The launch of the Fusion Medicine Concept and the 4th “Innovation in Medical Technology” Interdisciplinary Forum was held on the afternoon of January 16 at CAS Medical Valley in Luyang District, Hefei.
The forum was jointly organized by the Institute of Energy, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center (Anhui Provincial Energy Laboratory) and the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China (Anhui Provincial Hospital), and co-organized by Hefei Industrial Investment Holding (Group) Co., Ltd. and Hefei CAS Medical Valley Technology Development Co., Ltd.
The forum brought together nearly 100 representatives from government agencies, research institutions, medical institutions, leading enterprises, and investment organizations.
Leaders in attendance and delivering speeches included: Liu Tongzhu, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Anhui Provincial Health Commission; Yan Xiaowen, Vice President of the China National Health Association; Wang Mengzhong, Second-Level Inspector of the Anhui Provincial Department of Science and Technology; Zhang Yi, President of the Anhui Institute of Industrial and Information Technology; Liu Lianxin, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of the University of Science and Technology of China, as well as Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice President of its First Affiliated Hospital (Anhui Provincial Hospital); Hu Haomin, Executive Vice President of the Institute of Energy, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center; Fang Wei, Chief Economist of Hefei Industrial Investment Holding (Group) Co., Ltd. and Chairman of Hefei Life and Health Industry Development Co., Ltd.; Xia Liwei, President of the Industrial Research Institute of Anhui Energy Group; and Yang Huizhi, Vice President of the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China (Anhui Provincial Hospital) and Secretary of the Party Committee of the Anhui Hospital of Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital. They jointly witnessed the launch of the "Fusion Medicine" concept.
Cutting-Edge Focus: Launch of the Fusion Medicine Concept
As a sub-forum of the 2026 Nuclear Fusion Energy Science, Technology and Industry Conference, the event officially launched the "Fusion Medicine" concept.
"Fusion Medicine" originates from nuclear fusion technology. Leveraging Anhui Province and Hefei’s long-term strengths in fusion energy — a major national strategic direction — it applies a series of original technologies accumulated during the construction of the “Artificial Sun” (including superconducting magnets, advanced plasma control, neutron source technology, and terahertz technology) to the field of life and health.
For a long time, the Institute of Energy, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center and the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China (Anhui Provincial Hospital) have maintained deep medical-engineering collaborative innovation. Clinical experts precisely identify application scenarios, while research experts tackle key R&D challenges. Oriented toward protecting people’s lives and health, they have cross-applied future energy technologies to the medical and clinical fields, generating a series of achievements including 7T high-field MRI equipment, Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) systems, superconducting proton accelerators, terahertz devices for lower limb length measurement in hip replacement surgery, and purely physical short-term sterilization devices for anesthesia ventilators. Some of these achievements have already been successfully commercialized.
The launch of the Fusion Medicine concept represents a key milestone of “spin-off achievements along the major science project pathway” and a significant extension of the nuclear fusion energy industry. It aims to systematically integrate and elevate existing cooperation mechanisms and outcomes, enabling direct dialogue and deep integration between “source innovation” and “terminal clinical needs.” This will build a complete innovation-to-industry ecosystem and provide a “Chinese solution” for the independent innovation of high-end medical equipment.
In the presence of all guests, Secretary Liu Tongzhu, Inspector Wang Mengzhong, President Zhang Yi, Executive Vice President Hu Haomin, Secretary Yang Huizhi, and Chairman Fang Wei jointly initiated the "Fusion Medicine" cooperation. Kong Defeng, Director of the Fusion Center at the Institute of Energy, and Xia Min, Chief Innovation Officer of the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC and General Manager of CAS Medical Valley, unveiled the plaque for the “CAS Medical Valley Fusion Medicine Concept Validation Center.”
Project Landing: Cooperation Agreements Drive Deep Industry-University-Research Integration
At the signing ceremony, key R&D projects — including the redevelopment of anesthetics for medical ventilators and the development of a 16 MeV superconducting proton cyclotron — were successfully signed. Hefei Xihe Medical Technology Co., Ltd. also completed its investment and financing agreements. These signings demonstrate the solid steps and synergistic effects of the “Innovation in Medical Technology” initiative from concept to practice.
Technology Leadership: Multiple Innovative Achievements Presented
The technology presentation session was highly engaging.
Researchers from the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Modern Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Institute of Energy, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center shared three cutting-edge achievements: medical applications of radiation-resistant microorganisms, new advances in FLASH radiotherapy, and progress in the development of the BNCT system.
In the subsequent project roadshow session, four promising innovative projects were presented one after another: isotope target systems, intelligent wound management systems, terahertz rapid tumor screening equipment, and nuclear medical wastewater purification systems. These projects feature strong clinical relevance and significant market potential, creating a vibrant atmosphere of innovation at the event.
The successful convening of this “Innovation in Medical Technology” Interdisciplinary Forum not only provided a high-level platform for exchange among experts in nuclear fusion and medicine, but also effectively promoted precise alignment and collaborative innovation across the innovation chain, industrial chain, and capital chain through activities such as concept launch, project signings, and technology showcases.
Looking ahead, all parties will use “Fusion Medicine” as a bridge to pool their strengths, jointly promote the development of high-end medical equipment, and allow the spark of energy technology to illuminate the future of life and health.