Recently, the evaluation results for the 2025 National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) projects were officially announced. A Youth Science Fund Project (Category C) application by Dr. Hou Zhenghao from our university's School of Chemical Engineering / School of Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals was successfully approved. The project, titled Preparation of PbS Single Crystal Materials via Physical Vapor Deposition and Optimization of Their Thermoelectric Performance Across a Wide Temperature Range (Project No. 12504034), has received funding.

Thermoelectric materials, as novel energy materials enabling the direct conversion of thermal energy into electricity, hold significant importance for energy conservation and emission reduction under the "Dual Carbon Strategy." This project focuses on the PbS single crystal material system. By utilizing physical vapor deposition to optimize the growth process and achieve controllable preparation of PbS single crystals, it aims to address inherent defects such as low carrier mobility and severe grain boundary scattering in polycrystalline systems. This research is of great significance for further enhancing the near-room-temperature thermoelectric performance of PbS and expanding its applications in near-ambient temperature scenarios.

The National Natural Science Foundation project represents the highest level, most rigorously reviewed, and most influential scientific research funding program in the field of natural sciences within China. It plays a vital role in cultivating and nurturing high-level scientific research talent. Our university places strong emphasis on NSFC applications. Through various initiatives such as application mobilization meetings, specialized training workshops, and expert consultation sessions, we have systematically advanced the application process, effectively enhancing the quality of faculty proposals.

This successful approval marks a new milestone: it is the fourth consecutive year since 2022 that our university has secured national-level projects. This achievement fully demonstrates the significant results attained through our university's persistent implementation of the "1396" Development Strategy, optimization of disciplinary structure, cultivation of talent, and strengthening of organized research. It signifies that the university's overall research strength, innovative atmosphere, and sustainable development capacity have ascended to a new level.

(Contributor: Office of Scientific Research, School of Chemical Engineering / School of Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals; Editor: Shi Wei)