The Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMR, CAS) has received five awards in the 2023 Liaoning Science and Technology Awards. Among these, IMR led two first-prize projects and contributed to three other award-winning initiatives.
The Natural Science First Prize was awarded for the project "Design, Construction, and Property Studies of Functional Two-Dimensional Material Films," led by researchers including Prof. REN Wencai and Academician CHENG Huiming. The project focused on the precise construction of two-dimensional nanochannels for applications in energy storage, water purification, and electromagnetic shielding. Breakthroughs included the development of proton-conducting membranes with five times higher conductivity than Nafion, an electrochemical method for graphene oxide synthesis, and a centrifugal casting technique for assembling high-performance graphene-based films. Five key papers were published in journals such as Science and Nature Communications, and related technologies have been applied in aerospace and 5G communications.
The Technology Invention First Prize recognized the project "Precise Forming Technology and Application of Complex Powder Components for Advanced Power Systems," led by Prof. YANG Rui and colleagues. This project developed near-net-shape powder forming technology for manufacturing turbine pump impellers used in heavy-lift rockets. By overcoming limitations of traditional casting and forging processes, the team achieved high-purity titanium alloy powder preparation and precise dimensional control through hot isostatic pressing. The technology supported the maiden flights of the Long March-5 and Long March-5B rockets, earning the team the title of "Outstanding Contribution Unit."
IMR also participated in three additional award-winning projects, including one on early diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of aortic diseases, which received the First Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress, and two projects on corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy parts and laser-based green remanufacturing, both awarded Second Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress.
