News & Stories

A research team at the School of Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has recently developed a novel artificial compound eye system that is not only more cost-effective, but demonstrates a sensitivity at least twice that of existing market products in small areas. The system promises to revolutionize robotic vision, enhance robots' abilities in navigation, perception and decision-making, while promoting commercial application and further development in human-robot collaboration. 

Photovoltaic (PV) technologies, which convert light into electricity, are increasingly applied worldwide to generate renewable energy. Researchers at the School of Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed a molecular treatment that significantly enhances the efficiency and durability of perovskite solar cells. Their breakthrough will potentially accelerate the large-scale production of this clean energy. A key to the solution was their successful identification of critical parameters that determine the performance and lifespan of halide perovskites, a next-generation photovoltaic material which has emerged as one of the most promising materials in PV devices for its unique crystal structure. The findings have been published in Science.

An international cross-disciplinary research team led by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has revealed critical insights into how strategic emission cap choices can lead to cost-effective, near-100% ammonia industry decarbonization while avoiding issues such as land use constraints and grid congestion. This groundbreaking study is the first to identify cost-optimal characteristics for ammonia production plants and emission reduction targets.

A research team of the School of Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) revealed the existence of surface concavities on individual crystal grains – which are the fundamental blocks – of perovskite thin films, and unravel their significant effects on the film properties and reliability. Based on this fundamental science discovery, the team pioneered a new way of making perovskite solar cells more efficient and stable via a chemo-elimination of these grain surface concavities.

Researchers at the School of Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have recently developed a new generation of solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) for lithium-metal batteries (LMBs), that can greatly improve the safety and performance. This groundbreaking discovery can help advance the development of energy storage technologies for battery applications like electric vehicles, portable electronics, and power grids. Compared to traditional liquid electrolyte LMBs, all-solid-state LMBs offer enhanced safety and higher energy density by replacing the flammable organic solvent electrolytes with solid electrolytes and suppressing a harmful phenomenon called dendrite growths. They present a promising future for developing energy storage technologies. However, their wider adoption has been limited by low ionic conductivity and Li+ transference number at room temperature.

Three research projects led by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) were awarded a total funding of HK$212.5 million by the Research Grants Council (RGC)’s Areas of Excellence (AoE) Scheme and the Theme-based Research Scheme (TRS) 2024/25, the highest funding amount among all local universities. It also marks a record-high result for the University.  The three studies cover a wide array of aspects, including a frontier and human-centric AI and robotics technology for geriatric care, the development of “Hong Kong Coastal Twin” for management of extreme weather on coastlines, as well as a technological approach to enhance Hong Kong’s role in sustainable supply chains. 

Five projects from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) were among the first batch of 24 projects awarded funding under the “Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus (RAISe+) Scheme” by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Government. The new funding will help speed up commercialization of research discoveries that benefit the society, creating a win-win outcome among industry, academic, and research sectors. These research projects, led by professors at the HKUST School of Engineering and School of Science, cover a wide range of topics, including genome-editing, cancer tumor imaging, wastewater treatment, sensing chips, and artificial intelligence robots.  In no particular order, details of the projects:  Project 1: Genome-editing Strategy for Familial Alzheimer’s Disease Therapy

 Created by HKUST MPhil student LI Haozhen and his team with the guidance of Dr. LIANG Haobo, Associate Director of the University’s Hong Kong Center for Construction Robotics (HKCRC), the rebar tying robot is one of the University’s four Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury winners at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva held this April. The world-renowned inventions event saw the University scaling new heights with a record-breaking 36 winning projects.