The rapid development of large language models has made the question of whether AI can be conscious no longer merely a philosophical issue, but also a practical concern in technology ethics and governance. Alexander Lerchner's concept of the "abstraction fallacy" attempts to fundamentally challenge the possibility that current large language models could lead to genuine consciousness. At its core, AI computation is a symbolic processing of the world: it can simulate human language, emotions, and behavior, but this does not mean that it truly generates subjective experience. This article argues that AI consciousness will not naturally emerge simply from larger models, greater computational power, or more complex algorithms. AI may increasingly resemble human beings; it may say "I am in pain", "I am afraid", or "I hope", and it may display complex communication and planning abilities. Yet these remain forms of behavioral imitation and functional simulation, and they do not demonstrate that AI truly has feelings. Current and foreseeable artificial intelligence systems should therefore be regarded as powerful non−conscious tools rather than subjects with subjective experience. The focus of future AI governance should not be a premature discussion of machine rights, but the prevention of excessive anthropomorphism, responsibility displacement, and the underestimation of real risks posed by highly capable AI tools.

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technology, as one of the key pathways to achieving carbon neutrality, is gradually emerging as a "safety−net technology" to ensure the attainment of this goal. In recent years, the number and scale of CCUS projects worldwide have grown significantly. By 2025, there were 1,017 CCUS projects at various stages globally, with operational projects capturing and storing approximately 70.482 million tonnes of CO₂ per year. In China, demonstration projects in this field have advanced rapidly. Currently, the country has about 126 CCUS demonstration projects at various stages, with a total CO₂ capture capacity of approximately 9.4 million tonnes per year, and cluster−based development is beginning to take shape. However, CCUS still faces multiple challenges, including high energy consumption, high costs, storage safety concerns, and insufficient scalability. The system efficiency and scaling potential of CCUS have also sparked extensive discussion. Based on a review of the current development status, this paper focuses on the key bottlenecks hindering the widespread adoption of CCUS technologies, and explores the current state and potential of technical maturity, economic feasibility, and system synergy. CCUS is neither a "universal panacea" nor an "excuse to delay the energy transition", but rather an indispensable strategic support for achieving carbon neutrality. At the current stage of development, it is essential to vigorously promote technological innovation and system building in this field, facilitating the transition of CCUS from "demonstration and exploration" to "safety−net support". In the future, the development of CCUS must go beyond mere technological iteration to achieve the systematic integration of policy mechanisms, business models, industrial synergy, and international cooperation, only then can it truly shoulder the mission of our era to combat climate change and ensure energy security.

Chinese Meridian Project is dedicated to monitoring the chain of changes in the Sun–Earth space environment, enhancing the capability of autonomous space weather forecasting, and meeting the national demand for space security assurance. As the world's most extensive ground−based comprehensive monitoring network for the space environment in terms of coverage, parameter diversity, and overall capability, the Meridian Project has driven leapfrog advancements in China's ground−based space environment monitoring capabilities, indigenous innovation in monitoring technologies, and data service capacities. This paper reviews these transformative developments, elucidates the project's significant contributions to institutionalized fundamental research in space weather in China, and outlines three future development directions—— "consolidating the foundation, empowering applications, and expanding the network".

Space weather is a global phenomenon that poses systemic risks to modern space activities and associated infrastructure, highlighting the importance of globally coordinated observations and research. The International Meridian Circle Program (IMCP) aims to address global monitoring and scientific research needs by establishing a cross−regional, multidisciplinary collaborative observation network. This paper systematically outlines the scientific and application objectives of IMCP, presents the layout of its four task areas (innovative research, collaborative monitoring, data sharing, and cooperation platforms), and analyzes the international cooperation requirements and pathways for implementing these tasks. It proposes governance approaches based on six mechanisms: multilateral organization, open collaboration, equitable rights and interests, standards and norms, protection of rights and interests in data and research outputs, and mutually beneficial cooperation. This cooperation model can bring together observation resources and research expertise worldwide, facilitate the transformation of scientific data and knowledge into public service products, support global space activities and the development of the space economy, and contribute to developing a Chinese approach to the organization and implementation of international large−scale scientific programs and global science and technology governance.

Space environment forecasting is an essential part of ensuring the safety of space engineering and supporting space science exploration. As a national major scientific facility for ground−based integrated monitoring of the space environment, the Chinese Meridian Project (CMP) provides continuous, multi−sphere, multi−parameter observational data covering the sun, interplanetary space, magnetosphere, ionosphere, and middle and upper atmosphere, offering key data support for space environment forecasting and assurance. Following the causal chain of the solar−terrestrial space environment, this paper systematically reviews the main elements of space environment forecasting, requirements of the supporting data, and forecast model requirements of space environment forecasting, summarizes the study work using CMP data in solar activity characteristic identification, geomagnetic index construction, ionospheric TEC forecasting, and ionospheric irregularity identification and forecasting, and further elaborates the types of CMP data used in practical operational space environment forecasting, their application methods, and their effectiveness. Finally, it analyzes the current challenges facing data application and forecasting assurance and proposes suggestions for deepening the future application of CMP data, providing a reference for further tapping the forecasting value of CMP data and for capacity building to enhance space environment forecasting capabilities.

Since the start of routine observations in November 2022, the Chashan Broadband Solar radio spectrometer at Meter wavelengths (CBSm) of the Chinese Meridian Project Phase II has accumulated nearly one thousand meter-wave solar radio burst events. With its high time and frequency resolution, we carry out statistical and case studies of different burst types, and obtain a series of new findings. Type I bursts show power-law distributions in duration, bandwidth, and peak intensity. Among the Type II bursts observed, more than 60% exhibit band splitting, about 50% of the band-splitting events show asymmetric morphologies between the two branches, and about 40% of Type II bursts are associated with small flares or jets. Statistics of spike–Type III burst pairs reveal systematic polarization differences and time-frequency offsets between the two types of bursts. For Type IV bursts, a large number of reverse-drifting pulsations and a new fine spectral structure, beaded stripes combining the double periodicity of stripes and beads, are identified. These findings provide new observational constraints on coherent radio emission mechanisms and on the diagnosis of coronal magnetic field and density structures.

The mid− and high−latitude ionosphere over the Asian sector has long suffered from a large observational gap, which has hindered research on the evolution of ionospheric disturbances and cross−latitude energy transport. Under the second phase of the Meridian Project, the National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, independently developed the Chinese Auroral Radar Network (CN−DARN). It consists of six high−frequency coherent scatter radars deployed at three stations: Longjing, Siziwang, and Hejing. CN−DARN is the first network to achieve large−scale continuous monitoring of the mid− and high−latitude ionosphere over the Eurasian sector from 40°N to 80°N, spanning more than nine time zones. In 2025, after passing national acceptance, it officially joined the international SuperDARN organization. This paper systematically reviews the network architecture, observation capabilities, data sharing system, and representative scientific results of CN−DARN. CN−DARN has accumulated continuous, stable, and high−quality long−term observations and established the SuperDARN China data mirror site for global open access. Based on CN−DARN data, original results have been obtained in the spatiotemporal evolution of dawnside subauroral polarization streams (SAPS), global differences between dawnside and duskside SAPS, improved inversion of ionospheric convection during magnetic storms, and the propagation and E−F layer coupling of traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs). CN−DARN effectively fills the observational gap in the Asian mid− and high−latitude ionosphere and provides key observational support for space weather monitoring, disturbance tracing, and early warning. In the future, it will contribute to the International Meridian Circle Program and promote routine, systematic, and refined global ionospheric observations.

The Hainan coherent scatter phased−array radar (HCOPAR) operates at 47 MHz and detects meter−scale field−aligned irregularities in the low−latitude ionosphere. It is the first independently developed VHF coherent scatter phased−array radar of this type in mainland China. This review summarizes the system configuration, observing capability, and major scientific results of HCOPAR. Long−term observations reveal clear local−time, seasonal, and altitude variations in E−region irregularities. The observations also identify quasi−periodic echoes, low−altitude quasi−periodic echoes, and V−shaped echoes. Combined radar, ionosonde, meteor−radar, and geomagnetic observations constrain the spatial structures and possible excitation processes of these echoes. The results indicate that neutral−wind shear, plasma density gradients, and geomagnetic disturbances can influence E−region irregularities. For the F region, statistical studies characterize the occurrence of nighttime echoes and their dependence on ionospheric height. Daytime observations show that residual irregularities may enter the radar field of view along magnetic field lines. Radar imaging further reveals their discrete spatial structures and rapid dissipation under sunlight. Joint airglow and radar measurements distinguish the distributions of meter−scale irregularities within and outside equatorial plasma bubbles. These measurements suggest that density gradients, polarization electric fields, and bubble evolution jointly regulate the irregularities. Geomagnetic disturbances can alter the motion and lifetime of F−region irregularities. Medium−scale traveling ionospheric disturbances can also modulate or trigger stripe−like echoes. The available results demonstrate the value of HCOPAR for studying multiscale coupling in the East Asian low−latitude ionosphere. Future work should combine long−term statistics, interferometric imaging, and coordinated observations from radars, optical instruments, Global Navigation Satellite System receivers, and satellites.

Metal ions are important tracers of ionospheric dynamics, and their vertical transport is closely associated with the formation of ionospheric irregularities. As part of the Chinese Meridian Project, a new generation of ion resonance fluorescence lidars has been deployed at the mid−latitude stations of Mohe and Beijing and at the low−latitude station of Hainan. Together with VHF radars, ionosondes, and other instruments, these lidars constitute a coordinated observational network. This paper systematically reviews recent advances achieved with this network in understanding metal−ion upwelling and ionospheric irregularities. Mid−latitude observations show that storm−time enhancement of equatorward neutral winds can uplift Ca⁺ layers from the E region to altitudes of up to 350 km. Differences in magnetic dip angle between Mohe and Beijing result in distinct sensitivities of Ca⁺ layer uplift to geomagnetic storm conditions at the two sites. At low latitudes, observations reveal a direct association between storm−time penetration electric field–driven metal−ion upwelling and valley−region irregularities, with metal−ion layers providing the density gradients necessary for the development of gradient−drift instability. Furthermore, lidar observations have, for the first time, clearly imaged depletion and bifurcation structures associated with equatorial plasma bubbles in Ca⁺ density profiles. The observations demonstrate that plasma−bubble−related depletion structures can extend downward to altitudes as low as 150 km in the ionospheric valley region, revising the conventional understanding of their altitude distribution and providing important observational constraints on the generation and evolution of plasma bubbles. These findings deepen our understanding of solar−terrestrial energy coupling processes and provide concrete evidence for the close relationship between metallic ion vertical transport and the formation/manifestation of ionospheric irregularities.

Accurate temperature profiles with high spatiotemporal resolution play an essential role in atmospheric and space sciences. This paper reviews the main technical approaches to atmospheric temperature profiling using lidar, including pure rotational Raman lidar, Rayleigh lidar, high spectral resolution lidar, with particular emphasis on the development of the world's first single−line−extraction−based pure rotational Raman lidar by the group at Wuhan University, which has involved more than a decade of dedicated effort. This instrument enables precise extraction of individual spectral lines of N₂ rotational Raman backscatter, and is capable of all−day accurate temperature profiling from near ground to the lower stratosphere (1~21 km during daytime and 1~35 km at night), with a measurement statistical error of 1 K below 21 km at night (and 11 km during daytime), without any external calibration. In addition, the measurements from this lidar allow direct retrieval of aerosol and cloud backscatter and extinction profiles with strict analytical expressions. Within the framework of Chinese Meridian Project observation network, this lidar is named "Temperature Profiling Lidar for Middle and Lower Troposphere". It has been deployed at Wuhan University, Wuchang station since 2022 and has recorded more than 420 days of high−precision atmospheric temperature profile observations.

To achieve high-precision, routine networked detection of neutral wind fields in the middle and upper atmosphere, relying on Phase II of the Chinese Meridian Project, we have overcome challenges including large-field-of-view, high-throughput and ultra-high-resolution optical design, decoupling of multispectral interference aliasing, large-size cavity thermal stabilization (±0.003 K precision), and real-time thermal drift calibration. A ground-based passive optical instrument, the Dual-Channel Optical Interferometer based on Asymmetric Spatial Heterodyne Spectroscopy (ASHS), has been independently developed. The world’s first running ASHS atmospheric wind field observation network has been established, enabling coordinated observations of wind fields at the mesopause and thermosphere. Cross-comparisons with independent observations such as meteor radars and lidars yield statistical correlation coefficients ranging from 0.75 to 0.95, showing good consistency in day-to-day variations and mutually validating the accuracy and reliability of neutral wind measurements. This detection network fills the gap in large-scale, long-term continuous wind-field monitoring over East Asia, effectively supporting research on middle and upper atmospheric dynamical evolution and geomagnetic storm responses. The research outcomes have realized the engineering application of ASHS wind measurement technique and established an efficient and stable ground-based optical wind-field observation system, providing a technical foundation for establishing a ground-space integrated three-dimensional wind field detection system and future space weather exploration programs.

Taking the China−Brazil Joint Laboratory for Space Weather (CBJLSW) as the research focus, this paper clarifies the evolutionary trajectory of China−Brazil cooperation in space science. It first presents the fundamental overview of the laboratory, which serves as a pioneering demonstration platform for the International Meridian Circle Program (IMCP). As a major international scientific initiative independently initiated and led by Chinese scientists, the IMCP is developed on the basis of Chinese Meridian Project (CMP). This paper systematically summarizes the twelve−year research achievements of CBJLSW. Relying on the unique geographical advantages of the geomagnetic conjugation and symmetry between China and Brazil, the laboratory has carried out dawn−dusk observations, international joint measurements, and comparative analysis of the solar−terrestrial space environment. This study elaborates on the cutting−edge research progress in key fields including the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA), Equatorial Ionospheric Anomaly (EIA), and Van Allen radiation belts. In accordance with the implementation requirements of IMCP deployment in South America, the paper further prospects the medium− and long−term development of regional observation networks and space−ground collaborative observation systems. This research aims to facilitate China and Brazil in jointly making new contributions to the scientific development of developing countries and promoting the peaceful utilization of outer space for all humankind.

Grain boundaries are one of the common defects in metallic materials and strongly affect the mechanical properties of metals. In response to the urgent demand for high strength and damage resistance of metallic materials in engineering applications, this paper takes the properties of grain boundaries and corresponding mechanical properties as examples to systematically review the digital and intelligent research progress of the microstructure and mechanical properties of metallic materials. This review elaborates on the closed−loop research paradigm of "high−throughput computing − theoretical model − machine learning and large language model". In detail, the high−throughput computing platform generates material data in batches through multi−scale computing, forming the large database. Based on the large database, combined with the classical thermodynamic/dynamic models of materials science and the bonding theories of metal physics, descriptors and theoretical models are constructed to establish the quantitative structure−activity relationship between microstructure and macroscopic mechanical properties. Machine learning can be used for rapid prediction of material properties. They can also integrate descriptors with theoretical models to solve the "black box" problem, thereby guiding theoretical calculations and experimental studies. Large−language models can be trained on massive materials science texts, demonstrating powerful cross−disciplinary knowledge integration and generation capabilities, and can serve as efficient intelligent research assistants to assist in material discovery and design. Finally, we also look forward to the development of this field towards the deep integration of physical constraint embedding and autonomous scientific discovery. We also propose the key challenges, such as data quality, theoretical universality, model transferability, and "Hallucination" of the large−language models. All these reviews provide a systematic theoretical reference for the digital and intelligent research on the grain boundary properties and corresponding mechanical properties of metallic materials, as well as for the design of high−performance metallic materials.

To address transmission exposure and link jamming in covert communications when an active warden is capable of both signal detection and intentional jamming, a covert communication strategy against warden jamming based on a bilevel game is proposed. The transmitter randomly selects a subset of the available channels to transmit uplink signals, while the receiver employs maximal-ratio combining for signal reception. The warden distinguishes idle channels, artificial-noise channels, and uplink-signal channels through ternary hypothesis testing and subsequently performs targeted jamming according to the detection results. To increase the warden's detection uncertainty, a cooperative jammer randomly selects a subset of the available channels not occupied by the uplink transmission to transmit artificial noise. On this basis, the transmitter, warden, and cooperative jammer respectively aim to minimize the detection probability of the uplink signal, maximize the detection probability, and maximize the detection-error probability. A tripartite bilevel game model is formulated subject to constraints on the communication signal-to-noise ratio, false-alarm probability, and transmit power. The number of transmission channels, the warden's detection thresholds, and the number of artificial-noise channels are jointly optimized. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed strategy effectively increases the warden's detection uncertainty, reduces the probability that the uplink transmission is successfully detected and effectively jammed, and improves the transmission performance of the legitimate communication link. The proposed approach provides a theoretical reference for highly secure wireless communications and anti-jamming covert transmission under active detection and jamming threats.

With the evolution of large−scale customized production, logistics scheduling in Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) has become a critical factor in improving factory efficiency. In highly automated workshops, heterogeneous material handling subsystems—such as Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), overhead conveyors, and ground conveyor systems—face challenges including high−concurrency tasks, dynamic resource conflicts, and complex physical constraints. To address these issues, this paper proposes a Hierarchical Local−search Mixed−Integer Programming approach (Hierarchical Local−MIP, H−LMIP). First, the complex heterogeneous shop−floor environment is abstracted into a directed graph topology with throughput characteristics, enabling an accurate representation of the physical and logical relationships among processing stations, idle resources, and transportation links. Based on this modeling framework, a hierarchical multi−objective optimization model is constructed, where the primary objective is to maximize the number of on−time completed tasks, while secondary objectives include minimizing activation cost, reducing transportation energy consumption (i.e., low−carbon objective), and balancing system load. To overcome the computational challenges caused by large−scale discrete decision spaces, the proposed H−LMIP incorporates a two−stage dynamic constraint−guided mechanism. By integrating weighted scalarization with local search, the method enables efficient exploration and refined trade−offs among hierarchical objectives within limited computational time. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the proposed H−LMIP achieves better overall optimization performance than Local−MIP, LNS, and the classical NSGA−II, providing effective decision support for low−carbon and efficient operations in smart factories.

Brain−computer interface (BCI), as a cutting−edge field integrating brain science, artificial intelligence, and engineering technology, are becoming an important vehicle for cultivating new types of productivity. This study focuses on the crucial stage of BCI's transition from scientific research to industrial application, systematically reviewing our country's latest progress in policy layout, basic components, encoding and decoding methods, and typical application systems. It proposes that BCIs not only provide a path for the accumulation of new production factors through the efficient collection and processing of brain data, but also promote the formation of emerging industrial chains represented by personalized diagnosis and treatment of brain diseases, and demonstrate forward−looking potential in the field of human−machine collaborative brain−computer intelligence. Furthermore, this study proposes development suggestions from the dimensions of technological autonomy, industry−academia−research integration, and ethical standards, aiming to provide theoretical reference and analytical framework for our country to seize the strategic high ground in BCIs and shape its future industrial competitiveness.

Zhao Jiuzhang (1907–1968) was one of the 23 recipients of the Two Bombs and One Satellite Merit Medal. Devoting his whole life to serving the nation through science and technology, and guided by an exceptionally far−sighted strategic vision, he established and advanced China's basic research in geophysics, space physics, atmospheric science, ocean wave research, and seismology, and was one of the initiators and founders of China's artificial satellite program. Taking into full account the actual conditions of New China, Zhao Jiuzhang emphasized that "missions drive the development of disciplines, while disciplines in turn support the fulfillment of missions". Learning from his scientist spirit and carrying forward his devotion to China, his visionary foresight, his pioneering and innovative drive, and his distinctive philosophy of education are of far−reaching practical significance for further strengthening basic research and accelerating China's endeavor to build herself into a leading country in science and technology in the new era.