Highlights of scientific and technological innovation achievements of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in third quarter of 2021

Following the recommendations of its departments and experts, and taking online voting results into consideration, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has selected its scientific and technological innovation highlights for the third quarter of 2021.

The six scientific and technological innovation achievements are as follows:

1.      Original breakthrough: a de nove route for artificial starch synthesis from carbon dioxide (CO2)

A synthetic starch sample

2.      CAS builds and releases a sustainable development big data platform system

The decision support functional area of the sustainable development big data platform

3.      CAS scientists obtain free-electron lasing based on a laser Wakefield accelerator for the first time

Diagram of smaller free-electron lasers devices

4.      CAS scientists discover a roton pair density wave in a strong-coupling kagome superconductor

5.      The Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) discovers ultra-high-energy cosmic accelerators with energy approaching the theoretical upper limit

Aerial photograph of LHAASO

6.      Self-developed unmanned submersibles explore ocean’s abysses and conduct polar scientific research

China’s unmanned submersible Haidou-1 ready for a 10,000-meter dive

China’s 4,500-meter-level autonomous underwater vehicle ready for scientific research in the Arctic

Source: Chinese Academy of Sciences