Professor Shu-Hong Yu stands as a preeminent leader in materials science and nanotechnology, renowned for his transformative contributions to bio-inspired materials research. He currently serves as a Cheung Kong Chair Professor of Chemistry at the University of Science and Technology of China and directs the Division of Nanomaterials and Chemistry at the Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale. His distinguished academic journey began with a Bachelor's degree from Hefei University of Technology in 1988 followed by a Master's from the Shanghai Research Institute of Chemical Industry in 1991 culminating in a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Science and Technology of China in 1998. His early career featured prestigious postdoctoral appointments at the Tokyo Institute of Technology from 1999 to 2001 and the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Germany where he developed foundational expertise that would propel his groundbreaking research trajectory.
Professor Yu's pioneering research in bio-inspired synthesis of nanoscale building blocks and hierarchical structures has fundamentally reshaped the landscape of advanced materials science earning him recognition as one of the world's most influential researchers with over 56400 citations and an impressive H index of 132. His seminal work on biomimetic mineralization processes has enabled the creation of novel functional materials with exceptional properties inspired by natural systems bridging the gap between biological principles and advanced engineering applications. His contributions to self-assembly methodologies and nanocomposite design has opened new pathways for applications in energy storage catalysis and environmental remediation demonstrating remarkable translational impact across multiple technological domains. The significance of his research is underscored by his recognition as a Highly Cited Researcher from 2014 to 2020 and his election as an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2019.
Beyond his research achievements Professor Yu has played a pivotal role in shaping the global materials science community as General Secretary and Council member of the International Solvothermal Hydrothermal Association fostering international collaboration and scientific exchange. His leadership extends to mentoring the next generation of materials scientists with numerous students and postdoctoral researchers now leading their own research groups worldwide continuing his legacy of innovation in biomimetic materials. Currently leading the Division of Nanomaterials and Chemistry at the Hefei National Laboratory he continues to push the boundaries of bio-inspired materials design with cutting-edge work on sustainable nanomaterials for carbon neutralization and advanced functional applications. Professor Yu's ongoing research promises to further revolutionize the field by developing increasingly sophisticated materials systems that seamlessly integrate biological principles with advanced technological applications ensuring his lasting impact on the future of materials science.
