The 2010 Feasibility Evaluation Meeting of CAS Knowledge Innovation Program (KIP) Cluster Projects was held at ISL on September 11. Over 20 experts from CAS's headquarter, Institute of Modern Physics (IMP), Bureau of Basic Science (BBS), Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter (IRSM), Institute of Applied Physics (IAP), Institute of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics, and Beijing Normal University attended the meeting.

The meeting was chaired by BBS's Vice Director-General HUANG Min. ZHAN Wenlong, vice president of CAS made an overview speech on the cluster projects, and briefly commented on the supports from various associated departments of the country. He required that all undertaking parties strive and explore in the studies aiming at building internationally first-class and pioneering achievements in the execution of the projects, which will conceivably benefit national economic developments.

Later, principle investigators including IAP 's Prof. LI Jingye, IMP's Prof. MA Xinwen, etc. made a couple of representations on the purposes, contents, schemes, groundwork and conditions of the various projects, respectively on behalf of the associated undertaking parties. Evaluation resolutions were made based on in-depth questioning, argumentation and discussion.

The CAS Cluster Projects Program is founded for systematically deploying key cluster projects of basic researches which merit forward-looking, exploring and risk-taking features with potentially major breakthroughs in scientific frontiers. The projects are organized in the form clusters with concise goals and expected to resolve key scientific issues in relevant fields.

After the meeting, the expert panel had a look at the institute's exhibition hall and made a featured survey on ISL's project of rare earth magnesium alloys at the pilot lab, guided by ISL Directors MA Haizhou and JIA Youliang.

(Prof. LIN Zhang of IRSM making a presentation. Photo by Res. Admin. Div.)

(Director Ma Haizhou showing a test facility to experts. Photo by Res. Admin. Div.)