Laboratory Positioning

Aligned with China’s national “Three Deeps” strategy and Shenzhen’s “20+8” strategic emerging industry clusters and future industries initiative, the Laboratory focuses on fundamental theories and key technologies related to new energy and deep-earth and deep-sea exploration. It is committed to developing innovative methods, theories, and technologies that advance the international frontiers of deep engineering science and green energy.

Historical Development

Preparations for the Laboratory began in January 2020. It successfully passed the acceptance review for its preparatory development period in April 2023 and was formally established in December 2025.

Personnel Composition

Professor Xie Heping, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, serves as Director of the Laboratory. The Laboratory currently has 21 permanent researchers, including one member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, one recipient of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, and four recipients of major national young-talent programs. It also has one full-time research staff member, six postdoctoral researchers, and 95 doctoral and master’s students.

Research Directions

Responding to major national strategic needs in deep-earth, deep-sea, deep-space, and low-carbon energy development, the Laboratory has established four distinctive and interdisciplinary research directions.

1. Deep Engineering Science and Three-Dimensional Solid Fracture Dynamics

This research direction responds to engineering development needs involving urban underground space, shale gas, tight gas, natural gas hydrates, and related resources. It seeks to overcome the difficulties associated with visualizing and quantifying the evolution of stress fields in rock masses, thereby supporting the safe development of deep underground space and deep-earth energy resources.

2. Theories and Technologies for CCUS and Low-Carbon Clean Energy

This direction focuses on the development of carbon dioxide mineralization-based power generation, ultra-low-energy electrochemical carbon dioxide capture, and near-zero-carbon coal-fired power generation technologies. The Laboratory has developed the world’s first tonne-scale prototype system based on the principle of electrochemical carbon dioxide capture.

3. Theories and Technologies for Seawater-Based Energy Development

The Laboratory originally proposed a new principle for the direct in-situ electrolysis of seawater for hydrogen production without prior desalination, enabling the conversion of seawater resources into green energy. The related findings were published in Nature and selected as one of the Top Ten Advances in Science in China.

4. Lunar Exploration and Fidelity-Preserving Coring Robot Development

This direction seeks to establish an integrated technological chain covering exploration, sampling, analysis, and resource utilization. It also investigates frontier areas including in-situ power generation on the Moon, lunar underground space construction, strategic resource reserves, and thermal energy storage, thereby supporting the future development of deep-space resources.

Major Achievements

Focusing on major national strategic needs and regional industrial development priorities, the Laboratory has continuously advanced the development of high-level research platforms and talent cultivation. It successfully passed the acceptance review for its preparatory development period in April 2023, with all specified development targets exceeded.

During the development period, the Laboratory undertook 20 national-level research projects and 20 provincial, municipal, and industry-sponsored collaborative projects. The total research funding reached RMB 229.4486 million, including RMB 99.0173 million for national-level projects and RMB 130.4313 million for provincial, municipal, and industry-sponsored projects.

In terms of research output, the Laboratory published 83 academic papers, including 66 papers indexed by the Science Citation Index. It filed 150 invention patent applications and obtained authorization for 14 invention patents, 103 utility model patents, and four software copyrights. It also published two academic monographs in China.

In talent development, the Laboratory has supported ten postdoctoral researchers in completing their appointments and currently hosts 23 postdoctoral researchers. It has trained seven doctoral graduates and eight master’s graduates, while 80 postgraduate students are currently enrolled.

The Laboratory has also received several major science and technology awards, including a First Prize for Natural Sciences and a First Prize for Science and Technology Progress at the provincial or ministerial level. It continues to promote the cultivation and recruitment of high-level talent and strengthen academic exchange, thereby providing substantial support for disciplinary development and the advancement of scientific and technological innovation platforms at Shenzhen University.