News & Stories

In a significant advancement for boosting renewable energy generation development, the School of Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has taken the lead in breaking through studies of the nanoscale properties of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). This initiative has resulted in the development of more efficient and durable cells, poised to substantially diminish costs and broaden applications, thereby connecting scientific research with the needs of the business community.

Researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have designed an innovative iron-based cathode material to achieve record performance for protonic ceramic fuel cells, marking a significant step forward in the development and commercialization of this promising renewable energy technology.

Liquid Crystals (LC) are widely deployed in display technology and optical fibres. From smartphones in your pockets to large screen TVs, LCs are everywhere, as this special state of matter has been found in colorful soap bubbles as well as certain living tissues.

The Importance of Sustainable Polymer Materials Polymers are a fundamental component of modern life, used in a wide range of applications from packaging and textiles to medical devices and construction materials. The importance of polymers cannot be overstated, as they provide numerous benefits such as durability, flexibility, and resistance to chemicals and heat. However, the plastics industry has faced growing criticism in recent years due to its significant contribution to environmental pollution and waste management issues. As a result, there is an increasing emphasis on sustainability in the plastics industry, driven by evolving stakeholder expectations and environmental awareness. This shift towards sustainability is crucial for the long-term viability of the plastics industry, as it requires the development of innovative and eco-friendly strongest polymer materials that minimize environmental impact while maintaining performance and functionality.

Glass is a sound-proof material, but researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have discovered a way which allows sound transmission for glass, opening a new horizon for the potential development of smart phones and other electronic devices that can function under water, while also offering greater flexibility to building design.

The research team of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has recently made important progress in the field of new materials. Combining the characteristics of two-dimensional materials and topological materials, the team has for the first time discovered a universal generation mechanism of new materials with "type-II" Dirac cones. Many extraordinary properties of the material are realized in experiments, which addressed the key issue that the material could only be obtained sporadically under stringent limits. This mechanism can guide the preparation of new two-dimensional materials that have specific directional responses to external signals such as electric fields, magnetic fields, light waves, sound waves, etc., and will provide valuable applications for modern electronic communications, quantum computing, optical communications, and even sound insulation and noise reduction materials. 

Complex topological matter (peculiar materials with different bulk and surface properties) has become the focus of both industrial and academic research because it is seen as a way to eventually make quantum computing more noise-free and robust. Today’s physical quantum computers are still noisy, and the protection of fragile quantum information against noises is a growing field of research. The goal of fault-tolerant quantum computing is to maintain its functionality in the presence of noise, which has driven investment into complex topological matter.