Great ideas honored

Shi Yigong, biophysicist, winner of the life science prize. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Mathematical breakthrough

Peking University math professor Xu Chenyang, 36, was awarded the 2017 Future Science Prize in mathematics and computer science for his fundamental contributions to birational algebraic geometry.

Xu entered the field of algebraic geometry when he was an undergraduate student at Peking University.

"I like the way people use it. The language of algebra is very abstract but what they study is a concrete geometric object," says Xu, the youngest award-winner.

Algebraic geometry refers to applying the problem-solving power of algebra to geometry. But when the equations of algebraic geometry become complicated, the shapes can be in multiple dimensions.

Xu and his colleagues used a fundamental mathematical idea to emulate higher dimension calculations. The contributions he has made to birational algebraic geometry are crucial to understanding the many dimensions of string theory and can be applied in areas including robotics and coding.

Xu says mathematics is the basic language to understand the world.

"It is the crown of science," he says. "From the transmission of cellphone signals to understanding the properties of space, all are based on advancements in math."

The research breakthrough Xu made originates from his passion and love of mathematics.

"I feel grateful for being a mathematician," he says. "It's an enjoyable and meaningful profession."

Xu plans to donate part of his award to set up a scholarship to encourage young people to conduct research in algebra.

"I hope more young people choose to find themselves in the field of science," he says.