The new material industry is a strategic and basic industry, and also a key field of high-tech competition. High-performance polymers have always been the characteristic research direction of the School of Materials Science and Technology of our university, and also the priority development direction of the material discipline to meet the major national strategic needs. Among them, high-temperature resistant resin and its composite materials have been widely used in the aerospace field because of their advantages of lightweight and high strength. At present, although such as carbon fiber reinforced material preparation made great progress, but the development of polymer matrix composite materials is still relatively lags behind, which has become the bottleneck restricting the improvement of composite materials. Material genome approach methods for the study of the new resin provide a powerful tool. Material genome approach method has changed the traditional material design concept based on the trial-and-error method. It speeds up material design and application by defining material genes and gene combinations and combining computing tools, experimental tools, and databases, to achieve the goal of "doubling the speed of discovery, development, manufacture, and use of advanced materials".
Materials genetic engineering approach combining computational tools, experimental tools, and databases
As early as 2011, Professor Lei Du, Professor Jiaping Lin, and Associate Professor Liquan Wang of the School of Materials Science and Technology of our school took the lead in conducting research on genetic engineering of polymer materials in China. The research work has been supported by major national projects. East China University of Science and Technology, as the leading unit, has joined forces with Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Beijing Institute of Technology, The 43rd Research Institute of the Fourth Research Institute of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, 703 Institutes of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China Aviation Manufacturing Technology Research Institute and other universities and domestic research institutions in the field of composite materials, with Professor Jiaping Lin as the chief scientist. At present, the project team has established a material genome approach method for high-temperature resistant resins through research and has achieved preliminary results in the construction of a resin structure and performance database and a database of chemical reactions between groups. The genetic engineering method of polymer materials established by the project team is a subversive new method in the field of polymer, and our school is in a leading position in related fields at home and abroad.
Recently, the national major project has carried out the project launch meeting and node evaluation. Academician Feng Qian, vice president of our school, delivered a speech and pointed out that the national major project has brought new opportunities and challenges to the development of our school's materials discipline. He hoped that the project team strengthen confidence, make persistent efforts, and contribute to the development of new materials in the country! The academicians and experts attending the meeting, the leaders of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee's Military-Civilian Integration Office and the Principal of Shanghai Huayi Group Company agreed that the project has achieved breakthrough progress, well served the urgent needs of major national strategies, and will further promote the development of a new generation of polymer composite materials. The established Material genome approach method is a revolutionary new method that can be widely used in the development of high-performance polymers.
Experts and leaders evaluate project progress
In addition, experts and leaders believe that the new method of Material genetic approach can further serve the economic development of key sectors of Shanghai's 14th Five-year Plan, such as aerospace, automobile industry, and high-end chemical industry in the chemical zone. The first of General Secretary Xi’s five requirements for Shanghai Pudong is to make every effort to strengthen the innovation engine and build a new highland of independent innovation. The great progress of this major national project will contribute wisdom to the realization of various tasks proposed by General Secretary Xi for the construction of the Shanghai Science and Innovation Center, and explore new ideas and practices with more forward-looking and influential influence!