1.3 billion national funds support equipment development

Recently, the National Natural Science Foundation of China has convened a meeting of the first expert committee for the major research and development of equipment and equipment, which laid out the purpose of reviewing and evaluating the proposed options. Shortly before this, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Finance jointly convened a 2011 national special conference for the development of major scientific instruments and equipment and launched special projects for the development of major scientific instruments and equipment.

At the beginning of the year, in order to implement the Outline of the National Medium and Long-Term Scientific and Technological Development Plan (2006-2020) and promote the independent research and development of China's major scientific research equipment, the central government allocated special funds to set up special projects for the development of national major scientific research equipment.

According to the “Regulations on the Administration of Special Funds for National Major Scientific Instruments and Equipment Development (Trial)”, the Fund Committee allocates 500 million yuan of special funds each year, and the Ministry of Science and Technology allocates 800 million yuan each year. In other words, the “National Special Scientific Research Equipment Development Project” with a total investment of 1.3 billion yuan in the first year has already started.

"What can't be done in the past can now be done."

"This is really catching up. This may be the last and most meaningful thing I have done in my life," said Yin Chunyong, a professor at the Department of Precision Instrument and Mechanology at Tsinghua University, told the Scientific Times reporter.

Although retired, Yin Chungyong was invited to serve as a consultant in the Chinese Academy of Sciences' project on the development of femtosecond laser tracking and measuring instruments. The R&D work he participated in was jointly tackled by several units including Xi'an Opto-Mechanics Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Tsinghua University. As one of the 10 major scientific instrument and equipment development projects recommended by the Chinese Academy of Sciences this year, it has passed the preliminary examination as a Class A project to the Ministry of Science and Technology. .

“This is a very rare opportunity for those who engage in the research of scientific research equipment. I am very happy to be able to catch up with this opportunity and do something more.” Yin Chunyong said, “I’ve been instrumental research for the rest of my life, from the first science fund. With the project amounting to 20,000 yuan, all the funds have been added up to 3 million yuan over the past few decades. Now a project costs 40 to 50 million yuan, which will also cultivate talents for the development of some scientific instruments."

In the past, when he spent less money, he had tightened his belt and made good achievements. However, he did not have enough funds to eventually develop the equipment. Although he only participated in project applications as an advisor, Yin Chung-yong was also very excited: “I feel that there is a lot of space. Many things that I could not do in the past can now be done.”

From 4 million to 150 million yuan For more than 100 years, about one-third of the Nobel Prize in physics and chemistry has given scientists who have made outstanding contributions to the development of scientific instruments or measurement methods. Accelerating the development of scientific instruments has become one of the focuses of science and technology investment in countries around the world. However, our country is relatively weak in the development of scientific instruments. The key high-end precision instruments mainly rely on imports.

“I took on the Fund's basic research and research projects on scientific instruments, and also participated in the joint fund for large scientific installations established by the Committee of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2009. This year, we conducted joint research on DESY in Hamburg, Germany, fully recognizing that scientific instrument development is an innovation for scientific research. Necessity: At present, there is a real need for further improvement in terms of funding, expertise, hardware, software, etc.” Jiang Shichun, professor at Tianjin University’s School of Materials, told the Scientific Times.

In 1998, in order to strengthen the support for the basic research of scientific instruments, the fund committee established a special research project for scientific instruments. From the year of funding 5 projects with a total funding of 4 million yuan, in 14 years, this special project has supported hundreds of projects. Many projects have achieved good results, some have broken the technological blockade, and some have achieved industrialization. Some of the initial achievements, some made important scientific research results based on the self-developed instruments.

In 2009, the special fund for basic research in scientific instruments increased to 50 million yuan, and in 2010 funded funds increased to 100 million yuan.

"This year's basic research project for scientific instruments will reach 150 million yuan." A person in charge of the Planning Commission of the Committee pointed out to the reporter of the "Scientific Times". "It and the 500 million yuan special project for the development of major national instruments and equipment launched this year are two different things. The investment in instrument development is considerable."

Academician Chen Hongyuan, an assessment expert of the basic research project of scientific instruments, believes that basic research of scientific instruments is a long-term strategic task, and that the fund committee has established a long-term vision for special research projects on scientific research instruments. The most important thing is that it has developed a number of instruments for research and development. Talent.

The major special projects start special projects for the development of major scientific instruments and equipment. “These are selected within the recommended units, and after the report comes up, we invite the relevant experts to demonstrate that it can be established after a comprehensive evaluation. The projects of the currently recommended units have been reported, and they will soon be established. Sun Zengqi, Research Condition and Finance Department of the Ministry of Science and Technology told the "Scientific Times" reporter.

Earlier, the fund committee took the lead in starting this special project in April. In early September, Chen Yiyu, the director of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, presided over the meeting of the first expert committee. The special committee is composed of scientists, technical experts, management experts and financial experts.

“This year's project proposal has been selected.” A person in charge of the Planning Commission of the Committee pointed out to the “Scientific Times” that “the next step will be a site visit in October and a review meeting in November.”

According to the “Regulations for the Management of Special Funds for National Major Scientific Instruments and Equipment Development (Trial)”, this special project will last for 5 years. The Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Natural Science Foundation of China shall establish a check-heavy and coordination mechanism, and work with the Committee of Fundamental Research on Scientific Instruments. "Special funds" and other related national science and technology plans are linked.

Many people who are engaged in or focus on instrumental research are excited and agree with the launch of this special project.

Yin Lianghong, a professor at Jinan University, expressed his wish to the “Scientific Times” reporter: “The increase in funding is a good thing. At the same time, we must also protect intellectual property rights, protect the rights and interests of developers, and increase the academic status and weight of scientific research achievements.”

“We have now realized the importance of instrument development, and the country has invested a lot in this area. This is a great encouragement for those who are engaged in instrument development. Although there is no final project, the time is very tight. We are now Already started."