Returning talent establish innovative international collaborations

NANJING — As China expands its exchange of international talent, many who have studied or worked overseas have returned to China to start their own businesses, aiming to bring a new wave of technological cooperation and innovation between China and other countries.

Leveraging the international experience and networks they have accumulated, they have established cooperative relationships with research institutions and enterprises at home and abroad to help accelerate technological innovation at the academic level, and to promote technology integration and product upgrades in terms of application.

In 2019, three young people specializing in ultraprecision optical manufacturing returned to Shanghai to start their own businesses after encouragement from their mentor, Jiang Xiangqian, an academician at the Royal Academy of Engineering. They mortgaged their properties to establish Leading Optics Co, which mainly produces ultraprecision manufacturing equipment and optical components.

Leading Optics has since established a research center in Shanghai, employing nearly 100 research and development staff members focusing on materials, design, equipment and processes. Moreover, the company has constructed a 125,000-square-meter ultraprecision micro-nano optics R&D and mass production facility in Nantong, Jiangsu province.

As a member of many international collaborative research networks, this highly international company understands the mutual benefits of international collaboration in scientific research.

Zhang Xinquan, chief technology officer of Leading Optics, pioneered the use of six-axis turning for complex micro-nano optical structures in academic research. Several years later, a leading company in ultraprecision equipment from the United States cooperated with Leading Optics to develop the world's first six-axis ultraprecision machine tool for commercial use, said Zhang Zhe, chief executive officer of Leading Optics.

The introduction of this machine has enabled Leading Optics to produce China's first large complex micro-nano structure optical molds. Through the molds, the company produces back panels of mobile phones with micro-structured diffractive optics that have improved cost efficiency and will be adopted by Xiaomi and other smartphone manufacturers soon.

The product ultimately attracted substantial investment, which was crucial during the company's initial funding phase.

"International cooperation is not unilateral, but all parties carry out technological innovation and jointly promote technological progress," Zhang said.

In April this year, the Light Conference on Advanced Optical Manufacturing was held at Leading Optics' factory in Nantong. The conference gathered more than 600 scientists, entrepreneurs, suppliers and guests from home and abroad to share research results in the industry.

Leading Optics plans to conduct more academic exchange activities on a regular basis.

"One person's creativity alone can never match a group of people's joint innovation. Only through international cooperation, not restriction, can we accelerate human progress," said Zhang.

Similarly, many companies are promoting product innovation through international technology exchange, and they are bringing back the benefits to support international cooperation.

Yao Ting, founder of FAIR Innovation (Suzhou) Robot Systems Co, studied robot controller technology in China and Switzerland. Through years of continuous research and development, FAIRINO has developed domestic robot controller technology and collaborative robot products that require smaller workspaces and are easier to use than existing models.

A collaborative robot priced under 25,000 yuan ($3,500) has attracted many domestic and international enterprises, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, allowing them to gradually implement a digital transformation with lower equipment investment.

The company supports technical training and academic exchange within the industry. It also plans to hold an applied robotics competition in November this year, inviting researchers and enthusiasts to explore more collaborative robotic application scenarios and support their commercialization.

"The progress of science and technology enterprises cannot be separated from international exchange and cooperation, which permeates all aspects of R&D, production and supply chains," said Han Yu, director of FAIRINO's marketing department.

Xinhua