Weaving future of materials: One day in life of polymer process engineer

Bao Jing'an at Zhongke Kele New Material, a top materials firm in the Grand Union of Innovation (GUi), carefully watches a series of control screens while overseeing the synthesis of high-performance polymers.

Each adjustment — temperature, pressure, or mixing speed — affects whether a laboratory formula can be scaled up to mass production, playing a role in China's progress in domestic innovation for advanced materials.

Bao, a polymer process engineer, describes his role as more than just executing procedures. His responsibilities include designing, optimizing, and stabilizing manufacturing processes for engineering plastics, which aids in reducing dependence on imported technologies.

Bao, with a background in applied chemistry, was initially attracted to research due to its challenges and the excitement of discovery. When he joined GUi, he received extensive career support, ranging from job searching to long-term professional growth, which helped build a solid foundation for his success.

Today, he works closely with his team at Zhongke Kele New Material to transform experimental formulas into stable, scalable manufacturing methods, providing high-end domestic alternatives.

Bao Jing'an monitors the control instruments. [Photo/GUi]

In polymer engineering, precision is essential. Bao continuously tracks key parameters, adjusts processes on the fly, assesses catalysts, and promotes standardization.

Success depends on technical expertise, practical skills, analytical thinking, and collaboration. Each stable batch of high-performance material signifies both a technical milestone and the fulfillment of overcoming industry challenges.

With the rising demand for advanced polymers across sectors like medical devices, smartphones, electric vehicles, and aerospace, Bao views polymer process engineers as leaders of innovation, emphasizing perseverance as essential for a successful career in materials science.

"With a strong research foundation of nearby universities, GUi is attracting a growing cluster of new materials enterprises and fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem," he said.