HKUST Annual Report 2021-2022

22 The lab will assist the Hong Kong, Guangdong, and Macao governments in identifying key reactive VOC species and developing coherent ozone control policies in the Greater Bay Area. The ITC’s Partnership Research Programme extended support to six new HKUST projects, with an endeavor led by Prof. Nancy Y. IP (Life Science), in collaboration with Morningside Life Science Limited and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, receiving the largest amount at $16.04 million. The team will undertake a trial to study the effects of trazodone, an antidepressant, on biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and neurodegeneration in certain elderly patients and explore the potential for therapeutic pathways that could delay progression from mild cognitive impairment to AD. Green Tech and Smart Traffic Funds Three leading-edge HKUST projects received grants totaling $18.86 million in the inaugural round of the Environmental Protection Department’s Green Tech Fund. They included research led by Prof. SHAO Minhua (Chemical and Biological Engineering) to reduce the cost and improve the performance and life span of hydrogen fuel cells, which produce zero carbon emissions. A project coordinated by Prof. CHEN Guanghao (Civil and Environmental Engineering) will trial a pilot system to reduce the carbon footprint of biological landfill leachate treatment at local sewage treatment works. In the third proposal, Prof. Francesco CIUCCI (Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering) will develop active flow membraneless electrolyzer technology to increase hydrogen cost-effectiveness. Separately, the Hong Kong government’s Smart Traffic Fund awarded $7.98 million for further development of HKUST’s Dynamic Intersection Signal Control Optimization project, led by Prof. LO Hong-Kam (Civil and Environmental Engineering). The research extends the software platform prototype, seeking to bring an adaptive traffic control system to Hong Kong roads to optimize flow and minimize delays. Mainland Support HKUST continued to obtain substantial research funding from Mainland sponsors, including the Ministry of Science and Technology, Nansha District People’s Government, and Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Strategy Research and Technology Transfer Promotion Center. During the reporting period, Nanhai People’s Government of Foshan provided $52.07 million for 23 new projects, while another $17.05 million was secured from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) for 21 projects commencing in 2021- 22. The HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute received funding for 11 government and three commercial research projects, with a total contract value of RMB63.53 million. RESEARCH HUBS THAT DRIVE BREAKTHROUGHS HKUST continuously vitalizes its research and innovation in line with the latest science and technology advancements. During the reporting year, six research units were established, bringing the total number to 66. The newly established research units include one research institute, three centers, and two joint labs: – Brain and Intelligence Research Institute – Center for Medical Imaging and Analysis – Center for Securities Analysis with Financial Technology – Sports Engineering Research Center – HKUST-HKPC Joint Lab on Industrial AI and Robotics Research – HKUST-MTR Joint Research Lab