The 2024 International Magnesium Science and Technology Awards Ceremony was successfully held in Chongqing, China, with live streaming available globally on November 5, 2024. The event was co-hosted by the International Magnesium Society (IMS) and the Journal of Magnesium and Alloys (JMA), with support from the College of Materials Science and Engineering, Chongqing University, the National Engineering Research Center for Magnesium Alloys (CCMg), National Key Laboratory of Advanced Casting Technologies, Chongqing Institute of New Energy Storage Materials and Equipment, Chongqing University National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration of Energy Storage Technology, and Chongqing Industry-University-Research Cooperation Promotion Association. Over 650 representatives from 21 countries, including Australia, Germany, Russia, South Korea, the United States, Japan, Spain, Italy, and China, attended the conference in person, with more than 15,000 online viewers joining the live broadcast.
The awards committee was co-chaired by Academician Fusheng Pan, Chairman of the IMS, Honorary Director of the CCMg, and Vice Chairman of the Chinese Materials Research Society (C-MRS), and Professor Karl Kainer, former Director Magnesium Innovation Center of Helmholtz Zentrum Hereon in Germany and former President of the IMA. The committee comprised 124 renowned experts from 23 countries, including China, the United States, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. The International Magnesium Science and Technology Awards include an Annual Award, given every year, and a Grand Award, awarded every three years. This year, the Annual Awards categories included Person of the Year, Youth of the Year, Excellent Paper of the Year, Excellent Thesis of the Year, Innovative Process of the Year, Innovative Product of the Year, and Special Contribution on Innovation of the Year. The Grand Awards categories included Lifetime Achievement, Distinguished Scientists, Outstanding Youth, R&D Innovation, and Innovative Application.
Academician Fusheng Pan delivered the opening speech, detailing the background, selection criteria, and procedures of the awards. Prominent experts such as Kwang Seon Shin (Seoul National University, South Korea), Zaiping Guo (University of Adelaide, Australia), Heinz-Günter Brokmeier (Clausthal University of Technology, Germany), Jianfeng Nie (Monash University, Australia), Sviatlana Lamaka and Norbert Hort (Helmholtz Zentrum Hereon, Germany), Nack J. Kim (Pohang University of Science and Technology, South Korea), and Huiyuan Wang (Vice President, Hebei University of Technology) served as award announcers and presenters.
The Annual Awards honored outstanding achievements in multiple categories. The Special Contribution on Innovation of the Year was awarded to Kristián Máthis from Charles University, Czech Republic, and two other prominent researchers. In the Person of the Year category, Javier Llorca from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Mingyi Zheng from Harbin Institute of Technology, Carsten Blawert from Helmholtz National Laboratory, and Jianxin Zou from Shanghai Jiao Tong University were recognized for their groundbreaking contributions. The Youth of the Year award celebrated the achievements of young researchers, including Arash Fattah-alhosseini from Bu-Ali Sina University, Iran, Baodong Shi from Yanshan University, and two others. The Excellent Paper of the Year award was presented to four research groups, including those led by Shuangshuang Tan from Chongqing University, Stefanus Harjo from the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Biaobiao Yang from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, and Dikai Guan from the University of Southampton. Similarly, the Excellent Thesis of the Year award recognized doctoral dissertations from researchers such as Chaoneng Dai and Tiantian Wen of Chongqing University, Hao Xu from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Hui Shi from Helmholtz Zentrum Hereon. Four innovative projects were awarded the Innovative Process of the Year, including 4000T Super Thixomolding technology for large-weight Mg alloy products (by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Bole Machinery), A Novel Casting Method for High performance Magnesium Based Alloys/Composites (by the Indian Institute of Technology), Design of Large-scaled Magnesium Alloy Casting Molds (by Boao Magnesium Aluminium Manufacturing Co., Chongqing BORUN and Chongqing University), Flame-resistant Mg alloys and its Battery Pack Processing Technology (by Baosteel Metal Co., Ltd., Baomarc (Hefei) Technology Co., Ltd., Gotion High-tech Co., Ltd.). In the Innovative Product of the Year category, winning projects included the Magnesium Alloy Rear Seat Frame for New Energy Vehicles (developed by Chongqing Boao, SERES New Energy Vehicle, and Chongqing University), a 3-in-1 Magnesium Electric Drive Housing (jointly developed by Baosteel Metal Co. Ltd., Boao Magnesium Co. Ltd., Suzhou Inovance Automative Co. Ltd., and Shanghai Jiao Tong University), as well as Large-size special-shaped magnesium alloy component for spacecraft (by Chongqing University and Shanxi Yingguang Huasheng Magnesium Co. Ltd.).
The Grand Awards recognized exceptional contributions over three years. The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Alan Luo from Ohio State University, Shixue Dou from the University of Wollongong, and Daolun Chen from Toronto Metropolitan University for their lifetime contributions to the magnesium field. The Distinguished Scientists award was granted to Enhou Han from South China University of Technology and Maximilian Fichtner from Helmholtz Institute. In the Outstanding Youth category, the winners included Qiuming Peng from Yanshan University, Hucheng Pan from Northeastern University, and Min Zha from Jilin University. The R&D Innovation award recognized breakthroughs such as the New Technology of Magnesium Smelting in Large Capacity Vertical Tank (by Baowu Magnesium Co. Ltd., Bada Magnesium and Chongqing University), Short-Routed Rolling (HPR) Technique for Fabricating High-strength and Ductile Mg Alloys and Its Application (developed by Jilin University), Development of Novel Self-Piercing Riveting Processes for Magnesium (by Meridian Lightweight Technologies), Integrative HPDC technology for Non-Heat-Treatment High-strength and Ductility Mg Alloys and Its Application (by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, WanFeng Meridian Lightweight Technology Co. Ltd., DongFeng Auto. Coops, Yizumi Holdings Co. Ltd. and FAW group). In the Innovative Application category, notable projects included Mass Application in SERES New Energy Vehicle of Mg Die Castings (by Chongqing SERES New Energy Vehicle Design Institute Co. Ltd., Chongqing University, Chongqing BOAO), Integrated Casting of Ultra Large and Complex Magnesium Alloy Product (by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Jiaozuo Gaozhao Magnesium Alloy Co. Ltd., Chongqing University), Magnesium Alloy Semi-Solid Injection and Its Mass Applications (by Waffer CAST and Chongqing University), Soluble Magnesium Alloys and Their Oil and Gas Extraction Tools (Chongqing University, Chongqing Yuhua New Material Technology Co. Ltd.) and Application of Newly Developed Corrosion-Resistant Mg Alloy to Roof Box Frames of the Korean Minivan (Kia Carnival) (by Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology).
The award recipients, including Academician Enhou Han from South China University of Technology, Academician Shixue Dou from Shanghai University of Technology, Academician Alan Luo from Ohio State University, Professor Kristián Máthis from Charles University, Dr. Stefanus Harjo from the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Dr. Dikai Guan from the University of Southampton, Dr. Tiantian Wen from Chongqing University, Dr. Hui Shi from the Helmholtz Zentrum Hereon, Professor Xiaoqin Zeng from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dr. Xiangzhen Zhu from Baosteel, Professor Baodong Shi from Yanshan University, Professor Mingyi Zheng from Harbin Institute of Technology, Academician Javier Llorca from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Dr. Jon Weiler from Magnesium Elektron, Professor Guohua Wu from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Professor Qiuming Peng from Yanshan University, delivered their acceptance speeches both online and in person.
This awards ceremony served as both a summary and recognition of the research, development, and application of magnesium and magnesium alloy materials and products over the past year (Annual Awards) and three years (Grand Awards). It also outlined directions and goals for the future development of magnesium and its alloys. The award-winning individuals and projects covered diverse areas, including magnesium smelting, magnesium-based structural materials, hydrogen storage materials, and magnesium batteries. These achievements highlight the evolution of magnesium-based materials from lightweight structural applications to energy storage and biomedical fields, showcasing their critical role in energy efficiency, emissions reduction, energy transition, and industrial competitiveness. This growing importance has attracted unprecedented global attention, with research teams expanding rapidly, cementing magnesium and its alloys as a focal point of global academic and industrial research.
The successful hosting of the 2024 International Magnesium Science and Technology Awards Ceremony significantly facilitated discussions and exchanges among renowned scientists, young scholars, and students in the field of magnesium and magnesium alloys. It also promoted collaborative interactions among universities, research institutes, and enterprises, leaving a profound impact on the global magnesium industry.
Academician Fusheng Pan delivering a speech
Professor Kristián Máthis from Charles University, Czech Republic, receiving the Special Contribution on Innovation of the Year Award
Mr. Martin Tauber from the International Magnesium Association (IMA) presenting the award to the winners of the Process of the Year Award
Professor Javier Llorca from the Polytechnic University of Madrid delivering a speech as a representative of the Person of the Year Award winners
Academician Enhou Han from South China University of Technology delivering a speech as a representative of the Distinguished Scientists Award winners
Academician Fusheng Pan and Academician Kwang Seon Shin presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Academicians Shixue Dou and Alan Luo
Group photo of all award winners with the award announcers and presenters