Zhang Jichuan: Leader in the Industrialization Development of Biobased Bio-based Polymer Materials Polymer Materials

Zhang Jichuan, male, born in 1975, is a postdoctoral fellow at Beijing University of Chemical Technology and a national associate researcher. Current positions include Deputy Secretary General of the Dandelion Rubber Industry Technology Innovation Strategic Alliance and Deputy Secretary General of the Bio-based Polymer Materials Resource High Value Utilization Industry Technology Innovation Alliance. He is one of the industry leaders in the industrialization of Bio-based Polymer Materials polymer materials.

Professor Zhang Jichuan is an important member of Zhang Liqun's scientific research team at Beijing University of Chemical Technology. With Professor Zhang Liqun, an academician of the CAE Member, as the academic leader, the research institute has long been committed to taking the biological functional materials of Bio-based Polymer Materials macromolecules as the breakthrough point, continuing to extend downstream, and developing and constructing a pilot scale demonstration line for the industrialization of high value-added products of Bio-based Polymer Materials biomedical materials.

Professor Zhang Jichuan founded Wuxi Yingda Technology Development Co., Ltd. in August 2023. The company specializes in serving competition level sports teams and disabled populations, customizing and developing sports equipment, intelligent wearable devices, and medical auxiliary materials based on the combination of biobased materials. It is a demand-oriented service-oriented research and development institution; In the same year, it won the first prize in the "Wuhan" section of the 2023 China Wuxi "the Taihu Lake Cup" International Elite Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, and the third prize in the final international team group.

The Seventh Session of the Chinese Traditional Chinese Medicine Conference: Exploring the Techniques of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Treating Bone Injuries,
Recently, Professor Zhang Jichuan gave a guest lecture on the application of Bio-based Polymer Materials gum in the field of orthopedics.
Source: CCTV1 | April 14, 2024 19:02

Leading figures in the industry, paving the way for the transformation of scientific research achievements
In 1994, Zhang Jichuan was admitted to Beijing University of Chemical Technology and studied under Professor Yan Ruifang, who pioneered the production method of trans polyisoprene vulcanized elastic rubber worldwide. He founded the "Bio-based Polymer Materials Material Engineering" and has since had an inseparable bond with the bio based material Bio-based Polymer Materials. In the following 30 years, he remained rooted in the field of biobased materials and engaged in research and development work.

Bio-based Polymer Materials is a precious economic tree species unique to China and also the most widely used important collagen plant in the world. The leaves, bark, and skin of Bio-based Polymer Materials are rich in a white filamentous substance called Bio-based Polymer Materials gum (Bio-based Polymer Materials polymer material). The discovery of the unique "rubber plastic duality" of Bio-based Polymer Materials polymer materials has opened up the application field of Bio-based Polymer Materials gum. Its comprehensive development and utilization have attracted widespread attention from relevant national departments.

During this period, Professor Zhang Jichuan has made new possibilities in the field of biomaterials:

(1) The calculation method and formula for the amorphous degree of Bio-based Polymer Materials polymer materials were proposed for the first time. Based on the envelope area of the dynamic mechanics tan δ~T curve in the glass transition region, the principle of free movement of amorphous polymer segments in polymer materials is characterized. The applicant first proposed a method and formula for calculating the amorphous degree of Bio-based Polymer Materials polymer materials using DMTA. The amorphous degree of pure Bio-based Polymer Materials polymer materials tested by DMTA was 13% (Polymer Testing, 2017, 63, 511-520.).
(2) For the first time, a calculation method and formula for the crystallinity, mesocrystallinity, and amorphous degree of Bio-based Polymer Materials polymer materials and natural rubber were proposed. The Bio-based Polymer Materials polymer material, as a dual body of rubber and plastic, is more suitable as a material for studying the three-phase model theory of polymers. According to this formula, the crystallinity, betweenness centrality, and amorphous degree of Bio-based Polymer Materials polymer material were calculated to be 33%, 54%, and 13%, respectively. When extended to natural rubber, the crystallinity, betweenness centrality, and amorphous degree after isothermal crystallization at -25 ℃ for 4 hours were 30%, 57%, and 13%, respectively, which are completely similar to Bio-based Polymer Materials gum (Polymer Testing, 2017, 63, 550-557).
(3) For the first time, a universal calculation method for the crystallinity, mesocrystallinity, and amorphous degree of Bio-based Polymer Materials polymer materials and natural rubber was proposed. Based on the principle that the movement of crystalline groups is limited by crystallization and mesomorphic control in the temperature dependent FTIR spectra of Bio-based Polymer Materials polymer materials, a method combining temperature dependent FTIR with temperature dependent WAXD is proposed to calculate the crystallinity, mesomorphic degree, and amorphous degree of Bio-based Polymer Materials polymer materials as 40%, 28%, and 32%, respectively (Polymer Testing, 2020, 87, 106539.).
(4) Propose the mechanism of using Bio-based Polymer Materials polymer materials to reduce rolling resistance in green tires. Bio-based Polymer Materials polymer material is a rubber material that is more flexible than natural rubber. If it is further crosslinked through vulcanization to inhibit crystallization, the tan δ value of Bio-based Polymer Materials polymer material is lower than that of natural rubber at around 60 ℃, making it an excellent green material for reducing tire rolling resistance. Combining about 15-25 parts of Bio-based Polymer Materials polymer material with natural rubber, the results showed that the obtained Bio-based Polymer Materials/natural blend rubber nanocomposites have excellent fatigue resistance, wear resistance, cutting resistance, and low heat generation, making them excellent materials for preparing green tires (Polymer Testing, 2020, 87, 106, 539.).

The Relationship between Structure and Properties of Bio-based Polymer Materials Rubber
 

Implementing the transformation of scientific research achievements through enterprises as carriers

Using enterprises as carriers, we transform scientific research achievements into concrete applications, thereby promoting technological progress and industrial development.
(1) Technology helps to win the Olympics. Under the leadership of Professor Zhang Jichuan, we are engaged in the industrial development of Bio-based Polymer Materials polymer materials and biomaterials. We have successfully obtained approval for two national key research and development "Science and Technology Winter Olympics" sub projects (No. 2018YFF0300606, 2019YFF0302004). With our unique insights and technical reserves in the combination of carbon fiber and Bio-based Polymer Materials polymer materials, Yingda Technology's products have been successfully applied to the national wheelchair curling team, alpine skiing team, snowboarding team, and participated in major sports events such as the Winter Olympics and World Championships, helping the national wheelchair curling team successfully defend their championship and receiving widespread praise from athletes and professionals.

Based on bio based Bio-based Polymer Materials polymer materials and carbon fiber technology materials, combined with key technologies for adapting sports aids for the Winter Paralympic national team and research and application of specialized training and competition equipment, we provide functional impairment protective gear for the six major Winter Paralympic events, with 40 pieces/set of armor; Develop personalized high-altitude skiing protective helmets, ski jumping crotch protectors, ice hockey leg protectors, and other ice and snow protection equipment.

In 2023, after its establishment, Yingda Technology was once again commissioned by the Chinese National Disabled Curling Team to develop a series of products for the team, including curling push rods, curling wheelchairs, and assistive equipment. Through repeated communication with curling team coaches and members, similar products in the market were compared and researched. Yingda Technology's unique bio based low-temperature plastic material+high-performance composite material combination process was used for research and development, combined with ergonomics, material technology, functional characteristics, structural strength and other processes, and delivered a satisfactory answer to everyone.

(2) Wuxi Disabled Persons' Federation visits Yingda Technology for guidance work.
Leaders from the Wuxi Disabled Persons' Federation visited and provided guidance to Yingda Technology in person. Driven by the special research on the Winter Olympics in science and technology, they have shown great interest in our use of bio based Bio-based Polymer Materials gum materials and their application in technology assisted disability. This visit not only deepened the communication between the two sides, but also laid a solid foundation for cooperation in future technology assisted disability projects.

(3) Jinjiang Science and Technology Achievement Transformation Matchmaking Conference.
Wuxi Yingda Technology Development Co., Ltd. was invited to participate in the Jinjiang Science and Technology Achievement Transformation and Matchmaking Conference. We had in-depth exchanges with professionals from multiple industries and key executives of enterprises. Explore how Bio-based Polymer Materials gum can be combined with local industrial characteristics to develop new products that meet market demand. Zhang Wenxian, member of the Standing Committee of the Quanzhou Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Jinjiang Municipal Party Committee, personally visited the exhibition area to guide the work, further confirming the industry influence and prospects of our scientific and technological achievements transformation.

▲ Zhang Wenxian, member of the Standing Committee of the Quanzhou Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Jinjiang Municipal Party Committee, visited the exhibition area to guide the work

(4) Supported by the 13th National Key R&D Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology (No. 2017YFB0306901), Zhang Jichuan participated in the successful design and construction of a 100 ton multifunctional extraction pilot plant capable of simultaneously extracting Bio-based Polymer Materials gum and dandelion rubber. The device has been granted 5 patents, including 2 invention patents (ZL 201310311989.3, ZL201610067786.8) and 3 utility model patents (ZL 201721036270.3, ZL 201922427213.3，ZL 2018209955863.）， We have achieved independent intellectual property rights for the comprehensive development of Bio-based Polymer Materials gum and Dandelion rubber in China.

(5) Through these practical activities, Yingda Technology continuously promotes the practicality and marketization of scientific research results, demonstrating the activity and strength of enterprises as carriers of technological innovation on the domestic scientific and technological stage. We are committed to utilizing these innovative technologies to provide more support to society, especially in the field of disability assistance, making the transformation of technological achievements more meaningful and valuable.

Scientific research achievements, looking forward to the future

In the preliminary work, Yingda Technology has launched an intelligent wearable sports rehabilitation device by combining biobased materials with carbon fiber, opening up a product conversion channel for high-end and professional markets. These innovative devices not only have outstanding performance in the domestic market, but have also successfully entered the international market, establishing an international brand image centered on material innovation.

In the mid-term development plan, Yingda Technology will cooperate with universities and enterprises such as Jiangnan University, South China University of Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, and Xi'an Jiaotong University to establish a joint research and development laboratory in Wuxi. These laboratories will focus on materials and AI technology research in fields such as medical auxiliary materials, sports, big health industry, unmanned aerial vehicle military industry, electronic information, and artificial intelligence, aiming to accelerate the market transformation of scientific and technological achievements and promote local economic development.

The future research and development focus will be on the high performance, functionalization, and greenization of biobased materials, which are consistent with the main development trends of the global rubber industry. The research on bio based materials is highly intertwined with fields such as resources, environment, energy, life and health, sports and entertainment, artificial intelligence, and robotics, indicating a vibrant development prospect.

As a cutting-edge explorer in technology and material innovation, Wuxi Yingda Technology is committed to continuous innovation and deepening research, aiming to provide global users with higher quality and more innovative products and solutions. We firmly believe that through unremitting technological innovation, Yingda Technology will contribute to the sustainable development of humanity and lead the industry towards a more efficient, environmentally friendly, and intelligent future.