Lu Ke, a researcher at the Institute of Metal Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and vice-governor of Liaoning province won a Future Science Prize on Sunday.

Lu, 55, was awarded the Material Science Award for his pioneering work using nanotechnology to improve the strength of copper material.

The Future Science Prize, inaugurated four years ago, is a private initiative of Chinese mainland scientists and entrepreneurs. It has three parts — life sciences, material science and mathematics/computer science. The monetary prize for each is $1 million.

Lu became the youngest academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences at age 38. Two years ago, he was appointed vice-governor of Liaoning province.