Core Insights - Metal fatigue is referred to as the "invisible killer" of engineering materials, posing potential threats to the safety and reliability of major engineering projects in fields such as aerospace, energy equipment, and transportation [1][5] - Chinese scientists have published a viewpoint article in the journal Nature Materials, emphasizing the need to break through current research bottlenecks in metal fatigue by advancing both fundamental research and engineering applications [1][4] Summary by Categories Fundamental Research - The article highlights the importance of exploring the fundamental fatigue characteristics of new materials, such as cross-scale multi-level structured metals, to reveal their evolution laws and physical essence [4] - A deeper understanding of the microscopic mechanisms of metal fatigue damage is essential for advancing the field [4] Engineering Applications - The focus is on studying the fatigue damage behavior of traditional metals and related components under complex service environments, particularly under asymmetric or multi-axial complex fatigue loads and extreme conditions (e.g., high temperature, low temperature, irradiation, corrosion, and their interactions) [4][5] - The article stresses the need for innovative integration of material design, advanced manufacturing technologies (such as additive manufacturing), high-precision characterization methods, and AI-assisted analysis to address these challenges [4] Challenges and Future Directions - Despite nearly two centuries of research on metal fatigue, it remains one of the most challenging topics in materials science, especially in extreme environments like deep space exploration and nuclear energy systems [5] - The rapid development of new material systems and the expansion of engineering application scenarios present new challenges to traditional fatigue design methods [5]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the new materials industry Core Insights - The new materials industry is experiencing rapid technological innovation driven by interdisciplinary integration, particularly in fields like biomedical materials and smart materials [2] - Green and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes are becoming crucial, focusing on reducing environmental impact and improving resource efficiency [3] - Advanced computational techniques and artificial intelligence are transforming material design, significantly shortening development cycles and reducing costs [4] - The demand for high-performance materials is expected to grow, particularly in aerospace and electronics, where materials with superior properties are required [6][7] - The market is shifting towards multifunctional materials that can meet complex application needs across various sectors [6][8] Summary by Sections 1. Technological Innovation Trends - New materials technology is evolving towards interdisciplinary integration, combining physics, chemistry, materials science, and biomedical engineering [2] - Innovations in biomedical materials, such as bioactive nanocomposites, are providing new treatment methods [2] - Smart materials, like shape memory alloys, are being developed to respond intelligently to environmental changes [2] 2. Market Demand Trends - The demand for high-performance materials in aerospace is increasing, with new high-temperature alloys and carbon fiber composites being developed [6] - The electronics sector is pushing for semiconductor materials with higher electron mobility and lower power consumption [6] - Multifunctional materials are gaining traction, offering various capabilities in construction and electronics [6][8] 3. Industry Policies and Development Opportunities - Government policies are providing significant support for the new materials industry, including financial subsidies and tax incentives [10][11] - Strategic planning identifies new materials as a key area for development, with initiatives like "Made in China 2025" emphasizing the importance of advanced materials [11] - Policy support is expected to enhance innovation capabilities and attract more investment into the sector [11][12] 4. Challenges and Response Strategies - The industry faces technological bottlenecks, particularly in high-end materials where domestic capabilities lag behind international standards [12][13] - Market competition is intensifying, with foreign companies dominating high-performance segments [12] - Resource dependency and environmental concerns are significant challenges, necessitating improved recycling and sustainable practices [13][14] - Collaborative efforts between enterprises and government are essential to overcome these challenges and promote sustainable development [14]