Tsung-Dao Lee Institute

Name

Tsung-Dao Lee Institute

Legal name

Tsung-Dao Lee Institute (李政道研究所)

Website

https://tdli.sjtu.edu.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fundamental Physics Research

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Space Research and Technology (92711)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAAAJ

Public Research Universities with National Laboratories/Big Science Facilities

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Public Research Universities

SECONDARYEDAHAEAL

Technical Universities with Energy, Materials & Sustainability Focus

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Technical & Polytechnic Universities

SECONDARYEDAHABAB

STEM-Focused Research Universities (Engineering & Applied Sciences)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Private Research Universities

Keywords

• Fundamental physics research
• Dark matter detection
• Neutrino astronomy
• Astrophysics research
• Particle physics

Headquarters

HQ city

Shanghai

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Research Funding and Donations: The institute operates a development fund to support scientific research, academic exchange, cultural development, and campus environment improvements. Funding comes from government sources, corporate donors, and alumni contributions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

The Tsung-Dao Lee Institute is a fundamental physics research institute that conducts scientific research in four main divisions: Astronomy and Astrophysics, Condensed Matter Physics, Particle and Nuclear Physics, and Technical/Engineering. It operates multiple large-scale research infrastructures including the PandaX underground dark matter detector in Sichuan, the TRIDENT deep-sea neutrino telescope in the West Pacific, the JUST spectroscopic telescope at Lenghu in Qinghai, and the LHAASO cosmic ray observatory. The institute also trains graduate students through programs such as the Tsung-Dao PhD Scholar program.

Product overview

Tsung-Dao Lee Institute is a world-class basic science research institute at Shanghai Jiao Tong University dedicated to fundamental physics research. The institute operates through multiple specialized research divisions covering Astronomy and Astrophysics, Condensed Matter Physics, Particle and Nuclear Physics, and a Technical Division. Key research infrastructures include the PandaX deep-underground dark matter detector, the TRIDENT deep-sea neutrino telescope, the JUST spectroscopic telescope, and the LHAASO cosmic ray observatory. The Dark Matter Physics National Key Laboratory (established December 2024) serves as the flagship national research platform, with four dedicated scientific facilities advancing the study of dark matter properties and interactions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dark Matter Physics National Key Laboratory (暗物质物理全国重点实验室) A national-level research platform approved in December 2024 and hosted by Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Led by CAS Academician Jie Zhang, the laboratory focuses on fundamental research into dark matter particle properties and interactions with ordinary matter, featuring four major research directions: dark matter-atom interactions, dark matter-neutrino interactions, dark matter-electromagnetic field interactions, and large-scale dark matter behavior. It serves the academic physics research community.
• PandaX Dark Matter and Neutrino Detector (PandaX暗物质与中微子探测装置) A deep-underground detector located 2,400 meters underground in Jinping, Sichuan, used for dark matter and neutrino detection research. It is part of the State Key Laboratory of Dark Matter Physics research infrastructure and hosts an international collaboration.
• TRIDENT Deep-Sea Neutrino Telescope (TRIDENT海铃计划) A tropical deep-sea neutrino telescope at 3,500 meters depth in the West Pacific Ocean (South China Sea), advancing neutrino astronomy research. It is part of the global neutrino detection network as part of the Hai Ling Plan (海铃计划).
• JUST Spectroscopic Telescope (JUST光谱望远镜) A spectroscopic telescope located at Lenghu Observatory at 4,200 meters altitude in Qinghai, part of the laboratory astrophysics experimental platform for collaborative astronomical observation.
• LHAASO (Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory / 超高宇宙线探测器) China's largest cosmic ray detector system used for high-energy gamma astronomy research. LHAASO certified Cygnus X-3 as the strongest cosmic ray accelerator source in the Milky Way.

Quantifiable outcome

• The PandaX experiment has been recognized with the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics (shared with Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Muon Physics team).

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• 暗物质物理全国重点实验室 (Dark Matter Physics National Key Laboratory)coreOthersNational-level research platform approved in December 2024, hosted by Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Led by CAS Academician Jie Zhang. Focuses on the fundamental particle nature of dark matter and its interactions with ordinary matter, conducting frontier research through integration of theory and experiment.
• 上海交通大学 (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)coreOthersHost university of the Tsung-Dao Lee Institute. Provides institutional support, infrastructure, and administrative services including Zhangjiang Campus facilities.
• PandaX CollaborationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration for PandaX dark matter and neutrino detection experiments located in Jinping underground laboratory. The institute hosts the PandaX experiment.
• TRIDENT/Hai Ling Plan (海铃计划)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeep-sea neutrino telescope project (Tropical Deep-sea Neutrino Telescope) at 3500m depth in the West Pacific Ocean. Part of the global neutrino detection network.
• JUST Spectroscopic TelescopemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpectroscopic telescope project at 4200m altitude in Lenghu, Qinghai. Collaborative astronomical observation facility.
• 中国科学院高能物理研究所 (Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the co-organizers of the Tsung-Dao Lee Centenary Memorial Activities. Collaborative partner in high energy physics research.
• 北京大学 (Peking University)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the Tsung-Dao Lee Centenary Memorial Activities. Partner in physics research and education.
• 浙江大学 (Zhejiang University)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the Tsung-Dao Lee Centenary Memorial Activities and 'Education-First' conference. Partner in physics research.
• 中国科学技术大学 (University of Science and Technology of China)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the Tsung-Dao Lee Centenary Memorial Activities. Partner in physics research and education.
• 中国物理学会 (Chinese Physical Society)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the Tsung-Dao Lee Centenary Memorial Activities. Professional physics society partner.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Tsinghua University, Department of Physics: Top Chinese university physics department and Center for High Energy Physics; broad incumbent in Chinese basic science training and research, overlapping with TDLI in graduate physics education and cosmology research.
• Peking University, School of Physics: Leading Chinese physics department co-organized TDLI centenary activities and conducts research in particle, nuclear, and condensed matter physics. Broad incumbent offering comparable undergraduate/graduate physics research and training.

Direct peers

• Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics, University of Chicago: Cosmology and fundamental physics research institute within a top U.S. research university, with strong overlap in dark matter, neutrino physics, and astrophysics — directly comparable to TDLI's research divisions.
• Max Planck Institute for Physics: German fundamental physics research institute covering particle physics, astroparticle physics, and cosmology, with experimental programs at CERN and IceCube. Closest European peer to TDLI in mission and international experimental scope.
• Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences: CAS national lab system institute focused on particle physics, neutrino physics, and dark matter detection in China. Direct peer in mission and instruments (IHEP operates BESIII, JUNO involvement, and proposed CEPC), and co-organized TDLI centenary activities — making it the most directly comparable Chinese counterpart.
• Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics: Independent, non-commercial theoretical physics research institute focused on foundational questions in cosmology, particle physics, and quantum information. Direct peer in mission: a named, government/philanthropy-funded basic physics institute producing world-class research rather than commercial products.
• Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton: Historic, independent basic research institute housing theoretical physics (School of Natural Sciences) and mathematics. Closest international analogue to TDLI in mission, governance, and prestige, including its founder-led character and theoretical/experimental mix.
• International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP): UNESCO/IAFF-funded international research center for theoretical physics, supporting scientists from developing countries. Peer in mission as a government/sponsored non-commercial research institute advancing fundamental physics and education at the global level.
• Institute of Theoretical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences: Another CAS research institute for fundamental theoretical physics (cosmology, particle theory, condensed matter theory). Comparable as a non-commercial, theory-led basic physics research institute affiliated with the Chinese national research system.
• Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics, UC Santa Barbara: Foundational theoretical physics research institute emphasizing cosmology, particle physics, and condensed matter. Peer in focus on fundamental questions and workshop/program-driven engagement with the global physics community.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tdli

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Tsung-Dao Lee Institute