China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE), originating from The Institute of Modern Physics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, was founded in 1950. CIAE is the cradle of nuclear science and technology in China, and also a comprehensive R&D base which is in a leading, fundamental and forward looking position in nuclear field. Seven of the 23 great medalists of "Two Bombs and One Satellite" Distinguished Achievements once worked at CIAE. More than 60 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering once worked at CIAE. More than 10 important domestic institutions and factories in the nuclear field were derived from CIAE. It now has a total staff of 3000, including 5 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering, Wang Fangding, Wang Naiyan, Zhang Huanqiao, Ruan Keqiang,Xu mi, over 140 Ph.D tutors and 180 Master tutors, about 1000 senior researchers and engineers. Famous scientists including Wu Youxun, Qiam Sanqiang, Wang Ganchang, Dai Chuanzeng, Sun Zuxun, Fan Mingwu and Zhao Zhixiang were appointed the president of CIAE successively. The current president of CIAE is senior research fellow Wan Gang.
CIAE is composed of six departments: Department of Nuclear Physics, Department of Reactor Engineering, Department of Radiochemistry, Department of Isotope, Department of Nuclear Technology Application, and Department of Radiation Safety; 2 technical divisions: Division of Scientific and Technological Information, Division of Radiation Metrology; 6 centers or key laboratories of national or ministerial level: China Nuclear Data Center, Research Center for National Isotope Engineering Technology, National R&D Center for Fast Reactor Engineering, National Nuclear Physics Laboratory of Beijing Tandem Accelerator, Key Laboratory of Nuclear Safeguard Technology, and Primary Radiation Metrology Station of Science, Technology and Industry of National Defense; 5 divisions for engineering projects: Division of China Experimental Fast Reactor (CEFR) Project, Division of China Advanced Research Reactor(CARR) Project, Division of Beijing Radioactive Ion-beam Facilities(BRIF) Project, Division of China Reprocessing and Radiochemical Laboratory (CRARL) Project, and Division of Radioactive Waste Facility Treatment Project; Industrial entities such as Atom High-Tech. Co. Ltd., Nuclear Power Service Center and so forth. 10 research centers and key laboratories set up by China National Nuclear Cooperation (CNNC), Nuclear Science and Technology Museum of CNNC, Graduate School of Nuclear Industry and Beijing Nuclear Society are also Launched in CIAE.
Over the past 60 years, CIAE has made great contributions to the development of national defense, national economy, and nuclear science and technology. It has become a multi-disciplinary scientific research institute involving nuclear physics, nuclear chemistry and radiochemistry, reactor engineering technology, accelerator technology, nuclear electronics and detection technology, isotope technology, radiation metrology, nuclear safeguards technology, and radiation protection technology. By the end of 2010, CIAE has won over 1300 National, Ministry and regional awards, including National Natural Science Award, National Invent Award, National Science and Technology Progress Award and Award of Science and Technology for National Defense. More than 300 patents have been authorized. CIAE also developed a number of hi-tech products based on isotope and radiation technology, and achieved remarkable economic and social benefits.
CIAE Now aims to build itself a World First-class Nuclear R & D base, and to continue to make major fundamental, strategic and forward-looking contributions to China’s Nuclear Industry, national security and nuclear Science and Technology.