Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the School of Materials Science and Engineering at South China University of Technology

Baochun Guo

Dr Baochun Guo is a professor and Dean of the School of Materials Science and Engineering at South China University of Technology (SCUT). His research interests focus on the fundamental science and practical applications of rubber and elastomer materials. He has authored over 200 peer-reviewed research papers and holds more than 50 granted patents. He has received several honors, including the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars and the Sparks-Thomas Award from the American Chemical Society.

Yuguang Ma

Prof. Yuguang Ma, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Asia-Pacific Academy of Materials (APAM), obtained his PhD in polymer chemistry and physics from Jilin University in 1991 and conducted postdoctoral research thereafter. He joined Jilin University's faculty and was promoted to full professor in 1998. A recipient of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, Changjiang Scholar title and Second-Class State Natural Science Award, he now directs the State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices at South China University of Technology, focusing on organic electrophosphorescence, hot-exciton materials and organic semiconductor film polymerization.

Shi-Jian Su

Prof. Shi-Jian Su graduated from Xi’An Jiaotong University. After receiving his PhD from Yamagata University, he worked as a postdoctoral fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences. He then joined the Optoelectronic Industry and Technology Development Association as a research scientist and University of Yamanashi as an assistant professor. Since 2009, he has been a professor of the School of Materials Science and Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology. He has received the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, and his current research interests include organic light-emitting materials and devices.

Yingjun Wang

Dr Yingjun Wang is a professor of biomaterials and biomedical engineering at South China University of Technology (SCUT), an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. She currently serves as the President of the GHWP (CHINA) Academy, Director of the National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction. With over 40 years of experience in biomaterials research and engineering, she pioneered the bioadaptability theory. She has achieved multiple groundbreaking advancements in bone, dental, blood purification, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine materials, as well as in the application of AI and 3D technology. Many of her innovations have been widely adopted in clinical practice, driving progress in surgical procedures and contributing to the high-quality development of China's medical device industry.

Materials science has evolved into a paradigm of convergence science, synergizing chemistry, physics, engineering, biology, and computational sciences to drive innovations in energy systems, optoelectronics, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and environmental sustainability. This interdisciplinary paradigm shift positions materials as dynamic, adaptive, and multifunctional agents that transcend traditional structural roles, enabling transformative technologies at the intersection of discovery and application.

The materials discipline at South China University of Technology (SCUT) traces its origins to the 1950s, as an integral part of the South China Institute of Technology, SCUT's predecessor. The materials discipline at SCUT has evolved over 73 years into a global leader in materials science and engineering. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the School of Materials Science and Engineering (SMSE), which was founded in 1995. After 30 years of development, SMSE has evolved into a comprehensive institution, especially excelling in polymer science, optoelectronics, material physics, and advanced materials. Committed to fostering global innovation, SMSE cultivates top-tier talent and drives advancements in strategic materials for China's technological future, aiming to establish itself as a world-class research hub in materials science.

Over the past three decades, SMSE has been at the forefront of the revolution of materials science. Our research program integrates foundational studies with translational innovation, spanning rational molecular design, interface engineering, nanoscale architecture, and device-level integration. These efforts have yielded groundbreaking advancements in critical domains such as:

• Solid-state energy systems for next-generation batteries and solar cells

• Organic/perovskite optoelectronics for high-efficiency lighting/display solutions

• Functional/engineering polymers and biobased materials for sustainable development

• Environmentally responsive coatings for smart surface engineering

A defining feature of this compendium is the emphasis on structure-processing-function relationships. By harnessing cutting-edge techniques—from precision molecular synthesis and hierarchical self-assembly to additive manufacturing of medical-grade polymers—we bridge the gap between conceptual materials design and scalable device realization. Notably, design principles originally developed for synthetic systems are now being reimagined for bio-derived and biodegradable platforms, creating unprecedented hybrid material paradigms.

The expansive scope of applications featured in this collection reflects the maturing mission of modern materials science, with pioneering research in:

• Scalable energy storage chemistries prioritizing safety and cyclability

• Solution-processable optoelectronic architectures for low-cost manufacturing

• Personalized biomedical implants enabled by digital fabrication workflows

• More sustainable engineering materials and integrated environmental systems combining sensing/remediation/catalysis

This demonstrates our commitment to addressing grand challenges in sustainability, healthcare, and circular economy. As global demands for smart devices, precision medicine, and climate-resilient infrastructure continue to escalate, materials innovation will remain pivotal in shaping cross-disciplinary solutions.

This themed collection celebrates the 30th anniversary of SMSE by showcasing representative advances in fundamental material design, multiscale engineering, and translational applications. It not only highlights the School's historical strengths but also offers a snapshot of the evolving global materials innovation landscape. We extend heartfelt gratitude to all contributing authors for their rigorous and visionary work, as well as the editorial teams at Materials Horizons, Journal of Materials Chemistry A/B/C for their unwavering support. We sincerely hope this compendium inspires researchers across academia, industry, and government to explore novel synergies between materials science and societal needs, fostering discoveries that transcend disciplinary boundaries.

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