On July 8th, the winners of the 2025 National Science and Technology Awards were announced at the National Science and Technology Award Conference. The project "Theoretical and Satellite Observational Research on Magnetic Field Reconnection," led by the University of Science and Technology of China, received the second prize of the National Natural Science Award. The project "Domestic Hyperspectral Satellite Atmospheric Environmental Remote Sensing Technology, Equipment, and Application," led by the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the project "Innovation and Engineering Promotion of Respirable Dust Control and Early Warning Technology for Pneumoconiosis in Large Coal Mines," led by Anhui University of Science and Technology, were each honored with the second prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award.

Magnetic field reconnection, which enables the rapid conversion of magnetic energy into plasma kinetic and thermal energy through the reconstruction of magnetic field topological structures, is a core physical foundation for revealing the formation mechanisms of hazardous space weather events and analyzing space explosive phenomena. Relying on a self-developed particle simulation program and integrating theoretical numerical simulations with satellite observational data, the USTC team achieved a series of original scientific breakthroughs. The project's results successfully constructed a dynamically evolving turbulent magnetic reconnection model, uncovering the acceleration process of charged particles within it. It also discovered, for the first time, the phenomenon of magnetic reconnection in the induced magnetosphere of Venus, which lacks an intrinsic magnetic field, and innovatively proposed a new mechanism for Venusian atmospheric escape.

The "Domestic Hyperspectral Satellite Atmospheric Environmental Remote Sensing Technology, Equipment, and Application" project, addressing national needs for China's atmospheric environmental satellite remote sensing system, successfully developed the Environmental Trace Gases Monitoring Instrument (EMI) for satellite payloads. It developed a series of remote sensing technologies ranging from the correction of hyperspectral distortion and radiance for domestic satellites in the space environment to the retrieval of multiple gas components, achieving precise observation of pollution gases by domestic satellites. The project's outcomes have been applied and promoted in atmospheric pollution prevention and control work at units including the Satellite Environment Application Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, and have largely enabled domestic hyperspectral satellites to provide technical support for national air quality assurance tasks during major events.

The "Innovation and Engineering Promotion of Respirable Dust Control and Early Warning Technology for Pneumoconiosis in Large Coal Mines" project closely aligns with major national occupational safety and health needs, focusing on the significant challenges of precise respirable dust control and early pneumoconiosis warning. It established a theoretical framework for dust generation, transport, control, and occupational health hazard effects in mining faces, developed continuous dust concentration monitoring equipment and systems for high-humidity, high-dust mining environments, and pioneered breakthroughs in precise prevention and control technologies and equipment for respirable dust in modern large-scale coal mines, forming an early screening, warning, and health protection system for pneumoconiosis. Currently, demonstration mines for precise dust control have been established, including those at Shenmu Hongliulin Mining Co., Ltd. of Shaanxi Coal Group, Guqiao Coal Mine of Huainan Mining (Group) Co., Ltd., and Dongtan Coal Mine of Yankuang Energy Group Co., Ltd. The technologies have been applied in over 1,500 mining faces across more than 200 coal mines in 18 provinces and regions. The project's achievements have also been extended for use in domestic and international tunnel construction projects.

The National Science and Technology Awards represent the highest honors in China's science and technology field, primarily rewarding scientists and frontline technical personnel who have made creative contributions in areas such as basic and applied basic research, breakthroughs in key core technologies, and fostering new quality productive forces. The awards include the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award, the State Natural Science Award, the State Technological Invention Award, the State Science and Technology Progress Award, and the China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award. The 2025 awards recognized a total of 258 projects and 11 science and technology experts.