This communication paper provides an overview of multi-scale smart systems engineering (SSE) approaches and their applications in crucial domains including materials discovery, intelligent manufacturing, and environmental management. A major focus of this interdisciplinary field is on the design, operation and management of multi-scale systems with enhanced economic and environmental performance. The emergence of big data analytics, internet of things, machine learning, and general artificial intelligence could revolutionize next-generation research, industry and society. A detailed discussion is provided herein on opportunities, challenges, and future directions of SSE in response to the pressing carbon-neutrality targets.

本通讯文件概述了多尺度智能系统工程 (SSE) 方法及其在关键领域的应用，包括材料发现、智能制造和环境管理。这个跨学科领域的一个主要焦点是具有增强的经济和环境绩效的多尺度系统的设计、运营和管理。大数据分析、物联网、机器学习和通用人工智能的出现可能会彻底改变下一代研究、工业和社会。针对紧迫的碳中和目标，本文详细讨论了 SSE 的机遇、挑战和未来方向。