The 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Academic Forum on the Development of Engineering Thermophysics Held in Beijing
On August 25, the 70th Anniversary of the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics (IET), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Academic Forum on the Development of Engineering Thermophysics were held in Beijing, co-organized by the Chinese Society of Engineering Thermophysics and IET, CAS. Chen Haisheng, Director of IET, delivered a report on the institute's 70-year development. Xu Gang, Secretary of the Party Committee, gave the welcome address and presided over the meeting. Four academicians—Zhu Junqiang, Director of the Bureau of Strategic High-Tech Research of CAS; Li Yinghong, Professor at Air Force Engineering University; Shu Gequn, Secretary of the Party Committee of the University of Science and Technology of China; and Lü Junfu, Professor at Tsinghua University—delivered keynote reports.
The predecessor of IET was the Power Engineering Laboratory of CAS, founded in 1956 by Academician Wu Zhonghua, a world-renowned engineering thermophysicist. He soon established the discipline of engineering thermophysics, ushering in a new era for China's engineering thermophysics endeavors. In his address, Zhu Junqiang fondly recalled Wu Zhonghua's three major lifelong contributions. He pointed out that over the past seven decades, the seeds of engineering thermophysics sown by Wu Zhonghua have grown into towering trees. Today, from the "Chinese heart" of aero-engines to clean energy systems, engineering thermophysics has become a key scientific cornerstone behind these national priorities.
Zhao Tianshou, Chair Professor at Southern University of Science and Technology and an Academician of CAS, stated in his address that over the past 70 years, IET has grown from nothing, overcoming immense hardships to become a pivotal player in the field of energy and power. This achievement relies on generations of engineering thermophysics professionals' dedication to "excellence in thermophysics" and their commitment to "gathering energy with integrity." His experience at IET left an indelible mark on his heart; no matter where he goes, he always remembers to keep national priorities in mind, stay grounded, and strive for perfection.
Liu Guiju, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Institute of Mechanics, CAS, highlighted in her address the profound historical ties and friendship between IET and the Institute of Mechanics. She expressed admiration for IET's adherence to its original mission, its deep cultivation of disciplinary development, its nurturing of talent teams, and its strengthening of research platforms. These efforts have resulted in a rich academic heritage and a sound research ecosystem, paving a distinctive path of scientific research based on national conditions, independent innovation, and service to the country.
Wu Lianhe, Deputy General Manager of Aero Engine Corporation of China, pointed out in his address that IET has taken root in the field of energy and power, witnessing and promoting the historic leap of China's energy and power technology from following, to running alongside, and in some areas, to leading globally. In particular, IET has dared to start with light-duty engines—a field urgently needed by the country but not yet a primary focus of the industry at the time—charting a path for CAS to develop a series of light-duty power units. This has contributed irreplaceable "IET strength" to China's aero-engine industry.
The conference also established two sub-forums on Power and Energy, where more than 20 experts and scholars in the field of engineering thermophysics delivered reports. They engaged in in-depth discussions on frontier topics such as fundamental research in energy and power, materials and design for aero-engines, and the development of new energy technologies.
Furthermore, the opening ceremony featured the unveiling of a statue of Mr. Wu Zhonghua, the inauguration of the Alumni Association, and the awarding of the Chinese Society of Engineering Thermophysics Science and Technology Award and the Wu Zhonghua Reward Fund. Over 500 participants from domestic research institutions, universities, and industries attended the forum.
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The 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Academic Forum on the Development of Engineering Thermophysics Held in Beijing
Aug 26, 2026 / Author by Text SizeDBS