward side by side. Together, we will open a new chapter of innovative development for the Institute, and make greater contributions to seizing the commanding heights of science and technology and realizing China's high-level self-reliance and strength.