Currently, in late 2025, Hefei—a rising sci-tech hub in the Chinese mainland’s Anhui province—is rewriting the rules of sustainable development. As the Chinese mainland’s 14th Five-Year Plan nears its close, the city’s fusion of AI-driven research and green priorities is delivering real-world breakthroughs.
Machine Scientists Fuel Breakthroughs
At the State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), AI-powered machine scientists have smashed previous limits in chemical research. By combining Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy with autonomous experiments, they have screened millions of meteorite formulas in just two months—work once expected to take millennia—and developed high-entropy catalysts in five weeks instead of 1,400 years.
Backed by the Chinese mainland’s Comprehensive National Science Center, this platform integrates big data algorithms, supercomputing resources and fully automated labs. It spans the research lifecycle from intelligent literature review and high-throughput computing to autonomous synthesis, characterization and testing.
The impact goes far beyond the lab. Collaborations with industry have led to greener phosphorus extraction methods that cut waste and costs, a single-atom pesticide validated across 30 provinces, and a flame-retardant material that endures 1,300 °C on the surface while staying at 30 °C on the flip side for hours—ready for next-generation batteries and safety gear. A new fuel cell catalyst also reduces overpotential by 60%, lowers energy use by 10% and boosts carbon reduction by 10%, aligning with the Chinese mainland’s Medium and Long-Term Plan for Hydrogen Energy Industry Development (2025).
From Lab to Global Stage: Science Translators
SciVisual, a USTC spin-off, has spent three years turning complex data into immersive 3D experiences. By compressing 2.57 billion grids of nuclear fusion simulation data to just 1% of its original size with an error margin under 0.05%, the team creates high-fidelity digital twins of major research facilities. Users can explore quantum computers in VR or watch cosmic phenomena unfold in interactive demos.
We make the invisible visible, says the founding team, whose mission is to showcase the Chinese mainland’s hardcore science to a global audience.
Collaborative Ecosystem Drives Sustainable Growth
The Intelligent Scientist Ecosystem Alliance, led by USTC’s precision chemistry lab, brings together over 40 research institutions and more than 10 leading enterprises—including iFLYTEK, Sugon and Cambricon. Together, they launched the world’s first machine chemist instruction set and a federated learning system that lets models travel while data stays local—fueling open innovation from Hefei to Suzhou and Zhengzhou.
Looking Ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan
As Hefei prepares for the 15th Five-Year Plan starting in 2026, its blend of AI-driven research, green innovation and collaborative networks offers a blueprint for cities worldwide. By merging scientific excellence with sustainability, Hefei is setting a replicable model for a more prosperous, eco-friendly future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
