With synthetic fiber output accounting for over 70% of the global total, the next growth engine for China's fiber industry is clearly not scale expansion. Recent progress by the team of Academician Zhu Meifang of Donghua University—from achieving continuous melt spinning of simulated Chang'e-5 lunar soil to building the world's first continuous production line for hydrogel optical fibers—reveals a deeper shift: fiber materials are moving from civilian essentials to strategic frontiers in extreme environments and intelligent interaction.
From Livelihood to Cutting Edge: Three Leaps of the Fiber Industry
In the 1970s, China's chemical fiber industry was technologically weak, and even a well-ironed shirt was a luxury. Over four decades, the industry has leaped from 'wearing good clothes' to 'high-end precision.' Zhu's 'organic/inorganic hybrid fiber' concept, which combines different materials at the nanoscale, has achieved '1+1>2' multifunctionality. The technology has been fully industrialized in leading enterprises such as Hengyi, Defulun, and Hengan, developing 15 categories of functional products, including general fibers, smart fibers, protective materials, and high-performance carbon fibers, driving nearly 100 billion yuan in new output value.
This path starts from fundamental molecular structure theory, gradually solving 'bottleneck' problems in civilian textiles, then extending to high-end scenarios like national defense and aerospace. For buyers, this means domestic suppliers now have the capability to replace imported high-end materials, with advantages in cost and response speed.
Lunar Spinning and Smart Fibers: Seizing 'Uncharted Territory'
The most striking exploration is 'lunar soil spinning.' Facing precious lunar samples brought back by Chang'e-5, the team independently designed and built equipment simulating the lunar environment, achieving continuous melt spinning of simulated lunar soil—a world first. This is not just a romantic lab idea; it concerns in-situ resource utilization for future lunar bases. If lunar soil can be processed into fiber structural materials on the moon, it would significantly reduce Earth-Moon transportation costs and provide key support for long-term habitation.
Another track deserves attention: for brain science and intelligent interaction, the team developed an integrated dynamic polymerization spinning process, building the world's first continuous production line for hydrogel optical fibers, with precise control over fiber diameter, mechanical properties, and optical performance. These biocompatible, light-guiding fibers open possibilities for wearable devices and neural interfaces.
Industrial Landing: Songjiang Base and 'Open Competition' Mechanism
Scientific value ultimately lands in industrial empowerment. After the Spring Festival this year, Shanghai's top leaders visited Donghua University's National University Science Park, emphasizing acceleration of pilot testing and industrialization. Zhu's team responded by leveraging Songjiang District's 10-billion-yuan advanced materials industry cluster to establish the Songjiang Innovation Base of the State Key Laboratory for Advanced Fiber Materials. To date, 47 high-quality innovation projects are undergoing concept validation and pilot scaling, focusing on AI, biomedicine, and extreme-environment materials.
The 'open competition' mechanism is being vigorously promoted, meaning resource allocation is more aligned with market pain points. For manufacturing enterprises in the Yangtze River Delta, this base could become a window for licensing cutting-edge technology and joint R&D. Especially for process validation in pilot testing, early involvement often yields first-mover advantages.
Talent and Ecosystem: Root of Long-term Competitiveness
Industrial competition ultimately boils down to talent. Zhu has taught for over 30 years, insisting on giving 'first class' and 'last class' to undergraduates, and serving as a doctoral supervisor and class advisor for 15 years. Her 'immersive' education model and the Donghua University New Materials Industry College, approved as one of the first national modern industry colleges, are cultivating interdisciplinary talents who understand both technology and application.
The 'Mengtai' team, with an average age of just over 30, has been selected as a key innovation team by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Education. A young, interdisciplinary team structure is key to tackling 'uncharted territory.' For textile enterprises, collaborating with such teams is not just about acquiring technology but also about securing a pipeline of innovative talent for the next five to ten years.