Deep-sea underwater technology and equipment are crucial aspects to cognize the deep sea, exploit deep-sea resources, and protect the marine ecosystem. Expanding the deep-sea space faces complex environmental challenges and urgently requires support of high-level deep-sea underwater technologies and equipment. This study analyzes the components and demands for the deep-sea underwater technology and equipment and reviews the current status and development trends of the technology and equipment from four aspects: deep-sea observation/detection and perception, underwater construction, deep-sea oil and gas production, and deep-sea mineral resource collection. Moreover, this study analyzes the development status and engineering challenges in China, explores the key technology and equipment systems and key physical–mechanical mechanisms behind them, and summarizes the typical equipment and corresponding diagram. Additionally, the common key technologies of the deep-sea underwater equipment in China are summarized, including the intelligent and automation technology, precision component processing and manufacturing technology, high-precision positioning and navigation technology, high-speed communication technology, computational and analytical mechanics of large systems, and multiscale engineering design methods and technologies. Furthermore, countermeasures and suggestions are proposed aiming at achieving high-quality development of the deep-sea underwater technology and equipment in China: strengthening the top-level design of deep-sea underwater engineering to promote the establishment of a coordinating system for common key technologies, enhancing the industry influence of Chinese deep-sea underwater technical standards to explore the international market, promoting the construction of compatible and universal platforms with high quality, and training innovation professionals to provide support for the high-level development of the marine science and technology industry.
Deep-sea exploration and residence equipment is an important basis for the development of marine science. In recent years, China’s independent research and development of related equipment has made good progress; however, some technical problems still exist in the process of localization. It is urgent to overcome these problems and promote China’s capabilities for constructing a “transparent ocean”. This study analyzes the development demand for deep-sea exploration and residence equipment and summarizes the development status and problems of the equipment by focusing on six key areas: general equipment for deep-sea perception and detection; general platforms for deep-sea carrier detection; deep-sea multi-functional operation platforms; deep-sea communication, navigation, and positioning equipment; general tools for deep-sea operation; and intelligent control systems for deep-sea manned and unmanned equipment. Moreover, the study proposes the key development direction of the deep-sea exploration and residence equipment in China, covering nine key technologies: exploration equipment energy supply, design and optimization of equipment systems, power systems with a high power density, in-situ experimental research and development, livability and emergency rescue of manned equipment, underwater dynamic networked positioning, underwater acoustic–optical multi-mode hybrid communication networks, human–machine hybrid decision-making and collaborative control, and evaluation and optimization of human–computer interaction effectiveness. On this basis, it is necessary to accelerate the construction of key marine areas while adhering to scientific development, promote infrastructure co-construction and information sharing through overall planning and intensive development, and encourage the innovation-driven and sustainable development of new technologies and equipment, thus to promote the high-quality development of the deep-sea exploration and residence equipment in China.
The deep sea fuels the world’s largest ecosystem, and a deep knowledge of its relevant evolutionary patterns can support the sustainable development of human society. It is difficult to carry out in-situ experiments under the extreme environmental conditions in the deep sea, which puts forward harsh requirements for the development of deep-sea scientific experiment equipment. This study summarizes the development status and problems regarding deep-sea scientific experiment equipment in China and abroad from the aspects of deep-sea test equipment and test sites, deep-sea in-situ exploration and experiment equipment, and experimental equipment for deep-sea environment simulation. China has independently developed a serial of equipment and technologies in the field of deep-sea scientific experiment equipment, and some of its advantageous directions have reached the international advanced level, which has promoted the progress of deep-sea scientific research. However, the country fails to build a mature industrial chain in terms of sophisticated equipment and associated key technologies, resulting in the restricted development of some equipment and prominent technological weaknesses. Therefore, we propose the following suggestions to promote deep-sea scientific research and the high-quality development of the deep-sea scientific experiment equipment: (1) strengthening top-level planning to coordinate technical research; (2) establishing incentive mechanisms to encourage innovation transformation; (3) building demonstration platforms and forming a standards system; (4) developing sensing technologies and accelerating the localization process; and (5) strengthening international cooperation to enhance innovation capacities.
Underwater wireless communication (UWC) equipment facilitates information transmission and data exchange in underwater environments, playing vital roles in marine scientific research, underwater network monitoring, underwater collaborative operation, and marine safety maintenance. This study explores four primary UWC equipment categories: underwater acoustic communication, underwater optical communication, underwater electromagnetic communication, and underwater magnetic induction communication. It conducts in-depth analyses of the technical challenges associated with each category, comprehensively reviews their development status in China and abroad, and forecasts future trends. Focusing on the UWC industry of China, we summarize the development challenges in terms of overarching gaps, common issues, and top-level system, and propose the following development suggestions: (1) improving fundamental mechanisms and addressing common issues, (2) prioritizing breakthroughs in industry core areas, (3) elucidating the top-level system structure of the UWC equipment, and (4) enhancing safeguard measures and support policies. This study is expected to provide references for understanding the developmental trend and promoting the research and application of the UWC equipment.
Maritime search, rescue, and salvage, as the last line of defense for maritime safety, provide a reliable guarantee for the construction of a national transport system and the sustainable development of marine economy. Maritime search, rescue, and salvage equipment is an important support to fulfil public welfare duties regarding life, environment, property rescue, and emergency recovery and salvage, and to guarantee the security of a national maritime logistics supply chain. This study summarizes the global development status of maritime search, rescue, and salvage equipment as well as the research and application progress of these equipment in China from four aspects: (1) target search, location, and detection equipment, (2) life rescue equipment, (3) environment rescue equipment, and (4) salvage engineering equipment. China still lags behind developed countries regarding the maritime search, rescue, and salvage equipment in terms of search and positioning equipment, life rescue capabilities, hazardous chemical disposal capabilities, and the ability to salvage large-tonnage sunken vessels. Therefore, we propose the following suggestions to promote the high-quality development of the maritime search, rescue and salvage equipment in China: (1) increasing investment in the research and development of key equipment, (2) promoting the upgrading of these equipment, (3) strengthening the innovation capabilities of the country to enhance the intelligence level of these equipment, (4) establishing major research projects, and (5) providing industrial policy support.
Lead-based reactor nuclear power has the advantages of inherent safety, compact size, light weight, long service life, and high efficiency, and it is widely applied to advanced marine equipment, unmanned underwater vehicles, and deep-sea space stations for energy and power purposes. Conducting research on lead-based reactor marine nuclear power is key to the technological innovation of energy and power for marine equipment in China. This study clarifies the application scenarios and development demands of marine nuclear power, summarizes the development status of lead-based reactor nuclear power from the aspects of technical characteristics, representative applications, and research status, and analyzes corresponding key technologies including nuclear fuel and cladding materials, key components in the primary loop, coolant processes and oxygen control, and advanced power generation technologies. Moreover, the study explores the development challenges for lead-based reactor marine nuclear power and proposes there feasible technical routes: low-temperature lead-based reactor marine nuclear power, high-temperature and high-efficiency lead-based reactor marine nuclear power, and integrated natural-circulation lead-based reactor marine nuclear power. Furthermore, we propose the following suggestions to promote the leapfrog development of marine nuclear power in China: (1) strengthening research and development (R&D) of specialized technologies for the lead-based reactor marine nuclear power and accelerating the deployment of demonstrative projects; (2) incorporating lead-based reactors into the country's major energy strategies and creating a standards system; (3) establishing national joint R&D centers and creating new models for technological innovation and industrial development.
Pipeline transportation is an economical and effective way for transferring carbon dioxide (CO2) to the sea, serving as a key procedure for an offshore carbon capture, utilization and sequestration (CCUS) project, as well as a core technology for the large-scale construction of CCUS projects in China. This study clarifies the advantages of China in the construction of offshore CCUS projects, typical offshore carbon pipeline scenarios, and typical offshore CO2 transportation modes. It also reviews the technologies and projects in China and abroad regarding offshore CO2 transportation via pipelines. The current technologies relevant to offshore CO2 pipeline transportation are systematically reviewed. Specifically, the process technologies include CO2 fluid state analysis and flow assurance; corrosion evaluation, monitoring, and early warning; real-time monitoring of pipe leakage; and release of high-pressure CO 2 and its environmental impacts. The material technologies include the fracture of pipeline materials and its mitigation, high corrosion-resistant and sealing materials, key corrosion-control techniques for the long-term operation of pipelines, and corrosion risk evaluation of CO 2 injection wells. Further efforts should focus on the following aspects: material selection systems for the complex conditions during offshore CO2 pipeline transportation, full-chain intelligent management and digital twin technologies for CO2 pipelines, key technologies regarding the whole life-time operation of subsea CO2 pipelines, and evaluation and assurance techniques for the transferred transportation pipelines. Furthermore, the following suggestions are proposed to promote the high-quality development of the offshore CO2 pipeline transportation system in China: (1) promoting the planning of offshore CO2 pipeline networks, (2) expanding interdisciplinary innovations, (3) establishing standards systems that applicable to both onshore and offshore scenarios, and (4) encouraging the participation of diversified technology service enterprises.
The planting industry is crucial in ensuring food security in China. The development of the planting industry has underpinned the country’s historic transition from merely achieving food sufficiency to enjoying high-quality diets, consequently promoting the gradual improvement of dietary quality among residents. In the new era, the development of the Chinese planting industry faces challenges from internal and external risk factors, such as resource environment pressure, extreme climate impacts, and unstable international geopolitical situations. This study predicts the food supply and demand situations in 2035 and 2050. Results show that net imports of grain in China will mainly focus on soybeans and corn, while the self-sufficiency rate of rapeseed and sugar will continue to decline, the self-sufficient rate of peanuts and fruits will rise after declining first, and the vegetables will be more than self-sufficient. Thus, this study provides an overview and summary of the challenges faced by China’s planting industry regarding food security and proposes strategic ideas and policy recommendations for ensuring food security in the new era. These recommendations include improving the planting industry’s production capacity and structure, promoting low-carbon production and the efficient use of resources , optimizing residents’ consumption structure and health concepts, encouraging agricultural technology innovation and equipment development, and innovating new business entities. Major projects regarding technology innovation, quality improvement, ecological protection, and protein substitution are also proposed. Furthermore, we suggest adhering to the overall strategy of “ensuring basic self-sufficiency of grain and absolute security of staple food”, clarifying the industry development priorities by regions, improving the agricultural infrastructure and technology shortcomings, and perfecting the strategic system for responding to major crises, thereby enhancing the level of agricultural development and effectively ensuring food security in China.
Conservation tillage is a technology regarding sustainable agricultural development, which features less or no tillage and crop stubble covering and has brought significant economic, environmental, and social benefits to China’s agricultural production. As agricultural production in China develops toward the directions of large scale, high efficiency, and intelligence, promoting the development of conservation tillage becomes conducive to cultivated land protection, grain supply security, and agricultural technology improvement. This study reviews the development process of conservation tillage in China from the aspects of research and development of conservation tillage technologies and equipment, demonstration and ability construction, and utilization of black soil in Northeast China. It also summarizes the development status of conservation tillage technologies and equipment in China, involving representative technical models and key machines for surface straw and stubble treatment, shallow soil tillage, and no- or less-tillage sowing. The major factors that affect the development of conservation tillage in China are analyzed, including suitable model and equipment, support of laws and policies, and drive of large-scale planting households. Furthermore, suggestions are proposed to promote the rapid and stable development of conservation tillage in China. First, a national science and technology innovation platform should be built and high-standard demonstration projects should be implemented by counties. Second, national action plans on conservation tillage should be implemented to strengthen policy guidance. Third, publicity of conservation tillage should be further strengthened.
Currently, the situation of global food security is complicated and severe, and diet-derived chronic diseases are sweeping the world. Meanwhile, the views of “health-centered”, “nutritional diversity”, and “Food is Medicine” have become the general consensus. Using agricultural biodiversity to explore a new generation of crops that are both high-yield and nutritious has become an international trend, and Huangjing (i. e., Polygonati rhizoma) has notable characteristics and advantages. To fully unleash the potentials of Huangjing, this study systematically summarizes its history as both food and medicine, material basis of nutrition and efficacy as forest grain, as well as resource distribution and food production potentials. Huangjing does not contain starch, but rich in nutrients such as fructans with a complex structure, easy degradation, and energy, which is vital for serving life and health. Huangjing is suitable for in-forest planting or intercropping with maize and does not take up the farmland or compete for forest land. It has enormous production capacities and is crucial for ensuring food security. Huangjing is suitable for planting and processing in thousands of households, with good economic benefits, and is of great significance for achieving common prosperity. However, the Huangjing industry of China currently faces multiple challenges in terms of basic research, application technologies, as well as cultural heritage and policy support. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen research on the basic sciences and application technologies of the industry. Meanwhile, we suggest to incorporate Huangjing production into the policy and funding guarantee system for woody grain and oil, integrate Huangjing application into the healthcare and population health planning, and regard the Huangjing industry as an important carrier for rural revitalization and common prosperity, thus to establish a complete innovation and application system covering the entire industrial chain.
Food protein is one of the most important nutrients for human beings. The existing ways of obtaining protein are difficult to satisfy the huge demand for protein supply owing to the continuous growth of population and the continuous improvement in living standards. Microbial protein manufacturing is the efficient production of protein raw materials by using cheap biomass raw materials in the way of workshop production, which is expected to become one of the most effective and feasible alternative protein sources in the future. This research introduces industrial application status of several microprotein such as yeast protein, microalgae protein, and filamentous fungi protein, and functional proteins such as lactoprotein, ovalbumin, and hemoglobin. The research also sorts out key manufacturing technical systems involved in substrate selection and utilization, strain breeding, fermentation process control, and protein extraction. It is concluded that in the context that microbial protein has multiple production advantages and few application cases in the food industry, to promote food application and industrialization of microbial protein, it is urgent to solve two problems: food processing as well as evaluation of nutrition and safety. The research can provide a basic reference for national alternative protein strategies and the development layout of the microprotein industry.
The main rice-producing areas in Southwest China are facing production problems such as seasonal drought and engineering water shortage. A green and efficient irrigation and drainage technology system is key to achieving water conservation, stable yield, and high efficiency in the region, and it is of great significance to the food security of China. This study reviews the current status of water use, irrigation, and drainage in the main rice-producing areas in Southwest China, involving Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Chongqing. It examines the basic characteristics and specific technical types of green and efficient irrigation and drainage systems in the areas, and proposes a green and efficient irrigation and drainage technology model that is composed of accurate water demand forecast of paddy fields, precision water distribution management in irrigation areas, efficient water use management in paddy fields, and efficient drainage management in paddy fields. The study found that the main rice-producing areas in Southwest China are rich in water resources but uneven in spatial and temporal distribution of water. The water-saving irrigation and drainage technologies in this region are backward and vary in the applicability of climate conditions, water resources, and topography. Therefore, we propose the following suggestions: (1) developing new technologies for the efficient and coordinated regulation of irrigation and drainage in paddy fields, (2) promoting the green and efficient irrigation and drainage technology system, (3) optimizing the water and fertilizer operation mode, (4) developing an intelligent irrigation system for paddy fields, (5) establishing a paddy field information management system, and (6) building a multi-dimensional technology promotion system, thus to achieve water conservation, pollution control, emission reduction, yield increase, and quality improvement in the main rice-producing areas of Southwest China.
Agricultural whole chain standardization (AWCS) is crucial for ensuring the security and stability of the agricultural industry of China and for promoting the transformation and upgrading of the industry. Currently, AWCS in China is faced with major challenges, including continuous optimization of the standards supply structure, urgent need to enhance the coordination between standards for different links, and prominent linkage barriers. This study analyzes the realistic values of the transformation of AWCS from the aspects of stability and security of the supply chain, smooth flow of elements of all links, innovation of production and operation modes, improvement in brand competitiveness, and low-carbon transformation. Additionally, the study proposes that the transformation of AWCS should focus on the following aspects: (1) comprehensive and complex problems of the industry; (2) coordination of pre-production, production, and post-production standards; (3) effective supply of high-quality standards; and (4) participation of all stakeholders. To the end, it is necessary to improve the effective supply of high-quality standards, promote the coordinated governance of standards across the entire industry chain, establish a connectivity mechanism for local standards, and strengthen the innovation of standards implementation mechanisms.
Promoting agricultural green development is crucial for achieving agricultural modernization and ecological civilization. Based on the current status and problems of agricultural green development in China, this study analyzes the internal mechanism by which the digital technology enables the agricultural green development from four dimensions: factor allocation, industrial synergy, information sharing, and information feedback effects. Combined with current application practices of the digital technology in agricultural enterprises, this study explores the internal logic of enabling agricultural green development through digital technology and proposes a dual-driving force mechanism: market and government regulation. In terms of market regulation, the agricultural green development is driven by means of active pollution and carbon reduction at the production end and rising demand for green agricultural products at the consumer side. In terms of government regulation, the agricultural green development is incentivized and guided through measures such as policy formulation and economic incentives, data sharing and financial support, and scientific innovation and network publicity. These measures can help realize the all-round, entire-process greening of agricultural production, ecology, and life, and achieve the sustainable and high-quality development of agriculture.
The chemical industry plays a crucial role in strengthening the manufacturing sector of China, and chemical industrial parks are key platforms for new industrialization. Chemical industrial parks encounter numerous challenges in mitigating pollution and carbon emissions, encompassing issues such as a low resource-utilization rate, deficient recycling practices, substantial costs associated with end-of-pipe pollution control, and escalated safety and environmental risks. This study investigates collaborative pathways for pollution reduction and carbon mitigation within chemical industrial parks. According to the characteristics and research progress of carbon emissions and pollution generation, the implications of carbon reduction synergies are analyzed. A comprehensive analytical framework is established for general industrial processes, covering material metabolic processes in enterprise production, symbiotic metabolism in industrial parks, and material metabolism in park infrastructure. Moreover, specific technical pathways for pollution reduction and carbon mitigation are proposed: (1) establishing a comprehensive inventory of carbon and pollutant emissions; (2) integrating and optimizing the technological and industrial structures of chemical industrial parks through the development of green production technologies, symbiotic upgrades in infrastructure, enhanced inter-enterprise cooperation, coordinated efforts in pollution reduction, carbon mitigation, and safety production, and optimization of product-industry-space structures; and (3) conducting a cost-benefit analysis of pollution reduction and carbon mitigation technology pathways through a life cycle assessment. Employing the Hangzhou Bay Shangyu Economic and Technological Development Zone as a case study, an empirical analysis of pollution reduction and carbon mitigation technology pathways is undertaken. Furthermore, recommendations are made from three perspectives: improving precision measurement systems to strengthen material flow management in chemical industrial parks, reinforcing symbiotic links through systems engineering to empower pollution reduction and carbon mitigation, and stimulating systemic efficiency reforms for the green and high-quality development of chemical industrial parks.
Landfill, one of the major approaches for waste treatment in China, is a significant source of carbon emissions; compiling landfill carbon emission accounting standards in China will support the construction of a statistical accounting system for carbon emissions and promote the achievement of the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. This study reviews the research progress of landfill carbon emission accounting standards and guidelines in China and abroad, analyzes the challenges faced by the development of these standards in China, and proposes relevant development suggestions based on an in-depth discussion of the baseline methodology for the standards and the priority tasks for compilation. The international standards and guidelines currently available for reference are not fully applicable to China’s landfill carbon emission accounting, and there is a lack of standardized and unified landfill carbon emission accounting methodology as well as reliable accounting inventory data in China. Therefore, based on the waste characteristics and technical status of landfills in China, recommendations for carbon emission accounting methodology, scope, and inventory are proposed, priorities for the standards compilation are clarified, and approaches for obtaining inventory data applicable to China’s landfill scenarios are provided. Subsequently, regional factors can be fully considered and characteristic data of China can be adopted in order to obtain landfill carbon emission accounting results that are more in line with the actual situation, and the compilation of landfill carbon emission accounting standards in China can be carried out accordingly.
Methane (CH4) is the second largest greenhouse gas in the world, and controlling CH4 emissions has climate, environment, safety, and economic benefits. China’s CH4 emissions are relatively large, and conducting medium- and long-term research on CH4 emission control strategies is crucial for the construction of a greenhouse gas emission reduction capacity system in China. Considering the scientific basis of CH4 emission control, this study analyzes the characteristics of CH4 emissions in China and explores the challenges faced by CH4 emission control. The logic of medium- and long-term CH4 emission control is clarified from three aspects: overall management and control idea, action directions of CH4 emission control in various fields, and system architecture of technologies and measures to reduce emissions. Corresponding countermeasures are then provided. The study concludes that China’s medium- and long-term actions regarding CH4 emission control will be constrained by the following problems: (1) large amount of CH 4 emissions and differences among sectors and regions, (2) uncertain trends in emissions and specific paths, (3) unclear potentials of technologies and measures for emission reduction, and (4) insufficient capabilities to quantify risks and set targets for emission reduction. The CH 4 emission control work of China should be strategically planned based on a long-term perspective, starting from setting overall emission control targets, assigning and implementing responsibilities, consolidating emission reduction capabilities, and enhancing the joint force of management and control. Additionally, institutional, technological, and model innovation should be promoted in a coordinated manner to accelerate the reduction in CH4 emissions.
The urban power system is a critical infrastructure that is essential for urban safety. The frequent occurrence of extreme natural disasters characterized by a low probability and high losses severely threatens the continuity of urban power supply and the overall safety of cities. Resilience is the capability of a system to withstand disturbances and rapidly return to normal operating conditions. Therefore, enhancing the resilience of urban power systems is crucial in the face of extreme natural disasters. This study provides an overview of the implications of enhancing resilience in urban power systems under extreme natural disasters, clarifying the processes by which urban power systems respond to extreme natural disasters. Subsequently, in conjunction with the challenges faced by the resilience construction of urban power systems under extreme natural disasters, key developmental elements for resilience improvement are analyzed from the information, physical, and application dimensions. Based on this, a framework for enhancing the resilience of urban power systems under extreme natural disasters is established. From the perspectives of data-driven sensing, scenario construction, response assessment, and emergency recovery, the framework dissects four critical technologies for improving the resilience of urban power systems. Furthermore, the following recommendations are proposed: (1) strengthening top-level planning and coordinated design to upgrade power infrastructure through smart initiatives; (2) overcoming core issues and critical technologies and promoting the practical application of technological achievements; (3) enhancing standardized technical documents and establishing unified equipment configuration principles; (4) advancing collaborative governance among diverse entities to establish an efficient emergency coordination mechanism.
The Western Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project is the final link to be constructed for the four-horizontal three-vertical framework of China’s national water network. The adjustable water volume in the water source areas is a focal and challenging issue in the planning and demonstration of the Western Route. This study raised ten questions related to the adjustable water volume in the water source areas of the Western Route from the aspects of water resource background conditions and evolution trends, ecological and socio-economic water demands, scales of reservoirs and water conveyance projects, as well as impacts of water diversion on water resource development and utilization, aquatic ecological environment, hydropower, and navigation in the water source areas and their lower reaches. Based on a distributed hydrological model of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, a simulation and analysis model for calculating the adjustable water volume in water source areas of the Western Route is established to quantitatively answer the ten questions raised. The main conclusions are as follows. First, under the premise of solely satisfying ecological and socio-economic water demands within and outside the river channels of the water source areas, a plan that combines upper and lower routes presents an average adjustable water volume of 1.59×1010 m3 over multiple years, while a plan for solely constructing a lower route can reach an average adjustable water volume of 1.74×1010 m3 by constructing the Gangtuo Reservoir for coordinated operation. Second, comprehensively considering the impacts of water diversion on water balance, hydropower, and navigation, as well as their acceptability in the water source areas, the adjustable water volume is between 1.22×1010 and 1.26×1010 m3. Third, in the long term, the plan should focus on connecting and integrating the water network in the southwestern region with the main framework and major streams of the national water network of China. This will reduce the impacts of water diversion by the Western Route Project, increase the overall water supply capacity of the project, and promote its adaptability to external conditions such as climate change.
Radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals produced by reactors are important components and main material foundations of the nuclear healthcare industry. Therefore, summarizing the current status of reactor-produced radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals is practically significant for accelerating the development of these products in China and promoting the construction of a self-reliant full-chain system. Through literature review, questionnaire survey, field research, and industry discussions, this study analyzes the supply and demand situation, current status, and trends of reactor-produced radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals in China and abroad. Currently, China has achieved independent supply of a small number of reactor-produced radionuclides such as 131I, 177Lu, and 89Sr; however, the production capacity of these radionuclides cannot meet domestic demand, and most commonly used radionuclides in clinical practice still rely on imports. Meanwhile, the current reactor-produced radiopharmaceuticals face bottlenecks such as a limited variety of drugs, insufficient research and development innovation, and limited production capacity, making it difficult to meet actual clinical needs. Therefore, the supply and diversification of reactor-produced radionuclides should be ensured considering the current status and trends of their supply and demand. It is necessary to promote the large-scale preparation of reactor-produced radionuclides based on clinical needs, support the development and application of more innovative radiopharmaceuticals, and further accelerate the formation of a self-reliant development system for the reactor-produced radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals in China. Additionally, it is urgent to enrich development models and form innovative concepts, providing reliable support for the sustainable development of nuclear medicine in China.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation, as the core of the traditional Chinese medical system, has played an indispensable role in guaranteeing the health of the Chinese nation for thousands of years. Recently, with the collaborative promotion of multiple departments, the TCM technology innovation capability of China has been continuously enhanced. The integration of TCM syndrome differentiation with artificial intelligence AI, big data, and other fields has made new progress. Engineering frontier methods and technologies have provided an effective route for breaking through the theoretical bottlenecks of TCM syndrome differentiation. Against the backdrop of the modernization and intelligent development of TCM diagnosis in the new era, this study summarizes the fundamental theories, basic processes, and key technical links of AI-assisted TCM syndrome differentiation. The key technical links include multimodal data fusion, symptom correlation analysis, syndrome quantification, syndrome reasoning, and large-scale TCM models. It also expounds on the research ideas and development status of each link and summarizes the challenges faced by AI-assisted TCM syndrome differentiation. For instance, publicly available data are insufficient and have a poor quality; syndrome differentiation models are inadequate, have poor universality, and lack interpretability and consistency; and the evaluation of syndrome differentiation model results is limited and lack credibility. Therefore, the following suggestions are proposed for reference: (1) strengthening data integration and quality control; (2) deeply integrating AI with TCM syndrome differentiation to enhance model interpretability; (3) developing large language models for the subdivisions of TCM; (4) strengthening the construction of intelligent TCM talent teams and encouraging cooperation among experts in multiple fields; and (5) improving international standards and regulations to strengthen international cooperation and exchanges. These efforts aim to provide references for the technological exploration and innovation of AI-assisted TCM diagnosis and treatment.
Currently, the market demand for traditional Chinese herbal medicines and prepared slices is experiencing rapid growth, rendering quality control and safety assurance even more pressing issues. Conventional testing methods for traditional Chinese herbal medicines and prepared slices, which are heavily reliant on subjective experience, limited in detection precision, and unable to comprehensively quantify complex constituents, are increasingly inadequate in satisfying the requirements for accurate classification, differentiation, and precise measurement of components in these materials. The rapid development and widespread application of artificial intelligence (AI), however, offer novel solutions for the testing of the traditional Chinese herbal medicines and prepared slices. This study summarizes the existing methods and current status of testing for the traditional Chinese herbal medicines and prepared slices, sorts out the typical applications of AI in medicinal material classification, authenticity identification, traceability of origin, harmful ingredient measurement, effective ingredient measurement, and medicinal effect measurement, and analyzes the current problems regarding data collection and standardization; sharing of testing data; demands for rapid, non-destructive, low-cost testing technologies; accuracy of testing data; and fusion of multi-modal testing data. The study believes that intelligence, precision, and speed are the key development directions for the testing of the traditional Chinese herbal medicines and prepared slices. To this end, we propose the following suggestions: continuously improving the testing standards and data sharing system, deepening the research and application of AI, strengthening the application of multi-modal data fusion technology, introducing new sensor technologies, and enhancing the supervision over AI applications, so as to promote the high-quality development of testing for traditional Chinese herbal medicines and prepared slices, and ensure the continuous and healthy development of the traditional Chinese medicine industry.
In the context of actively promoting deep geological engineering, ultra-deep fault-controlled fractured carbonate reservoirs have become a focal point in oil and gas exploration and development. Precise interpretation of ultra-deep strike-slip faults, internal configuration modeling of fractured reservoirs, assessment of reserves sculpted by fault control, efficient well deployment, and enhanced recovery have emerged as crucial scientific challenges and technological barriers in increasing reserves and production in the ultra-deep domain. This study comprehensively constructs fracture structural analysis techniques utilizing regional stress field research, outcrop analysis, three-dimensional seismic interpretation, and physical modeling; this is based on dynamics, kinematics, and geometry, as well as different stages, grades, properties, zones, and layers. It elucidates the vertical layering and lateral segmentation characteristics of strike-slip faults, revealing geological laws governing reservoir control, storage, and hydrocarbon accumulation, ultimately leading to the discovery of billion-ton-level mega oilfields in ultra-deep fault-controlled fractured reservoirs. Based on dynamic/static data, the internal configuration of fault-controlled fractured reservoirs is finely delineated, and a quantitative characterization of reservoirs is achieved through the integration of well‒seismic data, facilitating efficient well deployment and reservoir reserve assessment. This approach has supported the discovery and realization of billion-ton-level oil and gas reserves in the rich oilfields. Leveraging the quantitative characterization of fault-controlled reservoirs, targeted strategies to improve recovery rates are proposed, driving the efficient development of 5×106-ton mega oilfields, thereby establishing a paradigm for increasing reserves and production in ultra-deep fault-controlled carbonate reservoirs. This study could serve as a reference for similar oil and gas reservoir development in China.