Hefei Modern Science and Technology Museum

Hefei Modern Science and Technology Museum

Hefei Modern Science and Technology Museum is located on Science Island by the picturesque Shushan Lake in the western suburbs of Hefei. The island is surrounded by water on three sides and shaded by lush greenery. Science Island is a comprehensive scientific research and talent development base established by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Anhui. It is one of China’s major research centers for nuclear fusion and also serves as the location of the World Laboratory’s nuclear fusion research center in China. In 1998, General Secretary Jiang Zemin visited the island and spoke highly of its research environment, inscribing the words “Science Island.” When General Secretary Hu Jintao inspected the island in 2008, he also gave full recognition to the independent innovation capabilities of the scientific and technical personnel there.

To fully leverage the guiding and exemplary role of national research institutions in the popularization and education of modern science and technology, from 2008 to 2009, with strong support from the Hefei Municipal Government, the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, transformed a 4,500-square-meter villa into the Hefei Modern Science and Technology Museum, replacing the old one. Relying on the strong scientific and technological capabilities of the Hefei Institutes, the cultural history of Science Island, and the island’s abundant flora and fauna resources, the Hefei Modern Science and Technology Museum has established the theme of “Science · Humanities · Nature.” It integrates scientific research with science communication, history with culture, education with tourism, and exhibition with participation. The museum strives to promote modern science and technology and disseminate scientific knowledge in an educational and entertaining way through an interdisciplinary approach. The exhibits are developed and provided by research institutions under the Hefei Institutes, including the Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, the Institute of Plasma Physics, the Institute of Solid State Physics, and the Hefei Institute of Intelligent Machines.

The exhibits include cutting-edge research achievements from nine national or provincial-level key laboratories, such as the National “863” Program in Atmospheric Optics, Intelligent Robot Sensing Technology, CAS Institute of Materials Physics, Ion Beam Bioengineering, and Anhui Provincial Environmental Optical Monitoring Technology. The main exhibition halls of the Hefei Modern Science and Technology Museum—Energy World, Intelligent World, Optical World, and Materials World—feature over 80 exhibition items. These include, in sequence: a model of China’s first superconducting tokamak HT-7 experimental device, solar power generation models, tidal power generation models, and steam power generation models; intelligent robots, digital running tracks, strength-testing robots, and virtual tour halls; lidar devices, atmospheric aerosol particle size analyzers, solar radiometers, atmospheric component differential optical absorption spectroscopy detection systems, gas analyzers, pinhole imaging laser rangefinders, infrared thermometers, helium-neon lasers, optical island demonstration instruments, infrared demonstration instruments, ultraviolet demonstration instruments, pupil demonstration instruments, magneto-optical modulation demonstration instruments, acousto-optic modulation demonstration instruments, electro-optic modulation demonstration instruments, the Gauss pendulum, nanomaterials, porous materials, and nanocomposites.

In terms of venue construction, the museum actively maintains good cooperative relations with various research units of the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, ensuring that the museum’s science communication projects align with the main research directions of these institutes. With the strong support of the Institute of Plasma Physics and the Institute of Intelligent Machines, exhibition items such as simulated lunar surface living environments, lunar landing vehicles, and solar-powered electric vehicles have been introduced, allowing visitors to experience the wonders of science firsthand alongside static displays. As the scientific research endeavors of the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science continue to develop, the museum will further enrich and update its science communication projects and exhibits by making full use of the technological resources of relevant institutes. Guided by the principle of independent scientific and technological innovation, the Hefei Modern Science and Technology Museum will also continue to maintain close ties with primary and secondary schools across Anhui Province, organizing educational groups at all levels for visits and study. This ensures that science communication education is effectively implemented, fully leveraging the function of an educational science base and providing intellectual support for primary and secondary education in Anhui Province.