The Suzhou Institute of Nano‑Tech and Nano‑Bionics (SINANO), a flagship research hub of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is buzzing with high‑impact science and vibrant public engagement. Recent headlines showcase a string of breakthroughs: a Ga‑based photonic‑crystal surface‑emitting laser that pushes the limits of semiconductor optics; a skin‑hydrogel symbiotic interface enabling long‑term, high‑fidelity electrophysiological monitoring; and a new organic photovoltaic cell that stays stable under humid‑heat and thermal‑cycling extremes. In parallel, SINANO researchers unveiled a super‑hydrophobic sweat sensor with a full‑range detection mechanism, a 2‑D ferroelectric NbOBr₂ platform that mimics synaptic plasticity for neuromorphic vision, and compact GHz‑level fiber Raman frequency combs. The institute also reported progress on low‑voltage artificial‑muscle fibers, anti‑freezing supercapacitive synaptic devices, and ultra‑low‑threshold 2‑D semiconductor lasers. Beyond the lab, SINANO released several open‑project funding calls for nano‑devices, organoid creation, and semiconductor display materials, inviting collaborations across academia and industry. The institute’s outreach program includes AI4S thematic trainings, international academic talks, and popular‑science events such as brisk‑walking health challenges, summer childcare science camps, and women‑in‑innovation workshops. Media coverage in Science & Technology Daily and local Suzhou news highlights SINANO’s role in ushering the era of atom‑level manufacturing and on‑demand nano‑fabrication, positioning it as a catalyst for both scientific discovery and community enrichment.
Read moreA new high‑precision coating system, the ALD‑PVD‑100, is reshaping how laser components are built. Featuring a dual‑chamber design that combines atomic‑layer deposition (ALD) and physical vapor deposition (PVD) in one unit, the machine can handle four coating racks at once, delivering uniform temperatures across the whole batch with a tolerance better than ±5 °C. It can lay down ultra‑thin films from 3 to 15 nm for complex structures and thicker oxide layers from 80 to 300 nm for robust protection. The anti‑reflection coating it produces reflects less than 0.1 % of light, while the high‑reflection version bounces back more than 99.5 %—all measured with a film‑thickness error of only ±2 %. The equipment has already powered the production of high‑damage‑threshold semiconductor laser chips, achieving a single‑tube output of 57 W and a wall‑plug efficiency exceeding 62 %. It also supports the fabrication of advanced photonic‑crystal lasers. The primary users are the Institute of Microelectronics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Weifang Advanced Optoelectronic Chip Research Institute, with development led by the Semiconductor Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. For more details, contact Teacher Qi at 010‑82304405 or qiaiyi@semi.ac.cn.
Read moreOn September 23, 2026, China marked the ninth “Chinese Farmers’ Harvest Festival” and the autumn equinox. In a holiday greeting, General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed that modern science and technology are the engine that will turn China into an agricultural powerhouse. The country faces a stark paradox: it houses about 17 % of the world’s people but only 9 % of its arable land, with water resources far below the global average. More than 98 % of farms are tiny family plots averaging just half a hectare. To feed its massive market, China must break through these resource limits with cutting‑edge innovation. The plan calls for breakthroughs in biological breeding, precision irrigation, conservation tillage, and smart‑farm equipment that can work on hilly, fragmented fields. By strengthening research, making high‑tech tools affordable for smallholders, and integrating them into modern supply chains, the government hopes to boost yields while protecting the environment. At the same time, China aims to compete globally, exporting its adaptable agri‑tech and supporting Belt‑and‑Road partners. The overarching goal is high‑level self‑reliance in agricultural science, ensuring food security at home and a stronger strategic position abroad.
Read moreThe Chinese Academy of Sciences has laid out an ambitious roadmap for the next few years, aiming to spark major advances in two critical clean‑energy fields. First, researchers will push for high‑value conversion of biomass—turning agricultural waste, forest residues and other organic material into premium fuels and chemicals—while simultaneously scaling up large‑capacity biomass power plants to supply real‑world electricity. Second, the Academy plans to roll out pilot projects for independent, distributed renewable energy systems that can operate off‑grid, giving remote communities and industrial sites reliable, low‑carbon power. Beyond land‑based renewables, the Academy is deepening its study of natural‑gas hydrates—ice‑like compounds that trap methane beneath the seafloor—by refining the underlying accumulation theory and exploring safe extraction methods. Parallel efforts will tap the untapped potential of ocean energy, from wave and tidal forces to offshore wind, with experimental installations slated for coastal test sites. These coordinated initiatives are designed to accelerate China’s transition to a greener economy, boost energy security, and position the nation at the forefront of next‑generation sustainable technologies.
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