US scientist Elsa Reichmanis defends global collaboration amid scrutiny of science exchange

ExclusiveUS scientist Elsa Reichmanis defends global collaboration amid scrutiny of science exchangeElsa Reichmanis spent decades collaborating with Chinese science teams and says research should remain distinct from tech rivalry4-MIN READ4-MIN0ListenPublished: 10:00pm, 30 Jul 2026Updated: 11:39pm, 30 Jul 2026American materials scientist Elsa Reichmanis, whose pioneering work helped lay part of the foundation for modern semiconductor manufacturing, said scientific collaboration should transcend rivalry after receiving one of China’s highest honours for foreign experts, describing science as “a universal language” that benefits all of society.Reichmanis, a professor of chemical engineering in Lehigh University’s department of chemical and biomolecular engineering and the director of its Institute for Functional Materials and Devices, was one of nine recipients of the China-international-science-and-technology-cooperation-award" class="entity-link entity-event" data-entity-id="174927" data-entity-type="event">China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award in early July.The award recognises exceptional contributions to scientific exchanges and collaboration with Chinese researchers.Select VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x