A conference aimed at introducing the research achievements of China's leading institutes is held in Hai'an, Nantong. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

In the first half of this year, Hai'an significantly advanced its industry-academia collaboration efforts, adding 164 new projects, including 81 with investments over 300,000 yuan ($41,822.91).

The initiative, known as "collaborative innovation", aims to harness the full potential of resources and expertise across innovation entities by enhancing cooperation.

Since the beginning of the year, Hai'an has identified 222 companies with 427 technological requests and connected them with technological innovation institutions. For instance, Jiangsu TM Technology has been working with the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences since late 2019. Their joint efforts in developing large transparent ceramics have filled a significant gap in China's high-grade transparent protection sector.

Over the past year, Hai'an's enterprises have partnered on 11 major projects with institutions like the Institute of Process Engineering and the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics. Additionally, 236 cooperation projects are being carried out with over 60 universities, including Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Nanjing University, with cumulative funding exceeding 100 million yuan.

During the 11th "Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Hai'an" event, which featured experts from top domestic universities and research institutions, agreements for 40 new projects were signed. Notably, the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute's project on new anti-oxidants is set to enhance the high-temperature performance of Chinese-made lubricants.

Hai'an's science and technology bureau has introduced incentives to accelerate the commercialization of scientific achievements, offering up to 2 million yuan in rewards for technology-based startups and up to 1 million yuan for the conversion of original research.