Award-winning invention by SES researchers featured at Hong Kong I&T Strives Ahead forum

An innovative invention by a research team from the Department of Science and Environmental Studies (SES) was showcased at the Hong Kong I&T Strives Ahead forum held at the Hong Kong Science Park on 30 June. The invention, which can measure the amount of microplastics in a sample, is a testament to the high quality of research work conducted by FLASS scholars.

Dr Chris Tsang Yiu-fai and his research team at SES were invited to exhibit their invention, “Rapid Quantification of Microplastics Using Total Organic Carbon Analysis with Simple Sample Pretreatment”, at the high-profile forum. The invention is an all-in-one semi-automatic sample pre-treatment device that can efficiently and accurately quantify microplastic amounts in water and slug samples.

The Hong Kong I&T Strives Ahead forum was co-organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, and the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre. The forum aims to unite local innovation and technology visionaries, continuing past successes and opening a new chapter for the country’s I&T development. The event also marked the anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s visit to the Hong Kong Science Park and celebrated the 26th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

With staunch support from mainland China, the HKSAR government strives to enhance their I&T ecosystem and promote development of the industry in terms of infrastructure, capital, talent and scientific research by progressively implementing the directions and strategies set out in the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint. The event held at the Hong Kong Science Park also highlighted the current government’s achievements in promoting innovative and technological development, as well as the outstanding accomplishments of Hong Kong’s technology talent in international invention competitions over the past year.

At the 48th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, Dr Tsang’s invention received a Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury in the “Protection of the Environment – Energy” category; less than 16% of this year’s inventions were awarded this honour. This is the first time that an EdUHK invention has received this impressive recognition at this prestigious event held in Switzerland.