I am devoted to scientific research, but you want to trick me into having a love relationship?

The sole recipient of Chapter 779, the State Supreme Science and Technology Award

The hall was bustling with activity.

Xu Qingzhou and Chu Jiangfeng chatted for a while, then Ji Yunshi and Academician Ren Nan came over. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they returned to their seats.

Chu Jiangfeng and Gu Zhizhong had similar ideas: if they needed help, they should just let them know and they would come to assist.

Xu Qingzhou naturally welcomed this.

Academician Chu Jiangfeng is a leading figure in the field of mathematics, while Professor Gu Zhizhong, although he focuses his main energy on teaching, is undoubtedly a highly capable teacher with students all over the world.

The Institute of Mathematics at the Institute for Advanced Study needs senior scholars like Chu Jiangfeng and Gu Zhizhong to oversee it.

"However, we should wait until we're done with this busy period before considering the construction of the Advanced Research Institute."

The grandest event in the scientific community of Xia Kingdom, where countless top scientists gathered together.

Zhang Zhigao.
Xu Qingzhou smiled inwardly at this person, not paying much attention to him. In the scientific community, strength ultimately speaks, and Zhang Zhigao's influence on them was negligible.

"I never imagined I'd be sitting here at 25."

Xu Qingzhou was momentarily stunned. He had been to this place many times before, to attend ceremonies and receive various awards. Even so, sitting here still gave him a sense of awe.

He turned his head.

I was able to see Song Yao.

At this moment, Song Yao sat up straight. Compared to usual, this girl's attire today was more dignified, with light makeup and her hair neatly tied up.

He exudes an aura of immense power.

Outside, Song Yao is always a strong career woman, decisive and direct in her actions. At home, however, she's a whiny, whiny girl.

Xu Qingzhou laughed; one could only say that Teacher Song knew how to play with contrasts.

As time passed, all attendees returned to their seats, waiting for the awards ceremony to begin.

The conference officially opened at 10:00.

Everyone stood up and applauded to show respect for the elderly people entering the venue.

The host then went on stage.

"Respected leaders, distinguished guests, and fellow science and technology workers:"
good morning, everyone!
At this exciting time, we gather in the solemn Great Hall of the People to witness the grand opening of the 2020 National Science and Technology Awards Conference.

A nation prospers when its science and technology flourish; a country is strong when its science and technology are powerful. This conference aims to recognize collectives and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to my country's scientific and technological development, to promote the spirit of innovation, and to unite the forces for progress.

"First, please allow me to introduce the guests attending the conference,"

"Now, please all rise and sing the national anthem."

After the first ceremony concludes, the awards ceremony will begin.

"The first award presented was the National Natural Science Award."

"According to the committee's approval, a total of 46 National Natural Science Awards were selected this year, including 2 first prizes and 44 second prizes. These achievements have made significant scientific discoveries in basic research and applied basic research, demonstrating the original capabilities of Chinese scientists."

"Now, the list of second prize winners will be announced."

"Nano-confined catalysis, completed by: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences."

Time passes little by little.

"Xu Qingzhou's name is not among those who have won the Natural Science Award."

"It should be the National Technological Invention Award."

"A 25-year-old recipient of the National Technological Invention Award is already unprecedented."

Zhang Zhigao was a little disappointed that Xu Qingzhou did not win the award. Of course, it wasn't that he hoped Xu Qingzhou would do well, but rather that if Xu Qingzhou had won the National Natural Science Award, it would mean that the subsequent awards would be irrelevant to Xu Qingzhou.

Especially the highest award. Following the National Natural Science Award, the National Technological Invention Award and the National Science and Technology Progress Award will be presented next.

The former has 53 items, while the latter has a total of 157 items. The principle of scarcity applies to awards as well.

Given Xu Qingzhou's achievements, the National Science and Technology Progress Award is not significant enough.

On stage, the host continued reading out the names of the award-winning individuals and organizations.

"National Technological Invention Award - Kyoto Materials Research Institute"

Project: Lithium dendrites and shuttle effect.

At this moment, everyone's expressions became somewhat subtle.

It was awarded the National Technological Invention Award, but it was explicitly stated that it was awarded to the "Kyoto Materials Research Institute," meaning that it was an award given to the institution rather than to Xu Qingzhou personally.

This means that, with the addition of Xu Qingzhou, the Institute of Materials Science and Engineering will win at least two awards.

The venue was filled with the sounds of camera shutters clicking and applause. Half an hour later, a total of 264 projects had been awarded, excluding the top prize.

"This"

Zhang Zhigao frowned.

Xu Qingzhou's name did not appear among the 264 awards.

There are only two possibilities now.

First, the Materials Research Institute received a National Technological Invention Award. Second, there's the last award that hasn't been presented yet.
Although he was very reluctant, he had to admit that, from a probabilistic point of view, the latter was more likely.

On stage, the host has already begun speaking.

"Science and technology are the foundation of a strong nation, and innovation is the soul of national progress. The conference is now awarding the highest honor in my country's scientific and technological community—the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award. Now, please welcome Academician Yuan Zizhan of the Academy of Sciences to read out the list of award winners."

An academician nearing 80 years old took the stage; he was the recipient of the previous National Highest Science and Technology Award.

"This year, Chinese scientists have made breakthroughs in key technologies for magnetic confinement of spherical tokamaks, achieving a scientific breakthrough of one hour of steady-state operation of high-temperature plasma. The conductive thin film material they developed significantly improves the performance of the magnet, and the simultaneous breakthroughs in lithium dendrites and shuttle effect lay the foundation for the energy system."

As soon as Academician Yuan Zizhan spoke, everyone knew who he was referring to. Their expressions were quite varied, ranging from surprise and admiration to agreement, relief, and praise.

Xu Qingzhou's expression turned strange for a moment as his achievements were simultaneously displayed on the big screen while the host was announcing them.

He was a little surprised.

He expected to win an award, but it was still unexpected that it was the State Top Science and Technology Award.

Zhang Zhigao's expression darkened. When he heard the host mention "spherical tokamak," he knew it was over.

"This comrade has long been at the forefront of energy science and technology, leading his team to achieve major breakthroughs in superconducting thin film materials, batteries, fusion engineering and other fields."

"The relevant achievements are of great strategic significance for promoting my country's self-reliance and self-strengthening in energy science and technology."

"I hereby announce that Xu Qingzhou will be awarded the 2020 State Top Science and Technology Award."

Xu Qingzhou's photo appeared on the screens on both sides. He was wearing a white lab coat and looking down at the data. A brief introduction was attached to the photo.

Thunderous applause erupted.

Xu Qingzhou was also led by staff to one side of the awards stage.

Academician Yuan Zizhan did not make any further announcements, which means that Xu Qingzhou is the sole recipient of this year's State Top Science and Technology Award.

In fact, besides Xu Qingzhou, there were several other nominees.

However, in terms of academic achievements alone, Xu Qingzhou is definitely among the top. Moreover, it is somewhat inappropriate to put an 80-year-old senior like Xu Qingzhou together. So the committee simply selected a winner, just like the Nobel Prize.

(End of this chapter)