HKUST Annual Report 2023-2024

21 HKUST Annual Report 2023-2024 Turbo-Charging Discoveries that Make a Difference Wide recognition of the excellence of HKUST’s output enabled the University to secure HK$1,120 million for 1,703 new and on-going research projects from a diverse range of funders over the year. Meanwhile, a total of 158 HKUST scholars were listed among the World’s Top 2% Scientists in 2023, compiled by Stanford University, reflecting global regard for the University’s research. Some of the major sponsors and HKUST projects awarded funding in 2023-24: Research Grants Council Areas of Excellence Scheme 1 Project Planning and mitigation to safeguard environmental sustainability in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Theme-based Research Scheme 2 Projects • Landslide risk preparedness under extreme weather through smart management of slope safety. • Regtech solutions for Hong Kong’s small and medium financial institutions, and development of digital assets. Collaborative Research Fund 8 Projects Projects ranging from improved protection for offshore wind turbine foundations to serverless computing platforms. Lab to Market Strategic Topics Grant 2 Projects • Carbon reduction technologies for buildings in Hong Kong, and an implementation roadmap for the government. • Establishing Hong Kong as a key location for wide- bandgap and ultra-wide-bandgap semiconductor electronics in the GBA. Research Impact Fund 2 Projects • Instituting a secure and scalable cloud-based platform allowing finance researchers and practitioners to run new quantum algorithms and visualize the results. • Developing solid-state batteries that are safer and more efficient than conventional lithium-ion batteries. NSFC/RGC Collaborative Research Scheme 3 Projects Joint submissions from HKUST and Mainland partners, including the design of novel lead-free perovskites for solar cells and other optoelectronic devices. RGC Research Fellowship Schemes 3 Projects Two senior research fellowships and one fellowship grant to respectively explore: • Risks and volatilities in financial markets using big data • Quantum matter and 2D materials • Axon regeneration and potential applications