Recently, the High-Tech Research and Development Center of the National Natural Science Foundation of China issued the “Notice on the Approval of Projects for the 2024 National Key Research and Development Program ‘High-end Functional and Intelligent Materials’ Special Project”. The project titled “Efficient Preparation and Precision Injection Molding Technology of Low-Cost Medical Titanium Alloy Ultrafine Powders (2024YFB3815000)”, led by Ningbo Zhaoying Medical Equipment Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Ningbo Konfoong Materials International Co., Ltd., in collaboration with Central South University, Hunan University, Zhejiang Wanli University, and Jinhang Titanium Industry, among others, was approved.

The project is divided into five sub-topics, with Zhejiang Wanli University leading the second sub-topic, focusing on the “Titanium Alloy Injection Molding Feedstock System and the ‘Material-Shape-Property’ Integrated Process Study”. The approval of this sub-topic marks a significant enhancement in the university’s ability to support national strategic scientific and technological innovation. It provides strong backing for the university’s new engineering innovation development, serves as a New Year’s gift for the launch of the Yuyao Innovation Research Institute and the groundbreaking of the Yuyao campus, and injects powerful momentum into the regional industrial chain upgrade.

Advancing Intelligent Manufacturing: National-Level Recognition for Research Strength  

This project approval represents a milestone achievement for ZWU’s long-term efforts in intelligent manufacturing. The project focuses on the efficient and cost-effective preparation of medical titanium alloy materials and precision injection molding, with future applications in orthopaedic implants, dental restorations, and other medical fields, demonstrating both scientific and industrial potential.

Interdisciplinary Collaborative Innovation: A New Model of Industry-Academia Integration  

As a core project team, ZWU’s “Digital Intelligent Manufacturing Joint Innovation Team (DMJ)” specializes in the intersection of “precision forming, high-end equipment, and industrial IoT”. By integrating internal and external resources, the team has established a three-tier innovation platform—“Joint Laboratory–Concept Verification Center–Industrial Chain Consortium”. This deep industry-academia collaboration has fostered a three-in-one development model of “ecological education, innovation incubation, and technology commercialization”, providing robust support for technological breakthroughs.

University-Industry Collaboration: Strengthening Ningbo’s Micro-Nano Powder Industry Chain

Upon implementation, the project team will collaborate closely with industry leader Konfoong Materials International Co., Ltd. to jointly tackle challenges in micro-nano powder preparation and advanced forming technologies. The results will be translated into applications in medical devices, aerospace, and other high-tech fields, supporting Ningbo’s ambition to establish a nationally leading micro-nano powder manufacturing cluster. This partnership also sets a benchmark for university-regional government innovation collaboration, laying a solid foundation for deeper industry-academia-research cooperation upon the completion of the Yuyao campus.

A New Chapter for the Yuyao Campus: Scaling New Heights in Intelligent Manufacturing

With the official launch of the Yuyao Innovation Research Institute and the steady progress of the Yuyao campus construction, Zhejiang Wanli University is seizing the opportunity of participating in this national key research project to further strengthen its intelligent manufacturing discipline. By accelerating the integration of innovation and industrial chains, the university aims to provide talent and technological support for the high-end materials industry in the Yangtze River Delta, continuously contributing its “Wanli Wisdom” to regional development.