New CAS academicians vow to leverage research to drive economic development

This year's newly elected academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences said at the certificate awarding ceremony on Friday that they would leverage their research to drive economic development and address the pressing needs of the country.

Academician Peng Chengzhi from the Division of Quantum Physics and Quantum Information at the University of Science and Technology of China highlighted the profound responsibility that comes with being an academician.

"This title represents a national trust and the expectations of the people. I will align personal aspirations with national development goals and use all that I've learned in my life to serve the country and the people," he said.

He added that the integration of industry and technology is the new dominant trend. He will prioritize the nation's most urgent strategic needs and measure success by the ability to solve real-world problems.

"I am dedicated to fostering deep integration across disciplines, institutions, and fields, aligning academic insights, technological innovation, and industrial capabilities with the nation's strategic goals," he said.

Academician Li Jun, professor of chemistry at Tsinghua University, has dedicated his career to the theoretical study of rare earths.

He described rare earth elements as the "vitamins of industry", crucial for strategic sectors, such as renewable energy, aerospace, and semiconductor manufacturing.

"Collective efforts should be made to transform China's resource advantage into industrial technological prowess. Theoretical scientists should address national needs through their research and write their papers to tackle industrial challenges," he said.

Academician Hu Hailan, from Zhejiang University's school of brain science and brain medicine, said she focused on the human-centered nature of life sciences and medicine.

"The ultimate goal of scientific research is enhancing human well-being," she said, adding that her exploration goes beyond the abstract laws of biology. It is a deep commitment to protecting human mental health.

Hu called on her generation of scientists to ensure that knowledge extends beyond academic papers to become a force for alleviating human suffering.

Academician Jia Ping from the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics at the CAS, called for aligning research with national strategic plans and emerging industrial needs.

"Scientists should bravely tackle the major technological bottlenecks in the field of information technology," he said, urging collective efforts to achieve strategic and original scientific achievements.

In November, the CAS announced the election of 73 new members from China, bringing the total CAS number to 908.