HKUST 2008-2009 Annual Report
47
研究
Research and Development
Boeing Wireless System Project Seeks to
Raise Maintenance Efficiency
Prof Gary Chan, Computer Science and Engineering,
and his team of researchers are working on a cutting-
edge wireless system project for US aircraft manufacturer
Boeing. The aim of the research, known as Lean Aviation
Network or LAviNet, is to develop a system to enhance
the efficiency of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul.
Through the use of wireless-enabled hand-held devices,
LAviNet will help on-site maintenance crews to obtain
worksheets, look up maintenance procedures, order spare
parts, renew work cards, update log books and other
essential tasks.
HKUST is the first and only university in Hong Kong
chosen to develop two wireless communication projects
for Boeing’s commercial planes. The research team was
led by Prof Lionel Ni and Prof Qian Zhang, both from
Computer Science and Engineering.
Commercialization and Business
Development
HKUST is striving to make a contribution to economic
development in Hong Kong and the region by human
resource development, technology diffusion and transfer
processes, intellectual property protection and licensing,
and the incubation of start-up companies.
Human resources are considered the most effective means
of technology diffusion. Most of the 1,416 master’s and
147 doctoral graduates from HKUST in 2008 moved into
the private and public sectors, taking with them in-depth
knowledge of their discipline, know-how and an ability to
be creative and innovative.
Highlights of partnerships with industry:
•
HKUST has been allocated $503.2 million in Innovation
and Technology Fund (ITF) funding over the 10-year
period 1999-2009 (i.e. since the beginning of the
ITF program) — more than any other institution in
Hong Kong.
•
Over this same period, HKUST has received $475.4
million in industrial funding for contract research and
collaborative R&D.
•
The University’s Technology Transfer Center (TTC) and
HKUST R and D Corporation Ltd (RDC) collaborate
to establish university-industry collaboration,
R&D partnerships, the protection and licensing of
intellectual property and assisting spin-off companies.
•
The Huawei-HKUST Innovation Laboratory was
set up to explore cutting-edge telecommunication
technologies. An opening ceremony was held on
16 April 2009 to mark the official launch of the
laboratory. Funded by Huawei, this lab will support
mid-to-short term as well as long-term research and
development projects starting in the area of wireless
communications and networks and eventually moving
into new areas in engineering and beyond.
•
Prof Ravindra Goonetilleke, Department of Industrial
Engineering and Logistics Management, has started a
project with Motorola Inc. USA on the “Usability and
Comfort Testing of the WT 4090 Terminal and RS 409
Ring Scanner”.
•
Prof Jeff Hong, Department of Industrial Engineering
and Logistics Management, has worked on a project
“Scheduling and Operations Enhancement” with ENW
Electronics Limited.
•
Prof Xiangtong Qi, Department of Industrial
Engineering and Logistics Management, has been
working with the Hongkong International Terminals
(HIT) on the development of a simulation package for
a comprehensive study of the performance of different
operations in an automatic container yard.
•
Prof Qi has also been collaborating with ANJI-TNT
on identifying and solving the logistics scheduling
problem.
In 2008-09:
•
TTC evaluated 45 invention disclosures from HKUST
researchers.
•
TTC arranged for the filing of 135 patent applications
worldwide, including full and provisional applications
with the US Patent Office and Trademark Office.
•
HKUST received notification of the granting of 27 patents.
•
RDC signed 139 R&D contracts with industrial and
public sector clients, worth more than $55 million.
•
RDC licensed 14 patents, 1 assignment and 2 software.
•
RDC continued to incubate 10 start-up companies
based on expertise and technology developed at HKUST.
