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NASA Awards 2025 Innovative Technology Concept Studies

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — NASA selected 15 visionary ideas for its NIAC (NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts) program which develops concepts to transform future missions for the benefit of all. Chosen from companies and institutions across the United States, the 2025 Phase I awardees represent a wide range of aerospace concepts.

The NIAC program nurtures innovation by funding early-stage technology concept studies for future consideration and potential commercialization. The combined award for the 2025 concepts is a maximum of $2.625M in grants to evaluate technologies that could enable future aerospace missions.

“Our next steps and giant leaps rely on innovation, and the concepts born from NIAC can radically change how we explore deep space, work in low Earth orbit, and protect our home planet” said Clayton Turner, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate in Washington. “From developing small robots that could swim through the oceans of other worlds to growing space habitats from fungi, this program continues to change the possible.”

The newly selected concepts include feasibility studies to explore the Sun’s influence on our solar system, build sustainable lunar habitats from glass, explore Saturn’s icy moon, and more. All NIAC studies are in the early stages of conceptual development and are not considered official NASA missions.

Ryan Weed, Helicity Space LLC in Pasadena, California, proposes a constellation of spacecraft powered by the Helicity Drive, a compact and scalable fusion propulsion system, that could enable rapid, multi-directional exploration of the heliosphere and beyond, providing unprecedented insights on how the Sun interacts with our solar system and interstellar space. Demonstrating the feasibility of fusion propulsion could also benefit deep space exploration including crewed missions to Mars.

Martin Bermudez, Skyeports LLC in Sacramento, California, presents the concept of constructing a large-scale, lunar glass habitat in a low-gravity environment. Nicknamed LUNGS (Lunar Glass Structure), this approach involves melting lunar glass compounds to create a large spherical shell structure. This idea offers a promising solution for establishing self-sustaining, large-scale habitats on the lunar surface.

Justin Yim, University of Illinois in Urbana, proposes a jumping robot appropriately named LEAP (Legged Exploration Across the Plume), as a novel robotic sampling concept to explore Enceladus, a small, icy moon of Saturn that’s covered in geysers, or jets. The LEAP robots could enable collection of pristine, ocean-derived material directly from Enceladus’s jets and measurement of particle properties across multiple jets by traveling from one to another.

“All advancements begin as an idea. The NIAC program allows NASA to invest in unique ideas enabling innovation and supporting the nation’s aerospace economy,” said John Nelson, program executive for NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts in Washington.

The NIAC researchers, known as fellows, will investigate the fundamental premise of their concepts, identify potential challenges, and look for opportunities to bring these concepts to life.

In addition to the projects mentioned above, the following selectees received 2025 NIAC Phase I grants:

Michael Hecht, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge: EVE (Exploring Venus with Electrolysis)Selim Shahriar, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois: SUPREME-QG: Space-borne Ultra-Precise Measurement of the Equivalence Principle Signature of Quantum GravityPhillip Ansell, University of Illinois, Urbana: Hy2PASS (Hydrogen Hybrid Power for Aviation Sustainable Systems)Ryan Benson, ThinkOrbital Inc., Boulder, Colorado: Construction Assembly DestinationGyula Greschik, Tentguild Engineering Co, Boulder, Colorado: The Ribbon: Structure Free Sail for Solar Polar ObservationMarco Quadrelli, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California: PULSAR: Planetary pULSe-tAkeRBen Hockman, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California: TOBIAS: Tethered Observatory for Balloon-based Imaging and Atmospheric SamplingKimberly Weaver, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland: Beholding Black Hole Power with the Accretion Explorer InterferometerJohn Mather NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland: Inflatable Starshade for Earthlike ExoplanetsRobert Hinshaw, NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley: MitoMars: Targeted Mitochondria Replacement Therapy to Boost Deep Space EnduranceChristine Gregg, NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley: Dynamically Stable Large Space Structures via Architected MetamaterialsSaurabh Vilekar, Precision Combustion, North Haven, Connecticut: Thermo-Photo-Catalysis of Water for Crewed Mars Transit Spacecraft Oxygen Supply

NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate funds the NIAC program, as it is responsible for developing the agency’s new cross-cutting technologies and capabilities to achieve its current and future missions.

To learn more about NIAC, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/niac

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SOURCE NASA

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Embracing the Semiconductor Supercycle: Harvest STAR Chip ETF (Stock Code 3559) Authorized by the SFC Listing Soon on SEHK

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HONG KONG, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Harvest Global Investments Limited announced that the Harvest STAR Chip ETF (Stock Code: 3559)(the “Fund”) has been authorised by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong (the “SFC”) today and will be listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “SEHK”).

The Fund is a feeder exchange-traded fund (“Feeder ETF”) adopting a Master–Feeder Structure and is managed by Harvest Global Investments Limited, the Fund will invest at least 90% of its net asset value in the Harvest SSE STAR Chip ETF¹ (Stock Code: 588200), which is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange through the Qualified Foreign Investor (“QFI”) status of the Manager and/or the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect, it will thereby gaining indirect exposure to Mainland STAR Market Chip Assets. The Feeder ETF will be listed on the SEHK, providing Hong Kong investors with a convenient, efficient tool to gain exposure to the STAR Market chip sector. DWS Investments Hong Kong Limited acts as the Fund’s Investment Adviser; Deutsche Bank (China) Co., Ltd., Shanghai Branch acts as its QFII Custodian; and CMB Wing Lung Bank Ltd acts as its Custodian.

Harvest SSE STAR Chip ETF¹ is managed by Harvest Fund Management Co., Ltd. and closely tracks the SSE STAR Chip Index (Index Code: 000685).

Focus on Core Technologies Across the STAR Market Chip Value Chain

The SSE STAR Chip Index selects securities of STAR Market-listed companies engaged in semiconductor materials and equipment, chip design, manufacturing, packaging and testing. It includes the top 50 securities ranked by average daily total market capitalisation over the preceding year, caps each constituent’s weight at 10%, and rebalances quarterly. Semiconductor-related companies account for more than 95% of the Index, and its top ten constituents are mostly leaders in their respective segments. Its constituent stocks are subject to a 20% daily price fluctuation limit, offering potential volatility and growth characteristics distinct from Main Board indices.

The master fund in which the Fund invests uses a full replication strategy to track the underlying index, targeting an absolute average daily tracking deviation of no more than 0.2% and an annualised tracking error of no more than 2%. For investors, rapid rotation among chip subsectors makes selection challenging. By covering the full value chain, including design, manufacturing, equipment, materials, packaging, and testing, the ETF can diversify concentration risk in any single subsector and offer one-stop solution for sector allocation.

Leading the Current Rally as Index Sensitivity Aligns with Industry Momentum

According to data from Hithink RoyalFlush, since its base date on 31 December 2019, through 23 October 2026,the STAR Chip Index has risen by more than 200%,  with a cumulative gain of more than 150% over the past three years as of 23 October 2026.

The current rally is being driven by AI-led industry transformation. Advances in large AI models have prompted substantial upward revisions to global capital expenditure on computing infrastructure, driving growth in demand for GPUs and memory. However, the long lead times for wafer fabrication plant construction and equipment procurement make it difficult for supply to keep pace in the short term. Semiconductors are also central to China’s pursuit of greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, with domestic substitution and policy support continuing to advance.

Industry Drivers from Policy Support and Domestic Substitution to AI Demand

The chip industry is a strategic, foundational and pioneering industry underpinning economic and social development. Relevant authorities have introduced policy measures, including income tax incentives, support from the National Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund, and additional value-added tax (“VAT”) deduction credits.

On the demand side, capital expenditure by major global cloud service providers continues to grow strongly. As AI expands from training to inference, it is driving demand for bandwidth, memory and advanced packaging. China’s chip design industry continues to post strong sales growth, wafer fabrication capital expenditure is rising, and substantial scope remains for domestic substitution in packaging and testing. With constituents spanning the upstream, midstream and downstream segments, the STAR Chip Index is positioned to benefit from momentum across the entire value chain.

Harvest’s index team believes that the STAR Market chip sector continues to enjoy supportive medium- to long-term industry fundamentals. Advances in global semiconductor technologies, including AI, advanced packaging and high-performance computing, are creating further opportunities, while localisation remains a long-term industry trend. The opportunity extends beyond near-term industry momentum to core assets with growth potential and strategic significance in the upgrading of technology and manufacturing.

About Harvest Global Investments Limited

Established in Hong Kong in 2008, Harvest Global Investments Limited is a subsidiary of Harvest Fund Management Co., Ltd. As the core platform for its parent company’s international business, Harvest Global Investments Limited holds SFC licences of Type 1 (Dealing in Securities), Type 4 (Advising on Securities) and Type 9 (Asset Management) regulated activities. Drawing on the strength and brand heritage of Harvest Fund Management Co., Ltd., Harvest Global Investments Limited continues to provide global investors with asset management services, including equity, fixed income, index and multi-strategy solutions.

Important Information and Risk Disclosure

Investment involves risks, including possible loss of principal amount invested. Past performance or any prediction or forecast is not indicative of future results. Investors should read the offering documents for further details, including the risk factors, before investing. Investment returns not denominated in HKD/USD are exposed to exchange rate fluctuations. This document is published by Harvest Global Investments Limited and has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong.

IMPORTANT: Investment involves risks, including possible loss of principal amount invested. Past performance or any prediction or forecast is not indicative of future results. Investors should read the offering documents of Harvest STAR Chip ETF (the “Sub-Fund”) for further details, including the risk factors, before investing. Investors should not base investment decisions on this material alone. Investors should note:

The Sub-Fund is a feeder fund which will invest at least 90% of its NAV in the Harvest SSE STAR Chip ETF (the “Master ETF”). The Master ETF is regulated by the CSRC and is subject to the applicable PRC mainland laws and regulations. The Master ETF is subject to chip industry concentration risks, PRC mainland market and concentration risks and risk of investing in the STAR Market.The relevant rules and regulations (including restrictions on investments, repatriation of principal and profits, taxation) in the PRC mainland are subject to change which may have potential retrospective effect. Where a suspension or intervention in the trading through the QFI regime and/or the Stock Connect is effected, the Sub-Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective could be negatively affected.There are risks and uncertainties associated with the current PRC mainland tax laws, regulations and practice in respect of capital gains realised via the QFI regime or the Stock Connect. Any increased tax liabilities on the Sub-Fund may adversely affect the Sub-Fund’s value.Investors of Listed and Unlisted Classes of Units are subject to different pricing and dealing arrangements. The NAV per Unit of each of the Listed and Unlisted Classes of Units may be different due to different fees and cost applicable to each class. The trading hours of SEHK applicable to the Listed Class of Units in the secondary market, the dealing deadlines in respect of the Listed and/or Unlisted Classes of Units in the primary market, may be all different. In view of the differences in fee and cost arrangements between the Listed and Unlisted Classes, the NAV per Unit of each of the Listed Class of Units and Unlisted Classes of Units may also be different.The Sub-Fund is subject to general investment risk, trading differences risks, RMB currency risk and risk relating to distributions paid out of capital.

The Sub-Fund is authorized by the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong (“SFC”). Such authorization does not imply official recommendation by the SFC.

¹ Harvest SSE STAR Chip ETF is not authorised by the SFC and will not be offered directly to the public in Hong Kong.

 

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SOURCE Harvest Global Investments Limited

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Tongwei Solar Showcases High-Efficiency Solar Cell Technologies at Renewable Energy India Expo 2026

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GREATER NOIDA, India, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Tongwei Solar showcased its TNC series high-efficiency solar cells at Renewable Energy India Expo (REI) 2026, held from October 22–24 in Greater Noida, India. The company also hosted industry presentations and technical discussions on India’s PV manufacturing landscape, advanced solar cell technologies and quality assurance, engaging with customers and industry partners from India and around the world.

Advancing Cell Technology and Manufacturing Performance

At the exhibition, Tongwei presented its latest developments in the TNC series. Through the coordinated application of TPE, Poly Tech and multi-cut technologies, TNC 3.0 multi-cut cells help reduce cutting losses and enable a module power gain of more than 10W, creating additional value for downstream module manufacturers.

The event featured insights from Priyadarshini Sanjay, Managing Director of Mercom, on India’s PV manufacturing industry and market outlook. Tongwei representatives also shared perspectives on China–India solar industry collaboration and introduced the company’s high-efficiency cell technologies, manufacturing practices and quality control measures.

These sessions provided an opportunity for industry participants to exchange views on market development, technology advancement and opportunities for cooperation across the solar value chain.

TÜV Rheinland Recognizes Tongwei’s PV Cell Manufacturing Excellence

A key highlight was Tongwei Solar receiving the “Global Benchmark in PV Cell Manufacturing Award” from TÜV Rheinland. The award recognizes Tongwei’s manufacturing scale, technological capabilities and product quality in high-efficiency solar cell manufacturing.

The recognition adds to Tongwei’s achievements in advanced manufacturing and sustainable development. The company’s PV cell manufacturing operations include a Lighthouse Factory designation and recognition from the World Economic Forum’s MINDS initiative for AI application, alongside TÜV Rheinland’s Zero Carbon Factory certification.

Strengthening Global Partnerships

Throughout the exhibition, Tongwei’s team met with customers and partners to discuss product performance, manufacturing capabilities, technical support and potential collaboration. These exchanges reinforced the importance of high-efficiency technologies, consistent product quality and responsive technical services in meeting the evolving needs of global PV markets.

Tongwei Solar will continue to advance technological innovation, intelligent manufacturing and quality assurance while working with global partners to support the development of the photovoltaic industry.

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Sinopec Releases Africa Sustainability Report and Launches WE17 Global Communication Brand in Cairo

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CAIRO, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (HKG: 0386, “Sinopec” or “the Company”) released Sinopec’s Sustainability Report in Africa (2021-2025) in Cairo on October 25 which highlights five years of progress in energy cooperation, environmental protection, community development, and cultural exchange. The Company also introduced its global sustainability communication brand, WE17. The report shows that Sinopec implemented 33 projects across 16 African countries between 2021 and 2025, with cumulative investment exceeding US$5.7 billion and total tax payments and social responsibility contributions surpassing US$4 billion over the same period. In 2025, its operations directly created 16,000 local jobs.

Zhao Liuqing, Minister Counselor for Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Chinese Embassy in Egypt, addressed the event and noted that 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt and of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and African countries. Mr. Zhao described Sinopec’s activities in Egypt as an example of the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership and a contribution to stronger people-to-people ties. Magdy Amer, board member of the Egypt-China Friendship Association and former Egyptian ambassador to China, also delivered remarks recognizing Sinopec’s contributions to economic and social development.

Wei Dong, Managing Director of Sinopec Africa Office, presented the report and reaffirmed the Company’s commitment to leveraging its integrated industrial capabilities, increasing investment in quality resources, and balancing economic performance with ecological protection and community well-being. He also emphasized Sinopec’s continued participation in Africa’s industrialization and public service development.

Sinopec expands energy cooperation and environmental protection

The sustainability report documents Sinopec’s activities in oil and gas exploration, engineering services, refining, energy trade, and renewable energy. Sinopec is exploring wind and solar alternatives for oilfield operations in the Western Desert of Egypt through its partnership with Apache Corporation. At the Sinopec-Apache project in Egypt, gas flaring had been reduced by more than 60% by the end of 2025 through energy efficiency and gas recovery measures.

Additionally, Sinopec participates in five offshore exploration and development blocks in Angola and maintains long-term energy cooperation with Algeria. Its renewable energy activities include Ethiopia’s Adama Wind Power Project, which meets approximately 20% of the capital’s electricity demand, and a geothermal pipeline project that supports clean electricity generation in Kenya. Environmental initiatives include planting over 7,000 mangroves in Angola and deploying ultra-low-noise intelligent drilling rigs in Uganda which have reduced carbon emissions by more than 90% compared with conventional rigs.

Continued investment in communities and cultural exchange

Sinopec’s community programs focus on employment, vocational training, education, healthcare, and infrastructure. A welding training initiative in Uganda has equipped 60 local workers with internationally recognized certifications. Across Africa, the Company has helped with the construction of more than 70 water supply plants and installation of over 4,300 kilometers of water pipelines.

In Egypt, an education-assistance initiative has supported the construction of 201 girls’ schools, providing educational opportunities for over 15,000 students. Cultural exchange programs include the “Silk Road Book House – China Bookshelf” initiative in Egypt, Algeria, and Cameroon, as well as cultural exchange activities for young people.

Sinopec launches WE17

The event also saw the introduction of Sinopec’s global sustainability communication brand, WE17, under the slogan “Together for Better.” It is aligned with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals and focuses on the three themes of Clean, which represents environmental responsibility, Care, which emphasizes community well-being, and Culture, which promotes cross-cultural exchange.

Approximately 100 representatives from government, business, academia, and the media attended the event.

For more information, visit SINOPEC’s official website.

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SOURCE SINOPEC

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