Officails from government of Inner Mongolia autonomous region visit the Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory for Physics and Chemistry of Functional Materials at Inner Mongolia Normal University (IMNU) on March 14, 2017. [Photo/fml.imnu.edu.cn]

The Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory for Physics and Chemistry of Functional Materials at Inner Mongolia Normal University (IMNU) was established by the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the university, officially opening to the public in April 2007. 

On the basis of development of rare earth, nonferrous metals and other resources, the laboratory leads research on material science, condensed matter physics and organic chemistry. It focuses its research on magnetic materials and technologies, photovoltaic materials and solar cells, rare earth functional materials and their application, and on the design of and research into functional materials.

At its base in Inner Mongolia autonomous region, the lab hosts 29 researchers, including an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a winner of the Chang Jiang Scholars Program, 13 professors, 26 doctors, five PhD supervisors and seven specialists. Thanks to these talented researchers, the lab has made remarkable scientific and technological achievements both at home and aboard. Covering 1,500 square meters, the lab is equipped with experimental equipment worth more than 30 million yuan ($4.5 million). It established an incubator for magnetic refrigerant materials and rare-earth permanent magnetic materials with Baotou Rare-Earth Hi-Tech Zone, promoting the lab as a major platform for the development and transformation of scientific research.