The 2025 selection of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST)’s major academic achievements includes eight landmark breakthroughs, each led by outstanding research teams across various disciplines. Recommended through departmental and university academic committees, the final list showcases HUST’s growing ability to push scientific boundaries and respond to national needs.

1. Glass transition double-percolation theory

Main contributors: Yu Haibin, Jeppe Dyre, Gao Liang

A research team advanced the fundamental physics of amorphous materials by proposing the “configurational displacement” order parameter and establishing the α–β double-percolation theory. This work unifies two long-separated relaxation processes and sheds new light on one of the most challenging questions in condensed-matter physics and materials science.

2. Discovery and application of novel nucleases

Main contributors: Zhu Bin, Cheng Rui, Yan Yan, Yu Bingbing, Wang Xionglue

By exploring molecular biodiversity, researchers uncovered previously unknown nucleases, revealed new immunoregulation mechanisms, and developed innovative enzymatic tools. Their findings reshape understanding of innate immunity and offer new directions for viral detection and antiviral innovation.

3. Attosecond-Picometer precision for transient atomic and molecular processes

Main contributors: Zhou Yueming, Li Min, He Lixin, Li Liang, Lu Peixiang

A multidisciplinary team achieved attosecond-picometer precision in measuring electronic motion within atoms and molecules. Through advanced interferometry and high-harmonic spectroscopy, they achieved ultrafast imaging and extended attosecond science into the non-dipole interaction regime.

4. High-Time-Resolution radiation detection

Main contributors: Tang Jiang, Niu Guangda, Xu Ling, Pang Jincong

Researchers developed a strategy for efficient and ultrafast organic scintillators by hot exciton manipulation, breaking decades-old bottlenecks in radiation detection. With ultrafast response and high light yield, the technology makes the imaging frame reach 10,000 frames per second and has already been tested by European, American and domestic national defense institutions.

5. Integrated diagnosis-therapy-rehabilitation system for intracerebral hemorrhage

Main contributors: Tang Zhouping, Zhang Ping, Chen Danyang, Zhao Zhixian, Shi Jian

To address the long-standing challenge of “survival with severe disability”, the team built a full-chain system combining an AI model for rapid diagnosis, a digital and intelligent microinvasive surgical robot, and a brain-computer interface rehabilitation platform – now incorporated into Hubei’s medical insurance catalog.

6. Metabolism-Immunity crosstalk in psoriasis and precision prevention and treatment

Main contributors: Tao Juan, Zhu Jintao, He Ran, Lan Jiajia, Xia Yuting

By constructing a multi-factor early-warning system and revealing how comorbidities like obesity drive immune imbalance, the team identified new therapeutic targets and created a smart microneedle delivery platform for lesion-specific, relapse-preventive treatment.

7. Magnetic bearing motor drive system with high-reliability and disturbance rejection capability

Main contributors: Jiang Dong, Liu Zicheng, Sun Wei, Qu Ronghai

This engineering team overcame key limitations in magnetic-suspension bearing systems by enabling real-time fault diagnosis, mechanical disturbance rejection, and electromagnetic interference rejection. Their solutions now power applications ranging from industrial compressors to medical imaging equipment.

8. Decoding inflammatory risk in coronary artery disease

Main contributors: Cheng Xiang, Yu Miao, Tang Tingting, Xia Ni, Yang Fen

Researchers uncovered the role of the NLRP3-IL-1β-IL-6 pathway in coronary inflammation and established “hsCRP at or above 1 milligram per liter” as a diagnostic benchmark for Chinese patients. They identified colchicine as a highly effective inhibitor that stabilizes coronary plaques and reduces cardiovascular events.

Source: Academic Committee of HUST