CityUHK’s Two World-Class Research Centres Stage at SEAM@InnoHK Launch Ceremony

Co-Heads of CASM – Professor Lu Jian, CityUHK Chair Professor of Mechanical Engineering (6th from left) and Professor Colm Durkan from the University of Cambridge (5th from left); and Co-Heads of SMART Centre – Professor Alex Jen Kwan-yue, CityUHK Lee Shau Kee Chair Professor of Materials Science (7th from left) and Professor Harm-Anton Klok of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL); joined with Professor Michael Yang Mengsu, CityUHK Senior Vice-President (Innovation and Enterprise) (7th from right), Professor Li Wenjung, CityUHK Vice-President (Talent and International Strategy) (5th from right), Professor Kenneth Leung, CityUHK Vice-President (Research) (6th from right), and other CityUHK representatives.
(Photo credit: City University of Hong Kong)  

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.

In his speech, Professor Sun noted that the eight research centres at InnoHK span next-generation semiconductors, sustainable energy and innovative materials, space manufacturing and advanced manufacturing technologies, as well as smart energy management. The initiative echoes the call to drive high-end manufacturing, accelerate growth of strategic emerging industries and deepen green transition under the National 15th Five-Year Plan.

He said that by integrating advanced technologies into local industries, the third research cluster demonstrates the Government's unwavering commitment to promoting real-world applications of research outcomes with a view to accelerating Hong Kong's development into an international I&T centre.

SEAM@InnoHK focuses on four major research areas, namely sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing and materials. Its aim is to enable Hong Kong to move full steam ahead towards the vision of becoming a global research collaboration hub. Two centres from CityUHK are:

Representatives from the CASM and the key guests at the ceremony. From left of front row are Professor Colm Durkan, Professor Lu Jian, Mr Ivan Lee, Mr Kelvin Choi, Professor Sun Dong, Ms Cordelia Chung, My Lyu Feng, Mr Terry Wong, and Professor Michael Yang Mengsu.
(Photo credit: City University of Hong Kong)

Centre for Advanced and Smart Manufacturing (CASM)

Led jointly by Professor Lu Jian, Chair Professor of Mechanical Engineering at CityUHK, and Professor Colm Durkan from the University of Cambridge, UK. The Centre focuses on intelligent, precise, and sustainable next-generation manufacturing technologies.

Cambridge researchers will establish satellite operations in Hong Kong, while CASM scientists gain access to Cambridge's world-leading facilities. The Centre will deliver six tightly integrated researches, including a platform for quantum-level precision in predicting material performance; zero-energy cooling technology, cognitive manufacturing systems to optimise production processes; and next-generation materials to enable future mobility – together to drive synergistic effects across industries.

Representatives from the SMART Centre and the key guests at the ceremony. From left of front row are Professor Harm-Anton Klok, Professor Alex Jen Kwan-yue, Mr Ivan Lee, Mr Kelvin Choi, Professor Sun Dong, Ms Cordelia Chung, My Lyu Feng, Mr Terry Wong, and Professor Michael Yang Mengsu.
(Photo credit: City University of Hong Kong)

Sustainable Materials & Advanced Renewable Technologies Centre (SMART)

Co-led by Professor Alex Jen Kwan-yue, Lee Shau Kee Chair Professor of Materials Science 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 the technologies for printable solar cells, rechargeable batteries, green hydrogen energy, and sustainable packaging materials made from food waste and plastic waste.

Professor Lu Jian (left) introduced the CASM to Professor Sun Dong (1st from right) and Mr Kelvin Choi (2nd from right).
(Photo credit: City University of Hong Kong)

Professor Alex Jen Kwan-yue (2nd from left) and Professor Harm-Anton Klok (1st from left) introduced the SMART Centre with Professor Sun Dong (1st from right).
(Photo credit: City University of Hong Kong)

Leveraging the entrepreneurship training, resources, and global industry network of CityUHK’s HK Tech 300, the centres will be dedicated to translating research achievements into real-world applications, while contributing to carbon reduction, sustainability, and new industrialisation in the world.

The ceremony was hosted by HKSTP, in collaboration with the Innovation and Technology Commission. InnoHK is a major initiative of the Government of the HKSAR that brings together leading global research institutions and local universities to establish world-class research centres in Hong Kong and accelerate the translation of R&D into real-world impact.

CityUHK has established two world-class research centres under the first two InnoHK research clusters, including “Health@InnoHK” and “AIR@InnoHK”.