January 17, 2025
The other day, I saw two young boys pushing open the door to the YWCA swimming pool just as an elderly couple was exiting. The boys noticed the seniors but walked through without holding the door for them. It seems these boys were never taught the simple courtesy of holding a door for others, especially on respecting the elderly. I’ve long believed that anything good children know is taught to them, while anything bad they learn on their own.
During my daily video chat with my mother on January 12, 2025, she mentioned an exciting piece of news: the world’s first carbon fiber subway train had been launched in Qingdao. I've never heard of this. Curious, I looked it up and learned more about this groundbreaking development.
The "CETROVO 1.0 Carbon Star Express," developed by CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co., Ltd., began commercial operation on Qingdao Metro Line 1. Here are some of its standout features:
1. Innovative Material Use: The train’s main load-bearing structures, including the body and bogie frame, are made of carbon fiber composite materials, marking the first global commercial application of carbon fiber in subway vehicles.
2. Lightweight Design: Compared to traditional metal, carbon fiber offers the advantages of being lightweight, high-strength, fatigue-resistant, and corrosion-resistant. Carbon fiber reduces the train’s overall weight by 11%. The car body is 25% lighter, and the bogie frame is 50% lighter than traditional metal materials.
3. Energy Efficiency and Environmental Benefits: The reduced weight cuts energy consumption by 7% during operation. Each train prevents 130 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, equivalent to planting 101 acres of forest. This aligns with sustainable transportation goals by minimizing energy use and emissions.
4. Cost-Effectiveness: Advanced materials and technology lower lifecycle maintenance costs by 22%.
5. Technological Advancement: The train represents a breakthrough in lightweight rail vehicle technology, addressing the limitations of traditional metal structures and driving progress in the carbon fiber materials industry.
The launch of the "CETROVO 1.0 Carbon Star Express" sets a new standard for sustainable, energy-efficient public transportation. With its innovative use of carbon fiber materials, the train also sets a new standard for responsible environmental stewardship, and technological advancement. Reducing weight by 11%, cutting carbon emissions by 130 tons annually, and lowering maintenance costs by 22% show a future where progress, economy and sustainability go hand in hand.
This breakthrough reminds us of the Chinese saying, “青出于蓝而胜于蓝” (Qīng chū yú lán ér shèng yú lán), means: Indigo blue is extracted from the indigo plant, but it surpasses the plant in brilliance. Like this train, humanity's greatest innovations often come from rethinking the materials and methods of the past, creating something that transcends its origins. The "Carbon Star Express" is a symbol of what can be achieved when a country combines ingenuity and a commitment to sustainability.