In recent years, the integration of artificial intelligence with life sciences has shown promising potential for efficiently predicting protein structures and aiding in the development of new drugs. Concurrently, fields like materials science, clinical neuroscience, and engineering are converging towards breakthroughs in brain-computer interface technology. Furthermore, quantum computing, which merges physics and information science, is driving transformative progress in computational science.
The scientific landscape is increasingly characterized by interdisciplinary collaboration, where the fusion of distinct fields is emerging as a key driver of technological innovation. Experts suggest that this holistic approach to scientific inquiry is likely to yield more disruptive technologies and groundbreaking original contributions.
What does it mean when we talk about scientific research focusing on “extreme interdisciplinary integration”? What implications does this have for the field? We sat down with specialists to explore these questions.
Professor Kai Wu from Peking University’s School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering explains that the essence of extreme interdisciplinary research lies in the idea that scientific problems are no longer constrained to a single discipline; instead, they require the collaborative support of multiple fields to find solutions. This approach envisions a deep integration of various disciplines, harnessing diverse knowledge and methods to address complex scientific and technological problems and driving paradigm shifts in research, ultimately opening up new directions and fields of study.
Wu highlights that extreme interdisciplinary research tends to be project-oriented, often revolving around a complex central scientific question that requires solutions from multiple disciplines and perspectives. “When scientific research reaches a certain stage, breakthroughs within singular disciplinary frameworks become increasingly challenging. There’s an urgent need for cross-disciplinary collaboration to achieve better outcomes with less effort,” adds Zheng Huilong, a researcher at the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Drawing from his own experiences in intelligent flight control research, Zheng illustrates how 3D printing technology has transformed his team’s approach. Initially tasked with creating over 40 components for a crucial part of an aircraft engine, the team is now able to achieve similar performance with just seven pieces thanks to integrated design and manufacturing. “By combining 3D printing and composite material technologies, we can weave carbon fiber into our designs, enhancing durability and weight efficiency while also enabling sensor integration for smarter devices,” Zheng notes.
Zheng’s team is also pioneering the application of artificial intelligence in aircraft control, molding an “intelligent brain” for self-learning flight posture control and trajectory planning, paving the way for autonomous flight—a potential future direction for the industry.
The transformative potential of interdisciplinary research is substantial, yielding an increasing number of scientific breakthroughs and technological advancements. Experts assert that this convergence should not be limited to the natural and engineering sciences but should also encompass collaborations between natural and social sciences.
Xu Feng, a researcher at the Scientific and Technical Information Research Institute, emphasizes that as artificial intelligence evolves, its implications will extend beyond technical challenges to ethical, moral, and cultural concerns. Hence, it is vital to instill values and legal standards into the products and services of AI. “This necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together scientists, engineers, policymakers, and the public to collectively explore the direction of AI development, its applications, and ethical considerations.”
When discussing the “extreme” aspect of interdisciplinary integration, experts caution against viewing this as a mere “1+1” scenario. Instead of simply combining two fields, the goal is to deeply explore original disciplines and uncover intrinsic connections that can foster new academic growth and create outcomes where “1+1 is greater than 2”. They warn that research purely for the sake of merging disciplines can lead to inefficiencies and wasted resources.
Extreme interdisciplinary research is pivotal for addressing cutting-edge scientific questions and producing significant outcomes. Historical examples abound, such as physicist Erwin Schrödinger’s application of quantum mechanics to unveil the essence of life, leading to molecular biology, or Tu Youyou’s extraction of artemisinin from traditional Chinese medicine, paving new pathways in malaria treatment. These illustrate the innovative power of cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Recent advancements across numerous disciplines have yielded breakthroughs in the field of interface science, which integrates chemistry, physics, nanomaterials, environmental energy, and health sciences. Wu’s team recently developed a national-level research instrument, the “Ultra-High Time-Space Resolution Ion Chemistry Research System,” which combines knowledge and techniques from various scientific fields to address pressing industrial needs.
China has seen impressive strides through deep interdisciplinary integration. The team led by Professor Xu Qi Kun from Tsinghua University discovered the “quantum anomalous Hall effect,” revolutionizing understanding of quantum systems and showcasing a new paradigm in interdisciplinary research. This discovery earned the team the First-Class Award at the National Natural Science Awards in 2018.
Similarly, Li Yongwang’s team from the Shanxi Coal Chemistry Research Institute leveraged intersections of quantum chemistry, catalysis, and chemical engineering to develop technology for converting coal to liquid fuel—an achievement that secures energy safety and facilitates efficient, clean coal resource utilization, winning the National Science and Technology Progress Award in 2020.
These cases underscore the ability of extreme interdisciplinary research to synthesize theoretical and practical knowledge, pushing the boundaries of scientific inquiry and generating impactful results.
The global scientific community acknowledges the importance of fostering interdisciplinary integration. Experts note that the trend toward “extreme interdisciplinary integration” arises from profound changes in contemporary science and the growing complexity and diversity of scientific inquiries. Countries around the world are actively promoting cross-disciplinary research to expand scientific horizons and generate innovative solutions.
Adopting a model of extreme interdisciplinary research is likely to drive major technological breakthroughs and original contributions. Many pivotal scientific discoveries and technological advancements emerge from the fusion of ideas across disciplines. In recent years, a significant number of Nobel Prizes in Natural Sciences have been awarded for interdisciplinary work, including this year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry, awarded to three scientists for their outstanding contributions to protein structure prediction—yet another testament to the outcomes of integrated scientific research.
To effectively advance extreme interdisciplinary research, what areas should we focus on? Wu suggests accelerating the development of high-end research instruments, which are essential for enabling cross-disciplinary collaboration. Currently, China’s research framework predominantly follows traditional disciplinary categories, constraining resources such as talent and funding. Xu advocates for a shift toward an open, collaborative system that supports interdisciplinary work and refining project application and evaluation processes.
There’s also a crucial need to cultivate talent specializing in comprehensive interdisciplinary research. Zheng’s team, despite primarily focusing on engineering applications, actively seeks members with interdisciplinary backgrounds and aims to nurture young talents in this domain. Many universities and research institutes are now establishing interdisciplinary training models and offering general education courses to enhance the development of multifaceted innovation professionals, with promising results.
Wu argues for the proactive promotion of “cross-border” integration between natural and social sciences, as this interdisciplinary junction can substantially enhance China’s technological and cultural innovation capacities, contributing to sustainable and healthy development of human civilization.
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