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From chips with faster transmission speeds to more secure and reliable power grids, from heart stents that can be absorbed by the human body to robots that can enter households, behind every breakthrough in future industries lies the support of new chemical materials. At the Future Industry Development Forum held as part of the 2026 Petrochemical Industry Development Conference recently, experts present agreed that the capability to develop and industrialize new chemical materials is becoming a key factor for industries to move from the laboratory to the market in the future. Supporting future information systems: “The development of artificial intelligence and the construction of Digital China place higher demands on high-performance computing and storage, high-speed and high-capacity network communications, and intelligent human-computer interaction systems. All these require the support of a range of new types of information materials.” ”**Xie Man, deputy secretary-general of the Expert Advisory Committee on New Materials, said. In the field of advanced computing, as integrated circuit manufacturing technologies advance to process nodes below 2 nanometers, the semiconductor technologies used for computing are approaching their physical limits. Two-dimensional semiconductor materials such as graphene, metallic carbon nanotubes, and metallic transition metal dichalcogenides hold the potential to overcome the limitations of silicon-based semiconductors and become key materials for next-generation chips in the post-Moore era. In terms of storage, due to the challenges associated with scaling down capacitors, the traditional approach of relying on semiconductor processes to increase density has become obsolete. There is an urgent need to develop new materials and processes to enhance both the cost-effectiveness and capacity of 3D memory. In the field of key materials for communications and networking, new network scenarios such as next-generation human-machine interaction networks, integrated living-and-transportation networks, and all-domain three-dimensional networks spanning air, space, and land will continue to emerge. There is an urgent need to develop new devices and materials required for future network systems, such as wide-bandgap semiconductor materials like gallium nitride, highly polarizable wurtzite ferroelectric materials, cutting-edge functional ceramic materials, and magnetic materials. In the field of new display technologies and key materials, the form of display applications will evolve from flat-panel displays to flexible displays using roll-to-roll manufacturing processes, as well as ubiquitous displays, and further to multi-dimensional and 3D displays. New materials that support solution-based OLED/QLED displays, ultra-high-capacity micro-nano displays, and ultra-high-definition laser displays will emerge one after another. Contributing to the transformation of the energy system: Xie Man pointed out that the energy system is currently undergoing profound changes, and there is an urgent need to develop new types of energy materials in order to improve the efficiency of clean energy utilization. In the photovoltaic sector, N-type single-crystalline silicon cell technology will gradually replace passivated emitter backside contact cell technology to become the mainstream in the market. At the same time, thin-film solar cells and new type tandem solar cells exhibit significant advantages in terms of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and reliability. Improving the conversion efficiency of crystalline silicon cells, and accelerating the industrialization of materials for thin-film solar cells as well as new types of tandem solar cell materials, are key pathways for China’s photovoltaic industry to remain at the global forefront. In the field of batteries, with the advancement of electric transportation and cleaner energy sources, power batteries and energy storage batteries need to make rapid progress in improving their energy density, cycle life, and safety. At present, China has made significant breakthroughs in new battery materials such as nano-silicon-carbon anode materials, high-voltage ternary, lithium cobalt oxide, and lithium-rich manganese-based cathode materials, as well as oxide solid electrolytes and in-situ solidified electrolytes. However, further efforts are still needed to improve key technical indicators such as the performance and degradation rate of batteries and electrochemical stacks. Furthermore, in the field of wind power, domestically produced carbon fiber has already been used in 120-meter-class offshore wind turbines, and research teams are developing carbon fiber and composite materials for 140-meter-class ultra-large wind turbines. In the field of clean and efficient energy utilization, ultra-supercritical power generation technology represents the main technological direction for the clean and efficient use of fossil fuels. Currently, countries around the world are developing 700°C ultra-supercritical power plants; there is an urgent need to gain a technological edge by industrializing relevant materials and components. In the field of smart grids, China’s smart grid development projects impose higher demands on the power density, reliability, and controllability of AC and DC transmission devices. Third-generation semiconductor devices, represented by silicon carbide, will become the core technology for next-generation power conversion. Multi-dimensional empowerment for the health industry: Medical polymer materials are an important foundation for the future health industry. Shi Hengchong, a researcher at the Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, outlined the five key trends in biomedical polymer materials. First, polyolefin materials are gradually replacing traditional materials. For example, polypropylene is gradually replacing glass and polycarbonate, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene is replacing ceramics, polymethylpentene is replacing Teflon, and polyolefin elastomers are replacing soft PVC and rubber. These replacements will make commonly used products such as sterile syringes and prefilled flush syringes safer and more durable. Second, there is great room for development of special materials for radiation-resistant polymers. Although traditional ethylene oxide sterilization can handle large volumes of material, it poses problems related to carcinogenic residues and contamination. Irradiation sterilization has advantages such as producing no waste, leaving no chemical residues, and being highly efficient and energy-saving. However, most medical polymer materials are not radiation-resistant; therefore, it is necessary to develop special radiation-resistant polymer materials. Third, there is great potential for the growth of non-phthalate plasticizers and non-polyvinyl chloride materials. Traditional infusion devices often use polyvinyl chloride containing dioctyl phthalate plasticizers, which can enter the human body and accumulate there; they may even react with medications, affecting human health. In response to this, the Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with Weigao, established production lines for specialty materials of 10,000-ton-scale medical thermoplastic elastomer alloys as well as for medical devices, enabling large-scale production. Fourth, the domestic production of medical engineering plastics is accelerating. Previously, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene used for artificial joints was prohibited from being sold in China, and the materials used for such joints had to be imported entirely. In response to this, the Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with Weihe and other institutions, established a production line capable of manufacturing 20 tons per year of artificial joint components made from polyethylene with an extremely high relative molecular weight, thereby ending the long-term reliance on imports. Fifth, biodegradable polyester polymers are becoming the fastest-growing sector. Materials such as polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polydioxanone, and polycaprolactone will be widely used in products like absorbable sutures and absorbable heart stents due to their ability to be absorbed by the human body, resulting in a sharp increase in demand for these materials. Promoting the “evolution” of humanoid robots. Humanoid robots represent a new frontier in future industries. Whether they can truly “evolve” from being unsteady and clumsy to moving with ease depends largely on materials. “Carbon fiber composite materials are the key material foundation for humanoid robots to transition from the laboratory to commercialization. ”Liu Hui, a senior engineer at the National and Local Co-built Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, pointed out. Carbon fiber composite materials are essential for various components such as the airframe’s framework, the main structure of the lower limbs, motion arms, and sensor reference parts. Specifically, high-strength carbon fibers of grade T700 or higher can be used to reduce the weight of the framework, while M40J+ high-modulus carbon fiber materials are suitable for use in the arms, ensuring millimeter-level positioning accuracy. Additionally, polyether ether ketone has great potential for use in the joints and reducer bushings of humanoid robots, as it is 40% lighter than aluminum alloys and possesses self-lubricating and wear-resistant properties. In order for robots to safely enter homes and shopping malls, their “skin” needs to be soft and elastic. Flexible materials such as two-component elastomers and closed-cell foam materials can mimic the feel of human skin, are non-toxic and non-irritating, and can be molded into any complex surface, making them the preferred choice for “skin” materials. Author: Cao Xiaomin