The development of the pharmaceutical industry is the cornerstone for safeguarding people’s lives and health. This study is based on a macro perspective and provides a comprehensive and in-depth comparison of the development trend of the pharmaceutical industry in China and abroad. It is pointed out that the global market size and strategic position of the pharmaceutical industry in various countries are constantly improving. Meanwhile, the development prospect of China’s pharmaceutical industry is broad, and the potential market space is large. On this basis, we further explore the development prospects and driving factors of China’s pharmaceutical industry, including changes in population structure and increased health awareness, increasing global competitive pressure, sustained government investment and support for the pharmaceutical industry, and increase in research and development (R & D) investment by leading enterprises. Moreover, from the perspective of medical practice, we propose the challenges faced by the pharmaceutical industry in five aspects: precision, safety, timeliness, affordability, and policy guarantee. Furthermore, in response to the challenges we face, we propose the following targeted countermeasures: (1) building and maintaining a refined large-populationbased cohort and data platform while providing sustained support; (2) accelerating the R & D and transformation of China’s internationally leading technologies in the pharmaceutical industry to strengthen original innovation and seize the market; (3) promoting the industrialization of pharmaceutical R & D by encouraging industry–education–research integration in the R & D and clinical trials stage, strengthening the evaluation ability in the evaluation stage, and improving guarantee services such as intellectual property protection in the promotion stage of innovative products; (4) improving multi-level medical security channels to strive for more sources of support and reduce the burden of self-payment for patients; and (5) enhancing the full chain of policy protection and implementation efficiency to effectively stimulate the development momentum of the medical industry. This study aims to provide a reference for the subsequent investment, policy formulation, and development decisions of China’s pharmaceutical industry.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) develops rapidly in recent years in China; meanwhile, it faces new challenges and shoulders new historical missions. Moreover, the inheritance and innovation of TCM is crucial for the promotion of the Healthy China initiative. To continuously promote the high-quality development of TCM, this study analyzes the current status and development problems of TCM development from the aspects of theoretic innovation, clinical advantages and evaluation, TCM resource development and utilization, intelligent manufacturing, and globalization. Furthermore, six countermeasures are proposed. First, efforts should focus on the theoretical research of TCM, and a population-based TCM health program is suggested. Second, the existing management mechanisms and systems should be innovated, and innovation trials should be conducted in key evaluation systems and methods. Third, the TCM talent team construction should be strengthened to improve the clinical diagnosis and treatment levels and scientific research and development of TCM. Fourth, domestic and international resources can be integrated to stimulate the vitality of the TCM industry and promote the comprehensive development and utilization of TCM resources. Fifth, intelligent manufacturing of TCM should be emphasized, and innovative development of theoretical research, technical systems, and personnel training should be coordinated. Sixth, the globalization of TCM should be promoted to realize the integration of TCM with international traditional and modern medicine.
Strengthening the infectious disease prevention and control system at the frontier ports of China is the top priority of biosecurity considering the frequent outbreak of infectious diseases worldwide. This study analyzed the current status of biosecurity defense capabilities and systems at frontier ports of China from the aspects of biosafety status, sanitary and quarantine lines, and organizational structure for infectious disease prevention and control at ports. It also explored the weaknesses regarding the prevention and control of infectious disease at frontier ports through the comparison with European countries and the United States. Specifically, problems exist, including multi-sector and piecemeal management, decentralized formulation of the infectious disease surveillance and early warning network, deficiency in biosecurity situation perception, and uneven level of port health and quarantine capacities. Furthermore, several suggestions were proposed. First, an inter-departmental mutual-recognition mechanism needs to be established and the normalization of an infectious disease joint prevention and control mechanism should be promoted, thus to enhance information sharing among departments. Second, it is necessary to build infectious disease monitoring sites overseas, establish a mechanism of health and quarantine officers, improve outbound biosecurity risk monitoring by establishing a multipoint-trigger earlywarning mechanism, and actively participate in the international public-health cooperation network. Third, we should strengthen the capacities of port laboratories to detect and identify pathogens, promote the development of testing equipment suitable for frontier port application scenarios, and accelerate the construction of a frontier port biosecurity resource bank.
The innovative application of smart proactive health services is an important component of the Healthy China initiative and an effective measure to satisfy the diversified health needs of the public in the post-epidemic era. This study focuses on building a new paradigm of smart proactive health services and aims to improve proactive health intervention and management capabilities and provide high-quality health services for the public. It analyzes the current status and challenges of proactive health services, summarizes the smart development trend, and proposes the concept of smart proactive health services. Moreover, the study constructs a technical system of smart proactive health services using a structured analysis method, establishes an application framework consisting of one center, one portal, and three endpoints, and proposes a construction ecology featuring internal and external collaboration. The application scenarios and practical cases of the smart proactive health services are summarized in terms of technology integration and smart application. Furthermore, we propose the following suggestions to promote the sustainable and highquality development of smart proactive health services in China: (1) strengthening macro policy tools to improve the development environment; (2) improving the public’s digital literacy to reshape the atmosphere for service participation; (3) building a service standards system to improve the internal digital ecology; (4) creating a multiple supply pattern to continuously improve service quality; and (5) accelerating the integration of industry, academia, research, and application to enhance the commercialization of research findings.
China is facing significant challenges in healthcare owing to a severe aging population, continuously increasing healthcare demands, and uneven distribution of healthcare resources. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics in the human medical and health field can provide innovative support in theory and diagnosis for surgeons, researchers, and patients, contributing to improved clinical outcomes, reduced medical costs, and the promotion of balanced distribution of healthcare resources. This paper starts from four aspects: surgical robots, rehabilitation and nursing robots, assisted telemedicine, and medical AI, extracts the typical applications of AI and robots in the medical field, assesses the current status of AI and robotics in medicine, and evaluates pertinent policies, laws, and regulatory frameworks. Based on the understanding of the challenges faced in the development of AI and robotics in medicine in China, it delineates phased development goals and identifies future key directions: advancing toward differentiated, miniaturized, and intelligent surgical robotics; emphasizing patient-centered rehabilitation and nursing robotics; achieving multi-tasking and high situational awareness in assisted telemedicine; and promoting medical AI for healthcare innovation. This paper suggests determining promising research directions for surgical robotics, promoting domestic production of core components, exploring commercially viable models that align with national conditions, expanding the coverage of product applications, focusing on the development of specialized talent pools, implementing technology innovation driven by clinical demands, and strengthening regulations to reduce medical accidents and safeguard data privacy. These measures are expected to foster high-quality development of AI and robotics in medicine in China.
This study analyzed the problems regarding talent training in public health colleges and universities in China by examining the gap between education demand and supply in these colleges and universities, thus to provide theoretical references for the formation of a public health personnel training system with Chinese characteristics in the context of Healthy China strategy. Relevant educational statistics were collected, questionnaires were distributed to 85 public health colleges, and in-depth interviews were conducted with principals of public health colleges, leaders of employers, leaders of administrative departments, and graduates of public health majors. Subject framework analysis was applied to explore the key factors that affect the effectiveness of talent training in colleges and universities. Although college education regarding public health in China has made certain achievements, problems including an insufficient supply of public health personnel and an unbalanced supply structure still exist. Therefore, we should incorporate the training of public health personnel into national strategic planning, increase the strategic investment in public health colleges and universities, and strengthen the integration of college, post-graduation, and continuing education. Moreover, we should promote the standardization of college education in public health, clarify the collaborative training approaches for public health personnel, explore training models for excellent public-health personnel, and strengthen the teaching staff construction in public health colleges and universities.
Novel research and development (R&D) institutions are an important organizational form of scientific and technological innovation in China. Novel R&D institutions in life sciences and medicine are oriented toward people’s life and health and play an important role in promoting the development of life sciences and medicine, forming multiple innovation subjects, and building an innovation ecology with active elements. However, their construction is still in an exploration stage, and it is urgent to optimize the construction strategy and form a stable and sustainable development capability. This study used the methods of policy research, on-site research, case study, and expert consultation to summarize the progress of policy promotion and exploration practices of novel R&D institutions in China, analyzed the construction modes and operation mechanisms of similar R&D institutions abroad, and presented challenges in the development of novel R&D institutions in the field of life sciences and medicine in China. On this basis, we proposed the following strategies for optimizing the construction of novel R&D institutions in life sciences and medicine in China: (1) building up a diversified and stable funding mechanism, (2) establishing a differentiated development path, (3) improving the recruiting and cultivating mechanism of outstanding professionals, (4) continuously innovating the organizational form of scientific research, (5) exploiting the advantages of the flexible mechanism for scientific achievement transformation, and (6) enhancing the academic influence of these institutions, thereby promoting the high-quality development of these institutions and the self-reliance and strength of China in science and technology.
Strengthening organized scientific research is an inevitable choice for Chinese universities to serve the national strategy, participate in the construction of the national innovation ecosystem, and realize a high level of science and technology self-reliance. Universities are an important component of the strategic scientific and technological strength of a country; therefore, this study focuses on the systematic construction of organized scientific research capacities of universities. The study analyzed the current status of scientific and technological innovation in the field of medicine and health and summarized the challenges faced by Chinese universities in this field regarding organized scientific research from the aspects of interdisciplinary integration, organized research efforts on scientific and technological innovation platforms, high-quality clinical research, and integration of the government – industry – university – research – medical application chain. Subsequently, a key implementation path for organized scientific research in universities in the field of medicine and health was proposed. This study pointed out that emphasizing the systematic construction of organized scientific research, enhancing the integration of scientific and technological engineering chains, deepening interdisciplinary integration, and promoting the integrated layout of disciplinary construction and major scientific and technological research tasks are the foundation for universities to provide support for the scientific and technological innovation system in the field of medicine and health. Furthermore, strengthening the construction of high-level scientific and technological innovation platforms and major scientific and technological infrastructure and forming large teams to undertake major tasks depending on large platforms and facilities are the core measures for improving the organized scientific research capabilities of universities. Emphasizing the multi-track cultivation of high-end composite talents in the field of medicine and health while accelerating the reforms of evaluation and incentive systems are important mechanism guarantee for organized scientific research.
Novel research and development (R&D) institutions in life sciences and medicine are the products of the latest round of technological revolution and industrial transformation. Under these new historical circumstances, accelerating the transformation of achievements from these novel R&D institutions is of strategic significance for cultivating national technological strength in the field of biomedicine, strengthening China’s biopharmaceutical industry, and achieving self-reliance in biomedical science and technology. This study presents the new dynamic of achievement transformation in novel R&D institutions in life sciences and medicine, conducts an in-depth analysis of related experience from both China and abroad through a literature review and field investigation, and summarizes four operational transformation modes of these institutions. Focusing on the “core-catalyst” system of achievement transformation in these novel R&D institutions, we research the achievement transformation mechanism system that adheres to the principles of innovation and market rules, and propose a micro-ecological model for achievement transformation mechanisms in these novel R&D institutions, including three core systems (i.e., technology R&D, technology implementation, and investment systems) and a government macro-support catalytic system. Policy recommendations are offered with an emphasis on top-level design, creating an innovative ecosystem, activating transformation dynamics, and strengthening system support, to provide theoretical and practical references for accelerating the transformation of achievements from Chinese novel R&D institutions in life sciences and medicine.
The biomedical industry is developing at an unprecedented speed and the establishment and improvement of a digital infrastructure for biomedical research and development (R&D) is crucial for biotechnology innovation and Health China construction. This study analyzes the implication, classification, and systematic framework of the digital infrastructure for biomedical R&D in the new era. It summarizes the strategic layouts and development paths of the digital infrastructures for biomedical R&D in the United States, the European Union, and China, and examines the gap between China and European and American countries in terms of international influence and authority, development model design and efficiency, sustainability, and management organization construction. Moreover, it presents the challenges faced by the digital infrastructure of China regarding top-level design, management, and governance. Furthermore, we suggest that the following aspects should be strengthened: top-level framework design, coordination of biomedical and healthcare resources, clustered construction and governance of the platform, and capacity building and operation guarantee of the open platform.
The coal industry is crucial for guaranteeing China’s energy security and achieving the carbon peaking and carbon neutralization (i.e., “dual carbon”) goals. Therefore, it is imperative to formulate a carbon neutralization strategy for the coal industry from a top-level design perspective. Considering China’s basic national conditions and regional characteristics, this study elaborates the strategic conception of carbon neutralization of the coal industry from the aspects of development concept, expected goals, and key directions, and clarifies specific implementation paths. Specifically, the core concept is to achieve the “dual carbon” goals by both considering regional disparities and promoting regional coordination; based on an overall planning nationwide, the coal energy production, coal energy application, and new energy coupling zones should be scientifically classified, thus to realize the “dual carbon” goals by region and step. The development concept can be implemented via three stages: peak attainment, orderly optimization, and neutralization attainment, and the implementation path can be detailed as carbon emission reduction, carbon substitution, carbon sequestration, and carbon recycling. Moreover, efforts should focus on breakthroughs in the following applied technologies: intelligent and precise mining and clean and efficient utilization of coal, exploitation and utilization of coal mine gas at full concentration, pumped storage of abandoned mines, energy storage and power consumption, coupling of clean coal power with carbon capture, utilization and storage, efficiently replacing of coalbed methane with CO2, CO2 bio/chemical utilization, and green ecological restoration of mines. Relevant research can provide a pioneering and fundamental reference for the coal industry to realize the “dual carbon” goals.
Currently, the isolated development of energy in the coal mining areas and the energy supply mode based on coal power generation and grid power supply can no longer satisfy the requirements for implementing clean coal-mining and building a new energy development pattern that is green, low-carbon, and recyclable. Therefore, it is necessary to build integrated energy microgrids in the coal mining areas to enhance the comprehensive utilization of energy and control carbon emissions in these areas. This study explores the demand for and natural advantages of integrated energy microgrids application in the coal mining areas, proposes an integrated energy microgrid framework, and analyzes the development elements of the framework: new energy generation, energy storage, associated energy utilization, multi-energy coupling, and optimal scheduling of energy. A material-energy-carbon hub model is established in the coal mining areas, realizing low-carbon operation optimization based on carbon-energy synergy of integrated energy microgrids in typical coal mining areas. The results indicate that the application of integrated energy microgrids in coal mining areas can fully exploit and efficiently integrate the advantages of resources such as wind, solar energy, gas, air heat, and gushing water heat, and energy storage devices can further improve the match degree between energy supply and load demand, thereby reducing the amount of power purchased from the power grid and the carbon emissions from electricity consumption in the coal mining areas. The low-carbon operation optimization process takes into account the carbon-energy coupling of various types of equipment and supports the formulation of low-carbon and economical operation strategies. This study is expected to provide new concepts and technical support for the high-quality economic and social development of coal mining areas.
The conventional energy-transition pathway, that is, reducing coal, increasing gas, and developing renewable energies, cannot fully satisfy the requirement of China for energy security under the new situation. Creating a novel dynamic carbon neutrality mode for coal-based energy systems is a forward-looking development approach to solving the problem of high carbon emissions and ensuring national energy security. This study summarizes the international energy transition modes and analyzes the urgency and importance of developing a low-carbon coal-based energy system in response to the challenges of energy security and emissions reduction. Moreover, it clarifies the scientific intension, establishes a system framework, and discloses the security guarantee and emissions reduction mechanisms of the dynamic carbon neutrality mode for coal-based energy systems. An effectiveness assessment model based on system dynamics is established to assess the effectiveness of the mode in terms of energy security, emission reduction, and social development. The results indicate that compared to the conventional coal-fueled systems, the coal-based energy system can potentially reduce carbon emissions by 46% to 55% and external dependence on oil and gas to be below 20% in 2060 under different scenarios; the carbon emissions can be reduced by 84% using the dynamic carbon neutrality mode and the carbon capture and storage technology, and is expected to be further lowered owing to the carbon capture, utilization, and storage technology and carbon sinks in mining areas. Coal-based energy development and application can serve as a strategic technology for oil and gas reserves, thereby ensuring energy security. However, China still faces a significant oil and gas gap before 2030, and thus the development of the coalbased energy is urgent. Furthermore, we propose that a novel coal-based energy system supported by dynamic carbon neutrality technologies should be built to achieve energy independence and security as well as achieve the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. Coal underground gasification, tar-rich coal utilization, and coalbed gas development technologies should be regarded as a potential technology portfolio in the short and medium term and the coal in-situ fluidization mining technology could be a long-term choice.
The coal industry in China urgently needs to seek a low-carbon development path as the country continues to promote its carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. By utilizing the advantages of energy resources in coal mines and achieving material– energy cycle transformation, the utilization efficiency of energy resources can be improved. This study starts from the perspective of efficient utilization of coal mine energy resources, analyzes the current status of coal mine energy resource utilization, and summarizes the challenges and trends of coal mine energy resource utilization. It explores key technologies for the efficient utilization of coal and coal-associated resources, multi-link material–energy cycle utilization mode in coal mine production, topology construction method for efficient utilization of material–energy cycle in coal mine under dynamic evolution of resources, and optimization and scheduling techniques for integrated energy systems in coal mines. The development path for the efficient utilization of energy resources in coal mines is expounded by stages. Furthermore, research suggests that policy guidance and technological innovation should be strengthened to promote the efficient utilization of coal, coal-associated resources, and underground space. A coal mine integrated energy microgrid should be built, and the optimal combination of energy sources and the application of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technology should be promoted. A fine scheduling platform for coal mine integrated energy microgrid should be developed to promote the safe and efficient utilization of energy resources in coal mines.
Coal machinery is crucial for the technological transformation of coal mining and the coal production system. Driven by the carbon peaking and carbon neutralization goals and the wave of intelligent coal mine construction, China’s coal machinery industry will transform and upgrade toward intelligence, green, safety, and efficiency. Opportunities and challenges coexist in the coal machinery market, and development of intelligent technologies and machinery for coal mining has become an urgent demand. This study is based on the development reality in China that intelligent coal mining is still in its early stage and sorts out the current status and trends of intelligent technologies and machinery for coal mining. Moreover, it analyzes the key technology system of intelligent coal machinery, covering intelligent coalmine equipment support, intelligent fully mechanized mining and caving, intelligent rapid excavation, intelligent perception and control of main/auxiliary transportation systems, and coalmine robot technologies. Moreover, development directions are proposed, including key basic materials and advanced processing techniques, flexible manufacturing and virtual simulation, equipment remanufacturing, deep fusion of 5G with industrial Internet, industrial big data and artificial intelligence, intelligent perception and interconnection by the Internet of Things, and cyber-physical and digital twin systems. Furthermore, we suggest to strengthen breakthroughs in intelligent technologies and machinery for coal mining, improve the talent support system, emphasize both plan guidance and industrial layout optimization, and establish an innovative ecosystem for coal machinery research and manufacture, thereby promoting the high-quality development of coal machinery.
In the context of a global joint response to climate change, the air transport industry faces great pressure on carbon emission reduction. Carbon reduction in the design and manufacturing of civil aircraft products is the core approach to realizing net zero emissions in the aviation industry. Conducting research on green and low-carbon development of the aviation manufacturing industry is crucial for the carbon peaking and carbon neutralization of China’s air transport industry. This study analyzes the demand for low-carbon development from three aspects: satisfying the future mandatory standards for carbon emissions, developing new energy technologies, and promoting sustainable development of the aviation industry. The current status of design, material application, and manufacturing of civil aircraft products in China and abroad is investigated. Major problems faced by the industry are examined. This study focuses on improving the environmental protection competitiveness of civil aircraft products and reducing energy consumption during manufacturing, and proposes the carbon reduction potentials and staged goals for major technologies in the aviation manufacturing industry. The development routes are proposed from three technical aspects: green design, materials, and manufacturing of aircrafts. Furthermore, regulatory measures are proposed from the aspects of top-level planning, advanced technology research and development, industrial chain coordination, and carbon compensation and trading.
The carbon peaking and carbon neutralization goals have brought significant pressure and challenges to China’s civil aviation industry. Research on carbon reduction strategies for the industry has attracted great attention from China and abroad. This study summarizes the development status of and requirements for the low-carbon development of the global aviation industry (particularly commercial aircrafts), analyzes the carbon reduction status and problems of China’s civil aviation industry, and proposes corresponding development goals and basic ideas. Through industrial planning, product innovation, low-carbon energy utilization, and airline operation, carbon neutralization of China’s civil aviation industry is expected to be achieved by 2060, thus to form a green and low-carbon development pattern. Technological innovation is the key driving force for promoting the low-carbon transformation of the civil aviation industry. Therefore, we propose the following suggestions: planning the development and key technology research of low-carbon commercial aircrafts, accelerating the commercial application of sustainable aviation fuels, and developing intelligent aviation to promote low-carbon operations.
Air traffic is exhibiting the characteristics of large flow, strong coupling, and high time variation. To ensure its smooth, efficient, safe, and reliable operation, an intelligent model for air traffic management that features digitalization, automation, and collaboration needs to be developed. This study reviews the current and future demand for air traffic management and analyzes the challenges faced by traditional air traffic management from the aspects of traffic control, airspace management, and flow control. It also summarizes four basic scientific problems: interaction mechanism and mode between aircraft and air control infrastructure, air– ground coordinated control of aircraft intervals based on acceptable risks, airspace operation modeling and optimization considering multiple factors and based on non-uniform rules, and evolution mechanism and congestion propagation features of high-density air traffic flow. Moreover, it is suggested to integrate the application of satellite Internet, big data, digital twin, cloud computing, and other frontier technologies, and build an intelligent management technology system for air traffic from the aspects of aircraft, airspace, control decision-making, and operation, thereby laying a technical foundation for the construction of a next-generation air traffic management system.
Civil aero-engine is the scientific and technological highland of modern industry and a symbol of the comprehensive national strength of a country; it is also crucial for constructing a new development pattern of dual circulation in China. The development of civil aero-engine industry in China started late and now it is in a critical period of development. Therefore, it is necessary to explore a strategic path for the independent development of the industry, thereby strengthening the transportation, manufacturing, and aviation sectors of China. Through field investigation and further discussion, experiences of other countries regarding aero-engine development are summarized and development status of aero-engines in China is analyzed. Moreover, existing problems of the aero-engine industry in China are examined while considering the development situation in China and abroad and focusing on market demand. The independent development of China’s aero-engine industry can be achieved by three steps and the three-step targets can be realized by promoting scientific and technological innovation capabilities, improving the industrial and supply chains, and encouraging international cooperation. Furthermore, the following suggestions are proposed: promoting the research and development of green power, establishing an aircraft – engine coordination mechanism, developing a multiple support mode, and strengthening policy support and guidance.
The hydrogen energy serves as the best energy source for future aircraft owing to its efficiency, cleanness, and sustainability. In the context of widespread attention paid to aviation carbon reduction and the trend of low-carbon development of the aviation transportation industry, it is of great value to promote the development and application of hydrogen-powered aircraft. This study analyzes the development background of hydrogen-powered aircraft considering the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals for the aviation industry, and reviews the cutting-edge planning of hydrogen-powered aircraft in other countries as well as the latest progress in overall research and flight testing of hydrogen-powered aircraft in China. A detailed analysis is conducted on the key technology system for the development and application of hydrogen-powered aircraft, covering the overall design, liquid hydrogen storage tanks, hydrogen fuel cells, hydrogen-fueled turbine engines, hydrogen-fueled aviation internal combustion engines, safety and airworthiness technologies, and hydrogen refueling infrastructure. Focusing on the industrial application needs of future hydrogenpowered aircraft, corresponding total cost of ownership (TCO) models are constructed for commuting/short-range hydrogen-powered aircraft. The calculation results indicate that the TCO of commuting/short-range hydrogen-powered aircraft will be on par with that of pure electric aircraft and fuel-powered aircraft around 2045. Further suggestions are proposed, including adhering to the synchronous development of multiple technological routes, prioritizing the development of power systems, conducting scientific and orderly research and development, and promoting the construction of airworthiness standards systems, thus to provide a basic reference for research on aviation technology innovation and high-quality development of the aviation transportation industry.
Carbon emission reduction in the construction industry is crucial for promoting low-carbon transformation of the industry and for realizing the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. This study analyzes the current status of carbon emissions in Chinese construction industry. It identifies that the production of building materials and the operation of buildings are the primary sources of carbon emissions in the overall construction process. Moreover, the growth rate of carbon emissions from the construction industry in China is decelerating, and the spatial characteristics of carbon emissions demonstrate an increase from the south to the north and from the west to the east. We have identified six key challenges that must be addressed to achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality in the construction industry of China: policy and standards framework, energy-efficient and carbon-reducing technologies, reduction of carbon emissions from existing buildings, carbon emission data collection and monitoring systems, green financial system, and increased awareness of carbon reduction. Staged goals for the low-carbon development of the construction industry are also proposed. Furthermore, we suggest improving related policies and standards system, optimizing the use of energy-saving technologies, reducing carbon emissions in existing buildings, developing green finance, improving the ability to monitor carbon emissions, and enhancing the awareness of energy conservation and carbon reduction, so as to provide references for the low-carbon transformation and high-quality development of China’s construction industry.
The reclamation of construction solid wastes is crucial for the high-quality development of the construction industry and it is urgent to further improve the utilization rate of the construction solid wastes to achieve the carbon peaking and carbon neutralization goals. Waste waterproof materials are an important component of the construction solid wastes; however, research on the utilization of these materials is almost blank in China. As calculated in this study, the total output of waterproof materials in China was 2.983×1010 m2 during 2005-2021 and that of waterproof membranes was 1.89×1010 m2, indicating that waterproof membranes are the main body for waterproof material recycling. In response to the national green and low-carbon development situation, a utilization path for “reducing, reusing, and recycling” (3R) the waterproof membranes is proposed as well as a high-performance waterproof membrane research and development concept that combines waterproof membrane “genome”, multi-scale / multi-scenario analysis, and machine learning prediction. A waterproof membrane reuse mode with system disassembly as the core is clarified as well as a recycling strategy with classification, gradation, and deconstruction as the core. Moreover, the in-depth research and innovative application of fully recycled waterproof membranes and additive manufacturing technology should be promoted. The transformation of recycled waterproof membranes to products and the engineering application of these products are major challenges to be addressed in the future, which requires joint efforts of the management departments, academia, and industry.
Information is the core element to drive human-cyber-physical collaborations and promote the orderly operation of building activities in the entire lifecycle of buildings. More realistic and efficient description and sharing of building information has always been an important theme pursued in the field of architecture. To meet the rapidly growing demand for interactive collaboration between virtual and real building conditions, this study proposes a novel form of information description for buildings, namely a building information and physical model (BIPM), for realizing the true mapping and collaboration from building physical entities to the information space. The BIPM is composed of a building basic information model, a physical model, and an interaction model, and unifies the description of the external geometric attribute information and the internal physical mechanisms of buildings. The theoretical foundation and key technical system of the BIPM are discussed, and the application effectiveness and benefits of the BIPM are demonstrated using building chillers as an example. Furthermore, the application ecologies and values of the BIPM are analyzed. Research suggestions are proposed as follows: (1) deepening the research on BIPM theories and key technologies, (2) formulating serialized BIPM standards and specifications, and (3) developing BIPM building industry software tools to expand the BIPM application ecosystem. This study is expected to provide support for the development of new basic software for the building industry, involving architectural design, construction, operation and maintenance, and urban digital twins.