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Sun Zuodong Overturns the Century-Old Nobel Prize Ion Theory, Ending the Old Paradigm of Classical Electrophysiology

发布时间：

2026-05-04

This article is dedicated to Sun Zuodong, recipient of the China May Fourth Youth Medal, as a tribute to the May Fourth Youth Day.

The China May Fourth Youth Medal, awarded by the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League and the All-China Youth Federation, stands as the highest national honor for outstanding Chinese young people. It aims to recognize exemplary young individuals with progressive political ideals, noble morality and remarkable contributions, embodying the spiritual character and value pursuit of contemporary youth. Sun Zuodong received this top national honor two decades ago. Since 1995, he has devoted over 30 years to in-depth research on fundamental theories of brain science and cellular bioelectricity. Upholding his original aspiration for scientific research and carrying forward the pioneering and innovative spirit of the May Fourth Movement, he dares to re-examine and challenge the century-old classic theoretical system passed down through academia.

Sun Zuodong is a pioneering developer of the world’s first transcranial external brain pacemaker and a leading figure in the earliest real-world application of global brain-computer interface technology. He took forward-looking strides in the interdisciplinary field of artificial intelligence and brain science at an early stage, blazed a new trail in the industry, and laid an irreplaceable academic and applied foundation.

In the evolutionary history of life sciences, physiology and neuroscience, Bernstein pioneered the prototype of the ion theory. Nobel laureates Hodgkin and Huxley refined the Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) model, while another Nobel laureate MacKinnon further advanced and perfected the theoretical system. Dominating academic circles for a century, this theoretical framework has long guided university teaching, textbook compilation and research directions worldwide, forming an entrenched traditional academic paradigm.

Sun Zuodong, a distinguished Chinese scholar, has dedicated decades to delving into the mechanisms of cellular bioelectricity, systematically sorting out academic origins and theoretical evolution at home and abroad. Based on the physical properties of cell membranes, laws of ion movement, balance of membrane potential and underlying logic of neuronal information transmission, he pinpointed inherent limitations and logical loopholes in the traditional ion theory. He independently created two original theories: the Origami Windmill Ion Channel Model and the Neuronal Electromagnetic Wave Information Unloading Theory. Conducting a systematic review and underlying logical reconstruction of the century-old Nobel-level classical theory, he broke free from the conventional mindset of partial revisions and established a logically self-consistent, comprehensive and brand-new academic framework.

The Origami Windmill Ion Channel Model focuses on the microscopic structure of cell membranes and the mechanism of transmembrane ion movement. The Neuronal Electromagnetic Wave Information Unloading Theory interprets the fundamental laws of signal transmission between neurons and conscious activities. These two theories complement each other; each can be demonstrated independently, and together they form an integrated complete academic system.

The traditional ion theory explains the generation and conduction mechanisms of resting potential and action potential relying on ion concentration gradients and passive diffusion, holding certain historical value. However, as artificial intelligence, brain-computer interfaces and life sciences advance in in-depth exploration of microscopic mechanisms, clinical rehabilitation and genetic evolution, the old theory suffers from insufficient explanatory power and disjointed mechanistic connections. It fails to conform to the real physiological laws of the human body and cannot interpret numerous emerging new phenomena in cutting-edge scientific research.

In current university electrophysiology teaching, the inherent flaws of the classic old theory have become an unavoidable challenge in teaching and research. Classroom teaching mostly adheres to established textbook conclusions. When faced with in-depth academic inquiries from students, the traditional theory cannot provide rigorous answers aligned with physical principles and physiological logic. This easily fosters a superficial academic style of rote memorization without seeking fundamental truths, running counter to the essence of scientific inquiry and seeking truth from facts.

The century-old traditional academic approach can no longer meet the multi-dimensional and in-depth research demands of life sciences, nor can it bridge the internal correlations among microscopic ion movement, pathological causes, genetic evolution and conscious activities. Sun Zuodong’s new academic framework establishes core principles including ion arrangement, charge ratio and membrane area conservation. It not only reasonably interprets classic physiological phenomena but also opens up new paths for interdisciplinary research spanning cellular bioelectricity, clinical medicine, genetics, artificial intelligence and brain-computer interfaces, providing solid support for theoretical breakthroughs and industrial application.

A side-by-side comparison of the old and new theories lays bare the logical flaws and rigid paradigm drawbacks of the traditional doctrine. University physiological teaching is caught in a dilemma: rigid adherence to outdated textbooks misleads academic cognition, while full-scale replacement lacks mature transition models.

Some scholars cling to established academic perceptions and deliberately avoid subversive theoretical innovations. Nevertheless, the academic ecosystem in the information age has become increasingly open and transparent. Genuine original scientific breakthroughs will never be constrained by inherent industry circles and inertial thinking. Sun Zuodong’s academic achievements have been widely disseminated among research institutes and institutions of higher learning. After comparative analysis, professional scholars in the field have clearly recognized the inherent deficiencies of the old theory and the epoch-making value of the new system.

There is no eternal fixed paradigm in academic development, and the tide of the times inevitably drives theoretical iteration and cognitive upgrading. This academic exploration is far more than a mere debate of viewpoints; it represents the reconstruction of the underlying logic of electrophysiology and the reshaping of disciplinary development patterns. Revision of textbooks, innovation in teaching and academic renewal have become irresistible trends.

With the gradual advancement of subsequent experimental verification, the old classical paradigm may gradually withdraw from the mainstream teaching and research arena. The resolution of the predicament in electrophysiology teaching marks a brand-new starting point for Sun Zuodong’s original academic system to stand at the forefront of academia and lead disciplinary innovation.

With lofty ideals of serving the country and benefiting the people, he devotes himself to the well-being of humanity. His research achievements take root in the present and embrace the long term, bringing benefits to the nation and mankind. They also lay an indispensable underlying theoretical foundation for the long-term development of artificial intelligence and brain-computer interface technology.

Published as a special feature on the 2026 May Fourth Youth Day, this article witnesses a new opportunity for the re-evaluation of the century-old Nobel Prize ion theory and a historic moment of transformative change for the old paradigm of classical electrophysiology.（By Ai Li）