FLASS scholars shine with gold and silver at SVIIF
FLASS scholars excelled at this year’s Silicon Valley International Invention Festival (SVIIF) held in the United States. Professor Hung Keung from the Department of Cultural and Creative Arts won a gold medal with his invention, the Digital Puppetry System, while the Portable Aeroponic Culture Unit, invented by a team of researchers from the Department of Science and Environmental Studies (SES), was awarded a silver medal.
The SVIIF took place from 26 to 28 July in California, USA. The gold award-winning project from FLASS, “Digital Puppetry System: Connecting Young Generation and Cultural Heritage with Novel Technology,” was led by Professor Hung. The project uses interactive graphic animation to modernise traditional puppetry performance and reactivates the cultural heritage to create a new artistic experience. In addition, the project plans to organise workshops, exhibitions, and competitions to engage younger generations in puppetry play and conservation. Professor Hung is also investigating how to develop a gamified kit to make this art form more appealing to the public.
The silver award-winning project, “Portable Aeroponic Culture Unit,” was led by Professor Wong Ming-hung, an Advisor in Environmental Science from SES with support from Dr Li Wai-chin and Dr Brain Man Yu-bon, both Associate Professors from the same department. This aeroponic planting unit allows users to explore plant-microbe symbiosis, and can practically produce symbiotic microbes. Equipped with a real-time monitoring function, users can observe and manage planting remotely.
EdUHK researchers secured a total of seven prestigious awards at the invention festival in the US, including a special award, three gold medals and three silver medals. The accolades span the fields of gaming, healthcare, and food safety.
Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, Vice President (Research and Development) of EdUHK, congratulated the award-winning teams and applauded their outstanding performances. He stated that the winning projects showcased EdUHK’s commitment to integrating research outcomes with technological applications to enhance child welfare and foster social development. “Once again, EdUHK shone at SVIIF, which underscored the international recognition of our innovative technology research. These awards are a particularly fitting tribute to the University as we are celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. With the dedication of EdUHK’s scholars and researchers, we will continue to soar new heights in technological innovation,” he said.
SVIIF is founded and organised by the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations and is recognised as the largest innovation exhibition in the United States. EdUHK has received a total of 11 medals at this platform since its first participation in 2019, showcasing our achievements in invention on the international stage.