Croucher scholars receive awards at 47th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva
Five Croucher scholars received prestigious awards at the 47th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva held in Switzerland in April 2019, including one Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury, two Gold Medals and two Silver Medals.
The annual event is recognised as the most important innovation and technology exhibition of its kind in the world. It attracts participants from around the globe, including businesses, research institutions and universities. This year's exhibition, held from April 10 to 14, included more than 800 exhibitors from over 40 countries and regions, and more than 1,000 inventions.
Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury
BATS: Enabling the Nervous System of Smart Cities
Professor Raymond Wai Ho Yeung (Croucher Senior Research Fellowship 2000), of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and his team received this award for their revolutionary network coding technology, known as BATS. The technology can provide multi-hop wireless network connections for smart lampposts, without laying optical fibre to every post. The innovation can lower operating costs and has a higher level of network security and stability. The technology has been adopted by the Hong Kong government for its pilot deployment of smart lampposts, due to start in mid-2019.
Gold awards
Point-of-Care Devices - From Food Safety to Non-Invasive Early Cancer Detection
Professor Michael Hon-wah Lam (Croucher Fellowship 1990, Croucher Studentship 1986), of City University of Hong Kong, was recognised for the invention of a handy device to detect food contaminants and cancer biomarkers. The system, developed by Lam and his team, was originally designed for food safety purposes. It comes with a nano-sensor that can pre-screen food samples on the spot, using a mobile phone, and identify the presence of biogenic amines (indicators of food decay) and formaldehyde in 10 to 25 minutes. The team further modified this point-of-care sensing platform to detect cancer biomarkers, for example by conducting non-invasive urine tests to screen for prostate cancer.
Methods and Compositions for Use of Neutrophil Elastase and Proteinase 3 as Diagnostic Biomarkers
Professor Aimin Xu (Croucher Senior Research Fellowship in 2016), of the University of Hong Kong, has developed a novel method for risk predication and accurate diagnosis of autoimmune diabetes by measuring enzymatic activities and protein concentrations of neutrophil elastase (NE) and proteinase 3 (PR3) in human plasma. Current medical diagnosis is based on markers and symptoms that are apparent only after a great deal of damage has been done. The method proposed by Xu’s team allows identification of at-risk individuals earlier in the development of type 1 diabetes. This identification enhances the strategies and techniques for preventing or delaying the onset of the disease.
Silver awards
Paper-based Aluminium-air Batteries
Professor Dennis Yiu Cheong Leung (Croucher Fellowship 1987), of the University of Hong Kong, received recognition for his innovative paper-based aluminium-air batteries. The fabrication process for such batteries is greatly simplified because they do not need bulky liquid storage or active electrolyte delivery. Additionally, exhausted batteries can be burnt and the remaining aluminium oxide recycled back to aluminium. The product is environmentally friendly, light-weight and flexible, facilitating new applications such as wearable and sensor technology.
Real Virtuality for Aircraft Inspection (ReVAI) Training System
Dr Henry Lau (Croucher Fellowship 1991, Croucher Scholarship 1988), of the University of Hong Kong, has created an immersive virtual reality (VR)-empowered training system for cost-effective and authentic aircraft maintenance operation training and performance assessment. The ReVAI training system was jointly developed by LSCM, China Aircraft Services Limited (CASL), and the University of Hong Kong for training CASL engineers to perform walk-around inspections of aircraft, a critical maintenance operation undertaken by the company. The system is based on technology related to an interactive and immersive VR training paradigm, powered by imseCAVE VR solutions.
Congratulations to all the awardees!