On the afternoon of November 3rd, the 2024 Future Science Prize Award Ceremony was grandly held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Academician Tao Zhang from our laboratory and Academician Yadong Li from Tsinghua University were jointly awarded the 2024 Future Science Prize in Physical Sciences for their groundbreaking contributions to the development and application of "single - atom catalysis". Nearly 500 people, including past laureates of the Future Science Prize, donors of the Future Science Prize, directors of the Future Forum, members of the Scientific Committee of the Future Science Prize, supervisors of the Future Science Prize, and representatives of scientists and young scientists from global universities, research institutes, and scientific research institutions, gathered together to pay tribute to the scientific achievements of the laureates and witness this glorious moment.
At the award ceremony, Professor Xie Chen, a member of the Scientific Committee of the Future Science Prize, read out the citation for the "Physical Sciences Prize". Together with Mr. Feng Deng, a donor of the Future Science Prize, and Professors Yulin Weng, Chao Lin, Li Deng, and Yi Cui, who are also members of the Scientific Committee of the Future Science Prize, he stepped onto the stage to present the trophy, medal, and certificate to the two winners of the Physical Sciences Prize. In his acceptance speech, Tao Zhang expressed his gratitude for the people and things he had encountered at different stages of his life. He thanked his partners for their contributions and his research team for their hard work. He also stated that in the future, he would continue to make greater contributions to promoting the development of catalytic science in China. In his speech, Zhang particularly mentioned that choosing to pursue postgraduate studies at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences more than 40 years ago was one of the most important and correct decisions in his life. The first-class scientists, top-notch research facilities, and excellent research atmosphere at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics provided favorable conditions and a solid foundation for his growth, enabling him to gradually develop from a student into a scientist. He sincerely thanked the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics for its cultivation, and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to his supervisors, Academician Liwu Lin and Researcher Jingling Zang, as well as all the teachers who had helped him.
In the morning of the same day, during the event titled "Dialogue between Future Science Prize Winners and Teenagers", taking "Single-Atom Catalysis" as the theme, Tao Zhang delivered a wonderful popular science report to the teenagers present. The atmosphere at the scene was enthusiastic. During the interactive session, he patiently answered the scientific topics that the teenagers were concerned about one by one. He also encouraged them to bravely pursue their scientific dreams, seize opportunities for discovery in the face of difficulties, and strive to become scientific explorers.
Previously, the "Joint Academic Report Session between the Future Science Prize and the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences" was held on October 21st. Academician Tao Zhang, Academician Zaiku Xie, and Professor Zhipan Liu delivered wonderful academic reports centered around the theme of "Single-Atom Catalysis". They elaborated in detail on the development history and research progress of single-atom catalysis, envisioned the prospects of its industrial applications, and shared scientific discoveries driven by artificial intelligence-based computational simulations. Subsequently, Academician Chunli Bai, Academician Xinhe Bao, Academician Licheng Sun, and Academician Tao Zhang, as invited guests, participated in the dialogue session moderated by Professor Jun Li. They engaged in in-depth interactive exchanges with the on-site scientific researchers and postgraduate students, jointly exploring the future development prospects and influence of single-atom catalysis, as well as the opportunities and challenges in fields such as surface and interface catalysis, the integration of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, and artificial intelligence combined with catalysis.
Established in 2016, the Future Science Prize is a private scientific award jointly initiated by scientists and entrepreneurs. Its aim is to honor scientists who have achieved outstanding scientific achievements in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Through an innovative model, it aims to attract more private funds to promote the research of basic sciences in China, facilitate the development of scientific undertakings, and influence China, the world, and the next generation with the scientific spirit. Academician Xueming Yang from our institute was awarded the "Physical Sciences Prize" of the 2022 Future Science Prize. (Text by Yuan Gao and Xiaofeng Yang; Photos by Maggie)
