Faculty of Engineering has won 11 awards at the 50^th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, including 2 Gold Medals with Congratulations of the Jury, 4 Gold Medals, 2 Silver Medals and 3 Bronze Medals. These achievements demonstrated Faculty members’ effort in pioneering research and innovation. These remarkable results not only showcase our research teams’ pursuit of innovation but also their commitment to transferring knowledge into practical applications.

The International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva is the largest global exhibition devoted exclusively to inventions. All entries are evaluated by an international jury of 135 specialists. This year’s exhibition featured over 1,050 inventions from 38 countries and regions.

Summary of CUHK Engineering award-winning projects:

Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury

1. Battery-free Wireless Keyboard

         Members: Professor Liao Wei-hsin, Dr Li Xin (Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering)

2. Magnet Micro-/Nano-robot for Endovascular Treatment

     Members: Professor Zhang Li, Dr Liu Wai-shing, Dr Jin Dong-dong (Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering); Professor Simon Yu Chun-ho (Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology); Professor Chan Kai-fung (Chow Yuk Ho Technology Centre for Innovative Medicine)

Gold Medal

1. An Intelligent LiDAR with Adaptive Focus

          Members: Professor Xing Guoliang, Huang Xuan, Bian Chen (Department of Information Engineering)

2. An Ultra-wideband Wide-angle Beam-scanning Phased Array Antenna

          Members: Professor Steven Gao, Cheng Hao (Department of Electronic Engineering)

3. Curve Robotics: Flexible Robotic Solutions for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery

          Members: Professor Cheng Shing-shin (Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering)

4. Sonar-based Underwater Human Activity Monitoring System

          Members: Professor Yan Zhenyu, Professor Xing Guoliang, Hou Haozheng, Bowen Zheng, Wu Peiheng (Department of Information Engineering)

Silver Medal

1. EStent – Battery-free Electronic Stent for Electrical Stimulation of Acid Reflux

          Members: Professor Chan Kai-fung, Dr Zhang Chong (Chow Yuk Ho Technology Centre for Innovative Medicine); Professor Zhang Li, Dr Pan Chengfeng (Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering); Professor Philip Chiu Wai-yan, Dr Xia Xianfeng (Department of Surgery); Tian Huaiwen (Department of Biomedical Engineering)

2. Ultrafast Photothermal ddPCR System Based on Plasmonic Fluorosurfactant

          Members: Professor Ho Yi-Ping, Dr Cheng Guangyao (Department of Biomedical Engineering)

Bronze Medal

1. 3D Weaving-based Freeform Sensing Interface

          Members: Professor Yam Yeung (Centre for Perceptual and Interactive Intelligence, Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering); Professor Charlie C.L. Wang, Dr Dai Chengkai, Chen Xiangjia, Lam Chun-ping, Sun Binzhi (Centre for Perceptual and Interactive Intelligence)

2. Batteryless Smart Insole for Gait Monitoring

          Members: Professor Liao Wei-Hsin, Professor Zhao Huan, Dr Li Xin (Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering)

3. No-code AI Platform for Building Reliable, Confidence-scored Chatbots

          Members: Professor Helen Meng (Centre for Perceptual and Interactive Intelligence, Department of Systems Engineering and Engineering Management); Dr Liu Pengfei, Cheng Ka-hei, Charlie Chen, Wong Yu-yi (Centre for Perceptual and Interactive Intelligence)

More details: CUHK wins a record-breaking 34 awards at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva | CUHK Communications and Public Relations Office

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) recently held the topping-out ceremony of the Yard for Environmental Sustainability (YES). This project, located on the main campus near YC Liang Hall, is a collaboration between the Social Responsibility and Sustainability Development Office (SRSDO), the School of Architecture, the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, and the Centre for Robotics in Construction and Architecture (CRCA) at CUHK. The construction of YES utilised the innovative technology CU-Brick, an automated, cable-driven robotic system. This marks the practical application of intelligent construction technology on campus and demonstrates the University’s commitment to building a sustainable campus.

Interdisciplinary collaboration for innovative architecture

Mr Adam Fingrut, Senior Lecturer from the School of Architecture, CU-Brick research partner and the lead designer of YES’s architectural structure, said: “The architectural structure of YES consists of complex, asymmetrical geometry, integrating a streamlined design into CUHK’s hilly campus. This project was specifically designed to work with the CU-Brick system, enabling the team to carry out data-driven construction processes. This project is changing the way that architects work – by rethinking the role of data and computationally driven tools to advance traditional construction techniques and explore new design possibilities for our future environments.”

Professor Darwin Lau Tat-ming, Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering and the developer of CU-Brick, said: “The CUHK team has applied CU-Brick to a local construction project for the first time with YES. Compared to traditional robotic arms, CU-Brick not only enables precise construction of complex structures but also operates effectively outdoors and in variable environments, bringing greater flexibility and efficiency to the construction industry. The team hopes to extend this technology to artistic architecture and complex structural projects, assisting architects in realising more creative designs and preserving diverse architectural craftsmanship.”

YES is expected to open in the second half of this year, providing CUHK students and staff with a shared space that integrates environmental education, recycling, low-carbon leisure, and community interaction, embodying the principles of sustainable development.

Dr. Delin Hu, Postdoctoral Fellow from Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, has received the inaugural JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship for Translation and Application. This fellowship will support his research on AI-assisted optimal design, perception, and control of miniature magnetic robots, with the aim of enhancing the precision and automation of minimally invasive interventions using innovative AI tools.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (“the Trust”) has set up the JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship for Translation and Application (“the Fellowship”) as a strategic initiative to nurture a pool of promising STEM post-doctoral researchers who aspire to translate scientific research into industry application. The Fellowship will provide comprehensive support and unique opportunity to help them develop their research and innovation career, expand their professional network and create social impact. The Research Grants Council (“RGC”) of Hong Kong is a Partner Organisation of this Fellowship. All eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities may nominate up to 10 nominees for the Fellowship in this exercise.

Dr. Delin Hu is the awardee of The Chinese University of Hong Kong for this inaugural cohort of the Fellowship. He joined Professor Zhang Li’s research group as a Postdoctoral Fellow in 2023 after completing his PhD at The University of Edinburgh. His current research interest lies in AI-assisted manipulation of miniature robots for minimally invasive interventions, implantable and flexible sensors for deep tissue monitoring and learning-based perception for soft robots and miniature machines.

More details about JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship for Translation and Application: https://www.jcstem.hk/en

Professor XU Jianbin from Department of Electronic Engineering has been elected Foreign Fellow of European Academy for his distinguished achievements. This election reflects the high recognition of Prof. Xu’s outstanding scientific contributions and international standing. Being elected as the Fellow, Prof. Xu has not only exceled in his scientific domains, but also contributed meaningfully to the global scientific dialogue, as his career exemplifies.

Professor XU Jianbin, Choh-Ming Li Chair Professor of Electronic Engineering, FIEEE, FHKIE, Associate Dean of Engineering (Mainland Affairs), and Director of Materials Science and Technology Research Center, has played a pivotal role in nanotechnology and electronics. His research interests include nanoscience and nanotechnology for electron devices and micro/nanoelectronics, namely 2D materials and devices; scanning probe techniques for electronics; advanced energy science and technology; interface engineering for materials and devices; physics and technology of organic semiconductors; functional and electronic oxides, etc. 

Prof. Xu has published c.a. 600 technical papers in peer-reviewed professional journals and conferences, with c.a. 28500 SCI peer citations, and 33000 Google Scholar citations. Meanwhile, he has secured more than 50 competitive research grants. He also actively participates in a myriad of professional activities and has served as symposium chair in several international conferences. He is a Fellow of IEEE and Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, and Member of American Physical Society. He is a recipient of Joint Research Fund for Overseas Chinese, Hong Kong and Macau Scholars (formerly Distinguished Young Scholar Fund for Overseas Chinese), awarded by NSFC, a nationally prestigious fund; the Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Science and Technology) in the category of Natural Sciences (2nd Class), Ministry of Education, China; Research Excellence Award by The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Vice-Chancellor's Outstanding Fellow of Faculty of Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Also he was Chang Jiang Scholar Chair Professor by Ministry of Education, China.

About the European Academy of Sciences

European Academy of Sciences (EurASc) is an independent, merit-based academy that unites Europe’s most accomplished scientists, engineers, and scholars across disciplines. EurASc’s mission is to promote excellence in science and technology, to advocate for evidence-based policymaking, and to strengthen transnational scientific cooperation.