Exploration of a development model for sharing and collaborative research of large-scale instruments and equipment in colleges and universities

This study proposes a new development model for the sharing and collaborative research of large-scale instruments and equipment in universities, aiming to enhance the management level of shared resources, strengthen laboratories’ research and development (R&D) capabilities, and promote significant innovative research achievements.

The challenges of the traditional operational management model for sharing large-scale instruments and equipment in universities were analyzed: (1) rigid operational systems and limited openness severely constrain the motivation of researchers and laboratory personnel in utilizing the equipment; (2) insufficient expert engagement, inadequate technical skills among laboratory staff, and intellectual property protections by equipment manufacturers collectively hinder the development of new functionalities for large-scale instruments; (3) high maintenance costs and insufficient funding lead to limited equipment uptime and impede timely upgrades; and (4) diverse research topics, fragmented experimental outcomes, simplistic utilization of instrument functions, and a lack of in-depth studies result in few breakthrough achievements. These issues severely hamper the advancement of scientific research in universities. To address these challenges, the Electron Microscopy Center at Chongqing University adopted an innovative model for the sharing and collaborative research of large-scale instruments, incorporating the following measures: (1) innovating management systems by prioritizing access for collaborative research units and personnel, offering free usage for innovative experiments and new function development, and sharing collaborative research outcomes; (2) stimulating innovation vitality by strongly supporting original innovation while simultaneously pursuing innovation and technology introduction; (3) securing R&D funding through multiple channels by actively applying for national and ministerial/provincial grants and collaborating with domestic and international enterprises for joint research investments; (4) bridging the industry–academia–research pathway by partnering with relevant enterprises to industrialize the latest research findings; and (5) building a talent team by cultivating in-house talent while recruiting senior experts domestically and internationally to establish dedicated R&D groups.

The implementation of this model yielded significant outcomes. Students’ practical skills were improved, leading to outstanding achievements in national-level skill competitions. The functionalities of large-scale instruments were enhanced new capabilities were developed, resulting in groundbreaking research outcomes, including a paper published in Science, that gained international recognition. The number and quality of research projects increased, with multiple national-level projects secured and the establishment of an international joint laboratory and a national-level innovation team. Research achievements received widespread recognition, including the Second Prize of the National Technology Invention Award and multiple ministerial/provincial awards. In addition, an ultra-transient device laboratory was established to support major national development strategies, accompanied by substantial funding for laboratory development, contributing to the sustainable utilization of large-scale instruments and equipment.

The model of sharing and collaborative R&D for large-scale instruments and equipment is an inevitable requirement for the development of university laboratories. Effectively promoting open access and sharing of such equipment serves as a fundamental guarantee for enhancing China’s scientific research capabilities. Deepening collaborative research on equipment, advancing technological R&D, functional innovation, and new experimental exploration represents a crucial pathway toward achieving original innovation. Developing independently controllable large-scale instruments and equipment and promoting domestic substitution is an essential step for China’s industrial progress. Although the comprehensive realization of domestic production for large-scale instruments and equipment remains a challenging and long-term task, the prospects are promising. Looking ahead, it is necessary to further integrate cutting-edge technologies and actively embrace artificial intelligence; deepen industry-university-research-application collaboration and establish a demand-driven collaborative research mechanism; and strengthen the cultivation of high-level engineering application talents and specialized experimental technical teams.