Professor Zhang Kai of the University of Göttingen in Germany met with students at Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) on Sept 4 to discuss sustainable biomaterials, interdisciplinary research and careers in science.
Zhang heads the university's Department of Wood Technology and Wood-based Composites. He is internationally recognized for his research on the functional utilization of renewable forestry resources.
Zhang introduced his team's research on sustainable bio-based materials, soft matter, self-assembly and the mechanics of materials. He highlighted hydroplastic polymers, which can be repeatedly reshaped with water, as well as recent work on hydrogel drying and the functionalization of natural nanostructures.
During the discussion, Zhang said natural structures can inspire new material design, while artificial intelligence can improve the efficiency of molecular design and property prediction. He discussed the potential of biomanufacturing, including the use of gene editing to guide plants in producing target components. He also pointed out that large-scale applications still face technical challenges.
Students also asked about research opportunities abroad and career development. Zhang encouraged them to strengthen their problem-solving skills, engage in interdisciplinary research, and build expertise through continuous learning and experimentation.

Professor Zhang shares his research experience with students during a roundtable discussion. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]