The National Commendation Conference for Advanced Collectives and Individuals in China’s Polar Expedition was recently held in Beijing. Professor HAN Duanfeng, Vice President of Harbin Engineering University, was awarded the title of “Advanced Individual in China’s Polar Expedition”.
As a leading scholar in the university’s naval architecture and ocean engineering discipline, Professor HAN took the lead in launching and leading research on polar technology and equipment in China. As a core member, he participated in formulating polar-related planning documents for the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and serves as Director of the Joint Laboratory of Polar Technology and Equipment under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Professor HAN innovatively proposed a multi-medium and multi-scale coupled kinematics method for ice-water vessels, solving the challenge of three-phase medium coupling for ice-water ships. His research findings have been applied to the design of polar vessels including the “Xuelong 2” polar research vessel, polar deck transport vessels and icebreakers, supporting the development of China’s polar equipment technology. He led his team to develop polar scientific research equipment such as the polar air-cushion ice-breaking transport platform, filling gaps in China’s relevant equipment fields. His scientific research achievements in the polar field have won the Special Prize of Heilongjiang Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award, and his research team has been recognised as a Foreign Expert Team of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and an Innovation Team of the Chinese Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers.
During China’s 42nd Polar Scientific Expedition, launched in November 2025, Professor HAN participated as a member of the expedition team. He conducted on-site investigations into the operation of polar equipment, construction of polar facilities and international cooperation in polar scientific research, accumulating practical experience for disciplinary development, scientific and technological innovation, and international exchange and cooperation in the polar field. These efforts have laid a practical foundation for continuously advancing core technology breakthroughs and leading talent cultivation in the polar field, and will contribute more of Harbin Engineering University’s strength to the high-quality development of China’s polar cause.
The national commendation for advanced collectives and individuals in polar expedition aims to recognise workers who have made outstanding contributions to the field of polar expedition, and further inspire the vast number of polar expedition workers to strive for innovation and forge ahead. A total of 29 advanced collectives and 59 advanced individuals were selected nationwide in this commendation.
