On January 6, the Technical Exchange Meeting for the National Science and Technology Industrial Bureau's 14th Five-Year Plan Nuclear Energy Development Project "Research on Design, Preparation, and Performance Verification of New Seawater Uranium Extraction Materials" was held at the University of South China. Over 50 experts and scholars from research institutions and universities including the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou University, Harbin Engineering University, Zhengzhou University, and Southwest University of Science and Technology convened to focus on innovation and development in seawater uranium extraction technology. They delved into cutting-edge research on advanced uranium extraction materials and explored their future application prospects. Xia Kun, Vice President and member of the Party Committee of the University of South China, attended and delivered an opening address.
The venue of the exchange meeting
In his opening address, Xia Kun extended a warm welcome to the attending experts on behalf of the university. He stated that the University of South China will further strengthen cooperation with research institutions and enterprises, continue to actively participate in the nuclear energy development projects of the National Science and Technology Industrial Bureau, and strive to make greater contributions to promoting the sustainable development of the nation's nuclear energy sector.
During the academic exchange session, the research team led by Shi Weiqun from the Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, shared their latest breakthrough—a novel super-selective ligand and composite material capable of precisely capturing uranium ions in complex seawater environments. This innovation offers new insights for breakthroughs in seawater uranium extraction technology.Professor Peng Guowen’s team from the University of South China introduced their newly developed high-efficiency, stable photosensitive COFs composite membranes for seawater uranium extraction. By precisely tailoring material structures to enhance adsorption performance, this material provides strong support for the engineering applications of seawater uranium extraction technology, demonstrating the team’s achievements in designing and preparing advanced materials.
During the exchange meeting, Yang Nailiang, Research Fellow from the Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Wang Jun, Professor from Harbin Engineering University; Yu Jipan, Associate Research Fellow from the Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Hu Jiangtao, Associate Research Fellow from the Institute of Nuclear Energy Safety Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Dr. Liu Wei from Lanzhou University; and Dr. Qin Yilin from Southwest University of Science and Technology delivered academic presentations in sequence. They detailed the latest advancements in seawater uranium extraction technology, covering the development of novel adsorption materials, optimization of high-efficiency extraction processes, and key engineering application technologies. Attendees also engaged in in-depth discussions on the future direction of seawater uranium extraction technology.Consensus was reached that seawater uranium extraction technology represents a critical research frontier in the nuclear energy field, playing a vital role in ensuring the sustained and stable development of the nation’s nuclear energy sector. Strengthening industry-university-research cooperation was identified as the key to driving technological innovation in this area, with participants agreeing to enhance exchanges and collaboration to jointly promote high-quality development of seawater uranium extraction technology.
This conference showcased China’s latest progress in seawater uranium extraction technology, providing a platform for experts and scholars to present cutting-edge research and exchange academic ideas. It is expected to further facilitate industry-university-research partnerships in the field and inject new momentum into the sustainable development of the country’s nuclear energy cause.
Key leaders from the university’s Scientific Research Department, School of Resources, Environment and Safety Engineering, and all members of the "Innovative Team for Safe Control and Recycling of Radioactive Heavy Metal Pollutants" attended the meeting.
