News & Stories

The Division of Integrative Systems and Design (ISD) of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has received a donation from GPTX Investment Management Limited (GPTX簡坤投資), a leading Hong Kong-based digital investment firm, in support of student entrepreneurship and innovation. This donation underscores a shared commitment to fostering academic excellence and cultivating the next generation of innovators.

A cross-disciplinary team led by Prof. QU Jianan, Professor from the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering and Prof. Julie L. SEMMELHACK, Visiting Assistant Professor from the Division of Life Science at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has developed a powerful laser control technique. Functioning as a “smart dimmer”, it can selectively adjust the brightness of every pixel during laser scanning, and prevent unintended neural activation, thereby significantly enhancing the precision of all-optical brain manipulation and imaging. This innovation will drive research into brain disease mechanisms and facilitate small animal disease models for new drug development.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) recently hosted the Hult Prize Hong Kong Summit, part of the world’s largest global student entrepreneurship competition, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of student entrepreneurship.” Thorani, a team designing crop loss verification mechanisms to help insurance providers assess risk and process claims, emerged as the champion of this year’s competition and will represent Hong Kong in the next round of the global Hult Prize, competing for a seed fund of up to US$1 million to advance their startup venture.

A research team led by Prof. Yoonseob KIM, Associate Professor of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has reported a significant breakthrough in lithium metal battery (LMB) technology. The team has successfully synthesized a novel single-crystalline 3D borate covalent organic framework (B-COF), which demonstrates exceptional performance as a solid-state electrolyte, thereby enhancing the performance of solid-state lithium batteries. This advancement promises safer and higher energy density solutions for electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage. The research paper, titled “Single-Crystalline Borate Covalent Organic Frameworks for Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries,” has been published in the prestigious journal Advanced Science.

The Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center (HKGAI), a joint-university collaborative venture, led by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) with multiple universities, showcasing seven of its self-developed AI applications at the "InnoEX 2026". The public is cordially invited to act as "AI Test Officers" to experience practical features tailored to the daily needs of Hong Kong citizens, fully supporting the HKSAR Government's "AI+" and "AI training for All" strategies. 

An international interdisciplinary research team led by Prof. Richard GU Hongri, Assistant Professor of the Division of Integrative Systems and Design at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), has made a groundbreaking discovery that challenges a centuries-old understanding of friction. For over 300 years, scientists have adhered to Amontons’ law, which posits that friction increases monotonically with the load pressing two surfaces together. However, this new study reveals that friction can manifest even without physical contact, opening avenues for the development of wear-free technologies and reshaping our comprehension of this fundamental rule that governs everyday activities from walking to braking a car.

United by a drive to innovate, all 62 teams from HKUST and HKUST (Guangzhou) won awards at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva between March 11 and 15.Between them, the 36 teams from HKUST and 26 teams from HKUST (GZ) brought home 13 Gold Medals with Congratulations of the Jury, 20 Gold Medals, 20 Silver Medals, and nine Bronze Medals.This outstanding achievement by the HKUST entrants represented the highest number of awards among all higher education institutions in Hong Kong.Such a milestone emphasizes the remarkable spirit of cooperation between the two institutions, spotlighting HKUST’s deepening commitment to cross-border partnerships that boost social and economic development within the region.

Under the glow of HKUST’s 35th anniversary lights, audiences watched robot dogs deliver ceremonial 'miracle’ balls, humanoid robots greet guests, and drones soar above the Jockey Club Atrium.Amid this display of technological wizardry, the launch ceremony for the 35th anniversary was transformed into a living stage that vividly embodied HKUST’s enduring spirit of innovation.Each state-of-the-art machine told a story of discovery, mentorship, and entrepreneurship brought to life—a fitting symbol for HKUST’s year-long anniversary celebrations and its belief that the seemingly impossible can be made possible.