Hefei University of Technology Chemistry Students Embark on Industrial Research Tour

In mid-July, a summer social practice team from the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Hefei University of Technology embarked on an industrial research tour across Hefei and Lu'an, Anhui Province. The team focused on industry investigation and career exploration, visiting four representative enterprises across three key sectors: electronic packaging, high-end precision manufacturing, and fine flavor and fragrance chemicals.

The student team first visited two electronic packaging enterprises in Hefei: Hefei Yifeng Electronics and Sosi Electronics. Students observed the entire production chain including ceramic forming, sealing and welding, and precision electroplating processes, engaging in in-depth discussions with technical experts.

According to the enterprise representatives, the high-end supporting materials industry faces high technical barriers and intense market competition. Both companies have invested heavily in technological R&D, securing multiple patents in packaging material development and high-precision processing techniques while continuously upgrading to meet industry-leading manufacturing standards.

The team also visited Anhui Renhe Smart Manufacturing and state-owned enterprise Anhui Fengle Flavors & Fragrances Co., Ltd. Students observed intelligent processing equipment and automated production lines, both of which have achieved full-process production control with comprehensive environmental protection facilities.

Fengle Flavors is currently advancing its product upgrade toward synthetic flavors. Research discussions revealed that the industry faces significant challenges with import dependence on high-end raw materials and processing equipment, coupled with a notable shortage of interdisciplinary talent combining materials technology and precision manufacturing expertise.

Chemical engineering students possess distinct advantages in material selection, quality testing, and process manufacturing. The?? partnership has established a tiered talent development system and deepened industry-academia-research collaboration.

The field research provided students with direct insight into the broad applications of chemistry in electronic packaging, smart manufacturing, and fragrance industries. Students gained clarity on industry trends, employment requirements, and career development pathways, addressing many uncertainties about career choices and laying a practical foundation for academic planning and future career development.

Founded in 1958, the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Hefei University of Technology is Anhui Province's earliest and largest chemical talent cultivation base. The school offers doctoral programs in Chemical Engineering and Technology and Chemistry, along with a postdoctoral research station. It has established degree programs in materials science, energy and power, and biomedical engineering.

The school comprises five departments and two centers: Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Applied Chemistry, Chemistry, Energy Chemical Engineering, Chemical Technology Center, and Experimental Teaching Center. With 131 full-time faculty members including 36 doctoral supervisors, 41 professors, and 61 associate professors, 98% of faculty hold doctoral degrees.

The school hosts several provincial key laboratories including the Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of High-Value Catalytic Conversion and Reaction Engineering, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Controllable Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials and Devices, and Anhui Engineering Research Center for Flexible Smart Materials.

Research focuses on critical areas including flexible smart materials, energy storage materials and technology, catalysis and synthesis processes, chemical separation technology, industrial flue gas purification, nanotechnology, and polymer chemistry.

The school has achieved significant research outcomes, publishing in prestigious journals including Nature Synthesis, Nature Communications, Journal of the American Chemical Society, Angewandte Chemie, Advanced Materials, and AIChE Journal. Faculty have received numerous awards including a National Natural Science Second Prize, two Provincial Science and Technology First Prizes, and six Second Prizes.

The school maintains stable industry-academia-research partnerships with numerous enterprises nationwide, successfully commercializing technologies including lithium iron phosphate cathode materials, solid-state lithium battery technology, industrial sulfur dioxide removal and resource recovery, SCR denitrification technology, carbon capture materials, and bio-based polymer materials.

The school actively engages in international academic exchange, maintaining partnerships with universities in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong.