Research teams led by Professor Zhang Li and Professor Lu Yi-chun achieved remarkable results at the 16th International Invention Fair in the Middle East (IIFME), winning 5 accolades and scooping the event’s Grand Prize.
The details of their award-winning projects are as follows:
Magnetic micro-/nanorobots for endovascular treatment
Awards:
- IIFME Grand Prize
- FIRI Award
- Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury
Principal investigator and team members:
Professor Zhang Li, Dr. Jin Dongdong, Dr. Liu Wai-shing, Ms. Peng Yusong (Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering)
Professor Philip Chiu Wai-yan (Department of Surgery)
Professor Chan Kai-fung (Chow Yuk Ho Technology Centre for Innovative Medicine)
Professor Simon Yu Chun-ho (Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology)
Project Description:
Traditional surgical tools have limited dexterity and are not small enough to reach many of the human body’s tiny, torturous, and distal locations. Our invention uses magnetic micro-/nanorobots to provide access to these challenging locations in the blood vessel for endovascular treatments, targeting such as aneurysm and ischemic stroke.
Safe, low-cost and sustainable sulfur-based flow battery
Awards:
- Special Prize awarded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury
Principal investigator and team members:
Professor Lu Yi-chun, Dr. Wang Zengyue, Dr. Yao Yanxin, Dr. Shi Yang (Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering)
Project Description:
Luquos Energy is pioneering sulfur-based flow battery technology, that’s intrinsically safe, more affordable, and environmentally friendly – designed to store solar and wind power more efficiently as we move toward a net-zero future. Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, which pose fire risks and are hard to recycle, this new solution uses sulfur – a plentiful and low-cost material from byproduct of petrol refining – water-based components to eliminate safety hazards while slashing costs to 1/2 compared to lithium-ion and 1/4 compared to vanadium flow batteries. Packed with Luquos-CUHK invented innovations, including high-performance membranes, and power-boosting catalysts, the battery system enables efficient operation for over 15 years. Luquos Energy has launched the world’s first commercial sulfur-based flow battery system, branded as LEAPLUG®, which has been deployed at an EV charging station in Shenzhen, China and a smart solar farm in Hong Kong. We aim to provide safe, economical and sustainable energy storage solutions for renewable energy storage, data centres, EV charging, to support global climate goals of carbon neutrality.
The IIFME, which was held in Kuwait this year, is the largest specialised exhibition of inventions and innovations in the Middle East, as well as the second largest international invention exhibition in the world. A collaboration with the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, the event aims to promote the culture of invention and innovation while strengthening connections among inventors, enterprises and investors worldwide.
Professor Zhang Li’s research team wins the IIFME Grand Prize, FIRI Award, and Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury.
Professor Lu Yi-chun’s research team wins the Special Prize awarded by UNESCO and the Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury.
Professor Zhang Li’s research team wins the IIFME Grand Prize.
CUHK’s innovation projects have won 10 awards at the 16th International Invention Fair in the Middle East (IIFME).