On September 26, 2019, Osaka, Japan, Xian-Tu He, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, theoretical physicist, honorary director of Center for Applied Physics and Technology, Peking University, stood on the podium of the International Conference on Inertial Fusion Sciences and Applications and was awarded the 2019 Edward Teller Award by American Nuclear Society.

Edward Teller Award, set up by American Nuclear Society, is the highest international award of fusion energy which was named after Edward Teller, father of the hydrogen bomb. Academician Xian-Tu He was awarded this prize for his great contribution on the use of lasers and ion beams to generate high temperature and dense matter in the field of controlled nuclear fusion.

Richard Town, chairman of the selection committee for the Edward Teller Award, presented the award to Academician Xian-Tu He.

" It's a great honor for me to receive the Edward Teller Award. First of all, this award is a collective honor. I am just a representative of my team. Secondly, I feel that my personal winning of this award also represents the rapid development of inertial confinement fusion science project and high-energy density physics research in China, which has attracted more and more international attention." Academician Xian-Tu He was modest when facing honor. He said that great scientific projects must pay attention to relevant basic scientific research. Only by attaching great importance to basic research can we open the door of science, make breakthroughs in scientific engineering, and met international standards.

Academician He has made outstanding contributions to the research and development of national defense science and engineering in China. He has long undertaken major national tasks and engaged in specialized research on nuclear fusion and plasma physics, high-energy density physics and theoretical physics. A lot of pioneering work has been done in the research of physics theory, design and laboratory simulation of national major tasks. In addition, professor He has organized and participated in the research of inertial confinement fusion(ICF) in China, put forward the development strategy of ICF in China,  obtained a number of major achievements in physical science and technology, established an independent research system in China, and also laid an important foundation for the implementation of relevant strategic research plans in China.

Academician Xian-Tu He is the honorary director of Center for Applied Physics and Technology, Peking University. He served as the first director from December 2007 to September 2017 and has been instrumental in the center's development. In the past ten years, Xian-Tu He has led teachers and students of CAPT to carry out the applied basic research for the major national needs (such as national defense, laser inertial confinement fusion, etc.). He actively explored challenging high energy density physics and other scientific frontier issues and zealously organized academic exchanges at home and abroad, which has cultivated and trained a large number of outstanding young talents with innovative ability and dedication. What’s more, he promoted the establishment of the first physical secondary discipline of high-energy density physics in China, as well as developing the complete knowledge system of it.