Learn from the past and look forward to the future. On December 25, Institute of Energy, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center (hereinafter referred to as the “Institute of Energy”) held the 2021 Annual Wrap-up Meeting of Research Centers and Research Projects. Academician Li Jiangang, president of the Institute of Energy, Academician Yuan Liang, vice president, Academician Xie Yi, executive president Song Yuntao, vice president Ding Lijian, vice president Hu Haomin, and more than 100 people including leaders of various management departments and research centers of the Institute of Energy, project leaders and key members attended the meeting.

In 2021, the Institute of Energy successively established six research centers for hydrogen and ammonia applications, renewable energy, smart electricity, clean and efficient use of coal, application of neutron technology, and superconducting technology. Focusing on the scientific research development plan and objectives, each research center reported from four aspects: annual construction progress and achievements, organization and management, cooperation and exchange, existing problems and difficulties, and the next work plan. Generally speaking, the research centers have made remarkable achievements in tackling key problems around major scientific research projects, building platforms, gathering talents and promoting cooperation.

The research progress and achievements of major scientific research projects since their implementation in July were introduced one by one. In regard to relevant projects, more than 100 papers have been published, 43 patents have been applied and 6 patents have been granted. Through tackling key technical problems, the hydrogen and ammonia energy project team has developed the first plasma ammonia engine truck, and is currently cooperating with Wanneng Tongling Power Generation Co.,Ltd. to carry out a demonstration project of pulverized coal and ammonia combustion. The smart power project team has rapidly advanced the construction of the next generation power device packaging and interconnection molding platform, and completed the purchase of key equipment and the design and construction of the ultra-clean room laboratory. The renewable energy project team has built a fuel cell material characterization test platform and developed a prototype of a kilowatt-grade aluminum-air cell. The coal clean and efficient utilization project team has completed the design of a pilot-scale platform for low-temperature partial oxidation of low-concentration coalbed methane to methanol. The neutron technology application project team has completed the detailed layout design of the compact boron neutron capture therapy system and has determined the overall technical route and implementation plan for molybdenum preparation. Based on the development of superconducting magnet system equipment for animal nuclear magnetic resonance, the superconducting technology project team mastered the key common technologies related to human MRI system and completed the design of whole-body MRI system.

Next, the Institute of Energy will continue to practice and service the “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality” strategy as the main line, adhere to the development direction of engineering and industrialization, further strengthen the key technology research and development and platform construction, accelerate the formation of a number of high-level scientific and technological achievements, thus contributing to the national energy technology and industrial development.