KE Spotlight - Community Engagement - HKU Knowledge Exchange

HKU Faculty of Engineering, Hong Kong Observatory, and Hong Kong Meteorological Society hold earthquake detector design competition

The Earthquake Detector Design Competition was jointly organised by the HKU Faculty of Engineering, Hong Kong Observatory, and Hong Kong Meteorological Society, under the project titled "Earthquake in Hong Kong?", which was supported by HKU Knowledge Exchange Fund granted by University Grants Committee. The competition aims to enhance knowledge of and interest in information technology and seismological instrumentation among the young generations. Over 450 participants from primary, secondary and international schools ranging from Primary 4 to Secondary 6 joined the competition. The Yaumati Catholic Primary School (Hoi Wang Road) was the champion of the junior category, and Christian Alliance Cheng Wing Gee College Team 2 was the champion of the senior category.

HKU scientists achieve breakthrough in laser imaging; 100 times faster than existing technology

Dr Kevin Tsia, Associate Professor in Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at HKU and his research team developed a new laser-scanning imaging technique that overcomes the limitations of existing technologies, providing more than 100 times faster in scan speed with high image resolution. The new technique could empower new discovery in basic scientific research, with potential applications in a new generation of biomedical microscopy for precise and early diagnosis of diseases including cancers. Dubbed free-space angular-chirp-enhanced delay (FACED) imaging, at the heart of the technique is the “infinity mirror” – a pair of parallel mirrors. Researchers applied this “device” with a subtle twist (~ 0.01 degree). They combine ultrafast pulsed laser and a “tilted” mirror-pair to create an ultrafast sweeping laser beam. Combining FACED imaging with microfluidic technology, the team demonstrated high-resolution and high-throughput single-cell imaging at 10,000 to 100 000 cells per second, which is almost 100 times faster than current microscopy. Such a high throughput imaging could be particularly beneficial for cancer diagnosis by providing an effective and efficient method to detect rare cancer cells in a pool of billions of blood cells.

HKU Faculty of Engineering organizes "Earthquake Detector Design Competition" together with Hong Kong Observatory and Hong Kong Meteorological Society for over 300 primary and secondary school students

Most people in Hong Kong consider Hong Kong to be earthquake-free, so the community has low awareness of earthquakes and community resilience is lacking. Supported by the HKU Knowledge Exchange Fund, HKU Faculty of Engineering, Hong Kong Observatory and Hong Kong Meteorological Society jointly organized the "Earthquake Detector Design Competition" to raise people’s awareness of earthquakes so that they can be more prepared for earthquakes and other emergencies. Over 300 students from primary 2 to secondary 5 joined the competition. They were required to design and implement an earthquake detector. A series of talks were conducted to enhance the participants’ understanding of earthquake and its measurement, as well as the hardware and software techniques to build an earthquake detector. An exhibition will be held in April 2017 to showcase the designs of the students.

Knowledge Exchange Awards 2016

The annual Faculty Knowledge Exchange (KE) Awards recognize each Faculty's outstanding KE accomplishment that has made demonstrable economic, social or cultural impacts to benefit the community, business/industry, or partner organizations. The KE Award (Non-Faculty Unit) was introduced with the same objective for the independent centres, institutes and units of the University. Results of the 2016 KE Awards are now available.

Police Force and HKU Department of Computer Science organise Cyber Security Competition 2016

A total of 99 winners of the Cyber Security Competition 2016 were awarded for their participation in conveying the message of cyber security in the Cyber Security Competition 2016 organised by the Police Public Relations Branch and Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force and the HKU Department of Computer Science. The competition drew almost 5,600 participants from primary schools, secondary schools and universities. They participated in activities including online quiz, security defect analysis in a virtual computer system and presentation on topics related to cyber security.

CUHK and HKU researchers introduce 3D printing technology in complex cardiac surgery procedures

Researchers from the CUHK Division of Cardiology of the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics and the HKU Department of Mechanical Engineering collaborated to use echocardiographic data to create soft silicone-based models of complex cardiac structures using 3D printing. The project is the first in Hong Kong to introduce three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to complex cardiac procedures for enhancing procedural efficacy and safety. The models allow cardiologists to personalise planning for cardiovascular intervention for each patient. The practice was applied to a complex case of Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) occlusion in 2015 and the patient is now in good condition.

HKU Faculty of Engineering holds "Invention for Schools Contest" award presentation ceremony

Over a hundred students from primary two to secondary five joined the "Invention for Schools Contest" organised by the HKU Faculty of Engineering. The participating teams were required to use credit card-sized computers to make inventions that could be turned into useful applications in their schools. Pok Oi Hospital 80th Anniversary Tang Ying Hei College's "queue jumper revealer" was the champion of the secondary school category, and Yaumati Catholic Primary School (Hoi Wang Road)'s "e-Helper" won the champion and the Most Practical Invention for School Award in the primary school category.