News & Stories

Photovoltaic (PV) technologies, which convert light into electricity, are increasingly applied worldwide to generate renewable energy. Researchers at the School of Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed a molecular treatment that significantly enhances the efficiency and durability of perovskite solar cells. Their breakthrough will potentially accelerate the large-scale production of this clean energy. A key to the solution was their successful identification of critical parameters that determine the performance and lifespan of halide perovskites, a next-generation photovoltaic material which has emerged as one of the most promising materials in PV devices for its unique crystal structure. The findings have been published in Science.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), The University of Hong Kong (HKU), and the National University of Singapore (NUS) have received a total of HK$50 million donation from GS Charity Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Glorious Sun Group.  This contribution is intended to support academic research and talent cultivation in pure mathematics over the next five years.   Acknowledging the pivotal role and boundless potential of fundamental mathematics in driving technological innovation, the donation from GS Charity Foundation seeks to empower these top universities to spearhead initiatives in nurturing talent, fostering academic exchange and promotion international collaboration. 

The saying that “Happy classes make happy students” is not taken lightly by Prof. Kenneth LEUNG Wai-Ting, Assistant Professor of Engineering Education at HKUST’s School of Engineering. A three-time recipient of the Common Core Teaching Excellence Award, Prof. Leung is a believer in the transformative power of education that engages learners.

Six faculty members from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) were awarded a total of over HK$37 million fellowship grants for their distinguished research capabilities by the Research Grants Council (RGC) today under the Council’s Research Fellow Scheme (RFS) and Senior Research Fellow Scheme (SRFS) for the year 2024/25.  This remarkable achievement not only sets a new record for the University but also surpasses all local universities in both the number of awardees and grant amounts.  The six HKUST faculty members recognized by the RGC span a diverse range of disciplines. Among them, the two Senior Research Fellows, Prof. CHEN Jing Kevin from the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, and Prof. ZHANG Qian from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, were acknowledged for their research on wide-bandgap semiconductors and contactless sensing frameworks for healthcare, respectively. 

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) recently signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement in Beijing to foster collaboration on talent exchange and research.  The agreement was signed by HKUST President Prof. Nancy IP and PUMCH President Prof. ZHANG Shuyang, and witnessed by HKUST Associate Provost (Mainland Affairs) Prof. Penger TONG, Acting Head of Division of Integrative Systems and Design Prof. ZHANG Qian, PUMCH Secretary of the Party Committee Prof. WU Peixin, as well as PUMCH Vice President Prof. HAN Ding, among others. 

An international cross-disciplinary research team led by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has revealed critical insights into how strategic emission cap choices can lead to cost-effective, near-100% ammonia industry decarbonization while avoiding issues such as land use constraints and grid congestion. This groundbreaking study is the first to identify cost-optimal characteristics for ammonia production plants and emission reduction targets.

(Originally written and published by Times Higher Education) The era of smart cities requires practical innovations at scale to maximise the quality of living and create a sustainable model for 21st-century urbanisation Urbanisation is one of the trends shaping Asia in the 21st century. The United Nations forecasts that Asia’s urban population will grow by 50 per cent by 2050. This requires 21st-century responses from policymakers, industry and higher education to manage this growth and create liveable, sustainable cities for its populations. 

(Originally written and published by Times Higher Education) During the 2024 THE Global Sustainable Development Congress, experts discussed a holistic approach to climate change early-warning systems The record heatwave taking place in Thailand has already killed more than 60 people since the start of 2024. The climate emergency in the country, and elsewhere, is increasingly severe and pressing. During a recent discussion at the 2024 THE Global Sustainable Development Congress in Bangkok, representatives from international organisations, academia and community-based social support groups came together to examine the creation of early-warning systems to alleviate climate and health crises.