SAVING WATER
The UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education formed
a partnership with HKUST under an international
consortium to undertake a three-year water-saving
project in Cuba. This includes the adaptation of
HKUST’s innovative SANI urban water management
system, developed by Prof Guanghao Chen (Civil and
Environmental Engineering) and his collaborators, the
conversion of part of a tourist resort near Havana to
seawater toilet flushing, and reuse of wastewater for
onsite irrigation, to serve as a showcase for other cities
in Cuba. The project is funded by the European Union
and UNESCO-IHE.
CLEANING UP
A team led by Prof King Lun Yeung (Chemical and
Biomolecular Engineering and Division of Environment)
and Prof Joseph Kwan (Health, Safety and Environment
Office and Division of Environment) have invented a
mini pulsed electric field device which could reduce
more than 90% of bacteria in running tap water in
a few seconds. The technology offers a possible way
to control water-borne diseases caused by microbial
contamination of water.
3D MAPPING TECHNOLOGY
Prof Long Quan (Computer Science and Engineering)
and his team have developed a useful mapping
technology, utilizing an algorithm which can map the
views of buildings and landmarks according to the
images obtained. The current mapping technology of
Google uses manual interactive methods which may not
be accurate. The missing parts are manually filled which
may not be accurate. The HKUST breakthrough replaces
manual input involved in current 3D mapping technology,
enhancing the accuracy of images. The University is
collaborating with Google, ST Engineering (Singapore),
TOPRS (China), Thales Group to build up 3D maps.
MATERIAL ADVANCE
A research team led by Prof Yui Bun Chan (Civil and
Environmental Engineering), with support from global
aluminum producer UC RUSAL, has discovered a new
aluminum composite. The new material, fiber reinforced
aluminum, is stronger than existing aluminum, less
expensive and lighter than steel. It can also be used
with insulation panels designed to produce a safer
and more energy-efficient building envelope system.
The project is now undergoing its final phase and is
expected to complete in 2015.
APP FOR AUDITORY TRAINING
Prof Alber t Wong, Prof Tim Woo and Mr Kobe
Lam, Research Assistant, (Electronic and Computer
Engineering), have developed an auditory and speech
training app for hearing-impaired children, which
revolutionizes existing paper-based auditory training
tools via Android-based mobile app technology. This
mobile app facilitates convenient home training and
provides better support to parents and teachers.
KNOWLEDGE
TRANSFER
HKUST develops
technologies to help
drive the future
23
HKUST 2013-2014 Annual Report
