Chinese scientist Zhao Dongyuan wins TWAS-Lenovo Prize

KIGALI -- Chinese scientist Zhao Dongyuan scooped the 2016 TWAS-Lenovo Science Prize for his works on nano materials.

The award, one of the most prestigious honors given to scientists in the developing world, was announced Monday at the ongoing 27th The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) general meeting in the Rwandan capital Kigali.

Zhao is credited for developing innovative nano-sized materials that can be used to clean water, deliver medicine and improve batteries.

The chemistry professor at Fudan University in Shanghai, China, focuses on mesoporous materials -- structures that feature tiny, microscopic holes.

The annual prize including 100,000 U.S. dollars is provided by China's largest computer maker Lenovo.

The TWAS-Lenovo Prize focuses on recognizing outstanding work in basic sciences, with the subject area changing each year -- Physics and Astronomy in 2013, Biological Sciences in 2014, Mathematics in 2015 and Chemical Sciences in 2016.

Each year the Academy also awards individual prizes of 15,000 dollars to scientists who have been working and living in a developing country for at least 10 years.