MORE than 700 examples of civilian-military dual use technology from 230 companies are being showcased at the Shanghai Convention and Exhibition Center of International Sourcing in Putuo District.

From new energy to aerospace flight, the exhibition gives people a chance to see sci-fi like inventions.

One of the exhibits proving popular is a model of the Dark Matter Particle Explorer, the satellite Wukong.

Sent out in 2015 to seek traces of the existence of dark matter, Wukong captured an accurate high-energy electron energy spectrum.

“Everything has its own spectrum,” said Chang Liang, chief designer of the satellite.

“What Wukong found was abnormal spectrum structure which could have been proof of a particle unknown to us.”

A more significant change Wukong brought, according to Chang, is that it was the first satellite developed in China completely for science and exploration.

Following Wukong, more science satellites were launched which have widened our knowledge about space.

As well as Wukong, also on display is a micro-nano communication satellite “Jiading Yihao” designed by local company Space OK.

Vessel was inspired by lizard

“Jiading Yihao” will be launched next month.

It will be the first privately operated low earth orbit communication satellite.

Space OK has supported Beidou satellites’ short message system since 2014.

The system is of great help for both military and civilian use as its signal can reach places where ordinary communication signals can’t, such as areas affected by earthquake.

“We aim to build a LEO satellite constellation communication network,” said Jia Qilong, head of the company’s marketing department. “So far 28 satellites are planned.”

A model of a weird looking vessel is also capturing attention.

With the front looking like a tank, and a roadster-like bottom, the vessel is the first in the world capable of operating on both water, land and ice.

Inspired by the basilisk lizard which can run on the surface of water, Hou Liang designed a unique wheel propulsion system.

“The vessel can go twice as fast as vessels using propellers with only half the energy cost,” Hou said.

“It has passed test runs on water, road and ice.

“It can be used to transport people and goods in polar expeditions as well as patrol territorial waters.”

The exhibition opened yesterday and will continue until tomorrow.

Visitors can take Metro Line 2 to Weining Road Station.

A shuttle bus will depart from Exit 2 every 20 minutes.