China unveils top 10 scientific advances of 2025

The National Natural Science Foundation of China on Wednesday released the country's top 10 scientific advances of 2025, showcasing breakthroughs across space science, energy, materials, life sciences and information technology.

Selected from more than 600 basic research achievements through expert review and voting, the list highlights progress in fundamental science with potential for transformative applications.

1. Chang'e-6 samples reveal evolution of the Moon's far side and giant impacts

Samples from the mission precisely date major basins, reveal a drier, depleted far-side mantle and indicate a magnetic field rebound about 2.8 billion years ago, shedding light on deep lunar evolution.

2. Scalable fabrication of flexible, ultra-flat diamond films

A new method enables the production of wafer-scale, bendable diamond films compatible with microfabrication, advancing applications in electronics and quantum devices.

3. Fusion devices sustain operation above 100 million degrees Celsius

The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), or China's "artificial sun," achieved long-duration high-confinement plasma, while HL-3 improved heating and plasma performance, marking progress toward practical fusion energy.

4. Ceramide receptor and microbial regulation mechanisms identified

The discovery of the ceramide receptor and gut microbiota regulation pathways opens new treatment strategies for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

5. Gene-edited pig liver transplant demonstrates feasibility

A multi-gene editing and immunosuppression approach enabled stable function without acute rejection, advancing cross-species organ transplantation.

6. Mechanisms of inflammatory aging and targeted interventions

Key drivers of aging-related inflammation were identified, alongside interventions including exercise-mimicking compounds and engineered stem cells.

7. Chemosynthetic ecosystems found in deepest ocean trenches

Extensive deep-sea communities relying on chemical energy were discovered, challenging traditional views of abyssal life and carbon cycling.

8. 2D semiconductor-silicon integrated flash memory chip developed

Atomic-level integration produced a functional 2D NOR flash chip, proposing a new architecture for future chip design.

9. Thorium-uranium fuel conversion achieved in molten salt reactor

A liquid-fuel system demonstrated in-reactor fuel conversion, validating a new nuclear fuel cycle and advancing thorium reactor technology.

10. High-efficiency flexible tandem solar cells developed

Flexible perovskite/silicon cells reached 33.6% efficiency, combining performance and durability for aerospace applications.

The annual selection includes nomination, expert screening, online voting and final review. More than 3,000 scientists, including over 480 academicians, participated in the evaluation before the final list was confirmed.