On July 8, the list of recipients for the 2025 National Science and Technology Awards was announced at the National Science and Technology Award Conference.
A project titled "Theoretical and Satellite Observational Studies of Magnetic Reconnection," led by the University of Science and Technology of China, was awarded the second prize of the National Natural Science Award.
Additionally, two projects were honored with the second prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award. These are the "Domestic Hyperspectral Satellite Atmospheric Environment Remote Sensing Technology, Equipment, and Application" project led by the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the "Innovation and Engineering Promotion of Respirable Dust Control and Early Warning Technology for Pneumoconiosis in Large Coal Mines," led by Anhui University of Science and Technology.
Magnetic reconnection facilitates the rapid conversion of magnetic energy into plasma kinetic and thermal energy through the reconfiguration of magnetic topology. It serves as a core physical foundation for understanding the mechanisms behind space environment disasters and explosive space phenomena. The team from the University of Science and Technology of China achieved a series of original breakthroughs by integrating theoretical numerical simulations with satellite observational data, relying on their self-developed particle simulation program.
The "Theoretical and Satellite Observational Studies of Magnetic Reconnection" project successfully developed a dynamically evolving turbulent magnetic reconnection model, revealing the acceleration process of charged particles within it. It also made the first discovery of magnetic reconnection occurring in the induced magnetosphere of Venus, which lacks an intrinsic magnetic field, and innovatively proposed a new mechanism for atmospheric escape from Venus.
The "Domestic Hyperspectral Satellite Atmospheric Environment Remote Sensing Technology, Equipment, and Application" project addressed national needs for building China's atmospheric environment satellite remote sensing system. It successfully developed the Environmental trace gas Monitoring Instrument (EMI) for satellites and created a series of remote sensing technologies. These technologies range from correcting distortions and radiance in domestic satellite hyperspectral data in the space environment to the retrieval of multiple gas components, enabling precise observation of pollution gases by domestic satellites.
The project's achievements have been applied in atmospheric pollution prevention and control efforts at institutions including the Satellite Environment Application Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. They have essentially provided technical support for domestic hyperspectral satellites in safeguarding air quality during major national events.
The "Innovation and Engineering Promotion of Respirable Dust Control and Early Warning Technology for Pneumoconiosis in Large Coal Mines" project focused on major national needs for occupational safety and health. It tackled the significant challenges of precise respirable dust control and early pneumoconiosis warning. The project established a theoretical framework for dust generation, transport, control, and occupational health hazards in mining faces. It developed continuous dust concentration monitoring equipment and systems for high-humidity, high-dust mining environments, pioneering the breakthrough in precise prevention and control technologies and equipment for respirable dust in modern large-scale coal mines, and formed an early screening, warning, and health protection system for pneumoconiosis.
To date, demonstration mines for precise dust control have been established at locations including the Shenmu Hongliulin Mining Co., Ltd. of Shaanxi Coal Group, the Guqiao Coal Mine of Huainan Mining (Group) Co., Ltd., and the Dongtan Coal Mine of Yankuang Energy Group Co., Ltd. The technologies have been applied across more than 1,500 mining faces in over 200 coal mines across 18 provinces and regions. The project's results have also been extended to tunnel construction projects domestically and internationally.
The National Science and Technology Awards represent the highest honors in China's scientific and technological field, primarily recognizing scientists and frontline technical personnel who have made creative contributions in areas such as basic and applied fundamental research, breakthroughs in core technologies, and fostering the development of new quality productive forces.
The awards encompass the National Top Science and Technology Award, the National Natural Science Award, the National Technology Invention Award, the National Science and Technology Progress Award, and the International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Award of the People's Republic of China. The 2025 awards recognized a total of 258 projects and 11 scientific and technological experts.