HKUST Annual Report 2024-2025

35 L A B T O M A R K E T New Era of Magnetism Paves Way for Future Spintronics and Electronics Prof. LIU Junwei (Physics) and his collaborative team achieved the first experimental observation of a two-dimensional, layered room-temperature “altermagnet”. The research advances quantum materials science and brings fresh possibilities for developing faster, higher-density and more energy-efficient spintronic and electronic devices with augmented capabilities beyond conventional semiconductors. Altermagnets offer a new type of magnetism that can combine properties of ferromagnets and antiferromagnets, including some formerly regarded as incompatible, as pointed out in Prof. Liu’s theoretical predictions in 2021. Potential applications include next-generation data storage and processing systems, among others. ENGINEERING World’s Smallest Multifunctional Biomedical Robot Developed HKUST researchers, led by Prof. SHEN Yajing (Electronic and Computer Engineering), have devised the world’s smallest multifunctional biomedical robot for early diagnosis and therapeutic goals in hard-to-reach areas of the body. Capable of imaging, high-precision motion, and multifunctional operations such as sampling and drug delivery, the surgical robot offers competitive imaging performance and a tenfold improvement in obstacle detection. With a slim profile of just 0.95 mm, it is 60% smaller than current models. This breakthrough paves the way for robotic applications in narrow and challenging channels of the human body, such as the end bronchi of the lungs and the oviducts of the uterus. Kilowatt-scale Elastocaloric Refrigeration Device Marks Advance Toward Green Cooling Industry HKUST researchers led by Prof. SUN Qingping (Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering) have developed the world’s first kilowatt-scale elastocaloric green cooling device. It can stabilize indoor temperatures at 21-22°C in just 15 minutes, even when outdoor temperatures reach 30-31°C, marking a significant breakthrough toward the commercial application of elastocaloric solid-state cooling technology. The research findings offer a promising solution to combat climate change and accelerate low- carbon transformation of the global cooling industry. The invention received the Prize of the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca – Roman i a , and t he Go l d Meda l wi t h Congratulations of the Jury at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva.