Three notable scientific research projects at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have won the Awards for Research Excellence in Natural Sciences presented by the Ministry of Education.
Prof Joseph Hun-wei Lee, Vice-President for Research and Graduate Studies offered his hearty congratulations to five HKUST awardees. He reaffirmed the University’s commitment to achieving breakthroughs in a wide array of pursuits, in fulfillment of its mission to advance learning and knowledge through teaching and research, as well as spurring Hong Kong’s socioeconomic development. The Awards received by HKUST scholars not only demonstrate the University’s strength in research, but also encourage local researchers and Mainland scientists to join hands in solving central issues and drive greater participation of our young generation in scientific research.
The Awards for Research Excellence in Natural Sciences have been set up by the Ministry of Education to recognize outstanding research projects at all tertiary institutions in China. The Awards are presented to individuals or units that have made remarkable contributions in the areas of scientific discovery, technological innovation, science and technology advancement, and the implementation of patented technologies. The Awards honor researchers who have made discoveries in natural science and applied science, or given explanations to natural phenomena and characteristics.
The following summarizes HKUST’s projects which are conferred the Awards for Research Excellence in Natural Sciences in 2011:
First Class in Natural Sciences
Prof Limin Zhang and the recently deceased Prof Wilson H Tang, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
– Reliability analysis and risk control for geotechnical structures in hydraulic engineering
Prof Limin Zhang and the late Prof Wilson H Tang, in close collaboration with their three former PhD students and Post-Doctoral fellows, made breakthroughs in the characterization of geotechnical uncertainties and risk management in hydraulic engineering. They have worked out methods for combining geotechnical engineering information from multiple sources and reducing the uncertainty of geotechnical analysis models and model parameters based on Bayesian statistic theory. Additionally, they have developed a framework for effective engineering risk management that integrates site investigation, design and construction quality assurance. The research outcome has been successfully applied to the design of large hydropower projects in Jin Ping and Da Gang Shan in Sichuan and landslide risk mitigation in Hong Kong.
Second Class in Natural Sciences
Prof Karl Wah-keung Tsim and Dr Tingxia Dong, Division of Life Science
– Systematic analysis of the traditional Chinese medicines formula: Application of various biological models in delineating the mechanistic actions of Danggui Buxue Tang
Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula including Angelica Sinensis Radix and Astragali Radix in the ratio of 1:5, was first prescribed by Li Gao (aka Li Dongyuan), one of the four great master physicians of the Jin-Yuan dynasties in China in AD 1247. DBT works by tonifying the qi (vital energy) of spleen and stomach and invigorating blood circulation, and is known as a highly efficacious treatment regimen for menopausal symptoms and internal injuries. A research team from HKUST, led by Prof Karl Wah-keung Tsim, and Capital Medical University conducted a Pharmacological Study on DBT and discovered that the formula is potent in promoting hematopoietic function, stimulating cardiovascular circulation and immune response, and also preventing osteoporosis. In addition, the cell and animal models also reveal its effectiveness in relieving women’s menopausal symptoms. The research team has successfully developed an innovative approach to delineate the mechanism of DBT and widened its indications, setting up a milestone for a standardized, systematic and innovative method in deciphering the mystery of Chinese herbal decoction.
Prof Qian Zhang, Department of Computer Science and Engineering
– The basic theory of OFDM-based Wireless Communications
Possessing strong anti-multipath fading characteristics, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is one of the core technologies of future wireless communication. Amid growing demand for wireless multimedia communications, OFDM based technology still faces significant bottleneck issues. Following years of hard work, Prof Qian Zhang and her collaborators from the Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Peking University and Beijing Institute of Technology have discovered ways to overcome the defects of existing static spectrum management and improve its utilization efficiency with the smallest possible amplifier power loss. The research team achieved success in optimizing the codec and medium access control (MAC) protocol and made breakthroughs in cost reductions among other aspects.
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Mavis Wong
Tel: 2358 6306
Email: maviswong@ust.hk
