On November 5, 2024, the 2024 International Magnesium Science and Technology Award ceremony was held in Chongqing and livestreamed online. The event was co-hosted by the International Magnesium Society and the Journal of Magnesium and Alloys, and co-organized by the College of Materials Science and Engineering at Chongqing University, the National Engineering Research Center for Magnesium Alloys, the National Key Laboratory for Advanced Equipment Casting Technology, the Chongqing Institute for New Energy Storage Materials and Equipment, and the Chongqing University National Energy Storage Technology Industry–Education Integration Innovation Platform, among others. More than 650 delegates from 21 countries—including Australia, Germany, Russia, Korea, the United States, Japan, Spain, Italy, and China—attended the ceremony in person, while the livestream attracted over 15,000 views.
Professor Fusheng Pan (Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Chair of the Chongqing Association for Science and Technology, Vice-Chair of the Chinese Materials Research Society, and Honorary Director of the National Engineering Research Center for Magnesium Alloys at Chongqing University) and Professor Karl Kainer (former Director of the HZG Magnesium Center in Germany and former President of the International Magnesium Association (IMA)) served as Co-Chairs of the Award Committee. The committee was composed of 124 renowned experts from 23 countries, including China, the United States, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Korea, and Singapore. The Annual Award is presented every year, while the Grand Award is presented every three years. This year’s Annual Awards included: Person of the Year, Youth of the Year, Excellent Paper of the Year, Excellent Thesis of the Year, Standard of the year, Innovative Process of the Year, Innovative Product of the Year, and Special Contribution on Innovation of the Year. The Grand Awards included: Lifetime Achievement, Distinguished Scientists, Outstanding Youth, R&D Innovation, and Innovative Application.
Academician Fusheng Pan delivered the opening address and provided a detailed introduction to the background, selection criteria, and evaluation process of the Annual International Magnesium Science and Technology Award. Academician Fusheng Pan, Academician K.S. Shin of Seoul National University, Academician Zaiping Guo of The University of Adelaide, Professor Heinz-Günter Brokmeier of Clausthal University of Technology, Professor Jianfeng Nie of Monash University, Professor Sviatlana Lamaka and Professor Norbert Hort of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres, Professor Nack J. Kim of Pohang University of Science and Technology, and Vice President Huiyuan Wang of Hebei University Of Technology, along with many other leading experts, served as award presenters and conferred the certificates and medals to the recipients.
In the Annual Award Category, Kristián Máthis of Charles University and two other experts received the Special Contribution on Innovation of the Year. Javier Llorca of Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Mingyi Zheng of Harbin Institute of Technology, Carsten Blawert of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres, and Jianxin Zou of Shanghai Jiao Tong University were honored with the Person of the Year Award. Arash Fattah-alhosseini of Bu-Ali Sina University, Baodong Shi of Yanshan University, and two others received Youth of the Year Awards. Papers authored by Shuangshuang Tan of Chongqing University, Stefanus Harjo of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Biaobiao Yang of Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, and Dikai Guan of the University of Southampton were recognized with the Excellent Paper of the Year Awards. Doctoral theses by Chaoneng Dai (Chongqing University), Tiantian Wen (Chongqing University), Hao Xu (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), and Hui Shi (Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres) received the Excellent Thesis of the Year Awards. The following four processes were awarded the Innovative Process of the Year: 4000T Super Thixomolding Technology for Large-Weight Mg Alloy Products, jointly developed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Bole Machinery; A Novel Casting Process for High-Performance Magnesium-Based Alloys/Composites, developed by the Indian Institute of Technology Madras; Design of Large-Scaled Magnesium Alloy Casting Molds, jointly developed by Boao Magnesium Aluminum Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Chongqing Borun Mould Co. Ltd., and Chongqing University; and Flame-Resistant Mg Alloys and Its battery-pack manufacturing, jointly developed by Baosteel Metal Co. Ltd., Baomarc (Hefei) Technology Co. Ltd., and Gotion High-Tech Co. Ltd.. The following three products received the Innovative Product of the Year Awards: Magnesium Alloy Rear Seat Frame for New-Energy Vehicles, jointly developed by Boao Magnesium Aluminum Manufacturing Co. Ltd, Chongqing SERES New Energy Vehicle Design Institute, and Chongqing University; 3-in-1 Magnesium Electric Drive Housing, jointly developed by Baosteel Metal Co. Ltd, Boao Magnesium Aluminum Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Suzhou Inovance Automotive Co. Ltd., and Shanghai Jiao Tong University; and Large-Size Special-Shaped Magnesium Alloy Components for Spacecraft, jointly developed by Chongqing University and Shanxi Yinguang Huasheng Magnesium Co. Ltd.
In the Grand Award Category, Lifetime Achievement Awards were conferred upon Academician Alan Luo of The Ohio State University, Academician Shixue Dou (former Professor at the University of Wollongong), and Academician Daolun Chen of Toronto Metropolitan University. Distinguished Scientist Awards were presented to Academician Enhou Han of South China University of Technology and Professor Maximilian Fichtner of the Helmholtz Institute Ulm. Outstanding Youth Awards were received by Qiuming Peng of Yanshan University, Hucheng Pan of Northeastern University, and Min Zha of Jilin University.
R&D Innovation Award went to the following three achievements: New Technology of Magnesium Smelting in Large Capacity Vertical Tank, jointly developed by Baowu Magnesium Technology Co. Ltd., Shanxi Bada Magnesium Co. Ltd., and Chongqing University; Short-Routed Rolling Technique for Fabricating High Strength and Ductile Mg Alloys, developed by Jilin Universitys; Development of Novel Self-Piercing Riveting Processes for Magnesium, developed by Meridian Lightweight Technologies; and Integrative HPDC Technology for Non-Heat Treatment High-Strength and Ductility Mg Alloys and Its Application by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, WanFeng Meridian Lightweight Technology Co. Ltd., Dongfeng Auto Coops, Yizumi Holdings Co. Ltd and FAW Group. Innovative Application Awards were presented to the following five applications: Mass Applications in SERES New Energy Vehicle of MG Die Castings, jointly developed by the Chongqing SERES New Energy Vehicle Design Institute, Chongqing University, and Boao Magnesium Aluminum Manufacturing Co. Ltd.; Integrated Casting of Ultra Large and Complex Magnesium Alloy Product, jointly developed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Jiaozuo Gaozhao Magnesium Alloy Co., Ltd., and Chongqing University; Magnesium Alloy Semi-Solid injection and Its Mass Applications , developed by Waffer Cast and partners; Soluble Magnesium Alloys and Their Oil and Gas Extraction Tools , jointly developed by Chongqing University and Chongqing Yuhua New Material Technology Co. Ltd. ; and Application of Newly Developed Corrosion Resistant Mg Alloy to Roof Box Frames of the Korean Minivan (Kia Carnival) , developed by the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology.
Award recipients—including Academician Enhou Han (South China University Of Technology), Academician Shixue Dou (University of Shanghai for Science and Technology), Academician Alan Luo (The Ohio State University), Prof. Kristián Máthis (Charles University), Dr. Stefanus Harjo (Japan Atomic Energy Agency), Dr. Dikai Guan (University of Southampton), Dr. Tiantian Wen (Chongqing University), Dr. Hui Shi (Helmholtz Institute Ulm), Prof. Xiaoqin Zeng (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Dr. Xiangzhen Zhu (Baosteel Metal Co. Ltd.), Prof. Baodong Shi (Yanshan University), Prof. Mingyi Zheng (Harbin Institute of Technology), Academician Javier Llorca (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid), Mr. Jon Weiler (Meridian Lightweight Technology Co. Ltd. ), Prof. Guohua Wu (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), and Prof. Qiuming Peng (Yanshan University)—delivered their acceptance speeches both online and onsite.
The conference adopted a hybrid format, combining on-site participation with global online livestreaming. More than 650 delegates from 21 countries—including Australia, Austria, Pakistan, Germany, Russia, Korea, the Czech Republic, Malaysia, the United States, Poland, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Spain, Singapore, New Zealand, Italy, Iran, India, the United Kingdom, and China—participated, while the livestream garnered over 15,000 views.
This award ceremony not only summarized research, development, and applications of magnesium and magnesium-alloy materials and products over the past one year (Annual Awards) and the past three years (Grand Awards), but also outlined future directions and objectives for their continued development. The award-winning individuals and projects covered diverse fields including magnesium smelting, magnesium-based structural materials, magnesium-based hydrogen-storage materials, and magnesium batteries. These achievements highlight the expansion of magnesium-based materials from lightweight structural applications to energy storage and biomedical applications, underscoring their growing importance in energy conservation and emission reduction, energy transition, and enhanced industrial competitiveness.
The successful hosting of the Award ceremony fostered exchanges among renowned scientists, young scholars, and students in the field of magnesium and magnesium alloys, strengthened collaboration among universities, research institutes, and enterprises, and has had a significant impact on the global magnesium industry.
Academician Fusheng Pan delivering a speech
Professor Kristián Máthis from Charles University in the Czech Republic accepting the Special Contribution on Innovation of the Year Award
Professor Javier Llorca from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Technical University of Madrid), Spain, delivering a speech as the recipient of the Person of the Year Award
Professor En-Hou Han, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering from South China University of Technology, delivering an acceptance speech as the award recipient representative for Distinguished Scientist
Academicians Fusheng Pan and Kwang Seon Shin present the Lifetime Achievement Awards to recipients Academicians Shixue Dou and Alan Luo
Group photo of all award winners with the award presenters and distinguished guests
International Mg Society