CUHK-incubated start-up wins international energy competition and establishes strategic partnership with Towngas

Date:

2022-08-15

Thumbnail:

Body:

Luquos Energy, a start-up incubated by The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), won the Bronze Award in the TERA-Award Smart Energy Innovation Competition organised by the Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) and State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC). Out of 208 projects from 23 countries and regions, Luquos Energy’s “Safe and Low-cost Flow Battery” won third place, receiving the Bronze Award and US$50,000. Luquos Energy has received strategic investment of tens of millions of Hong Kong dollars from Towngas.

Luquos Energy is incubated by CUHK’s Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU) and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (HKSTP). The company focuses on innovation in battery technology as well as providing safe, low-cost, environmentally friendly energy-storage systems. The team is led by CUHK Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering Professor Lu Yi-chun.

In the competition, Luquos Energy presented an advanced battery technology for safe, low-cost, long-life-cycle energy-storage systems. The battery uses earth-abundant elements and aqueous electrolytes to store electricity, offering safety, significantly lower costs and a longer lifespan compared to the commonly used lithium-ion batteries. With the innovative ion-selective membrane invented by the team, the battery can potentially last for 15 years. Such technology can be used in renewable energy projects and electric vehicle solar charging stations, providing an uninterruptible power supply and various off-grid applications.

CUHK Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering’s professor and Luquos Energy’s Chairperson Professor Lu Yi-chun, pointed out that the demand for grid energy storage will increase simultaneously with the growth of renewable energy. Application of lithium-ion batteries in this field is limited by resources, cost, flaming risk and difficulty of recycling. Luquos Energy focuses on the core technology in flow batteries—the ion-exchange membrane—which is critical to economical, safe, eco-friendly energy-storage systems. The team will demonstrate the efficiency and reliability of the new battery technology, accelerate the commercialisation of the product, and contribute to the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.

At the video ceremony, Towngas’s Chief Investment Officer Mr Chan Ying-lung said that the company is highly supportive of Luquos Energy. As one of the largest companies in Hong Kong, with 160 years of history, Towngas aims to continuously contribute to technological innovation in Hong Kong. In the near future, it plans to demonstrate a Luquos Energy prototype in one of its zero-carbon smart industrial parks, which will help to expedite the commercialisation and promotion of the new technology.

Mr Peter Wong, Towngas Managing Director (right) presents the Award to Prof. Lu Yi-chun, Chairperson of the Board of Luquos Energy.

Mr Alan Chan, Towngas Chief Investment Officer (right) and Prof. Lu Yi-chun, Chairperson of the Board of Luquos Energy, sign the investment contract.

Filter: Dept:

Faculty

MAE

Media Release

Name:

AMINZADEH GOHARI, Amin

Title ( post ):

Vice-Chancellor Associate Professor

Department:

Information Engineering

email:

agohari [at] ie.cuhk.edu.hk

phone:

3943-4326

website:

https://www.ie.cuhk.edu.hk/people/gohari.shtml

Avatar:

Class:

faculty_member

glossary_index:

Physics Placement Test

Date: 19th August 2022 (Friday)

Time: 4:30 pm-5:30 pm (Hong Kong Time)

Purpose of the test

New entrants admitted without HKDSE results (regardless of admission channel and programme of admission) are required to sit for the placement test. Based on the results of the placement test, students will be assigned to either PHYS1003 or PHYS1110.

Test format

1. The time allowed is 60 minutes.

2. This will be a closed-book online test.

3. Zoom link will be provided through email.

Important Notes

Students attending the placement test will be pre-assigned to PHYS1110F as an interim arrangement.

Instructions

Requirements

A computer (with camera) and stable internet connection

Notes:

1. You can use a portable calculator during the test.

2. You can only use the computer to view the question paper during the test. All other applications of the computer are strictly forbidden.

Prior preparation

1. Students should prepare their own answer papers, A4 size without any background design (other than faint lines if ruled paper is used).

2. Please write full name and Student ID number (if known) at the top of the ﬁrst page, ahead of time.

3. Sign in to ZOOM on your computer 15 minutes before the start of the placement test.

4. The test paper will be distributed via ZOOM at 4:25pm.

ZOOM log-in identity

5. Your login name to ZOOM should be the same as your full name (e.g., John SMITH)

During the test

6. You should make reasonable effort to ensure that invigilators can see you during the entire test.

7. If you need to go to washroom, please seek permission on ZOOM.

8. You must stay until the end of the test as the invigilators will check your submitted answer script.

Finishing the test

9. Invigilators will announce the end of the test. You must stop writing immediately when the announcement is made.

10. Immediately use a document scanning app such as CamScanner or Genius Scan to scan ALL the answer pages. Then upload a single pdf file to a designated website (the link to the website will be sent to you after the test). You should complete this within 15 minutes.

Announcement of placement test results and physics class assignment

Based on the results of the placement test, you will be assigned to a physics course. A notification email will be sent to your CUHK O365 email account by 31st August 2022.

Venue

ZOOM: Information will be provided by email

Date:

Friday, August 19, 2022

Time

Friday, August 19, 2022 to 17:30

e_title:

Physics Placement Test

Allow Regsiter:

CUHK Engineering FinTech Applied Research Academy and Deloitte China sign MOU to strengthen next generation of financial technologists

Date:

2022-08-04

Thumbnail:

Body:

To step up efforts to cultivate financial technology (FinTech) talent and strengthen the University’s links with corporations, The Chinese University of Hong Kong’s (CUHK) Engineering FinTech Applied Research Academy (CEFAR) and Deloitte China (Deloitte) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today (4 August), offering training opportunities to skilled FinTech students.

The MOU marks a collaboration between the academic and business sectors to foster the development of thought leadership and nurture future generations of business people. Under the MOU, Deloitte offers internship and talent programmes that give CUHK FinTech students the chance to gain first-hand experience of business and industry knowledge. In addition, students will get to learn the latest industry trends from Deloitte mentors passing on their knowledge.

At the MOU signing ceremony, CUHK Faculty of Engineering’s Acting Dean Professor Tsang Hon-ki remarked, “It is our honour to work with Deloitte to cultivate future FinTech leaders in the financial sector. Since its inception in 2020, CEFAR has successfully undertaken many applied research projects and provided internship opportunities for our students. Through their participation in the projects and internships, students are able to solve real-life problems by applying the knowledge and skills they have learnt in class. CEFAR collaborates closely with the banking industry and financial regulatory bodies. The collaboration with Deloitte marks a further milestone for CEFAR, allowing us to strengthen another connection with an international conglomerate in our professional service network, and elevating our efforts to develop a larger pool of FinTech talents to meet the needs of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.”

Deloitte China’s Southern Region Managing Partner Mr Edward Au commented, “Talent is one Hong Kong’s most important assets in securing and strengthening our lead in financial services in Asia and the world. We are delighted to step up our collaboration with CUHK. Its Faculty of Engineering launched the first FinTech undergraduate programme in Hong Kong and it is recognised as a leader in FinTech education and research. As part of Deloitte’s INspire HK strategy, this partnership demonstrates our deep commitment to cultivating Hong Kong’s future FinTech talents. We look forward to supporting more academic-business exchanges and collaborations.”

Deloitte China’s Government Affairs Southern Region Leader and Hong Kong Digital Assets Leader Mr Robert Lui added, “In view of the rising demand for FinTech professionals in our day-to-day business, it is necessary to equip our young talent with a wide range of skills and knowledge, from technology to business, and from strategy to regulations. Closer, cross-disciplinary collaborations within the FinTech ecosystem play a significant role in enhancing our talent pool to support the fast-growing industry.”

Deloitte China’s Southern Region Managing Partner Mr Edward Au (left) and CUHK Faculty of Engineering’s Acting Dean Professor Tsang Hon-ki sign a collaboration agreement.

(From left) Deloitte China’s Government Affairs Southern Region Leader and Hong Kong Digital Assets Leader Mr Robert Lui; Deloitte China’s Southern Region Managing Partner Mr Edward Au; CUHK Faculty of Engineering’s Acting Dean Professor Tsang Hon-ki and CUHK’s CEFAR Academy Prof. Chan Chun-kwong.

Filter: Dept:

Faculty

Media Release

BME Student Wins Gold Award at ASM Technology Competition 2022

Date:

2022-08-04

Thumbnail:

Body:

TSANG Chung Yin Justin, a final year undergraduate student from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, has won a Gold Award from the ASM Technology competition 2022 with the project titled “Colloidal Copper-doped ZIF-8 as a Potential Treatment for Atherosclerosis”. The ASM Technology Award promotes technological innovation in Hong Kong and recognises students for their accomplishments in technology. The winning project is supervised by Prof. Sebastian Beyer. It demonstrates a colloidal biocatalyst, copper-doped Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework 8 (ZIF-8), that can convert blood borne s-nitrosothiols into nitric oxide, which can be used as a targeted and sustained colloidal drug carrier for acidic atherosclerotic plaques. Justin received a scholarship award of $30,000 with Certificate of Merit from ASMPT Limited.

Filter: Dept:

Faculty

BME

Name:

FU Chi Wing Philip

Title ( post ):

Associate Dean

Department:

CSE

email:

cwfu [@] cse.cuhk.edu.hk

phone:

3943 8416

website:

https://www.cse.cuhk.edu.hk/people/faculty/fu-chi-wing/

Avatar:

Class:

deanery

Subtitle ( post ):

Student Affairs

CUHK Engineering team claims victory at the Robocon Hong Kong Contest for the second year in a row

Date:

2022-07-18

Thumbnail:

Body:

The Engineering team of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)’s Faculty of Engineering has claimed victory at the Robocon Hong Kong Contest for the second year in a row. The team will attempt to win glory representing Hong Kong at the Asia-Pacific Robocon Contest, after its success in the competition in 2019.

Held on 26 June at the Hong Kong Science Park, the 2022 Hong Kong competition featured 14 student teams from eight higher educational institutions. CUHK’s team Golden Striker clinched the Championship and Best Team Spirit Award, while another CUHK team Power Builder finished in fourth place.

The theme of this year's contest, Lagori, was inspired by a traditional game widely played in South India. Each team is required to design two robots that compete with the opposing team. One robot aims to knock over a Lagori Tower made of Lagori Discs (coloured sponge blocks) by throwing soft balls at them, while the other robot tries to rebuild the tower after it has collapsed. The defensive robots (the opponent) can throw balls at the attacking side to interrupt them. The final score is calculated based on the number of Lagori Discs knocked down and piled up within 90 seconds, with the team with the highest score winning.

Golden Striker’s road to success was far from easy. In 10 internal practice matches, the team was defeated nine times. “At that time, it was only a week before the contest. We could have been fighting a losing battle,” says Billy Yip, team coach of CUHK robotics team.

Repeated failures drove the team to go to great lengths. After evaluating the matches and learning from their mistakes, team members racked their brains to think of ground-breaking ideas. “We came up with a creative approach to keeping the robots away from the effective range at which the opponents’ robot could interrupt our attack. It was a reliable strategy and the key to victory,” says team leader Kwok Lam Him. “I am thankful for the hard work of my diligent teammates. All this would not have been possible without skilled techniques, talented minds and, most importantly, team spirit.”

Billy also highlighted that the team had invented and applied advanced robotics technologies. “We adopted a brand new 360-degree rotation wheel system for the robots, offering higher maneuverability and movement speed. It is the product of two years of independent research, refinement and repeated testing by current and former teammates. They also invented an AI ball detection system to track movement of balls by the opponent.”

As in previous years, the members of the CUHK robotics team come from a variety of academic backgrounds, including four medical students and a physics student. The interdisciplinary exchange of ideas, substantial experience in this robotics competition (four championships within the past seven years: in 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2022) and advice from Engineering professors, all helped to improve the CUHK robotics team’s performance.

The Robocon Hong Kong Contest is an annual flagship event organised by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, which aims to nurture local talents and take the city’s innovative technologies to the international stage. Golden Striker will go on to represent Hong Kong at The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Asia-Pacific Robot Contest, to be hosted in New Delhi and held online this August.