Across the vast expanse of land, no longer do we see industrial facilities emitting thick smoke; instead, glass buildings efficiently conduct photochemical reactions everywhere. Humanity not only comprehends the mysterious process of plant photosynthesis but also knows how to obtain desired products more efficiently than nature. Even if coal and oil resources are completely depleted in the future, human civilization will not be adversely affected. These aspirations for the future have been the driving force for Academician Wu Lizhu, a researcher at the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as the Institute of Chemistry), as she leads her team on the scientific path of "chasing the light" for many years.
Li-Zhu Wu: Nurturing Scientific Growth through the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars
Reflecting on her scientific career, Li-Zhu Wu still vividly remembers the invaluable support she received from the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (referred to as the Distinguished Young Scholars Program). "During the execution of the project, voices from all sides, whether questioning or suggesting, benefited me greatly, helping me, as a novice researcher, embark on the path of scientific research. Being surrounded by excellent people has greatly facilitated my rapid growth," Li-Zhu Wu expressed in a recent interview with the China Science Daily.
According to Li-Zhu Wu, the Distinguished Young Scholars Program not only provides support to individual scholars but also plays a guiding role for high-level leading talents, enabling them to systematically organize teams to accomplish more valuable work.
"Boosting" Scientific Growth
"Receiving funding from the Distinguished Young Scholars Program was a critical step in my career," recalls Li-Zhu Wu. Li-Zhu Wu's connection with the Distinguished Young Scholars Program began in 2001. At that time, as a young researcher, Li-Zhu Wu received care and assistance from her seniors. "One day, Professor Bao-Wen Zhang from our institute stopped me in the hallway and said, 'You're doing well, try applying for the Distinguished Young Scholars Program,'" Li-Zhu Wu recalled. She still remembers the scene when she first became aware of the Distinguished Young Scholars Program. During the Chinese New Year in 2001, amidst the sound of firecrackers bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, Li-Zhu Wu completed the project proposal entitled "Photo-physical and Photo-chemical Processes in Supramolecular Systems." The main research contents included: long-distance photo-induced electron transfer and energy transfer in supramolecular systems; selective studies on chemical reactions controlled by microreactors; and studies on the construction of chiral microreactors and the stereo-selectivity of photochemical reactions controlled by them. After submitting the proposal, Li-Zhu Wu diligently immersed herself in her routine research work. Unexpectedly, in June of the same year, she received a notification for the defense of the Distinguished Young Scholars Program. "At that time, I wasn't very clear about what the defense of the Distinguished Young Scholars Program would be like, but my experiences of participating in the 'Youth Academic Forum' of the Institute of Photographic Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (the predecessor of the Institute of Physical Chemistry) several times gave me some confidence," Li-Zhu Wu said. Pushing open the door of the defense hall of the Distinguished Young Scholars Program and entering the venue, Li-Zhu Wu saw more than 30 academicians and experts from various fields sitting on the jury. At that time, she nervously looked at the PPT on the screen and quickly reported her work. However, during the defense, she immersed herself completely, forgetting about her nervousness. The panelists raised many questions and suggestions regarding Li-Zhu Wu's topic, which greatly inspired her and served as a "compass" for her subsequent work. During the execution of the Distinguished Young Scholars Program, the annual reporting meetings provided Li-Zhu Wu with opportunities to exchange ideas with outstanding researchers from other fields, sparking wisdom through collision. "I met many experts and learned about the disciplines they research, gaining new perspectives on the same problem from different directions and fields," Li-Zhu Wu recalled. At the same time, the reporting meetings often encountered "sharp" questions from experts, which always brought Li-Zhu Wu entirely new viewpoints, helping her to think deeply and adjust her research ideas. "These opinions and suggestions pointed out many key points in the research and also served as good training for mental acuity," Li-Zhu Wu said. At the conclusion of the Distinguished Young Scholars Program, the project led by Li-Zhu Wu received high recognition from the review experts, obtaining an "excellent" comprehensive evaluation result. These experiences during the execution of the Distinguished Young Scholars Program enabled Li-Zhu Wu to experience rapid growth in the early stages of her research career.
Simulating Nature, Creating "Useful" Chemistry
After completing the Distinguished Young Scholars Program, Li-Zhu Wu continuously contemplated and refined relevant scientific issues, firmly embarking on a more distant path of scientific research—exploring artificial photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the most important and largest-scale chemical reaction on Earth, and it is also the best example of solar energy utilization provided by nature for humans. How to simulate photosynthesis artificially has always been a goal pursued by scientists, also known as the "Holy Grail of Chemistry." For example, hydrogenases in photosynthetic bacteria can release hydrogen gently and efficiently. However, it is difficult to directly extract and purify hydrogenases. Once exposed to air away from their living environment, the catalytic activity of hydrogenases rapidly decreases. Therefore, Li-Zhu Wu led the team to explore how to use artificially synthesized catalysts to simulate the first step reaction of hydrogen release in photosynthesis. In the journey of scientific exploration, only by persevering in the face of difficulties and persisting in hard work can one reach the peak and achieve the pinnacle of glory. Initially, when Li-Zhu Wu led the research team to successfully produce the first batch of artificial catalysts, they found that these hydrogenase mimics deactivated completely in organic solvents after less than 10 minutes of exposure to light, with a turnover number (TON) of only 0.1, equivalent to one catalyst molecule producing 0.1 hydrogen molecules. Faced with the "fragile" catalysts, Li-Zhu Wu's team did not give up lightly but chose to confront the problem head-on. They persisted in continuously optimizing the catalysts, improving the efficiency of the catalysts. The turnover number increased from 0.1 to 500, 8000, 200,000, 400,000, 800,000, 16,000,000... For six consecutive years, the research team continuously broke their own records, eventually becoming the first to overcome the bottleneck of poor stability and low catalytic efficiency of artificial hydrogenase simulation in the international arena, achieving efficient hydrogen production driven by sunlight. Li-Zhu Wu's team never stopped exploring "useful" chemistry. She led the team to conduct research on carbon dioxide fixation, nitrogen fixation, and photochemical synthesis of high-value chemicals, focusing on whether artificial photosynthesis can bear the future of clean energy and green synthesis. They are committed to exploring how to replicate chemical reaction processes similar to those in the natural environment under mild conditions, like photosynthesis, and make them useful for humans. "If artificial photosynthesis can be realized, light-driven chemical reactions aimed at energy conservation, savings, and cleanliness will promote the progress of synthetic chemistry fundamentally, making contributions to 'peak carbon' and 'carbon neutrality,'" she explained. "Focus" and "Convergence" Pave the Way for Scientific Research
In the eyes of Wu Lizhu, in recent years, the research strength of chemistry in China has grown rapidly, and Chinese scholars are playing an increasingly important role on the international stage. This is thanks to the forward-looking layout of the country in basic research, with the Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS) project being one of them. "The OYS project is like sowing seeds. After nurturing and growing, it has taken root, sprouted, and borne fruit," she said. Starting in 2024, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) will reform the OYS project, conducting tiered evaluations of projects whose funding period ended the previous year. The top 20% of outstanding projects will be selected for a second five-year rolling support, doubling the funding intensity to 8 million CNY, and after the funding period ends, the top 50% of outstanding projects will be selected for a third five-year support of 16 million CNY. What Wu Lizhu anticipates is that the original intention of the rolling support of the OYS project is to enable funded scholars to continue to be active on the scientific stage, play a leading academic role, organize research teams well, collaborate on innovation, and move towards the forefront of world science. "We should always be concerned about 'national affairs' and shoulder 'national responsibilities,' focus our minds, concentrate our efforts, concentrate on learning, and strive to seize the high ground of science and technology," she said. "The research we are engaged in is highly challenging. This requires exchanges and learning among researchers in different fields, more active communication, and the cultivation of young people, so that everyone can work together in this important direction, propose a Chinese solution to achieve the 'dual carbon' goal, and provide strong technological support for the development of new productive forces." Another reform measure of the OYS project is also heartening — the age for female researchers to apply has been extended from 45 to 48 years old. As a female researcher, Wu Lizhu feels very fortunate to have received strong support from her family, unit, and society. "Not every female researcher is as lucky as I am," she said. "Women are an indispensable force in scientific research. Their professional growth should receive more attention from the whole society." Wu Lizhu said that this does not mean that everyone should give them more "care," but more "trust," so that they can receive equal opportunities for cultivation and development and have the opportunity to do important things. Of course, female researchers should also be confident. "We must first believe in ourselves and not do poorly," Wu Lizhu sends her best wishes to female researchers, "let go of anxiety, focus on science, and you will definitely achieve something!"
