The major project of National Natural Science Foundation of China, namely “Basic Mechanic Problems of Blown Sand Movement”, which lasted from January of 2006 to December of 2009 and was drawing to its end, was in charged by Zou Xueyong, professor of the State Key Laboratory of ESPRE. On March 11^th and 12^th, the project was approved by the Project Evaluation Conference organized by the National Natural Science Foundation. It was rated as an important project by experts, which “accomplished its aim and made significant breakthroughs in its research”.

By applying scientific research methods, such as blown-sand physics, two-phase vortex dynamics, aerodynamics, applied mathematics and blown-sand physiognomy and through wind tunnel experiment, numerical simulation, and theoretical calculation, the team made a profound study on the major physical forces in the process of sand blowing. The physical quantities were initially parameterized and the functional mechanism and overall impact of various physical forces on sand-blowing were made clear. The project also made a thorough study on the role of different surface features, wind fields and environments in the change of macroscopic quantity of blown-sand, established a statistical model, and attempted to set up a theoretical model that could follow the law of blown-sand. These research results would well improve the system of blown-sand physics.

In the project, 30 research papers were published, among which 12 were included in SCI (Science Citation Index). It won the second prize of the Beijing Science and Technology Reward and cultivated one post-doctoral student, five doctoral students (two of whom had already graduated), eight post-graduate students (six of whom had graduated). Three members of the project were enlisted in the Talent Training Plan of Ministry of Education and Nova of Beijing Science and Technology (Category A)