chongqing silicate research institute ,one of the country/s leading research, development and training organizations, has always stood at the forefront of nonmetallic material science. In just four decades, the institute has established a lengthy track record of major contributions to the nonmetallic material science. one of the most acknowledged achievements is the invention of TDP lamps. TDP lamps were invented in 1979 by a group of our scientists and engineers led by the highly accomplished researcher, Mr. Gou Wenbin (former president of CSRI from 1970 to 1986,died in 1986).Mr Gou discovered a special formulation of 33 minerals, which ,when heated to a specific temperature, emits the therapeutic farinfrared energy. the 33 minerals coat a meterals coat a metal disc , the :curing plate", which is mounted in the head of the lamp. the development of the mineral formulation involved extensive research.