China's first Superconducting Magnet Technology Center aiming to promote the development and application of superconducting magnet technology was established in Weifang City, Shandong Province on March 6th. 

Dr. WANG Yifang and Mr. CHEN Baifeng unveil the plate of the center (Image by IHEP)

The plate-unveiling ceremony was held between the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) and the Weifang municipal government. Dr. WANG Yifang, deputy director  of IHEP and Mr. CHEN Baifeng, deputy mayor of Weifang City unveiled the plate.

At present, an annual import of approximately 400 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) instruments, which can be valued as high as 4 billion yuan, hinders the development of our medical and related industries. Through close cooperation with local governments and enterprises, IHEP, by exploiting its comprehensive superiorities in basic and applied research, is exploring a new way of transferring and marketing high technologies.

Under the center, an Academic Committee was set up and held its first meeting. This committee was made up of 13 experts from CAS institutes and universities. Present at the ceremony were officials from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Weifang City.