稀土霞光——记“中国稀土之父”徐光宪的卓越人生

Core Viewpoint - Xu Guangxian, known as the "Father of Chinese Rare Earths," dedicated his life to the development of China's rare earth industry through independent innovation and strategic alignment with national needs [1][4]. Group 1: Early Life and Education - Xu Guangxian was born in 1920 in a scholarly family in Shaoxing and faced significant challenges during his education due to the war [2]. - He graduated from Ningbo High School in 1940 and worked as a technician while attending night classes at Shanghai Jiao Tong University [2]. - In 1948, he received a government scholarship to study at the University of Washington, where he excelled academically and later pursued a Ph.D. at Columbia University [3]. Group 2: Return to China and Academic Career - After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Xu decided to return to China in 1951, rejecting lucrative offers in the U.S. to contribute to his homeland [4]. - He became a professor at Peking University, where he taught for decades and mentored many students, some of whom became academicians [4][5]. Group 3: Research Focus and Contributions - Xu's research shifted multiple times in response to national strategic needs, starting with quantum chemistry, then nuclear fuel extraction, and finally rare earth separation [5]. - In 1972, he led a team to tackle the global challenge of rare earth solvent extraction, ultimately developing the "constant mixed extraction ratio" principle and the cascade extraction theory [6][7]. - The cascade extraction theory revolutionized China's rare earth industry, significantly improving the purity of rare earth products and addressing long-standing production challenges [7]. Group 4: Recognition and Legacy - Xu Guangxian received numerous awards, including the National Highest Science and Technology Award in 2008, recognizing his lifelong contributions to rare earth research and education [8]. - His achievements reflect not only his scientific prowess but also his commitment to national development and education, earning him respect and admiration in both China and the international scientific community [8].