Chinese solar panel giant sets new record

LONGi Green Energy Technology Company has set a new record with its state-of-the-art silicon-perovskite tandem solar cells, achieving an efficiency rate of 33.9 per cent. The breakthrough was independently verified by the United States National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in early November 2023, according to a press release by the Xi’an-based photovoltaics firm. LONGi edged…

China announces new record-breaking offshore wind turbine

Chinese renewables giant, Ming Yang Energy Group, continues to push the limits of what’s possible in the offshore wind industry, this time announcing plans to build a world-record 22-megawatt turbine with Eiffel-Tower-sized blades. The engineering and design team expects to complete early prototype models within two years, according to Ming Yang insiders. Companies like Ming…

New deposits of rare metal boost Chinese industrial output

A team of Chinese geologists has uncovered a deposit of rare metal ore that could revolutionise the country’s steel, aviation, energy and medical industries. The substance has been dubbed niobabaotite by its discoverers, researchers from the Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology of the Chinese National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). The metal, which consists of several…

Chinese AI start-up brings affordable autonomous driving to manufacturers

Chinese artificial intelligence start-up, Haomo.ai, has announced it has created an affordable autonomous driving assistance system that it claims is cheaper and better than the products offered by its competitors. The Beijing-based company revealed three new ‘L2’ autonomous systems, which it has made available to motor vehicle companies starting from $411 per unit. Each ‘Hpilot’…

Chinese scientists create worm-inspired low-carbon building material

A team of Chinese researchers has created a low-carbon building material from brick waste, sand and other mineral grains. The inspiration for their breakthrough came from an unlikely source: sandcastle worms. Also referred to as honeycomb tube worms, the diminutive marine species build reefs by secreting sand particles combined with a glue-like substance, creating small…

Chinese scientists synthesize new fuel for maritime vessels

In a national first, scientists from Hong Kong’s largest shipping fuel supplier claim to have synthesized an environmentally friendly biofuel for use in marine cargo vessels. The newly developed propellant has a significantly lower carbon footprint than the standard heavy fuel oil, or bunker fuel, found in most commercial freight shipping, according to a senior…

Mercedes-Benz chooses Chinese-made batteries for its new luxury EV sedan

After three years of industry speculation, luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz confirmed it will power its new range of electric vehicles (EVs) with the Chinese-developed BYD Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. The announcement came when the Stuttgart-based automotive giant revealed its CLA sedan EV concept car at the International Mobility Show in Munich. Mercedes is…

Chinese researchers unveil game-changing oil and gas detection technique

Chinese researchers and engineers have developed a new method that accurately detects oil and gas reservoirs underground. The novel technique reportedly resulted in daily extraction figures five times higher than methods traditionally employed by mining firms. The experiment, conducted in the remote Tarim Basin, Southern Xinjiang, was done by China Academy of Sciences researchers, Di…

Chinese scientists unveil 2D atom-thin semiconductor

Chinese scientists claim to have developed a “2D” semiconductor material, as thin as a single atom, that promises to revolutionise the industry. As electronic devices become smaller and smaller, the need for equally diminutive components has increased. The wafer’s creators are hopeful the new material will solve this dilemma. Reportedly measuring 30.5 centimetres in length,…

The world’s most powerful wind turbine connects to Chinese grid

The world’s most powerful wind turbine is officially operational and grid-connected. Situated offshore in the Taiwan Strait and standing over 150 metres from base to blade hub, the 16-megawatt unit is reportedly capable of generating enough clean electricity to power tens of thousands of Chinese homes. Jointly developed by two Goldwind Science and Technology and…