News & Stories

A research team at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has developed a dynamic integrated interface engineering strategy that enhances the energy density and stability of anode-free lithium metal batteries by reconfiguring key battery interfaces. A pouch cell using the strategy achieved a specific energy of 467 Wh kg-1, comparable to conventional commercial batteries. A full coin cell retained 90% of its capacity after 200 cycles. The study opens a new pathway towards lighter and longer-lasting next-generation batteries. 

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today announced the launch of the HK$100 million RAISe+ Project Fund (RPF), a dedicated funding initiative that will provide financial backing and tailored commercialization support to HKUST research teams participating in the HKSAR Government's Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme (RAISe+). The Fund will strengthen capabilities in intellectual property strategy, market development, and commercialization, accelerating the translation of breakthrough research into real-world applications. It will also support the innovation and technology (I&T) development of the Northern Metropolis and contribute to Hong Kong's development as an international innovation and technology hub.

A research team led by Prof. Haruki WATANABE, Professor in the Department of Physics and the HKUST Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), in collaboration with Prof. Yukitoshi MOTOME and graduate student Sena WATANABE from the University of Tokyo, has developed a unified theory that predicts when two states of matter are genuinely distinct and when they are secretly the same. The breakthrough provides a general framework for classifying phases across magnetic systems with different spin values and resolves a long-standing debate surrounding the behavior of water ice under extreme pressure.

Co-organized by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Sino Group, the HKUST-SINO One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition 2026 Final and Award Ceremony was held today at Shaw Auditorium, HKUST. During the ceremony, HKUST and Sino Group also announced the launch of the HKUST InnoBay 1M PLUS program, extending the competition beyond a one-off contest into an ongoing platform for start-up incubation and technology commercialization. The initiative will provide promising teams with access to real-world application scenarios, industry networking, partnership matching and proof-of-concept opportunities, helping innovative solutions progress from technology validation to market adoption, while creating greater opportunities for commercialization and scalable growth.

Turning climate science and early warnings into practical action to protect people, strengthen infrastructure and finance resilience is the focus of the Climate Adaptation and Resilience Conference 2026 (CARE2026) at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). Running from 8 to 10 October, the conference opened with calls to connect scientific knowledge with better preparedness and decisions that make cities more resilient.The conference brought together over 500 policymakers, scientists, infrastructure experts, finance and insurance leaders, industry stakeholders and community representatives from around the world. Discussions examined how forecasting and early warning systems can inform decisions about housing, infrastructure, biodiversity, nature-based solutions and finance, drawing on Hong Kong’s experience alongside regional and international perspectives.

A research team from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), in collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has developed a sustainable integrated seawater-to-hydrogen system that can produce hydrogen directly from seawater while converting waste heat from electrolysis into a resource for producing the purified water required for hydrogen production. By integrating hydrogen production, water generation, and thermal management into a single system, the technology could help reduce the reliance of green hydrogen production on freshwater resources and offer a new approach for sustainable hydrogen development in water-scarce regions.

In the 35 years since HKUST’s establishment, the Cheng family and their Chow Tai Fook Charity Foundation have been steadfast supporters of the University’s development, working closely together on research and innovation. The naming and unveiling of the Cheng Kar-Shun Robotics Institute (Guangzhou) at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST(GZ)) on August 26 symbolizes how this longstanding partnership has now extended beyond Clear Water Bay to Nansha in Guangzhou. The Institute deepens collaboration among HKUST, the Cheng family, and the Foundation, and cultivates the growing research synergy between HKUST’s two campuses, reflecting their shared determination to advance innovation and development in robotics.

A research team led by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has developed a biomimetic nanocoating that could significantly extend the lifespan of batteries used in smartphones, electric vehicles (EVs), and other electronic devices. Inspired by the stress-buffering function of human cartilage, the team has developed an innovative cartilage-inspired polymer nanocoating that effectively suppresses the degradation and wear of battery cathode materials at the source. The new technology not only enables batteries to retain exceptionally high capacity after thousands of charge-discharge cycles but also opens a promising new pathway toward the industrial deployment of next-generation nickel-rich lithium-ion batteries.