A project from Shandong University of Aeronautics (SDUA), titled “Preparation of Graphdiyne-Based Aerogel 3D Materials and Their Role in Mitigating Battery Thermal Runaway,” has secured the national first prize in the “New Materials” track of 2025 “Challenge Cup” Chinese Youth Sci-tech Innovation “Talent Recruitment” Competition. This project was supervised by teachers Zhao Weimin and Zhang Haixia from the College of Chemical Engineering and Materials, and carried out by 2023 graduate students Wang Miao and Chen Jiaping majoring in safety engineering. This award marks a historic breakthrough for SDUS in the special track of this competition.
This project addresses the safety concerns of thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries by developing a graphdiyne-based aerogel three-dimensional composite thermal protection material. Modified with silane and compounded with graphdiyne aerogel, the material exhibits low density, high porosity, excellent thermal stability, and flame-retardant properties, enabling it to self-extinguish upon removal of the flame and effectively suppress the propagation of thermal runaway. Tests demonstrate that it maintains structural integrity and mechanical strength under extreme high and low temperatures, with thermal insulation performance significantly superior to traditional materials. Targeting high-end safety requirements in applications such as new energy vehicles and energy storage systems, the material combines technological breakthroughs with cost advantages.
Since the launch of the competition, the school Youth League Committee and secondary colleges have collaborated closely to provide comprehensive support for participating teams, creating a strong cultural atmosphere for innovation and entrepreneurship.This award is an embodiment of our school’s achievements in science and technology innovation education, and also represent the practice of deepening the mechanism of “promoting learning and innovation through competitions.” In the next step, SDUA will take this opportunity to explore and incubate high-quality projects, cultivate more high-quality innovative talents, and contribute to building a high-level application-oriented university with distinctive aviation characteristics.
It is reported that the “Challenge Cup” competition is known as the “Olympic” event for contemporary college students’ scientific and technological innovation. The Problem-Solving and Talent-Sourcing special competition closely focuses on the country's major strategic needs, the pain points of industrial development and the key core technical problems of enterprises. Enterprises and scientific research institutions put forward demands and release problems, and organize young students to solve them. It aims to fully stimulate college students’ potential for innovation and entrepreneurship and effectively promote the deep integration of industry, university and research.
