“Materials research paradigm transformation.” That’s the ambitious mission driving the Materials Genome Institute at Shanghai University. Here at the Shanghai University Materials Research Institute, we’re not just looking at materials. We’re trying to revolutionize how materials research is done.
The Materials Genome Institute MGI started its journey in 2012. Academician Xu Kuangdi, a former dean of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, encouraged material genomics research at Shanghai University. His support fostered a strong academic environment. It also promoted active research communications.
In May 2012, the university hosted China’s first “material genomics engineering” academic forum. Experts from home and abroad attended. Academicians Xu Kuangdi and others gave academic reports. Later that year, the institute received special financial support. This funding launched the “Material Genetic Engineering” study.
The Shanghai Institute of Materials Genome SiMG was approved at the end of 2014. It involves collaboration between multiple Shanghai universities and research institutes. Together, they are working on material gene databases and integrated computing. They also focus on software development and high-throughput material preparation.
Academician Zhang Tongyi joined Shanghai University in July 2014. He became the Dean of the Materials Genome Institute MGI. Academician Xu Kuangdi was appointed honorary dean. The institute includes several centers. These are the Materials Science Center and the Materials Science Database Center. Also, there is the Materials Characterization Science and Technology Research Institute.
The Materials Genome Institute MGI boasts a strong research team. It includes six academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering. There is also a “973” chief scientist. Four national outstanding youth fund winners are part of the team.
The Materials Genome Institute MGI focuses on structural materials and energy materials. It also researches intelligent and functional materials. The institute has undertaken many national science and technology projects. They have been involved in 973, 863, and National Natural Science Foundation projects.
Under the leadership of Shanghai, the institute cooperates with other universities. Fudan University and Shanghai Jiaotong University are among them. They are constructing the “Shanghai Materials Genomics Engineering Research Institute”.
The Materials Genome Institute MGI aims to build a world-class research platform. It has collaborations with over twenty prestigious international institutes and universities. Its vision is to be a world-class MGI research center. It strives to conduct cutting-edge materials research. The Materials Genome Institute MGI wants to educate the next generation of the materials workforce.