The third InnoHK research cluster, “SEAM@InnoHK”, was officially launched on 1 September. Two research centres established by City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) in partnership with the University of Cambridge and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) have recently joined the SEAM@InnoHK. At the ceremony, the centres showcased their cutting-edge technologies, real-world applications, and future development plans, highlighting CityUHK’s global leadership in sustainable development, advanced manufacturing and materials science.
The launch ceremony was officiated by key guests including Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Mr. Kelvin Choi, Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Mr. Lyu Feng, Deputy Director-General of the Economic and Financial Department II of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Mr. Ivan Lee, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology; Ms. Cordelia Chung, Chairman of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP); Mr. Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP; as well as representatives from collaborating universities and research institutions.
SEAM@InnoHK focuses on four major research areas: sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing, and materials. It aims to enable Hong Kong to move full steam ahead towards the vision of becoming a global research collaboration hub. One of the established research centres, the Sustainable Materials & Advanced Renewable Technologies Centre (SMART), is under the College of Science (CSCI).
Co-led by Professor Alex Jen Kwan-yue, Lee Shau Kee Chair Professor of Materials Science from the Department of Chemistry at CityUHK, and Professor Harm-Anton Klok, of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland, the SMART Centre will develop and build AI/ML-enabled materials design platforms and self-driving laboratories to develop breakthrough new materials and renewable energy solutions. This includes technologies for printable solar cells, rechargeable batteries, green hydrogen energy, and sustainable packaging materials made from food waste and plastic waste.
Leveraging the entrepreneurship training, resources, and global industry network of CityUHK’s HK Tech 300, the centre will be dedicated to translating research achievements into real-world applications, while contributing to carbon reduction, sustainability, and new industrialisation in the world.
This article originated from CityUHK News Centre.