The material industry provides a material basis for national economic development, social progress, and national defense security. Materials are particularly important for China as it now enters the middle and late stage of industrialization. Conducting strategic research on new materials will help strengthen China’s manufacturing sector. In this article, we systematically analyze the development status, trend, and problems regarding the new material industry in China and abroad and summarize the domestic and foreign policies for the industry. After analyzing the future strategic demands for the new materials, we propose the overall idea, characteristics, and goals of the new material power strategy. The key direction of the strategy need to focus on fields such as advanced basic materials, key strategic materials, and frontier materials. An evaluation–characterization–standards platform should be established for new materials. Furthermore, we propose some policy suggestions to facilitate the development of China’s new material industry and provide a reference for the decision making by relevant government departments. Specifically, an independent innovation system for new materials should be constructed; platforms for digital R & D, production application demonstration, and resource sharing should also be established; the quality and technology infrastructure should be improved; and talent teams dedicated for the development of the new material industry should be created.
The rapid development of the third-generation semiconductor materials represented by SiC and GaN offers China a strategic opportunity to realize the independent control over its advanced semiconductor materials and auxiliary materials sector and to ensure the security of relevant industrial systems. In this paper, we analyze the development status of semiconductor materials and auxiliary materials in China and abroad, propose the idea of systematic, upstream–downstream coordinated, and sustainable development, and set the development goals for these materials by 2025 and 2035. To promote the development of advanced semiconductor materials and auxiliary materials in China, we suggest the establishment of a project for realizing independent control over key material and equipment of integrated circuit; a platform that provides integrated tests for SiC and GaN semiconductor materials, auxiliary materials, processes, and equipment; and application demonstration projects for advanced semiconductor materials in the fifth-generation mobile communication, energy internet, and new energy vehicle fields. Demand analysis regarding these projects is conducted and specific project objectives and tasks are proposed correspondingly. To promote the innovative development of the semiconductor industry, China should adhere to government guidance to facilitate the integration of domestic advantageous resources, grasp the “More Than Moore” opportunity of to lay out the next-generation integrated circuit technologies, and construct an innovation chain to further improve the innovation ecology.
Electronic ceramics are a type of new materials of strategic significance. They are the core materials of passive electronic components and an important technology frontier in the electronic information technology field. As the electronic information technology develops toward integration, intelligence, and miniaturization, passive electronic components have become a bottleneck restraining the development of electronic component technology. Therefore, the strategic position of electronic ceramic materials and their processing technologies is increasingly prominent. The field of electronic ceramic materials and components has formed a good industrial technology foundation in China. However, its competitiveness is still insufficient in high-end materials and components, and some key material, process, and equipment technologies are controlled by other countries. Facing the new situation, it is urgent to increase R & D investment, rationalize the system and mechanism, and strengthen the independence and innovation of the industrial chain.
As a vital component of China’s key strategic materials, high-performance fibers and their composites are the material foundations to support the implementation of national strategies and the manufacture of high-end equipment. They are also an important force actuating the development of the new materials industry. This paper focuses on the strategy of constructing a strong country in material fields by 2035. In the paper, the current status, trends, challenges, and domestic problems of high-performance fibers and their composites are systematically analyzed. Additionally, a development idea of “independent product, technology, and industry system” is put forward, and the development aims by both 2025 and 2035 and the development tasks are presented. Accordingly, suggestions are proposed including improving the ability for designing and applying composites, developing the technology of industrial manufacturing facilities, and establishing a joint innovation platform, hoping to provide a reference for the high-quality development of the technologies and industries regarding high-performance fibers and their composites.
Rare earth functional materials are critical and strategic in supporting the high-tech fields such as new-generation information technology, aerospace and modern weaponry, advanced rail transit, energy-saving and new energy vehicles, and high-performance medical devices. In this article, the development status and trends of the rare earth functional materials industry in China are introduced and the problems of the industry are analyzed. To promote the competitiveness of the rare earth functional materials in China, some policy suggestions are proposed, including strengthening strategic prediction and policy support, promoting basic research and application, and enhancing the construction of advantageous teams and the development of personnel in the rare earth field.
Novel display is among the few industries in the electronic information field that is valued hundred-billion US dollars. It is also regarded as a significant direction for China’s strategic emerging industries in the age of information and intelligence. Key materials and process technologies are critical for the novel display industry development. In this article, the status quo, development trend, and problems of the key materials and their application to the novel display industry in China are systematically analyzed, and the corresponding development goals and directions of the key materials are proposed. To seize opportunities created by technological upgrading and industrial transformation of the international display industry, China should establish a novel display innovation platform and build an efficient technological innovation system at the national level and from the perspectives of national economic development and the whole industrial chain. To this end, it should promote display applications and focus on breakthroughs regarding key materials. It also should improve the innovation ecology for industrial collaboration by integrating the advantages of interested parties to make breakthroughs regarding the common technologies of key display materials and processes. Furthermore, the feasibility analysis of the novel display innovation platform is conducted from the aspects of technology, market, funds, and policy, hoping to provide a reference for the transition of China from a follower to a leader in the novel display industry.
The textile industry is a pillar of China’s national economy and advanced base materials for industrial textiles are critical for China’s textile industry. In this article, we focus on three types of said materials that are widely demanded by the textile industry—nonwoven fiber materials, textile structural materials, and textile composites—considering the key technologies for material manufacturing, material production modes, and industry status. Subsequently, we analyze the development status and trend of the advanced base materials for industrial textiles in China and abroad, summarize the main problems faced by China in this field, and expound the key tasks and core technologies for their development in China. To promote the development of these materials, China should strengthen the overall planning for the industry, improve the national system for supporting science and technology innovation, and foster a group of specialized and excellent enterprises to participate in international competition.
New energy materials are an important element for the strategic emerging industries and they are also important concerning economic and social development as well as national security. In this paper, we summarize the development status of the key materials for lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells in China and abroad and analyze the problems of China’s new energy materials industry, which include shortage of original innovation, insecure industry chain of key strategic materials, low self-sufficiency rate of highend products, insufficient self-supply of high-end applications, and lack of platforms for collaboration among production, education, research, and application. The development trends of the key materials industry are also prospected. In view of the development requirements by 2025 and 2035, we expound the development ideas for the new energy materials regarding the lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells and elaborate the development goals and key tasks. To achieve leapfrog development, China should improve top-level planning and enhance its support policies for innovation-driven development to foster competitive enterprises. It also should establish a production and application demonstration platform and strengthen talent training.
This study comprehensively analyzes the application status of aluminum alloy materials in aerospace, transportation, and other fields, and introduces the industry scale and technical level of the aluminum alloy materials in China. Moreover, the main problems of this industry are systematically summarized in view of the shortcomings of some key aluminum alloy materials in China as well as the deficiencies in original technologies such as high-performance aluminum alloy development, processing technology, and intelligent control. And the market demand for the aluminum alloy materials is analyzed based on the development trend of automobile, ship, aerospace, and other fields. According to the current status of the aluminum alloy industry in China, the following countermeasures and suggestions are proposed: enhancing the research and development system to improve the development environment; optimizing the production structure to promote production quality and efficiency and coordinate the development; strengthening policy support; promoting talent team construction; promoting intelligent manufacturing and the Internet Plus initiative; and strengthening international cooperation, particularly along the Belt and Road. This study is expected to help solve some critical problems of the industry and provide a reference for promoting the advanced and green development of aluminum alloy materials.
In this paper, we introduce the development status of China’s magnesium alloy material industry, analyze the main problems faced by its development in China and abroad, and prospect the future market demand in China for magnesium alloy materials such as high-performance rare earth–magnesium alloys with lightweight structures, magnesium alloys with high strength and high thermal conductivity, magnesium alloys with high strength and high electrical conductivity, and ultra-high-strength magnesium alloys. We also present a phased development plan for the industry toward 2030 and 2035 and propose relevant strategies for promoting the sustainable development of this industry in China. These strategies include promotion of independent innovation capabilities, optimization in resource allocation, strengthening of corporate cooperation, establishment of a complete research system for magnesium alloy materials, and improvement in platform construction. To satisfy the demand for the advanced magnesium alloy materials by national economy, national major projects, and social sustainable development, China should optimize its scientific research system, optimize the industrial development pattern, create high-quality and efficient industries, improve relevant policy systems, and build a sophisticated talent system.
Based on the typical demand for advanced copper alloys by emerging industries and major engineering projects, such as electrical engineering, electronics, 5G communications, new energy vehicles, aerospace, and rail transit, this study systematically summaries the current status of international and domestic copper alloy industries, including high-strength and high-conductivity copper alloy, wear and corrosion resistance copper alloy, elastic copper alloy with ultra-high strength, advanced copper matrix composites, and copper alloy wires and foils with high precision. The typical market demand of the advanced copper alloys is analyzed and the medium and long-term development goals and key technologies of the copper alloy materials in China are proposed. Moreover, industrial development suggestions are also proposed including promotion of the overall planning and integrated development of production, research, application, and management; enhancement of equipment development, technology development, and market expansion abilities; improvement in the research and formulation of product standards; and establishment of a training system for young scientists and technicians. This study is expected to promote the green, high-end, and intelligent development of advanced copper alloy materials in China through the improvement in independent innovation system regarding the copper alloy materials, equipment, technology, and industrialization, thus to meet the demands of national economy and national defense construction.
The room temperature liquid metal and its allied materials are a class of emerging functional matters with diverse species. Recently, with breakthrough discoveries made on liquid metals, tremendous exciting applications were raised and many new materials that had never been anticipated before were invented. As a result, the latest achievements on liquid metals were ascribed as the second revolution of human beings over the process of utilizing metals. This article briefly summarized typical advancements, fundamental sciences, and key technological and industrial areas thus initiated which include but are not limited to: chip cooling and energy utilization, printed electronics and 3D printing, biomedical materials, as well as smart soft machines. In addition, historic background to propose and establish “The China Liquid Metal Valley” and the basic strategy to mold a brand new industry of liquid metal were outlined. The core values to strengthen future research on liquid metal material genome engineering and thus build up corresponding databases were summarized. Overall, liquid metals are important frontiers for science, technology, and industry integrating both fundamental and practical issues together. Further continuous endeavors would lead to pivotal progress of human civilization and thus reshape social production and lifestyle. Its impact for both China and the world to explore next generation revolutionary science, technology, and industry will be huge.
China’s chemical fiber volume ranks first in the world and is a pillar industry of the national economy. However, there are still prominent problems regarding the development of the chemical fiber industry and promoting the advanced fundamental fiber materials has become the key to the high-quality development of the chemical fiber and textile industries. This study focuses on three types of advanced fiber materials: differential fiber, high-performance fiber, and bio-based fiber. The status, challenges, and development trends of the advanced fiber materials in China are analyzed. On this basis, the key tasks for the future development of the advanced fiber materials are summarized, including developing key technologies to form representative products, improving the intelligent manufacturing level, strengthening the independent innovation capacity, and enhancing the training of scientific and technological talents. This study also proposes development suggestions from the aspects of industrial development strategy, scientific and technological innovation system, the role of science and technology, internationalization of key enterprises, and coordinated development, hoping to provide a theoretical reference for the high-quality development of China’s fiber materials industry.
High performance polymer composites have become an indispensable strategic material for national defense and economic development due to their excellent comprehensive properties. They have broad prospects for development since they have been widely applied in various fields such as aerospace, wind power generation, rail transit, and automobile. The macro development demand of China for high performance polymer composites is analyzed in this paper. The current status and characteristics of fiber reinforcement such as carbon fiber, aramid fiber, and high performance glass fiber as well as polymer resin matrix materials such as epoxy, phenolic resin, and special resin is reviewed. The existing problems and developing objective are also proposed. Specifically, an industrialization system including key technology research and engineering application for the carbon fiber has been established, allowing the carbon fiber industry to develop toward high performance and low cost. The industrial production of para-aramid fiber is preliminarily realized and the glass fiber industry has maintained a stable growth. However, the resin matrix materials for high performance polymer composites face a severe situation. Furthermore, suggestions are proposed based on the demand of development from the viewpoint of independent innovation, demand orientation, construction of industrial chain, personnel training, and industrial innovation, hoping to provide an effective reference for the development of high performance polymer composites in China.
High performance synthetic resin is a key basic material that supports the development of strategic emerging industries such as advanced manufacturing, new energy, and electronic information. In this article, we analyze the demand for high performance synthetic resins by industrial development and review the technical development trends of the industry in China in terms of high performance polyolefin resin and other high performance synthetic resins using the methods of literature research and expert consultation. Moreover, we summarize the problems of the industry including outdated domestic technology and equipment, foreign dependence on several high-end products, insufficiency in basic research, and inadequate efforts in solving the environmental pollution caused by waste plastics. After analyzing the key technologies regarding the high performance synthetic resins, we propose some industrial development suggestions. High-end products should be developed using existing equipment and technology and then put into large-scale application. Basic research and personnel training should be strengthened to guarantee technological innovation. Biodegradable plastics should be developed to promote sustainable development. Technical exchange and cooperation between petrochemical enterprises and universities should be enhanced to improve the efficiency of technology transformation and application.
Synthetic rubber materials are widely used in industry, national defense, transportation, and daily life. High-performance and functional synthetic rubber is the key advanced base material necessary for the development of the new era. Based on industrial survey data, we systematically summarized the development status of high-performance synthetic rubber materials in China, analyzed the main problems in the production, research and development, application, and other aspects, and proposed the development direction and suggestions of the high-performance synthetic rubber materials in China. We suggest that China focus on the development of highperformance and functional synthetic rubber such as functionalized solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber, neodymium-based cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber, branched butyl rubber, and functionalized thermoplastic elastomer, as well as special rubber materials such as hydrogenated nitrile rubber, thermoplastic vulcanized rubber, high-performance silicone rubber, and fluoroether rubber, thus to achieve high-end materials, green process, and intelligent production.
The quality infrastructure—with evaluation, characterization, and standards as its basic elements—plays an important role in supporting industrial transformation and upgrade, promoting technological innovation, improving production efficiency, ensuring product quality, and enhancing industrial international competitiveness. Meanwhile, the acceleration of new material innovations has expanded the scale of the industry and increased the types and supply of new materials, which proposes new requirements for the industrial quality infrastructure. In this article, we analyze the importance of evaluation, characterization, and standards for the development of the new materials industry and summarize the development status of the quality infrastructure in China. Currently, a technical system has been primarily formed for the new material industry in China and has greatly supported industrial innovation. China has also made progresses in internationalization in terms of assessment, characterization, and standardization of the new material industry. However, China’s quality infrastructure for new materials is still underdeveloped in terms of overall level and technological innovative ability in key areas; and its internationalization progress can hardly meet industrial requirements. Therefore, an assessment–characterization–standards platform is demonstrated and analyzed for the new material industry in China. Correspondingly, we suggest that the top-level design of the quality infrastructure should be strengthened, an “evaluation–characterization–standards” one-stop service mode promoted, independent brands developed regarding certification, testing, and standards, and administrative agencies encouraged to adopt the evaluation results.
The industry of hydrogen energy for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) is in a rapid start-up stage in China. Understanding of the danger of hydrogen and safe use of the hydrogen energy are the basis for the healthy development of the FCEV industry. In this study, we analyze the physical and chemical properties of hydrogen and the compatibility issues for hydrogen and materials and then propose three basic principles for the safe use of hydrogen. Subsequently, the research outputs and technical measures for the safe use of high-pressure hydrogen energy in Japan are thoroughly introduced and some suggestions are presented for the safe use of hydrogen in accordance with the Chinese situation. First, China should conduct overall planning and design, increase investment in science and technology, and form a research system that takes the National Hydrogen Safety Laboratory as the main body and has active participation from social science and technology forces. Moreover, it should perfect its hydrogen safety standards system for vehicles and build a 70 MPa hydrogen-related equipment manufacturing system.
In view of the severe energy conservation and emission reduction, fuel cell vehicles are regarded globally as an important strategic direction of the automotive industry, and technological changes for commercial vehicles with high energy consumption and high emission become urgent. In this article, we analyzes the development trends of the fuel cell vehicle industry in China and abroad, introduces the various measures taken by major countries in the development and promotion of fuel cell vehicles, and summarizes the advantages and challenges faced by China in the development of fuel cell vehicles. This study reveals that the development route of fuel cell vehicles should focus on commercial vehicles based on China’s guiding policies for the fuel cell vehicle industry. Considering the factors restricting the development of fuel cell commercial vehicles, it is recommended to clarify the direction, goals, and priorities of the industry by adopting top-level design and introducing special industrial plans; research and development should be strengthened in key generic technologies of fuel cells to solve major obstacles that restrict the development of the industry, thereby promoting the high-quality development of the fuel cell vehicle industry.