Members of China's Antarctic expedition team at Kunlun Station, the highest-altitude Chinese research station on the continent, are using upgraded container homes to better cope with the region's harsh climatic conditions. Kunlun Station is located in Dome A, the highest ice dome on the Antarctic Plateau. The area offers an ideal location for scientific research in fields like glaciology, astronomy, geology, and geophysics, thanks to its unique geography and natural conditions. However, its harsh climate makes it one of the most inaccessible places on Earth for humans. Living at an altitude of 4,087 meters, with an average annual temperature of minus 52.5 degrees Celsius, the expedition team at Kunlun Station has adopted specially designed container houses to help them withstand the extreme cold and low atmospheric pressure in the region. "Our main mission for this Antarctic expedition is to deploy and operate our self-developed polar research pressure-resistant buildings at Kunlun Station, creating an environment similar to a plain. Just like a space station, these houses will separate us from the harsh external conditions, with an independent environmental control system inside. They will significantly improve the living and working conditions and greatly reduce the physiological damage caused by the extreme environment on the team," said Ye Zhiwu, a member of China's 41st Antarctic expedition team. In addition, the upgraded container cabins, with more space and enhanced functionality, now accommodate all expedition team members at Kunlun Station, while significantly improving living conditions. This advancement marks a key step in China's inland scientific research in Antarctica, according to Ye. "After the building is pressurized, the pressure difference between the interior and exterior reaches 25 kPa, with a temperature difference of up to 110°C. Ordinary buildings cannot meet the strength and insulation requirements for such conditions. Through advancements in structural and material technology, we have achieved high strength, excellent airtightness, superior insulation, and lightweight construction for the building. We also have overcome challenges related to the rapid assembly of modular buildings and airtightness, allowing for fast setup with fewer people. With reserved interfaces, we can expand the building size next year, like putting together building blocks," said Ye. SHOTLIST: Antarctica - Recent 1. Aerial shots of Kunlun Station, China's Antarctic expedition team members, Chinese national flag; 2. Various of expedition team members working; 3. Snowstorm; 4. Container house being transported; 5. Various of expedition team members at work; 6. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Ye Zhiwu, member, China's 41st Antarctic expedition team (ending with shots 7-8): "Our main mission for this Antarctic expedition is to deploy and operate our self-developed polar research pressure-resistant buildings at Kunlun Station, creating an environment similar to a plain. Just like a space station, these houses will separate us from the harsh external conditions, with an independent environmental control system inside. They will significantly improve the living and working conditions and greatly reduce the physiological damage caused by the extreme environment on the team."; 7. expedition team member entering container house; 8. Various of interiors of container house; screen showing control system for container house; barometer; 9. Various of interiors of container house, expedition team member; FILE: Antarctica - Date Unknown 10. Various of vehicle operating, transporting container house; Antarctica - Recent 11. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Ye Zhiwu, member, China's 41st Antarctic expedition team (ending with shots 12-14): "After the building is pressurized, the pressure difference between the interior and exterior reaches 25 kPa, with a temperature difference of up to 110°C . Ordinary buildings cannot meet the strength and insulation requirements for such conditions. Through advancements in structural and material technology, we have achieved high strength, excellent airtightness, superior insulation, and lightweight construction for the building. We also have overcome challenges related to the rapid assembly of modular buildings and airtightness, allowing for fast setup with fewer people. With reserved interfaces, we can expand the building size next year, like putting together building blocks."; China - Recent 12. Various of animation showing structure of container house, functionality; Antarctica - Recent 13. Electrical control box; 14. Various of pipes; 15. Various of helicopter delivering container house; 16. Container house, expedition team member. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]