Biomimetic materials research, from interest-driven to society-serving: an interview with Shu-Hong Yu

In August 2016, Shu-Hong Yu's group at the University of Science and Technology of China published an article in Science, reporting the first artificial nacre material obtained by imitating the growth process of natural nacre. The artificial nacre has a chemical composition and microstructure highly similar to that of natural nacre, and therefore is both strong and tough. Over the past two decades, Yu's team has been focusing on the field of biomimetic materials. In addition to shells and pearls, their mimetic targets also include wood, animal bone, fish scale, bamboo joint, lotus root silk and others. Their biomimetic materials have excellent mechanical properties and good application prospects in many fields. In this interview with NSR, Yu introduced many of his interesting works. His research was initially driven by interest and curiosity, but in recent years, he also hopes to shoulder more social responsibility as a scientist and benefit society with his research outputs.