When newly admitted college students receive their letter of admission from Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) in Heilongjiang province this summer, they may get more than they expect — a surprise gift of a special red bookmark with a coating used in China's first Mars program, Tianwen 1.

The coating, independently developed by the institute, integrates properties of anti-irradiation, low volatility and resistance to wide hot/cold temperature swings. It can avoid the problems of color degradation and coating shedding in the extreme environment of deep space.

The coating has been applied to the five-star Chinese flag displayed by the Tianwen 1's Martian orbiter; the red pattern of the Beijing Winter Olympic and Paralympic mascots Bing Dwen Dwen and Shuey Rhon Rhon are carried on its landing platform.

In addition, the institute created a series of innovative character images of "HITer", including 12 blind box badges and one hidden badge.

The badges concentrate the daily learning and scientific research on campus. Students can get up to three of them in their admissions package.