Jiuzhang, a quantum computer prototype developed at the University of
Science and Technology of China, represents such a giant leap forward
in computing that just 200 seconds of its time dedicated to a specific
task would equal 600 million years of computing time for today's current
most powerful supercomputer. On Dec 4, Science magazine announced a major breakthrough made by a
team from USTC headed by renowned physicist Pan Jianwei. The team had
jointly developed a 76-photon Jiuzhang, realizing an initial milestone
on the path to full-scale quantum computing. This quantum computational advantage, also known as "quantum
supremacy", established China's leading position in the sphere of
quantum computing research in the world. USTC has produced a string of wonders: Sending Wukong, China-'s first
dark matter particle explorer, and Mozi, the world's first quantum
communication satellite, into space; and witnessing the National
Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory sending off light from the Hefei Light
Source. During the past 50 years, USTC has made significant achievements in
the fields of quantum physics, high-temperature superconductivity,
thermonuclear fusion, artificial intelligence and nanomaterials. Technology is the foundation of a country's prosperity, while innovation is the soul of national progress. Since 1970, when USTC was relocated to Hefei, Anhui province, it has
focused on research and innovation, targeting basic and strategic work
in a bid to fulfill its oath to scale "the peak of sciences". The large number of world-renowned innovative achievements shined
glory on USTC, exhibiting its courage to innovate, daring to surpass its
peers and unremitting pursuit of striving to be a top university in the
world. Although USTC was set up only 62 years ago, it established the
country's first national laboratory and also the first national research
center. It has obtained the largest number of achievements selected
among China's Top 10 News for Scientific and Technological Progress each
year since its founding. Its reputation as an "important stronghold of innovation" has become stronger over the years. While facing the frontiers of world science and technology, the main
economic battlefield, the major needs of China and people's healthcare,
USTC focuses on cultivating high-level scientific and technological
innovation talents and teams, and shoulders national tasks. It has used innovation to generate transformative technologies and
develop strategic emerging industries, perfecting its ability to serve
national strategic demand, and regional economic and social development. Facing sci-tech frontiers USTC has top disciplines covering mathematics, physics, chemistry,
Earth and space sciences, biology and materials science. While based on
basic research, USTC pays close attention to cutting-edge exploration,
encouraging innovative achievements. Serving major needs In response to major national needs, USTC has led and participated in
a number of significant scientific and technological projects that
showcase the nation's strategic aims. For example, sending the Mozi satellite and Wukong probe into space.
Meanwhile, it also participated in the development of core components of
Tiangong-2, China's first space lab, and Tianwen-1, the nation's first
Mars exploration mission. Main economic battlefield In the face of economic and social development needs, USTC has
balanced meeting national needs and boosting exploration in frontier
spheres. It has witnessed a series of innovative achievements in the fields of
materials science, energy, environment, advanced manufacturing, AI, big
data and security. Safeguarding health USTC's School of Life Sciences was founded in 1958 with emphasis on
biophysics. In recent years, this flourished into many branches of
biological sciences. The new School of Life Sciences was established in Hefei in 1998.
Based on its years of cultivation in the field of life sciences, the
university has contributed much to China's medical science. In 2020, the university developed the "USTC protocol" to treat
COVID-19 patients, which has been introduced to more than 20 countries
and regions.
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