Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the awarding of the "2024 Annual Special Contribution Award for R&D in the Scientific Instrument Industry" to Xu Ying, Chairman of Tianjin Sanying Precision Instrument Co., Ltd., recognizing his significant contributions to the development of high-end scientific instruments in China [1][2]. Group 1: Award Overview - The "China Scientific Instrument Industry R&D Special Contribution Award" was established in 2013 to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to scientific instrument technology innovation and industrialization [2][38]. - The award is presented annually at the China Scientific Instrument Development Annual Conference, with a maximum of two recipients each year [2][38]. - The 2025 edition marks the 12th year of the award, with Xu Ying being the 13th recipient [2]. Group 2: Xu Ying's Contributions - Xu Ying, who obtained his PhD from the University of Warwick in 1995, has over 20 years of experience in non-destructive testing and has developed a global perspective through his work in renowned international companies [6]. - He returned to China in 2009 with a mission to contribute to national scientific advancements, leading significant projects such as the development of China's first X-ray three-dimensional microscope with a spatial resolution of 500 nanometers, breaking foreign monopolies [6]. - Under his leadership, Tianjin Sanying Precision Instrument Co., Ltd. has transformed scientific research achievements into internationally advanced products, generating over 850 million yuan in output value and holding 10 invention patents [6]. Group 3: Historical Context of Award Recipients - The article provides a brief overview of past award winners, highlighting their contributions to various fields within scientific instrumentation, such as microwave chemistry, atomic spectroscopy, and the development of advanced analytical instruments [8][10][11][15][18][21][30][33][36]. - Each recipient has played a pivotal role in advancing China's capabilities in scientific instrumentation, often overcoming significant technological challenges and contributing to the country's self-sufficiency in high-tech fields [8][10][11][15][18][21][30][33][36]. Group 4: About the 3i Award - The "3i Award" (Innovative, Interactive, Integrative) was established in 2006 to recognize outstanding contributions in the scientific instrument and testing industry, with a focus on innovation and industry development [39][46]. - The award is based on principles of fairness and transparency, relying on evaluations from industry experts and a large user base to select awardees [39].