By Wang Yan, Chen Minying, Yang Shuhuai, Ren Ye in Xiangtan

“As a Chinese Scientist, my dream is to explore more human unknown fields in science and technology with my colleagues.”Wan Buyan said.

Wan, China's pioneer scientist on marine resource exploration, was awarded the title "Role Model of the Times" by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

He is a professor at the Hunan University of Science and Technology. For the past more than 30 years, Wan focuses on the major strategic needs of China and has been researching marine resource exploration technology

China has more than 150 national patents and 16 international invention patents, and the key core technologies of deep-sea resources and geological exploration are in the hands of Wan Buyan.

The one of these, Hainiu II deep-water drilling rig system which was developed by Wan's team, has operated at a depth of over 2,000 meters in the South China Sea. It set a new world record for deep-water drilling after digging 231 meters into the seabed.

“我的梦想是继续带领团队为人类探寻未知世界作出中国科学家的贡献。”万步炎说。

5月22日，中国深海钻机“海牛”项目首席科学家万步炎被授予“时代楷模”称号。

作为湖南科技大学教授、湖南科技大学海洋实验室主任，万步炎30多年如一日扎根海洋资源勘探技术研究，万步炎带领团队全力突破关键核心技术难题，为我国海洋矿产勘探技术和装备研发作出了开创性贡献。

万步炎领衔科研团队从零开始，克服重重困难，研发打造的“海牛II 号”深海钻机在南海超2000米深水成功下钻231米，刷新世界纪录！