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No.343

 
 
 


CHINA  SCIENCE  AND  TECHNOLOGY
NEWSLETTER
The Ministry of Science and Technology
People's Republic of China


N0.343 September 20,2003
 
IN THIS ISSUE

* Arctic Expeditions Harvested

* Chinese Scientists' Paper on SARS Origin

* Water Surface Robot Rescuer

* High Energy Sodium Salt Battery

* China's Yanhuang-I Chip

* China's Digital Agriculture

* China's High Accuracy CT


 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
  

Arctic Expeditions Harvested

Following a half month of continuous observations, Chinese scientists withdrew from the last permanent ice station in the Arctic on September 4, 2003. This marked the completion of China’s second scientific expedition to the South Pole. 

The permanent ice station is located on a large ice floe having an area about 350 km2 and located at 78 degrees north latitude. During the expedition, Chinese scientists had made continuous observations of the meteorological conditions, mechanism of sea-air exchange, ice depth, temperature, salinity, and biological species over the northern pole.  Two Chinese-made polar drifting buoys were installed on the surface of the vast floating ice. Through these, Chinese scientists will receive the data transmitted from the systems on a consecutive basis for the next 2 years.

The expedition has covered a vast area of 3000 km from north to south and 900 km from west to east. The Snow Dragon expedition boat operated following the line of 80 degrees north latitude and the expedition helicopter operated at 81 degrees north latitude. This study has laid a new milestone for China’s polar expeditions.

The expedition saw the first time application of the Chinese-made ROV submarine robot. The robot completed consecutive measurements of sea ice depth, sea ice bottom, temperature, and salinity in different sea areas. Its contribution has allowed people to observe the landscape under the Arctic ice for the first time.

Scientists employed the helicopter to place the GPS array over the Arctic ice to continuously monitor the movement tracks of sea ice. The onboard automatic weather station was able to collect weather data over the area of 80 degrees the north latitude. This was another first, and successfully filled in a blank in China’s weather data regarding higher altitudes of the Arctic region.

Chinese Scientists’ Paper on SARS Origin

On September 4, 2003, the United States-based “Journal of Science” published a paper on the origins the SARS virus authored by researchers of Hong Kong University and the Shenzhen Municipal Disease Control and Prevention Center. Researchers revealed in the paper that they have separated the SARS virus from the body of Paguma larvata. The full genome sequencing and comparative analysis has shown that the SARS virus discovered in Paguma larvata bear 99.8% of homogeneity with the human SARS virus. The finding suggests that the SARS virus may originate in animals and infect human beings through transmission between different species.

In addition to Paguma larvata, researchers have spotted the SARS virus antibody in Nyctereutes procyonoides and the ferret badger (civet cat). All tested animals were collected from a market in Shenzhen. Researchers also had blood samples from 20 wild animal dealers and 15 animal butchers collected and tested. They found SARS virus antibodies in 8 wild animal dealers and 3 animal butchers, although these people had not shown any SARS symptoms in the previous 6 months. 

Researchers pointed out that the wild animal fairs might be a place for transmission of animal-based SARS virus to new hosts, including human beings. However, it remains unclear if Paguma larvata is the origin of the SARS virus. It is possible that Paguma larvata received the SARS virus from other unknown animals that might be the real originators of the SARS virus.

Water Surface Robot Rescuer

Thanks to more than two years of effort, the Submarine Robot Research Center, Shenyang Institute of Automation as part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed China’s first water surface robot rescuer. Designed with a height of less than 1 meter and weighing approximately 30 kg, the robot rescuer is able to make rapid forward movement calculated at 2-3m a second. The new robot is able to drag a life buoy or rope to a drowning victim or wrecked boat, and is designed for unmanned operation.

The robot rescuer looks like two small rockets tied-together with a remote signal receiving unit, compass, and chips housed in its upper part and nickel-hydrogen batteries in its lower part. The robot rescuer has been performance tested in different experimental environments, such as labs, lakes, and China’s territorial seas. The operator is able to control the robot rescuer from as far away as 1 km. The robot rescuer transmits its data on movement, navigation angles, and energy reserve to the operator through a wireless telecommunication system. Experiments have shown that the robot rescuer is not only able to send rescue tools to victims in a rapid manner, but is also able to drag a life boat carrying 4 persons at a cruise speed of 4.8 km per hour.

It is reported that the robot rescuer has excellent controllability with a quick start, adjustable cruising speeds, steady movement, and a flexible direction determination mechanism. In addition, the designers have improved the robot’s stability and wave resistance allowing it to work under severe strong waves and currents conditions.

China’s First Bio-information Computer

Recently, the Shuguang Corp. and the Huada Genetic Research Center jointly unveiled China’s first computer for bio-information applications. By applying advanced speed for data processing and integrated software and hardware design, the new computer will become a powerful tool for bio-informatics study with application possibilities for genetic sequence search and medicinal R&D in the fields of biology, pharmacy, and agriculture.

Built using the hardware of Shuguang 4000L model high performance computer with a powerful data processing capacity, the computer has integrated the special database and application software needed for bio-informatics study and made a complete solution available for genomic and bio-informatics studies. The new system is able to efficiently complete the entire process of data transmission, storage, management, interpretation, analyzing, integration, and publishing. The data accumulated by the Huada Genetic Research Center on human genomes, rice genomes, and SARS virus genes has been incorporated into the computer’s database. This makes it a precious asset for the researchers in the field. 

High Energy Sodium-Salt Battery

On the basis of extensive experiments, Harbin Xinke High Energy Power Source Co. Ltd. has been granted patents for both “Sodium-salt-based High Conductivity Electrolyte” and “Formula for Large Capacity Durable Positive-negative Plate-active Matters and the Associated Manufacturing Method.” The company has developed the high-energy sodium-salt battery for ignition using the proprietary technology. The new battery is also termed “the battery without internal consumption,” as the sodium-salt-based electrolyte is stable enough to be resistant to sudden changes. 

Experiments have shown that the new battery is desirable for large current discharges, as it is able to perform 80 consecutive ignitions. The new battery proves to work well in both extremely cold and very hot environments. The long period of trial applications in the Harbin Public Commuter Company and other venues have demonstrated that the new technology is able to extend battery life several times over. As the battery has very limited self-discharge, it only takes 4 hours to recharge the battery. The recharged battery may survive one year of rack storage. In terms of performance, it is 4 times better than the conventional battery.

Results have passed the verification approval of relevant authorities. Experts believe that the technology may find extensive applications in transportation tools, such as vehicles, boats, airplanes, rail locomotives, and emergency power sources.

China’s Yanhuang-I Chip

Yanhuang-I WSC1115, a video scanning format conversion chip developed by the Chengdu Weisida Chip Co. Ltd. passed the technical verification check organized by National Quality Control Center for Radio and TV Products on August 23, 2003. Verification was made at the Center by comparing the Yanhuang-I chip with a similar chip manufactured overseas. The comparison shows that the Yanhuang-I chip meets the high standards as defined for high resolution digital TV in the context of performance. It was tested in the following areas:  constant temperature; video bandwidth; frequency variation; pulse responding; RGB output level; and horizontal and vertical resolution. Using the analog format, and with an input of 525lines/60Hz (NTSC) and an output of 720X480P/60Hz, the Yanhuang-I chip has outperformed its overseas counterpart in sports image processing, especially in the area of diminishing the effects of dragging, saw-teeth, and feathering. It also presents a better vertical resolution than the compared chip using an input of 625lines/50Hz (PAL) and output of 720X625/50Hz format.H

Digital Skull Repairing

Recently, Beijing Polytechnic University has, in collaboration with Tiantan Hospital, successfully performed an operation on skull repairing using digital techniques. The entire process includes the following steps: skull CT data-based 3-D reconstruction; digital design of the object to be repaired; simulation assembling; optimizing technique parameters; and transmitting the finalized repairing data to the digital programmed multi-point shaping equipment to work on the object to be repaired. The process eliminates the need for founding and mould with a remarkably improved efficiency. It only takes about two hours from CT data collection to get the skull repaired.

Researchers stated that the new process has found the solution to addressing the low technical level and long operation hours needed for skull repair and it reduces both operation risks and patients’ pain. The new development has laid a solid technical foundation for the future development of rapid skull repairs.

Solutions to Chestnut Leaf Withering Disease

The study of chestnut leaf withering, chaired by the Zhunhua Municipal Forestry Bureau, has recently passed experts’ verification. The study classified chestnut leaf withering symptoms and types and arrived at possible solutions for prevention and treatment of the disease.

In 1995, researchers discovered a new chestnut tree disease in the Yanshan area, a major chestnut production base. Once attacked, the chestnut trees are seriously affected to a serious extent, causing the reduction of both yield and quality. Researchers started the study in 2000 and found that the leaf withering is caused primarily by either the excessive application of boron or by potassium insufficiency. The solutions are therefore to control the boron application and restore the needed potassium. The control process found the best solutions to be in controlling the application of boron with no more than 15g of boron applied annually over each square meter of the chestnut canopy and increasing the application of organic fertilizers. The boron applications are measured on a three-year basis so as to define the rational application volume in line with the soil and growth conditions. Potassium insufficiency can be addressed primarily by spraying potassium in an amount of 20g per square meter of canopy each year, thereby satisfying the demand of chestnut trees. The desirable application time is late June or early July. In addition, the growth agent should be applied over tree leaves 2 to 4 times each year. The three-year consecutive experiments and dispersion over the Zhunhua area, Hebei Province and the Huairou area of Beijing have demonstrated fine economic return.   

 
 NEWS BRIEFS

China’s Digital Agriculture

China has kicked off its dedicated study for digital agriculture, and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology has opened bids for public topic applications.

The dedicated study for digital agriculture will, building on the existing base of a number of national programs such as the 863 Program, the 973 Program, and the Sparkle Program, take full advantage of its accumulated strength to work on the technologies and products bearing major implications on and application to perspectives for future agricultural development. The study will introduce the concepts of industrial production and CAD techniques into agriculture, and will focus on the following four major areas: technological standards and development strategy for digital agriculture; key technology and product development for digital agriculture; digital agricultural technical system integration and associated platforms; and digital agriculture demonstrations.  The dedicated study will play an important role in accelerating China’s information process in the field of agriculture, speeding up the transformation of agricultural production from traditionally extensive and empirical modes to an intelligent, accurate and digitalized one.

China’s High Accuracy CT

Not long ago, the Institute of Applied Electronics, attached to the Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics, successfully created China’s first high accuracy CT machine for industrial applications. The new equipment is able to detect internal surface defects as tiny as 0.002 mm3 and internal line defects at 10 microns. It recorded a resolution 10 times higher than that of similar instruments in the overseas market.

It is reported that with only 1/3 of the cost of the lower performance CT machines manufactured abroad, the Chinese-made high performance CT machine may find extensive applications in aircraft, space vehicle, automobile, ship, and oil pipeline manufacturing in both civilian and defense sectors. It is worth noting that its scanning function can be used to design new products or upgrade old products. 

Optic Fire Warning System

Recently, Harbin Engineering University unveiled its distributive optic fire warning system, which is sensitive to rising environmental temperatures when a fire is burning within a structure. It is able to automatically confirm the presence of fire and the related location.

Made up of a number of optic sensor components, including mono-cored optic cable, an optic measuring system, and a computer signal identifier and processor, the new system can be installed throughout building structures to accurately detect possible fires in each room of the structure or even a fire at a specific place in a room. It is accurate to within 5 meters. Its manufacturing cost is also lower than that of conventional fire detecting systems.


       Comments or inquiries on editorial matters or Newsletter content should be directed to:Mr. Cheng Jiayi, Department of International Cooperation, MOST 15B, Fuxing Road Beijing 100862, PR China  Tel: (8610)68512650 Fax: (8610) 68512594

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