News & Stories

Researchers at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have discovered that in perovskite solar cells, conventional passivation strategies mainly act on the film surface and struggle to reach buried interfaces, much like a superficial “external dressing” that cannot repair deep microstructural defects formed during film growth. In particular, the rapid evaporation of solvents during film formation inevitably leads to voids and nanoscale grain-boundary grooves at the bottom interface of perovskite films. These long-overlooked defects severely hinder charge transport and trigger interfacial failure during device scaling and operation, becoming a critical bottleneck for efficiency, stability, and large-area manufacturing.

A cross-disciplinary team led by Prof. QU Jianan, Professor from the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering and Prof. Julie L. SEMMELHACK, Visiting Assistant Professor from the Division of Life Science at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has developed a powerful laser control technique. Functioning as a “smart dimmer”, it can selectively adjust the brightness of every pixel during laser scanning, and prevent unintended neural activation, thereby significantly enhancing the precision of all-optical brain manipulation and imaging. This innovation will drive research into brain disease mechanisms and facilitate small animal disease models for new drug development.

A research team led by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has developed a pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) pathology analysis system that can accurately recognize multiple types of cancer using only a minimal number of samples—without requiring any additional training. This breakthrough significantly enhances the flexibility and efficiency of AI-assisted medical care, marking a major step forward toward the widespread adoption of intelligent pathology.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has once again achieved strong results under the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One‑Plus (RAISe+) Scheme launched by the Innovation and Technology Commission. In the third round of funding, seven HKUST research projects have been recommended for funding, accounting for nearly one-third of all approved projects in this round. Together with the first two rounds, HKUST has now secured a total of 19 funded projects, the highest number among local universities, underscoring its leading role in translating research outcomes into real-world applications and in advancing industry-academia-research collaboration.

A research team led by Prof. Yoonseob KIM, Associate Professor of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has reported a significant breakthrough in lithium metal battery (LMB) technology. The team has successfully synthesized a novel single-crystalline 3D borate covalent organic framework (B-COF), which demonstrates exceptional performance as a solid-state electrolyte, thereby enhancing the performance of solid-state lithium batteries. This advancement promises safer and higher energy density solutions for electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage. The research paper, titled “Single-Crystalline Borate Covalent Organic Frameworks for Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries,” has been published in the prestigious journal Advanced Science.

The Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center (HKGAI), a joint-university collaborative venture, led by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) with multiple universities, showcasing seven of its self-developed AI applications at the "InnoEX 2026". The public is cordially invited to act as "AI Test Officers" to experience practical features tailored to the daily needs of Hong Kong citizens, fully supporting the HKSAR Government's "AI+" and "AI training for All" strategies. 

A research team at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has achieved a major scientific breakthrough by developing the first artificial cilia system capable of replicating the fast, complex, three-dimensional motion of natural cilia found throughout the human body. The study, recently published in Nature titled “3D-printed low-voltage-driven ciliary hydrogel microactuators”, marks a significant advance in soft robotic materials and bio‑inspired micro‑engineering.Cilia—microscopic hair-like structures—play vital roles in clearing mucus from the lungs, circulating cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, and supporting reproductive processes. For decades, scientists have sought to recreate their sophisticated mechanics, but achieving realistic motion in engineered systems has remained a persistent challenge.

An international interdisciplinary research team led by Prof. Richard GU Hongri, Assistant Professor of the Division of Integrative Systems and Design at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), has made a groundbreaking discovery that challenges a centuries-old understanding of friction. For over 300 years, scientists have adhered to Amontons’ law, which posits that friction increases monotonically with the load pressing two surfaces together. However, this new study reveals that friction can manifest even without physical contact, opening avenues for the development of wear-free technologies and reshaping our comprehension of this fundamental rule that governs everyday activities from walking to braking a car.