Creating a new mix

"This calls for more interdisciplinary research and expertise from the intersections of dynamics, geology and engineering," Fu says.

China implements national strategies for innovation-driven development, and interdisciplinary research has become an important path for obtaining high-level results.

In January, the State Council issued guidance on intensifying basic research, encouraging interdisciplinary research, and balanced and coordinated development of basic and applied disciplines.

"China will promote the construction of national centers of interdisciplinary research," the guidance says.

More platforms

More interdisciplinary-research platforms and projects have been launched across China's universities, institutions and enterprises.

In December 2017, Tsinghua University established the Tsinghua Laboratory of Brain and Intelligence and the Future Laboratory, both platforms to promote interdisciplinary research.

Wang Xiaoqin, director of the THBI, says brain science is a discipline where engineering and life sciences intersect to a high degree.

"The THBI will make the most of Tsinghua's advantages in these subjects to explore the complex issues at the frontier of brain science and to promote fundamental research in AI," Wang says.

Peking University set up an interdisciplinary research center for medical studies and information science in January.

Zhan Qimin, vice-president of Peking University, says medical science can be a platform where a variety of cutting-edge disciplines intersect.

Fu, who is also the deputy director of the National Supercomputing Center where Sunway TaihuLight is located, believes that the supercomputer is itself a platform for interdisciplinary research.

"Scientists from different disciplines may harness the computational resources to advance their research. More than 100 institutions have used Sunway TaihuLight in more than 60 research domains," Fu says.