Tissue-inducing materials used to induce regeneration of ligaments and central nerves, carbon fiber composites used to produce suspension frames for magnetic levitation trains, smart materials for 4D printing and a series of other new material technology achievements were recently unveiled at the Advanced Materials Innovation Exhibition held in Changchun at the 19th Annual Meeting of the Association for Science and Technology.

  "Putting artificial materials into the human body to induce tissue regeneration such as ligaments and central nerves." This seemingly sci-fi blockbuster concept is a "tissue-inducing biomaterial" presented by Zhang Xingdong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. He said that when the concept was first proposed, many experts at home and abroad thought it was a "pipe dream", how could ligaments and central nerves be induced to regenerate? But through the tireless efforts of Zhang's team, "science fiction" has become a reality, and China's cutting-edge biomaterials have entered the ranks of international leaders.

  Xingdong Zhang said: "China is currently the international leader in this field, but 'occupying' means 'it's all or nothing', because the competition for international research is fierce. 15 years from now, China can create a brand new biomaterials industry and play a leading role in international research."

  This seemingly highly sophisticated material is also affordable for ordinary people. He cited the example that the current international price of osteoinductive materials is more than 8,000 yuan for 2 grams, while in China the tender price is only 2,000 yuan, so localisation as soon as possible could benefit more ordinary patients.

  "We have the most technical content in this booth." Fang Daining, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, stood by a huge black box to introduce. He brings with him the "black technology" of high-speed rail, known as the "Four New Inventions of China" - the levitation frame of the exhibition train. Unlike the traditional suspension frame, the frame they designed is made of carbon fibre composite material, which is 39% lighter and 60% more resistant to vibration than the original metal structure.

  Speaking of the difficulty of the design, Fang Daning said that a year ago, the China Railway Group found many companies to design this equipment, but no one "took the order", because the composite material as a load-bearing material used in the suspension frame, the difficulty factor doubled, the world only German companies can achieve. At that time, Beijing University of Technology took on this "hard bone".

  "The university has both material science and design talents, and after more than a year of hard work, finally designed this structure for the first time in China." Fang Dai-ning said.

  He predicts that composite materials will also be the mainstream in the field of materials science before light metal materials become popular. In the past, composite materials were mainly used in the aerospace field, and with the development of new energy vehicles, the light weight of the body can extend the range of the on-board battery. Therefore, the future of composite materials is very good.

  At the stand of Harbin Institute of Technology, 4D printed heart stents, which can be automatically opened under magnetic guidance and degraded to be absorbed by the human body after 6 months. The project leader, Leng Jinsong, director of the Institute of Composite Materials and Structures at Harbin Institute of Technology's School of Aerospace, introduced their smart materials, which have reached an international advanced level, especially in aerospace applications, and can stand alongside the United States.

  "In recent years, a large number of new materials have emerged, inseparable from the country's promotion of the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, many military science and technology, through the integration of military and civilian have gone to the market." Leng Jinsong said.

  Gao Zhiqiang, vice chairman and general manager of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation and Aerospace Haiying (Zhenjiang) Special Materials Co., Ltd, said the rapid development of new materials in China is driven by market demand, like the manufacture of the large aircraft C919, has led to the application and innovation of a number of new materials, and with the promotion of China's innovation strategy, these materials have "broken through the ground ".