Technological breakthroughs take spotlight at Mingyue Lake Summit

China's first homegrown, coating-free, oxidation-resistant, hot-stamping steel and other technological breakthroughs took center stage at the Mingyue Lake Collaborative Innovation Ecosystem Summit on July 15, reflecting the region's dynamic innovation vitality.

The Mingyue Lake Collaborative Innovation Ecosystem Summit takes place in Liangjiang New Area on July 15. [Photo provided to english.liangjiang.gov.cn]

LumiSword, a new type of hot stamping steel, was developed by Chongqing Shuyuandao Technology Co, an institute-incubated company based in the Mingyue Lake Collaborative Innovation Zone. The company has also developed MatFavor, an intelligent material modeling system.

LumiSword's breakthrough lies in resolving problems related to high-temperature oxidation during hot-stamping part manufacturing, an issue traditionally addressed through surface coatings. This innovation reduces production costs and carbon emissions compared to Al-Si coated alternatives while outperforming non-coated solutions in environmental protection and part accuracy, according to Zhao Yan, chairman of the company.

Ten projects in AI, semiconductors, and advanced materials have signed agreements to establish themselves in the Mingyue Lake Collaborative Innovation Zone. These projects will receive comprehensive support, including investment capital, to facilitate their development.

Among these projects, Chongqing Tiangang Intelligent Technology will deliver China's first OpenHarmony-based industrial robot operating system, iiRobotOS, along with core parts, controllers, and simulation training platforms.

iiRobotOS enables cross-domain collaborations, such as partnerships between humanoid and industrial robots. The operating system has completed application verification at Rokae, Efort, and other leading robotics enterprises.

The Mingyue Lake Collaborative Innovation Zone in Liangjiang New Area is home to more than 50 R&D institutions. [Photo by Wang Jiaxi] 

Building itself into a sci-tech innovation hub in Chongqing, the Mingyue Lake Collaborative Innovation Zone has established a full-cycle sci-tech investment matrix that combines government funding, direct investment, and venture capital to bridge early-stage financing gaps for sci-tech innovation.

The innovation zone also delivers comprehensive services from concept validation to mass production to support sci-tech innovation and turn research into real-world applications, according to Tan Lekai, deputy director of the Liangjiang New Area scientific and technological innovation bureau.

The innovation hub has commercialized more than 700 technologies and incubated 824 startups focusing on smart NEVs, aerospace materials, and integrated circuits. It aims to commercialize more than 1,000 sci-tech achievements by 2027.