Clean Energy for a Carbon-Neutral Future
SEE is a global leader in advancing net-zero energy solutions, integrating renewable energy conversion, energy storage, waste-to-energy technologies, thermal sciences, and smart electrification to transform how energy is generated, stored, distributed, and utilized.
Built upon four strategic pillars, namely energy efficiency, energy storage, energy conversion, and energy generation, our research addresses critical challenges ranging from green hydrogen and solar fuels to advanced cooling technologies and intelligent energy infrastructure.
By bridging fundamental scientific discovery with engineering innovation and real-world deployment, we develop scalable solutions that support cleaner industries, electrified transportation, and resilient energy systems. Through these efforts, SEE contributes to a carbon-neutral future while strengthening Hong Kong's position in the global energy transition.
Scope
We advance net-zero energy solutions through research in renewable energy conversion, energy storage, waste-to-energy technologies, thermal sciences, and smart electrification. Our work spans the four strategic pillars of energy efficiency, energy storage, energy conversion, and energy generation, addressing challenges from green hydrogen and solar fuels to advanced cooling technologies and intelligent energy infrastructure.
By bridging fundamental scientific discovery with engineering innovation and real-world deployment, we develop scalable solutions across renewable energy systems, hydrogen and carbon-neutral fuels, energy storage technologies, waste-to-energy and circularity approaches, solar fuel and photoelectrochemical technologies, power electronics, thermal management, and energy-efficient urban infrastructure.
Through these interdisciplinary efforts, we support cleaner industries, electrified transportation, resilient energy systems, and the transition towards a carbon-neutral future.
Energy Efficiency / Storage
Passive Radiative Cooling, Thermochromic Smart Windows, Solar Energy and
Water Harvesting, Heat Transfer, Thermofluids, Energy Conversion, Indoor
Built Environment, Energy Efficient Building Technology, Building Thermal
Management
Solar photocatalysis, fuel-cell electrochemistry, hydrogen production,
carbon management, carbon capture and storage, advanced refrigeration and
air-conditioning
Operando monitoring and in-situ modulation of electrochemical energy
process, Developing sustainable energy devices (Fuel cells, Electrolyzers,
Vehicle batteries), CO2 splitting and reduction technology, Environmental and
Economic analysis & optimization of energy systems, Thermal management of
electronic devices, Finite element analysis and first-principle calculation
Catalyst design for electrocatalysis and photocatalysis, Data-driven
materials design for energy applications, Materials informatics and machine
learning for materials modeling
Advanced heat pumps, Novel working fluids, Thermal energy storage, Advanced
thermal management
Energy Conversion / Generation
Photoelectrochemical water splitting, Solar-driven waste valorization and
generation of valuable chemicals, Oxide semiconductors for energy conversion
applications, Transport phenomena in solar-driven chemical conversion devices
Interfacial Dynamics, Operando Characterizations, Photophysics,
Electrochemistry, Photochemistry, Photoelectrochemistry,
Electrochemiluminescence, as well as Carbon Neutrality, Waste-to-energy,
Energy-conversion, Energy-saving Technologies.
Utilizing molecular, polymeric, and biomacromolecular self-assembly to create
ordered arrangement of organic and inorganic functional materials for photonics,
opto-electronics, nanomedicine, and nanotechnology. Employing the "molecular
engineering" approach to tailor size, shape, sequence, and functionality of
organic/hybrid functional materials and explore their applications.
Electric motors & drives; Power electronics; Electric vehicle
technologies; Electrified aircraft & ship; Power grid systems; Robotics
and AI.
Advanced Nanomaterials, Precision Synthesis, Catalyst Dynamic
Reconstruction, Electrosynthesis, Interfacial Electrocatalysis, Reactor
Engineering
Solar Fuels (semi-artificial photosynthesis, green hydrogen,
photo/bio-catalytic CO2 reduction), Water-Energy Nexus (light-mediated/bio-catalytic
water treatment, wastewater-to-energy technologies, solar desalination), Sustainable
Biogenic Electronics (bio-capacitors, self-powered tactile sensors and e-skins),
Functional Nanofibers (air-filters, e-textiles, and personal thermal
management)
Catalysts for energy storage and conversion, Photovoltaic materials,
Batteries, Catalysts for environmental applications, Electron transfer
reactions, Density functional theory, First-principles (ab initio) molecular
dynamics
Electrocatalysis, Nanomaterials, CO2 Electroreduction,
Chemicals/Fuels Electrosynthesis, Energy Storage and Conversion, Reaction
Engineering
New generation photovoltaic technology, Emerging solid state lighting
technology, Flexible electronics, Smart window technology, Zero energy
building
