Advanced Materials Research Center (AMRC)

Introduction

The Advanced Materials Research Centre (AMRC) is a key hub for research in materials development and innovation both in China and globally. It aligns with global strategic priorities, including improving electronics and communication systems’ performance and advancing medical and clean energy technologies. It also aligns with China’s strategic planning (14th Five-Year Plan) to strengthen technological capabilities and support transition to a high-quality development model.

The Centre  specialises in developing innovative materials with advanced properties and applications, including semiconductors, biomaterials, and materials for energy and the environment. It draws knowledge, expertise, and resources from XJTLU Schools and Academies located both on the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) campus and at the XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang) (XEC). These include the School of Science, School of Advanced Technology, Design School, Academy of Pharmacy, and XJTLU-JITRI Academy at SIP and the School of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Computing and School of CHIPS at XEC.

The AMRC collaborates with leading universities and research institutions in China and abroad. Additionally, it works with industry partners to ensure the commercialisation and application of new materials in industries including electronics, health care, and energy. It uses advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data analytics to accelerate the discovery and development of new materials.

Furthermore, AMRC serves as a platform for teaching, training, and research, nurturing a collaborative environment where students and researchers from various disciplines – such as physics, chemistry, biology, materials science, computing, and engineering – work together on cutting-edge projects. By combining expertise and resources, the Centre tackles complex challenges in materials research and development, pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge to benefit society globally.

Objectives

The objectives of the AMRC are to:

· establish a comprehensive research programme in materials science including synthesis, characterisation, processing, and applications of advanced materials ;

· build a research infrastructure with advanced laboratories, specialised equipment, and computational resources to support cutting-edge research;

· recruit and retain talented researchers and students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to foster an inclusive and collaborative research environment;

· establish partnerships with industry and government agencies to support research and development activities and facilitate technology transfer and commercialisation of research results; and

· promote education and training through workshops, seminars, and courses to disseminate knowledge and skills in advanced materials research.

Research themes (divisions)

The AMRC has identified the following research themes, represented as research divisions, during its initial development.

1. Research division on Dual Carbon Strategic Materials .

Focuses on advancing the understanding of materials science and engineering by studying new materials and their properties through techniques like simulation and experimentation. Potential areas of focus are:

· new energy materials;

· catalytic materials;

· biomaterials;

· additive manufacturing of materials; and

· sustainable materials.

2. Research division on Information Materials .

Concentrates on areas leveraging XJTLU resources and expertise, supported by hiring and content development at undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD levels. Potential areas of focus are:

· advanced nanofabrication techniques;

· advanced materials for semiconductor devices; and

· artificial intelligence hardware.

3. Research division on Frontier New Materials .

Aligns with the fundamental research conducted within the AMRC. Potential areas of focus are:

· quantum materials for energy: investigating materials with quantum properties for more efficient energy conversion and storage solutions, including quantum dots for photovoltaics;

· nanomaterials in catalysis: exploring nanomaterials’ catalytic properties for sustainable chemical reactions and processes;

· nanomedicine: exploring nanomaterials for targeted drug delivery, diagnostics, and therapeutics in healthcare and personalised medicine;

· superconducting materials: exploring novel superconducting materials that operate at higher temperatures to enable practical applications in power transmission and medical imaging;

· quantum computing materials: investigating and designing materials with tailored quantum properties for the development of quantum computers and quantum information processing;

· nanoelectronics: exploring novel nanoscale materials and devices for high-performance transistors and sensors and other electronics, such as nanowires, nanotubes, and 2D materials like graphene; and

· graphene-based technologies: researching the use of graphene in energy storage devices, flexible electronics, ultrasensitive sensors, and advanced materials due to its exceptional electrical conductivity and mechanical strength.