ADDING TO NUMBER THEORY
Prof Xuhua He (Mathematics) applied his algebra and
number theory research on the properties of elements
in Weyl groups to answer important open problems
related to the dimensions of geometrical objects
known as Deligne-Lusztig varieties. Prof He’s paper was
published in Annals of Mathematics. Prof He’s research
also brought him the Morningside Gold Medal.
UNDERSTANDING PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Research led by Prof Xuhui Huang and Prof Yijing Yan
(Chemistry) has helped solve a long-standing question
on fundamental mechanisms of photosynthesis. In
photosynthesis, sunlight is used to extract electrons
from water to produce oxygen. The reaction occurs
in the photosystem II protein. This contains pigments
distributed symmetrically in two branches. However,
only one branch is involved in producing oxygen. By
applying molecular dynamics and quantum mechanics
calculations, HKUST researchers discovered that the
dynamic and asymmetric protein environment makes
one specific chlorophyll, CLA606, in the active chain
significantly easier to be excited by sunlight energy,
leading to electron transfer along the active chain.
The work provides insight for the design of artificial
photosynthetic systems that could serve as alternative
energy devices.
EASING RUSH HOUR
Dr Chi Ho Yeung and Prof Michael Wong (Physics),
in collaboration with Aston Universit y, United
Kingdom, derived a novel approach for coordinating
optimal routes for individual passengers. Logistics,
air traffic, and communication networks, such as the
internet, may also benefit. The new method aims
to coordinate individual routes to avoid congestion
in peak hours and to optimize the use of resources
in of f-peak hours. Findings were published in
the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of
the United States of America (PNAS), and highlighted
in Nature Physics, PNAS science blog, and the science
news website Phys.org.
FUELING THE FUTURE
Prof Tianshou Zhao (Mechanical and Aerospace
Engineering) and his team’s work on Direct Alcohol
Fuel Cells have focused on their research entitled
“Characteristics of Coupled Multiphase Heat and
Mass Transfer and Electrochemical Reactions in Fuel
Cells” in the physical and chemical processes of fuel
cells, successfully revealed the underlying mechanism
of coupled heat/mass transfer and electrochemical
kinetics in fuel cells, and established a new theoretical
framework. The use of this theoretical framework
enables the performances of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
and Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells to be six and four times
higher than the previous ones, respectively.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY BOOST
Prof Kei May Lau (Electronic and Computer Engineering)
and her research team have developed a novel “match-
making” technology to deposit next-generation high-
speed energy-efficient transistors on silicon using high-
mobility compound semiconductor materials. These
devices seek to reduce power consumption by as much
as 10 times and increase switching speed five-fold.
The team received the JSAP Outstanding Paper Award
by The Japan Society of Applied Physics, the only
research team in Hong Kong and Mainland China to
receive this award in its history since 1979.
21
HKUST 2013-2014 Annual Report
