A team from the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics of CAS invented an advanced compressed air energy storage system that operates without fossil fuels and is not reliant on specific geographical conditions. They have developed the world's first 10MW, 100MW, and 300MW demonstration systems, consistently setting new international performance records.

Five projects, including one using key technologies to mitigate farmland degradation and improve fertility in black soils, were honored with the Science and Technology Breakthrough Award.

Researchers from the Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, CAS, and other institutions have focused on the conservation and utilization of black soils. Their achievements include the creation of China's first 10-meter high-resolution map of black soil organic matter and the publication of the country's first white paper on black soils. Through transdisciplinary collaborative research, they have contributed to the implementation of the national food security strategy.

The Outstanding Science and Technology Achievement Prize of CAS, established in 2002, recognizes individuals or research groups who have made significant contributions to major achievements within the past five years. Nominations and reviews are conducted every two years.