Eureka moments at the Challenge Cup

Wu Zongyu, 21, is the team leader of the SETRS system project, which won the grand prize in this year's competition. He fully recognized the critical importance of noninvasive detection and precise localization of deep lesions in clinical diagnosis and treatment. However, existing methods encounter limitations in accurately identifying lesions in deep tissues.

"Our SETRS system proposes a new strategy for accurate lesion localization and dramatically increases the depth of detection," Wu said.

This groundbreaking project, from the initial idea to the current achievements, required two and a half years of relentless learning and experimentation. "The process of experiments involved some deviations. Even a small alteration could have led to entirely different outcomes," Wu said.

He also acknowledged that it was a collaborative effort. "We have an amazing team where everyone contributes their talents. This achievement isn't something I can accomplish on my own."

This theme of teamwork emerged as a recurring aspect among many competitors. Fang Zeng, a 24-year-old master's student at Shanghai Jiao Tong University's School of Mechanical Engineering, is the head of a project named "high-frequency micro-forging anti-fatigue manufacturing technology on the surface of aero-engine blades", which secured victory in the special "Leaderboard Challenge" competition.

Reflecting on their success, Fang pointed out: "Besides the six members in our team, many of our senior schoolmates in the laboratory also provided significant assistance for this project. This honor is not just for the six of us but for everyone who has supported us."

Fang's team elevated the enhancement process for aero-engine blades, resulting in a remarkable "increase by more than 10 times" in the fatigue life of the blades.

"We are now in the process of applying for two national invention patents and have collaborated with an aero-engine corporation to facilitate the implementation and production of this technology," Fang said.