Five members of the Biophysical Society of China -- the nongovernmental organization for Chinese biophysicists aiming to promote academic exchanges – were among 50 winners of the prestigious inaugural Xplorer Prize, according to the organizers.

They said the awards were conferred after four months of evaluation. 

Biophysics is branch of biology that applies the methods of physics to the study of biological structures and processes. 

According to officials, the Xplorer Prize is a non-governmental award for young scientists and technicians aged 45 and below who are working full-time on the Chinese mainland. It is aimed at encouraging them to be fully engaged in the exploration of unknown areas and dedicate themselves in the research and development of fundamental sciences and frontier technologies. 

Biophysical Society scientists Liu Yin, Song Baoliang and Wang Hongwei won awards in the field of life sciences. Chen Peng was recognized for his research on the area of new chemical materials and Li Dong was honored with an awards for frontier cross-disciplinary sciences.  

The Xplorer Prize covers two main categories of awards -- fundamental sciences and frontier technologies. 

The fundamental sciences include life sciences, astronomy and geoscience and mathematics and physics, and chemistry and new materials. 

Meanwhile, the term frontier technologies refers to information technology and electronics, energy and environmental protection, advanced manufacturing, transportation and construction and cross-disciplinary technology. 

The prize was initiated by Ma Huateng, chairman and CEO of Tencent and Professor Rao Yi of Peking University. The event also cooperated with various well-known scientists such as Chen Ningyang, Mao Shude, He Huawu and Wu Hequan. Initial funding for the award is provided by the Tencent Foundation.

Tencent Foundation is the first charitable foundation established by an internet group in China. 

Officials said that since 2007 it has been devoted to creating a system that connects non-profit organizations, netizens and enterprises, to engage in charitable activities.

They added that the Xplorer Prize was one of its many attempts to better the scientific world for the mankind.

 The names of the five members of the Biophysical Society of China who won awards in the first Xplorer Prize -- a non-governmental award for young scientists and technicians working full-time on the Chinese mainland. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]