Joint Fund of Iron and Steel Research Effectively Promotes Progress of Metallurgical Techniques

The Joint Fund of Iron and Steel Research was set up and funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and Baosteel Group Corporation five years ago. Over the past 5 years, the total funding has reached 34 million RMB of which Baosteel has invested 16 million RMB, and h funded 138 research projects with more than 40 patents for inventions obtained, almost 840 academic dissertations released,8 academic works published and nearly 500 doctors and masters supported.

The Joint Fund of Iron and Steel Research is the pioneer in the field of basic research and applied basic research funding by national large enterprise and has got very good influence in the society. The Fund mainly supports basic research, applied research and development projects of scientific significance and application potentials, such as new metallurgical technologies as well as related techniques, materials, energy, environment, equipment, information, etc.

Since 2001, both parties has been engaged in two rounds of cooperation with total investing sum of 34 million RMB for supporting 138 research projects of which 82 programs have been concluded and part of the programs has passed mid-term review and moves on smoothly. The Joint Fund of Iron and Steel Research has promoted the development of basic research in iron and steel industry and has created conditions for improving technical level of national metallurgical industry .

In the past five years, The Joint Fund has supported foresighted and innovative research and promoted basic research's effect on economics, in addition, it has also attracted community scientific resources to support basic research in a bid for conducting some high end scientific research projects such as Applied Basic Research on High Quality Silicon Steel Manufacturing Technologies, Theoretical Engineering of Composition and Calculation on Con-casted and Tandem Rolled Non Hardened and Tempered Steel, etc.

The scientific innovations have driven the development of new technique and product researches of metallurgy and materials to improve the competitiveness of Chinese iron and steel industry. The set-up of The Joint Fund of Iron and Steel Research has promoted the integration of academics and enterprises, knowledge innovation and technology innovation and build up a platform for achievement application and transformation.

Meanwhile, a new mode of cooperation "production, study and research" of Baosteel has been created which widened an information channel for Baosteel to learn technology development of iron and steel industry at home & abroad and accelerated technical innovation ability of Baosteel. Baosteel has finished application guide planning of five- phase projects, defined nine key directions and launched six key programs in the past five years.

In addition, Baosteel has been involved in combined application and conduction for 20 projects. The research findings such as Applied Basic Research on Microbe Treatment of Sewage Contained Chromium and Zinc Discharged from Cold Rolling Mill have been applied in Baosteel successfully. The Fund has supported effectively the scientific researches in universities and made big contributions to cultivate talented people for iron and steel industry.

There are 138 supported projects conducted in 41 universities and research institutions in 16 provinces and cities all over the country,92% of which are in universities. Over 700 researchers have been involved in the projects. Since 5 years ago, The Joint Fund of Iron and Steel Research has supported and cultivated more than 180 doctors and 300 masters who have become the energetic team and backup power for national iron and steel science and technology development.