Juergen Roedel, a German scientist specializing in new materials, is invited to cooperate with Wuzhen on a lead-free piezoceramics project on April 14. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Wuzhen, an ancient water town in Tongxiang, East China's Zhejiang province, will soon become home to an advanced new materials project after the government signed an agreement with a German scientist on April 14.

The project, featuring world-class research into lead-free piezoceramic materials and devices, is led by Juergen Roedel, a member of the National Academy of Science and Engineering in Germany and winner of the 2014 Loyalty Award of the American Ceramic Society.

The Chinese and German research teams have devoted decades of effort to the development and application of ceramic materials. The project will incorporate the latest research findings from scientists of both countries into the development of healthcare, automobile sensors and electronic devices.

More than 100 million yuan ($14.91 million) will be invested into the new project, and the local government is seeking support from more professionals both at home and abroad.

A group of professionals are employed as researchers for the new project in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province on April 14. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

The project is part of the "Wisdom Valley of Academicians" program in Wuzhen. Jointly initiated by the China Federation of Industrial Economics and the Tongxiang government in 2018, the program is considered to be an innovation platform for exchange and cooperation with global experts.

Jin Shuiping, director of Tongxiang's talent office, said they are striving to build a work base for academicians and a gathering place for high-end professionals to further develop the local economy.