On June 27, the Science and Technology Award Conference of Shandong Province was held in Jinan to honor the winners of the 2024 Science and Technology Award of Shandong Province. 

Professor Chen Zhaohui from OUC’s Key Laboratory of Physical Oceanography (MOE), received the Youth Science and Technology Award of Shandong Province, becoming the second young scholar from the university to earn this honor. As the leading institution, OUC won 11 project awards, including 6 first prizes and 5 second prizes. Both the total number of awards and the number of high-level prizes reached a record high. 6 winners of the first prizes were invited to go on stage at the main venue in Jinan to receive their awards as project representatives, while other awardees attended the Qingdao sub-venue.

Professor Chen Zhaohui has long been engaged in observations and mechanism studies of multi-scale ocean dynamical processes. Focusing on the core topic of “Multi-scale Dynamical Processes in the Northwest Pacific and Their Impacts on Climate, Ecosystems and Fisheries”, he has promoted the coordinated development of marine observing technologies and cutting-edge scientific innovation. Under his leadership, the team has established the world’s first Kuroshio Extension Mooring System (KEMS), independently developed the 6000 m-class Deep Argo “Xuanwu”, and led the construction of the western Pacific Deep Argo network, making China the second-largest contributor to the global Deep Argo Mission. The team has also built a global dynamical framework for low-latitude equatorial current bifurcation, providing a theoretical basis for understanding how ocean circulation responds to climate change.

Fisheries is one of the university’s key and signature disciplines. The achievement “Breeding and Application of New High-yield, High-quality Varieties of Pacific Oyster”, led by Professor Li Qi of the College of Fisheries, received the first prize of Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award. The project team systematically carried out studies on genetic evaluation of Pacific oyster germplasm resources, establishment of genetic breeding techniques, and creation of superior germplasm. The related technological results have been widely applied in major Pacific oyster farming areas, effectively driving the process of improved variety adoption in the Pacific oyster industry. The achievement “Construction and Application of a Key Technological System for High-value Bioprocessing of Aquatic Resources”, led by Professor Mao Xiangzhao of the College of Food Science and Engineering, also received the first prize of the award. The project systematically carried out research on fundamental theory, key technologies, and application demonstration for high-value bioprocessing of aquatic resources. The technological achievements have been transferred and applied in several leading enterprises in the sector, taking the lead in establishing an industrialization model for bioprocessing and manufacturing of aquatic resources.

The university enjoys distinct strengths in the field of marine engineering. The achievement “R&D and Application of High-efficiency, High-reliability Wave Energy Power Generation Technology”, led by Professor Shi Hongda of the College of Engineering, received the first prize of Provincial Technological Invention Award. The project team has developed a series of original working principles and key technologies with completely independent intellectual property rights, overcoming bottlenecks in high-efficiency, high-reliability wave-energy absorption and conversion. Multiple sets of wave-energy power generation devices were developed and achieved the promotion and application of integrated systems that convert marine energy resources directly into power. The achievement “Key Technologies and Applications for Structural Design and Operation Assurance of Offshore Wind Turbines, led by Professor Liu Fushun, received the First Prize of the Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award. Targeting the key technologies and engineering challenges in structural design and operation & maintenance of offshore wind turbines, the project has made major breakthroughs in structural design and analysis theory, core O&M technologies, and supporting equipment systems for offshore wind turbine generators. These achievements have been successfully applied in over 30 offshore wind power projects.

Disciplines related to the information field are developing rapidly at the university. The achievement “R&D and Application of Hyperspectral-resolution Laser Remote Sensing Instrumentation”, led by Professor Wu Songhua of the Faculty of Information Science and Engineering, received the first prize of the Provincial Technological Invention Award. Focusing on principles and methods for three-dimensional atmospheric remote sensing, core technologies, engineering bottlenecks and key application scenarios, the project carried out full-chain research on hyperspectral-resolution lidar, ranging from remote-sensing principles, key technologies, inversion algorithms, engineering instruments, and industrial applications. The resulting technologies and equipment have been widely applied in sectors such as environmental meteorology and wind power. The project led by Professor Zhang Hao received the first prize of the Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award, marking the first time OUC has won a first prize in the dedicated-project category.

The achievements “Complex Magnetic Mechanisms of Hematite and Their Implications for Planetary Environmental and Climate Effects”, led by Professor Jiang Zhaoxia of the Key Laboratory of Submarine Geosciences and Prospecting Techniques, MOE, “Tectonics of the Northeastern Orogenic Bend and Its Response to Hydrocarbon Resources”, led by Professor Liu Yongjiang, and “Controllable Preparation of Two-dimensional Nitrene, Regulation of Their Optoelectronic Properties and Mechanisms of Hypoxia Photodynamic Therapy”, led by Associate Professor Qiu Meng of the Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, MOE, received the second prize of the Provincial Natural Science Award. The achievements “Key Technologies and Demonstration Applications for Water Quality Safety Assurance in Coastal Groundwater Reservoirs”, led by Professor Zheng Tianyuan of the College of Environmental Science and Engineering, and “Key Technologies for Precise Preparation of Marine Functional Sugars and Their Application in the Health Industry”, led by Professor Mou Haijin of the College of Food Science and Engineering, received the second prize of the Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award.