The top ten domestic technology news in 2022 are revealed!

On December 25, the top ten domestic science and technology news of 2022, hosted by Science and Technology Daily and jointly selected by some academicians of the two academies and media professionals, were announced.

The top ten domestic science and technology news selected for 2022 are: the first transistor with the smallest gate length was made; carbon dioxide was "transformed" into glucose and fatty acids; the "China Sky Eye" discovered the first continuously active and repeating fast radio burst; the third aircraft carrier Fujian was launched; the steady-state strong magnetic field broke the world record; the new lunar mineral "Chang'e Stone" was discovered for the first time; "Kuafu-1" started a solar exploration journey; the report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has a special chapter on the deployment of educational and scientific and technological talents; the Chinese space station has historically completed the "integration"; Yunnan has cultivated perennial rice varieties.

In 2022, the scientific and technological achievements recorded in history are dazzling. From the vast space to the muddy rice fields, the vast number of scientific and technological workers have left deep footprints in one field after another, and have moved forward courageously on the road of self-reliance and self-improvement. This year, we have witnessed the surging power of China's science and technology in the new era. Youth blooms, dreams grow, the power of innovation lifts up a strong era, and the torch of innovation illuminates the journey of building a world power in science and technology.

01

First made

Minimum gate length transistor

Humanity has once again challenged the limits of Moore's Law. This time, the Chinese played the role of explorers. A team from the School of Integrated Circuits at Tsinghua University has for the first time produced a transistor with a sub-1 nanometer gate length, which has good electrical properties. The relevant results were published online in the journal Nature on March 15.

Schematic diagram of the structure of a sub-1 nanometer gate length transistor. Image source: Tsinghua University official website Over the past few decades, the gate size of transistors has been continuously miniaturized. As the size enters the nanoscale, the effects of reduced electron mobility and increased static power consumption become more and more serious. The development of new structures and new materials is imminent. At present, the gate size of transistors in the mainstream industry is above 12 nanometers. In order to further break through the bottleneck of transistors with a gate length of less than 1 nanometer, the Tsinghua University team cleverly used graphene film as a gate to control the switching of the vertical molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) channel through the lateral electric field of graphene, thereby achieving an equivalent physical gate length of 0.34 nanometers. The single atomic layer thickness and excellent conductivity of graphene have finally been experimentally reflected on the chip. Li Huamin, a nanoelectronics scientist at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York, commented: This new work further reduces the size limit of the gate to the thickness of only one layer of carbon atoms. It will be very difficult to break this record for a long time. The thickness of a single layer of graphene is only 0.34 nanometers, and it is a planar structure itself, which requires the channel to be a vertical structure, which is a big problem. In addition to the sidewalls of graphene, its surface can also be gated, so shielding the electric field on the graphene surface is also difficult. The Chinese team used a self-oxidized aluminum layer to accomplish this. The future integrated circuits of two-dimensional thin films that everyone is looking forward to will bring soft, transparent, and high-density chips. If new materials are used, there will be a chance to realize a fully flexible mobile phone - its CPU and memory are soft and more energy-efficient.

02

Carbon dioxide "turns" into glucose and fatty acids

In addition to "starch", there are new ways to artificially synthesize "food". On April 28, "Nature Catalysis" published a latest research result in the form of a cover article. Chinese researchers have efficiently synthesized high-purity acetic acid from carbon dioxide and water through electrocatalysis combined with biosynthesis, and further used microorganisms to synthesize glucose and fatty acids (oils).

Schematic diagram of converting carbon dioxide and water into long-chain products through electrochemical coupling of biological fermentation. The research team provided the diagram. Glucose and oil are important food ingredients. For a long time, the only way to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose or oil through a catalytic process has been to rely on crop cultivation. In this study, researchers first electrolyzed carbon dioxide to efficiently reduce it to synthesize high-purity acetic acid, and then fermented the acetic acid with brewer's yeast. This process can be understood as first converting carbon dioxide into vinegar, the "food" of brewer's yeast, and then brewer's yeast continued to "eat vinegar" to synthesize glucose and fatty acids. In this regard, Li Can, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director of the Catalysis Committee of the Chinese Chemical Society, commented that this work provides new technologies for artificial and semi-artificial synthesis of "food". Deng Zixin, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director of the State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, believes that this research work has opened up a new strategy for preparing food products such as glucose by combining electrochemistry with living cell catalysis, and provides a new paradigm for the further development of new agricultural and bio-manufacturing industries based on electricity. Next, the research team will further study the adaptability and compatibility of the two platforms of electrocatalysis and bio-fermentation. At the same time, in the future, if you want to synthesize starch, make pigments, produce drugs, etc., you only need to keep the electrocatalytic facilities unchanged and replace the microorganisms used for fermentation.

03

China's Sky Eye discovers first

Continuously active repeating fast radio bursts

The "big pot" in Guizhou has "stewed" a lot of "delicious dishes" this year. On June 9, Nature magazine published a research result on fast radio bursts. With the support of the "China Sky Eye" (FAST), researchers from the National Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and other institutions discovered the world's first continuously active repeating fast radio burst FRB 20190520B. This discovery is of great significance for a better understanding of the mysterious cosmic phenomenon of fast radio bursts.

Panoramic view of the "China Sky Eye". Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ou Dongqu Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are the brightest radio bursts in the universe, releasing energy in one millisecond that the sun can radiate in about a whole year. Since its discovery in 2007, fast radio bursts have been one of the most cutting-edge research directions in astronomy, but its physical origin, radiation mechanism, and surrounding environment are still unclear. In 2019, when researchers systematically processed the FAST "Multi-Science Target Simultaneous Sky Survey" (CRAFTS) data, they discovered that there were repeated high-dispersion pulses in the data on May 20. They quickly determined that the pulse came from a new fast radio burst FRB 20190520B. In subsequent observations, researchers found that FRB 20190520B was not like other fast radio bursts that flashed once and then disappeared, but was continuously active and kept shining. In order to find the home of this fast radio burst, that is, its host galaxy, researchers organized multiple international equipment for coordinated observations in the sky and on the ground, integrating data from radio interferometer arrays, optical and infrared telescopes, and space high-energy observatories, and successfully located FRB 20190520B in a metal-poor dwarf galaxy 3 billion light-years away from us, confirming that the near-source region has the largest electron density known so far, and discovered a corresponding compact persistent radio source. In this regard, Duncan Lorimer, the founder of the fast radio burst field, commented: "I think fast radio bursts may have different classifications. As the fast radio burst sample continues to grow, it is expected that in the next few years, we will be able to lift the veil of mystery of fast radio bursts."

04

The third aircraft carrier

Fujian ship launched

On the morning of June 17, a piece of news spread like wildfire and spread throughout the Chinese military fan circle - the launching and naming ceremony of my country's third aircraft carrier was held at the Jiangnan Shipyard of China State Shipbuilding Corporation. This is the Fujian ship after the Liaoning and Shandong ships, with the hull number "18".

The Fujian ship's launching and naming ceremony. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Gang. The Fujian ship is China's first catapult-type aircraft carrier designed and built entirely by itself. It uses a straight and full-length flight deck, equipped with electromagnetic catapults and arresting devices, and has a full-load displacement of more than 80,000 tons, 20,000 tons higher than the previous generation aircraft carrier Shandong. Robert Farley, editor of the American magazine "The Diplomat", believes that the Fujian ship will become "the largest and most advanced aircraft carrier ever built outside the United States." An obvious improvement in the appearance of the Fujian ship is the use of a straight and full-length flight deck. The straight and full-length flight deck has more space for parking carrier-based aircraft than the ski-jump deck. Because of its upturned configuration, the ski-jump deck can only park several J-15 fighters at the rear of the bow. The space for parking fighters on the Fujian ship has increased significantly, and carrier-based aircraft can be lined up all the way to the front of the deck. The Fujian ship is also equipped with two elevators, three electromagnetic catapults, and uses innovative electromagnetic catapult take-off/electromagnetic arresting landing devices. According to analysis, the Fujian ship can recover more than 20 fighters in the maximum recovery state when the aircraft carrier has the maximum landing capability. Some experts believe that the electromagnetic catapult can enable the three take-off points on the deck to have the ability to take off with full load at the same time. At the same time, after the third catapult is installed, the take-off direction of the original long take-off point will be turned to the angled deck, allowing the aircraft carrier to "take off" in multiple directions at the same time.

05

Steady strong magnetic field

Breaking the world record

On August 12, good news came from Hefei, Anhui: the national major scientific and technological infrastructure "Steady-state Strong Magnetic Field Experimental Device" reached a new technological peak, creating a steady-state strong magnetic field with a field strength of 452,200 gauss, breaking the world record of the same type of magnet that has been maintained for nearly 23 years, and becoming the highest steady-state magnetic field that can support scientific research in the world.

Hybrid magnet of steady-state strong magnetic field experimental device. Image provided by Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Steady-state strong magnetic field is an extreme experimental condition required for material science research and a powerful tool for promoting major scientific discoveries. The world's scientific and technological powers have always attached great importance to the construction of strong magnetic field experimental conditions. At present, there are five major steady-state strong magnetic field laboratories in the world, located in the United States, France, the Netherlands, Japan and Hefei Science Island, China. As early as 2016, the strong magnetic field team of the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, independently developed a hybrid magnet with a central field strength of 400,000 Gauss, and the field strength ranked second in the world. After more than five years of intense technical research, the strong magnetic field team innovated the magnet structure, developed new materials, optimized the manufacturing process, and finally achieved a major technological breakthrough. The steady-state strong magnetic field of 452,200 Gauss generated this time has become an important milestone in the construction of extreme conditions for scientific experiments in my country and even in the development of strong magnetic field technology in the world. It is reported that since the National Steady-State High Magnetic Field Experiment Facility was put into operation in September 2017, it has run for more than 500,000 machine hours, provided experimental conditions for more than 170 units at home and abroad, carried out cutting-edge research on more than 3,000 projects, and achieved a series of major scientific and technological achievements.

06

New lunar mineral "Chang'e Stone" discovered for the first time

The starry sky is vast and boundless, and lunar exploration research has opened a new chapter. On September 9, the National Space Administration and the National Atomic Energy Agency jointly announced that Chinese scientists discovered a new mineral on the moon for the first time and named it "Chang'e Stone". This is another major scientific achievement achieved by the Chang'e 5 lunar sample research.

Ideal crystal diagram of Chang'e Stone. Image provided by CNNC Nuclear and Geophysical Research Institute "Chang'e Stone" is the first new lunar mineral discovered in my country and the sixth new lunar mineral discovered by humans. Its discovery changed the history of lunar mineral discovery in my country, making my country the third country in the world to discover new lunar minerals. According to experts, "Chang'e Stone" was found in the basalt debris of the Chang'e-5 lunar sample. It is a new phosphate mineral belonging to the meteorite sodium magnesium calcium family. It is in the shape of a tiny column with a particle size of 2-30 microns. In 2021, the Beijing Institute of Geology of the Nuclear Industry of CNNC applied for approval to become one of the first units to conduct research on the Chang'e-5 lunar soil scientific research samples, and successively obtained 50 mg of lunar soil scientific research samples and a lunar soil light sheet sample. The research team of the institute found clues to new minerals in the process of mineralogical research on lunar soil powder samples. Through a series of technical means such as X-ray diffraction, the researchers separated a single crystal particle with a particle size of about 10 microns from 140,000 lunar sample particles and successfully interpreted its crystal structure. It was confirmed as a new mineral by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) New Mineral Nomenclature and Classification Committee (CNMNC).

07

Kuafu-1 begins its solar exploration journey

On October 9, my country's comprehensive solar exploration satellite "Kuafu-1" - an advanced space-based solar observatory was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, officially starting its journey of exploring the sun.

Schematic diagram of Kuafu-1. Image provided by the satellite development team. The satellite is designed to have a service life of 4 years and operates in a sun-synchronous dawn-dusk orbit of about 720 kilometers. Its scientific goal is to simultaneously observe the solar magnetic field and the two most violent eruptive phenomena on the sun - flares and coronal mass ejections, to study their formation, evolution, interaction and mutual correlation, and to provide support for space weather forecasting. To achieve its scientific goals, Kuafu-1 is equipped with three payloads. Among them, the full-disk vector magnetograph is used to observe the full-disk vector magnetic field of the sun; the Lyman-Alpha solar telescope is mainly used to observe the formation of coronal mass ejections and the propagation of the near corona; the solar hard X-ray imager is mainly used to observe the non-thermal radiation morphology and energy spectrum characteristics of solar flares. On December 13, the three payloads of Kuafu-1 were in orbit for two months, and several scientific observation images of the sun were released to the public. These scientific images have achieved many firsts at home and abroad, verifying the observation capabilities and advancement of the three payloads of Kuafu-1. In the next stage, Kuafu-1 will continue to carry out and complete on-orbit tests according to the established plan, and enter the on-orbit scientific operation stage as soon as possible. At the same time, Kuafu-1 will give full play to the characteristics of the combined observation of the three payloads, strengthen domestic and international cooperation and data openness and sharing, and achieve the "one magnetic field and two storms" scientific goal as soon as possible, and make a visible Chinese contribution to the observation and research of the peak year of the 25th solar activity week.

08

Special chapter of the 20th National Congress report

Deployment of educational technology talents

On October 16, the 20th CPC National Congress was held in Beijing. The report of the 20th CPC National Congress put education, science and technology, and talents in the fifth part for overall planning, which was considered a major innovation with profound significance.

Copyright image from the gallery, no authorization for reprinting The report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has made major arrangements for "implementing the strategy of rejuvenating the country through science and education, and strengthening the talent support for modernization construction" in an entire chapter. The report points out that education, science and technology, and talents are the basic and strategic support for the comprehensive construction of a socialist modern country. We must adhere to the principle that science and technology are the primary productive force, talents are the primary resource, and innovation is the primary driving force, and implement the strategy of rejuvenating the country through science and education, the strategy of strengthening the country through talents, and the strategy of innovation-driven development in depth, open up new areas and tracks for development, and constantly create new momentum and new advantages for development. This systematic and integrated overall deployment reflects the important strategic position of the three complementing each other, working together, and strongly supporting the construction of a socialist modern power, and has formulated an action program for us to march towards the second centenary goal. Looking back at the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China proposing to implement the innovation-driven development strategy, the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China proposing that innovation is the primary driving force for leading development, and the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China proposing to achieve high-level scientific and technological self-reliance, which reflects the consistent high attention paid by the Party Central Committee to scientific and technological innovation. At present, a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is accelerating the reconstruction of the global innovation landscape and reshaping the global economic structure. Scientific and technological innovation has become a key variable in the century-long change. In the Global Innovation Index Report released by the World Intellectual Property Organization, my country's ranking has risen from 34th in 2012 to 11th in 2022. It has become a high degree of consensus throughout the Party and the country that China's scientific and technological innovation strength determines its future development.

09

Chinese Space Station

Historic completion of the "fusion"

At 15:37 on October 31, the second scientific experiment module of China's Tiangong space station, the Mengtian experimental module, was successfully launched at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan Province on the Long March 5B Yao-4 carrier rocket. At 4:27 on November 1, the Mengtian experimental module successfully completed precise docking with the Tianhe core module launched earlier; the Mengtian experimental module then implemented horizontal rotation, and the three modules formed a balanced and symmetrical "T" configuration. The Chinese space station has historically completed the "combination".

On November 3, 2022, the Mengtian laboratory module completed its transfer, forming a "T"-shaped basic configuration combination of the space station with the Tianhe core module and the Wentian laboratory module. Image source: China Manned Spaceflight The Mengtian laboratory module is the third module of the Chinese space station and the second scientific laboratory module. It consists of a working module, a payload module, a cargo airlock module and a resource module, with a takeoff weight of about 23 tons. The configuration of the Mengtian laboratory module is a bit like a nesting doll, with four modules connected end to end. The working module is located at the front of the entire laboratory module and is equipped with scientific experimental equipment. The other two cabins behind it are equipped with cargo exit channels. The main purpose of building China's Tiangong space station is to build an advanced national space laboratory to serve science and produce major scientific and technological achievements. At present, it has planned and arranged about 40 on-orbit scientific experimental projects. Scientists plan to use "Mengtian" to complete more than 1,000 scientific experiments within 10 years. As the most powerful experimental module, "Mengtian" can study phenomena in various fields such as plant cells, skeletal muscles, material melting, and protein crystallization under microgravity.

10

Yunnan develops perennial rice variety

Breeding and transplanting rice seedlings every year is the norm for rice cultivation. However, an innovation of Yunnan University may make rice a perennial crop, which can be planted once and harvested in multiple seasons, saving seeds, money and labor. The research team of Yunnan University successfully measured the yield in October this year and determined that a perennial rice variety that can be used in actual production has been cultivated. The relevant research results were published in Nature Sustainability on November 7.

Perennial rice experimental field. Xinhua News Agency The perennial rice varieties cultivated using the well-developed underground stems of wild rice are also equipped with supporting farming and cultivation techniques. They only need to be planted once. From the second season, there is no need to plow the fields, harrow the land, buy seeds and sow, or raise seedlings and transplant them. As long as the field management is proper, "one crop after another" can be harvested. The Yunnan University team began to conduct perennial rice experiments in 1997. In 2016, field trials began, patiently experimenting with various aspects such as the adaptability, stability, high yield, and pest and disease control of perennial rice. They used perennial wild rice to cross with annual cultivated rice, and after multiple self-pollinations, they screened and cultivated perennial rice strains. Finally, three rice varieties passed the national approval. The new strain of rice can be planted in rice-growing areas where the lowest monthly average temperature is not less than 13.5℃ and the temperature is continuously below 4℃ for no more than 5 days. These perennial rice can be planted for 4 consecutive years, with 2 harvests each year, and the average per-acre yield is slightly higher than that of annual rice. Perennial rice can skip the cultivation process such as seedling raising and planting, saving half of the production input overall. Moreover, planting perennial rice can improve the soil structure of the plough layer and increase the content of soil organic matter, which is an eco-friendly technology.

Source: Science and Technology Daily