Published: 15:32, October 3, 2024 | Updated: 15:47, October 3, 2024
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NAMI foresees bright future for innovations in Greater Bay Area
By Hu Yuyan in Hong Kong
Representatives from the public sector, research institutions, academia, and industry join NAMI CEO Andy Fung (fifth from right) pose for a group photo during the 2024 NAMI Technology Showcase at the Hong Kong Science Park in September. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong’s Nano and Advanced Materials Institute envisions promising prospects for its latest innovations in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as it endeavors to expand within the region and contribute to the nation’s high-quality development, according to Andy Fung, CEO of NAMI.

Established in 2006 as a subsidiary of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, NAMI is designated by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government as a research and development center for nano-technology and advanced materials.

Nanotechnology involves manipulating materials at the nanoscale — 1 to 100 nanometers, approximately 1,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair — to create useful materials, instruments, and systems.

Serving as a bridge among research institutions, businesses, and the market, NAMI conductsand supports market-driven research in nanotechnology and advanced materials, striving for the commercialization of technologies to benefit the industry and society at large.

NAMI employs more than 200 research and development professionals, approximately 60 percent of whom hold doctoral degrees. The institute invests around HK$200 million ($25.7 million) in about 50 projects annually.

Since its inception, NAMI has incubated over 500 projects and received numerous prestigious awards. In April, the institute won four Edison Awards and 17 medals at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva. In August, NAMI clinched the R&D 100 Awards with its transparent sun nanocurtain solution, with two other technologies selected as finalists.

The 2024 NAMI Technology Showcase, held in September in Hong Kong, featured more than 50 of NAMI’s latest innovations, including R&D achievements in sustainable construction materials, advanced battery materials, and functional polymer materials.

Andy Fung, CEO of the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

More than 1,000 attendees from the public sector, research institutions, academia, and industry — including representatives from Nokia, Panasonic, Casio, NEC, and the Architectural Services Department and Highways Department of the Hong Kong SAR government — discussed achievements and future collaborations during the event.

“This gathering of innovations and creative minds concluded with fruitful results, leaving a significant mark on the technological landscape,” Fung said. “Our mission is to bridge the gap between innovation and implementation. By showcasing these remarkable technologies, we aim to foster collaboration and encourage the adoption of groundbreaking solutions in the industry.”

The success of the showcase underscores the importance of such gatherings in driving innovation and progress in technology, he added.

Expansion within GBA

NAMI is embarking on an expansion into the rest of the Greater Bay Area, marking “a significant step in its mission to support and collaborate with industry leaders”, Fung said.

“This strategic move is designed to bolster the institute’s ability to offer cutting-edge applied research on advanced materials and facilitate technology transfer for successful commercialization.”

Nanotechnology research extends beyond medical science and electronics. It touches on various aspects of life, such as construction and transportation. To enhance people’s daily lives and contribute to the nation’s high-quality development, Fung highlighted two of NAMI’s latest innovations for large-scale application in the Greater Bay Area, which boasts extensive transportation networks and diverse infrastructure.

This photo shows NAMI's self-compacting backfilling material, suitable for use under all weather conditions. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

One is a self-leveling, free-flowing, soil-like backfill material for pavements backed by nanofoam technology.

Traditionally, after completing maintenance work on underground pipes or cables, trenches are backfilled with layers of compacted soil. Contrary to conventional backfilling, which requires time-consuming layer-by-layer soil compaction, the new flowable backfill material can be pumped into the trench to fill voids without compaction, according to NAMI.

The innovative backfill material enhances productivity and pavement quality, reducing the risk of collapses, Fung said.

The second innovative solution highlighted is a self-powered asset tracker with a weather-resistant battery pack, which is capable of providing five years of real-time indoor and outdoor tracking for luggage trolleys. It is currently undergoing a proof-of-concept trial at Hong Kong International Airport.

According to NAMI, the battery pack can operate within a temperature range of -40 to 85 C using an energy-harvesting photovoltaic panel. This enables the tracker to provide stable location signals in various weather conditions, enhancing passenger experiences and ground services.

Collaboration beyond GBA

In September, NAMI signed a memorandum of understanding with property developer Shanghai Pudong Development Group and the Pudong-Hong Kong Institute for Technology Transfer and Innovation. The partnership aims to leverage the strengths of the three organizations to drive technological innovation and collaboration.

NAMI will assist Shanghai Pudong Development Group in licensing its expertise in backfillmaterials’ production and usage, which has been tested in approximately 10,000 cubic meters of roadwork in Hong Kong.

This photo shows NAMI's energy-dense, nonrechargeable lithium battery, designed for long-life internet-of-things devices with a high pulse current. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Fung hailed the partnership as a major milestone in NAMI’s endeavors to drive technological innovation on the Chinese mainland.

“By joining forces with Shanghai Pudong Development Group, we can leverage the group’s extensive local resources and apply NAMI’s expertise in advanced materials to bring significant benefits to both Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland,” he said.

The collaboration is expected to integrate NAMI’s backfill materials into Shanghai’s construction projects, aligning with the city’s commitment to sustainable development.

“Utilizing these advanced materials can reduce the environmental impact of construction activities, promote recycling, and contribute to the overall sustainability goals of the city,” Fung said.

He envisions the partnership as a model for other cities looking to enhance their construction practices, as “it has the potential to promote infrastructure improvements and sustainable development, and to become a blueprint for future urban projects worldwide.”

 

This article is sponsored by Nano and Advanced Materials Institute