Innovation

Bicycle sharing has become a green travel option for city dwellers in recent years. However, the initial launch of the service in Hong Kong was met with controversies, such as road obstruction and random parking. Locobike is currently the only bike-sharing brand in Hong Kong, and its success is attributed to the team’s focus on proper fleet management. Through the use of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), Locobike can accurately locate its bikes and provide the team with real-time instructions on how to deploy and maintain them. This strikes a balance between social responsibility and the public’s need for mobility and helps society reduce carbon emissions in the long term.

The 2024 Pujiang Innovation Forum, organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, was successfully held in Hong Kong on 27 April 2024. During the Forum, City University of Hong Kong (CityU) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) signed a strategic cooperation agreement, announcing their plans to support the development of start-ups of both institutions in Hong Kong and Shanghai. This will be achieved through the provision of space and incubation, as well as developmental and promotional support in the Mainland for start-ups incubated by CityU’s HK Tech 300 programme. The agreement also covers active exchange and collaboration with the Academy of Innovation at CityU and enhancing the effectiveness of scientific research results transformation at both universities.

ITEX 2024 Sets the Stage for Innovation and Investment

Chemical and heat treatment of sewage sludge can recover phosphorus in a process that could help address the problem of diminishing supplies of phosphorus ores.

Academic, clinical and industry partners signed several MoUs with City University of Hong Kong at a special ceremony on 24 April to mark the establishment of the CityUHK Institute of Digital Medicine (IDM).

Algae, a kind of organism commonly found on the water surface, is a highly efficient carbon absorbent, which can capture more carbon dioxide (CO2) than trees. Alcarbo Technologies Limited (Alcarbo) is a biotechnology company incubated by the Seed Fund and Angel Fund of City University of Hong Kong (CityU)’s HK Tech 300. It cultivates microalgae using genetic mutation technology and uses its self-developed “photobioreactor system” (PBRs) and nanobubble technology to enhance the carbon capture capacity of microalgae. This allows microalgae to capture about 68 times the amount of CO2 of an equivalent area of ​​forest, making them “Super Carbon Capture” species.

Cellulose, abundantly available from plant biomass, can be converted into molecules used to make a new class of recyclable polymers, to sustainably replace some plastics.

The 12th Starch Value Chain ASIA conference was held in Vientiane, at Crowne Plaza Hotel, from February 27 to 29, 2024. The conference encompassed four key themes: Asia’s starch markets, industrial and food-grade tapioca starch in Laos with expansion plans, sustainable climate-smart agri-technology for rice and cassava cultivation, and challenges for future growth in Asia's biogas-to-energy sector.

The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) entrepreneurs swept the board at the Hong Kong Techathon+ in January 2024, winning gold, silver and bronze medals in the Digital Economy (Open Group) category.

An international multidisciplinary team of researchers from Singapore, India, Malaysia and Indonesia are breaking boundaries in 3D Printing. They have developed Coir Fiber Polymer Composites with enhanced strength, presenting a new and sustainable way for applications in food and medical packaging.

Molecules that are induced by light to rotate bulky groups around central bonds could be developed into photo-activated bioactive systems, molecular switches, and more.

Fibre-reinforced composites, prone to internal damage, benefit from fibre hybridisation. Using ductile fibre glass mesh (FGM) in ramie/FGM composites, this study shows improved damage resistance, load-bearing, and deformation capacity.

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are a biosensor to detect meat freshness, a cute and spooky sea creature, and how even shorter amounts of exercise can lead to benefits.

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) shone once again in the 2023 rankings of the top 100 universities granted US utility patents, according to the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). CityU was ranked 43rd in the world and for the 8th consecutive year, was ranked first among local institutions.

Metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N-C) single-atom catalysts are a promising type of catalyst that could help provide cost-effective alternatives to platinum-based ones. However, there are still some aspects of their behavior that are misunderstood. To rectify this, a group of researchers delved into the intricacies of M-N-C catalysts, yielding promising results.

At Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, four researchers in diverse fields of study – from urban planning to digital architecture – are working hard to reach sustainability goals.

Standing at the forefront of technological evolution, the Malaysia Technology Expo (MTE) 2024, taking place from 22-24 February at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, stands out as a crucial hub for innovation, inspiration, and intellect. We extend a warm invitation to everyone, from tech enthusiasts to industry experts, to join this impressive showcase of technological wonders and pioneering breakthroughs.

Two start-ups from City University of Hong Kong (CityU) have been honoured at the “2023 Deloitte Hong Kong Technology Fast and Rising Star” awards. The awards aim to identify and recognise fast-growing and innovative local companies that promote the development of innovation and technology ecosystems in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and beyond. One of the the CityU start-ups was recognised for its innovative liquid biopsy technology for accurate cancer diagnosis and disease monitoring, and for its high revenue growth rate. The other start-up was recognised for its expertise in electricity-free cooling technology, which is helping to facilitate the global transition to carbon neutrality.

Carbon nanostructures could become easier to design and synthesize thanks to a machine learning method that predicts how they grow on metal surfaces. The new approach, developed by researchers at Japan’s Tohoku University and China’s Shanghai Jiao Tong University, will make it easier to exploit the unique chemical versatility of carbon nanotechnology.

Researchers from Thailand have pioneered the conversion of waste HDPE milk bottles into high-stiffness composites, utilizing PALF reinforcement for a 162% increase in flexural strength and 204% in modulus. This eco-friendly upcycling boosts mechanical properties while sequestering carbon, presenting a promising path for sustainable materials.

This week sees the launch of the first published content in Sustainable Microbiology, the new open access journal which will apply microbiology to sustainability. The journal is published by Applied Microbiology International.

Temperature-controlled, reversible shifting of molecular gear motion in a solid crystal opens new possibilities for material design.

Researchers at Tohoku University have developed guidelines for a single-nanometer magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), allowing for performance tailoring to meet the requirements of diverse applications, ranging from AI/IoT to automobiles and space technologies.

Non-Heisenberg-type approximant crystals have many interesting properties and are intriguing for researchers of condensed matter physics. However, their magnetic phase diagrams, which are crucial for realizing their potential, remain completely unknown. Now, for the first time, a team of researchers has constructed the magnetic phase diagram of a non-Heisenberg Tsai-type 1/1 gold-gallium-terbium approximant crystal. This development marks a significant step forward for quasicrystal research and for the realization of magnetic refrigerators and spintronic devices.

Research by Assistant Professor Edison Ang Huixiang and his team from National Institute of Education/Nanyang Technological University Singapore

Unleashing stem cells from dog urine, Electronic Tongue, Tapping into human motion energy, How neurons network, and A radical use for plastic bags. Plus Communicating science two decades on. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

Transmitting an effect known as a domino reaction using redox chemistry has been achieved for the first time.

Researchers employ common plastics to kickstart radical chain reactions, creating a way to reuse plastic waste while improving process safety and efficiency.

A new study have compared the reinforcing efficiency of pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) and cultivated flax fiber in poly(butylene succinate) composites. PALF, a less explored but potentially sustainable alternative, outperformed flax at 20 wt.%, showcasing its potential in high-performance bio-composites and aligning with environmental goals.