Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP) is a Chinese Academy of Sciences research institute developing thorium molten salt reactors, solid oxide electrolysis hydrogen systems, proton therapy devices, and synchrotron radiation technologies for government, industrial, academic, and medical partners in China and globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersShanghai, China
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics does
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP) is a state research institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, founded in 1959 and headquartered at Jiading District, Shanghai, with a second 67-hectare campus in Wuwei, Gansu Province. It is the Chinese host institute for the State Key Laboratory of Thorium Energy and the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF), and its research departments cover reactor physics, molten salt chemistry and engineering, materials research, hydrogen energy, tritium science, accelerator technology, and applied chemistry. SINAP's principal technology programs include thorium-based molten salt reactor (TMSR) systems, the 200-kW solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) hydrogen production platform (selected by the National Energy Administration in 2024 as the first SOEC device classified as national major technical equipment), the domestically-developed APTRON proton therapy system in clinical use at RuiJin Hospital, X-ray free electron laser oscillator research, photothermal composite hydrogels for solar desalination, and high-temperature in-situ spectroscopy instrumentation.
The institute's outputs are research publications (the journal Nuclear Science and Techniques reached Impact Factor 3.8 in 2024, ranked 2nd of 41 journals in Nuclear Science & Technology), patented instrumentation, demonstration-scale equipment, and formal collaboration agreements with leading research institutions across China, the UK, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, the USA, Canada, Russia, and the IAEA. SINAP does not operate as a commercial seller; its funding derives primarily from Chinese government appropriations via the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Strategic Priority Research Program for Thorium-Based Molten Salt Reactor Nuclear Energy Systems, supplemented by technology transfer to industrial partners (Shanghai Hyenergy Technology, Shanghai UnitedSunEnergy Technology, ShanghaiApactronParticle Equipment) and a wholly-owned commercialization subsidiary (Shanghai Rihuan Technology Investment Co., Ltd). Pricing information is not applicable. Customers are counterparties in joint development, technology transfer, and clinical trials rather than revenue-paying buyers.
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics
- Legal name
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Website
- https://english.sinap.cas.cn
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP) is a Chinese Academy of Sciences research institute developing thorium molten salt reactors, solid oxide electrolysis hydrogen systems, proton therapy devices, and synchrotron radiation technologies for government, industrial, academic, and medical partners in China and globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nuclear Energy Research
- NAICS
- Engineering Services (541330), Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing (334517), Nuclear Electric Power Generation (221113)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Research & Test Reactor Operations (Non-Commercial Power) (EUACADAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Spent Fuel Management Engineering, Consulting & Digital Tools (Thermal/Shielding/Criticality, QA) (EUAKAHAL), Fuel Cycle Support Services (Engineering, licensing support, conversion/enrichment contracting) (EUAKACAL)
Keywords
Where Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shanghai
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics is a state research institute that conducts fundamental and applied research in nuclear energy technology, with flagship programs in thorium molten salt reactors, synchrotron radiation, proton therapy systems, and solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) hydrogen production. It operates two large research campuses in Shanghai and develops/delivers specialized equipment and technologies to industrial, medical, and academic partners through technology transfer and licensing.
Product overview
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP) is a research institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, not a product company. SINAP operates two campuses (Jiading district of Shanghai and Wuwei, Gansu Province) and conducts research across multiple departments including Reactor Physics, Molten Salt Chemistry and Engineering, Instrumentation and Control Engineering, Materials Research, Hydrogen Energy Technology, and Applied Chemistry. The institute's main offerings include: (1) APTRON Proton Therapy System - a domestically-developed medical proton linear accelerator with 180-degree rotating treatment capability for cancer treatment at RuiJin Hospital; (2) SOEC Hydrogen Production Systems - 20kW module and 200kW high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis cell technology for green hydrogen production, selected as national major technical equipment; (3) Nuclear Science and Techniques - an international peer-reviewed journal ranked Q1 in nuclear science and technology; and (4) advanced materials research including photothermal hydrogels (PG@CuSx) developed using γ-ray irradiation technology for desalination and water purification.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- APTRON Proton Therapy System A proton therapy device (approximately 96 tons) developed for cancer treatment in hospitals and medical institutions. It enables precise radiotherapy for cancer patients using accelerated proton beams.
- 200-kW SOEC Hydrogen Production System A 200-kilowatt solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) system for industrial-scale hydrogen production. Designed for energy companies and industrial partners seeking high-efficiency green hydrogen production technologies.
- 20kW SOEC Module A 20-kilowatt solid oxide electrolyzer cell module for hydrogen production. Smaller-scale unit suitable for pilot projects and specialized industrial applications.
- PG@CuSx Photothermal Hydrogel A photothermal hydrogel material (PG@CuSx) developed from the institute's research activities. Suitable for applications in medical or industrial sectors leveraging photothermal conversion.
Quantifiable outcome
- 200-kW SOEC hydrogen production rate: 64 Nm3/h at DC power consumption of 3.16 kWh/Nm3.H2
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability10 records
Feature5 records
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Shanghai Hyenergy Technology Co., Ltd.coreJoint development of 20kW module/200kW high-temperature SOEC hydrogen production device. SINAP and Shanghai Hyenergy jointly developed China's first domestic high-power SOEC system for thorium-based molten salt reactor nuclear energy system application. Strategic partnership for hydrogen energy technology industrialization.
- Shanghai UnitedSunEnergy Technology Co., Ltd.coreCustomer and development partner for 20kW module/200kW SOEC hydrogen production device. Supported under Strategic Priority Research Program CAS for Future Advanced Nuclear Fission Energy - Thorium-Based Molten Salt Reactor Nuclear Energy System.
- ShanghaiApactronParticle Equipment Co., LTD.coreJoint development partner for first domestic proton therapy demonstration device with 180-degree rotating treatment chamber. SINAP Light Source team collaborated with ShanghaiApactron for proton accelerator and therapy room development.
- RuiJin Hospital affiliated to School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversitycoreClinical partner for proton therapy system. The APTRON proton therapy unit developed by SINAP is located at RuiJin Hospital Proton Center. Hospital conducted clinical trials of the 180-degree rotating treatment system.
- Shanghai Hyenergy Technology Co., Ltd.minorCampus tour partner during Belt and Road International Symposium on High-Temperature SOCs. Attendees visited Shanghai Hyenergy to understand SINAP's research and industrialization progress in HT-SOC technology.
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of SolidscoreInternational research collaboration on electrocatalytic water oxidation. Joint research on Ir6+ facilitating electrocatalytic water oxidation published in Advanced Functional Materials. Co-corresponding author Prof. Linjuan Zhang from the institute.
- Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM), SpainminorInternational academic exchange and cooperation. September 2023 visit led by Prof. Xavier Ferre. Discussions on future cooperation in scientific research and graduate training. Includes PIFI International Visiting Scholar Prof. Alberto Orozco Caballero.
- Research Center Jülich, GermanyminorPIFI Visiting Scientist Dr. Karl Clemens Verfondern conducted research at SINAP April-June 2024 (second visit). Research on high-temperature gas cooled reactor fuels, fission products, hydrogen energy. Main contributor to nuclear fuel failure probability analysis program PANAMA.
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)coreLocal organizer for IAEA technical cooperation project RAS1031 - Reutilizing and Recycling Polymeric Waste through Radiation Modification. Project coordination meeting held in Shanghai May 2024 with experts from China, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Philippines and Vietnam.
- Molten Salt and Ionic Liquid Discussion Group of the Royal Society of ChemistrycoreCo-host of 2025 International Symposium on Molten Salt Chemistry and Materials Technology. Joint symposium with State Key Laboratory of Thorium Energy and Royal Society of Chemistry focusing on innovative applications of molten salt technology in clean energy field.
- Shanghai Nuclear SocietycoreJoint host of Second Belt and Road International Symposium on High-Temperature Solid Oxide Cells. November 2025 symposium at SINAP Jiading Campus gathering scientists from Belt and Road countries.
- Shanghai Hyenergy Technology Co., Ltd.coreIndustrial partner for high-temperature solid oxide cell technology. SINAP visited Shanghai Hyenergy during Belt and Road SOC symposium to understand industrialization progress. Company visited during conferences for industry-academia-research collaboration.
- University of Nottingham (UK)coreCo-Chair Prof. George Zheng Chen from University of Nottingham participated in 2025 International Symposium on Molten Salt Chemistry and Materials Technology. Active collaboration on molten salt research.
- Tsinghua UniversityminorParticipated in design and manufacture of 7 MeV medical proton linear injector. Part of consortium with Peking University, China Aerospace Corporation and Shanghai Kelin Technology Development Co., LTD.
- Peking UniversityminorParticipated in consortium for 7 MeV medical proton linear injector development alongside SINAP, Tsinghua University, China Aerospace Corporation and others.
- China Aerospace CorporationminorPart of consortium for domestic proton linear injector development. Contributed to design and manufacturing alongside SINAP and universities.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA): Japan's national nuclear science organization covering reactor research, fuel cycle, accelerator technology, and synchrotron radiation. Comparable government research institute with overlapping missions in advanced reactor concepts and radiation applications.
- Joint Research Centre (European Commission): European Commission's science and knowledge service operating nuclear research facilities, materials testing reactors, and energy systems research. Comparable as a multinational government research organization with nuclear and energy technology mandates.
- Idaho National Laboratory: US Department of Energy national laboratory focused on nuclear energy research, advanced reactor development (including molten salt concepts), and fuel cycle testing. Comparable as a government nuclear research institute with similar mission scope in reactor physics, materials science, and fuel cycle engineering.
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory: US DOE national laboratory with broad nuclear, materials, and neutron/synchrotron radiation science programs including the Spallation Neutron Source. Comparable institutional scale, multi-disciplinary research portfolio spanning nuclear energy and accelerator-based user facilities.
Emerging players
- Terrestrial Energy: Canadian company developing the Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR), a commercial small modular reactor using molten salt technology with similar thorium-uranium fuel cycle considerations. Directly comparable technology pathway as an emerging commercial molten salt reactor developer.
- Kairos Power: US company developing fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR) using molten fluoride salt coolant. Comparable technology overlap with SINAP's molten salt reactor research and an emerging commercial counterpart in advanced reactor development.
Direct peers
- Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI): South Korea's primary government nuclear R&D organization working on advanced reactors including molten salt reactor concepts, fuel cycle, and proton accelerator technology. Comparable national lab mandate with active thorium MSR research and similar technology portfolio breadth.
- Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI): Swiss national research institute with major synchrotron radiation facility (Swiss Light Source), proton therapy center, and nuclear/energy research programs. SINAP's formal collaborator and the most directly comparable peer given the overlapping synchrotron, proton therapy, and nuclear energy missions.
- China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE): Chinese nuclear research institute under CNNC with focus on reactor physics, fast neutron research, and nuclear fuel development. Domestic peer institution with comparable scope in fundamental nuclear science and advanced reactor technology development.
- Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL): Canada's premier nuclear science and technology organization, operating under a government-owned contractor model. SINAP collaborator with similar mandate in nuclear research, fuel cycle development, and materials characterization for advanced reactor concepts.
Market position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics social profiles
Digital presenceShanghai Institute of Applied Physics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics
What does Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics do?
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics is a state research institute that conducts fundamental and applied research in nuclear energy technology, with flagship programs in thorium molten salt reactors, synchrotron radiation, proton therapy systems, and solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) hydrogen production. It operates two large research campuses in Shanghai and develops/delivers specialized equipment and technologies to industrial, medical, and academic partners through technology transfer and licensing.
Is Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics a public or private company?
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics founded?
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics was founded in -1. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics based?
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics is headquartered in Shanghai, China, in the Asia region.
Who are Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), Joint Research Centre (European Commission), Idaho National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Emerging players are Terrestrial Energy and Kairos Power. Direct peers are Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE) and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL).
Does Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics.
What industry is Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics in?
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics's product category is Nuclear Energy Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUACADAH, Research & Test Reactor Operations (Non-Commercial Power), with a secondary code of EUAKAHAL, Spent Fuel Management Engineering, Consulting & Digital Tools (Thermal/Shielding/Criticality, QA). Its NAICS code is 541330 and its SIC code is 8731.