We are pleased to announce that five students in the MAE Department were awarded the VTech Innovation and Sustainability Award 2023/24 for their outstanding final year projects with elements of ‘Innovation’ and ‘Sustainability’.
Congratulations to all awardees!
The VTech Innovation and Sustainability Award is the initiative of VTech Corporate Services Limited (VTech) to promote innovation and awareness of sustainability. The Award is open to final-year undergraduate students studying Energy and Environmental Engineering (EEEN) or Mechanical and Automation Engineering (MAEG) in the academic year 2023/24.
With a generous donation from VTech, the Award recognizes and rewards students for their final year projects which demonstrate excellence in developing innovative technology for sustainable development of the world.
The five students were nominated to give a presentation and attend the award presentation ceremony at the VTech Office on 22 July 2024. The judging panel consisted of representatives from VTech and the MAE Department, namely Dr. Allan Wong (Chairman and Group CEO of VTech), Dr. King Pang (Group President of VTech), Mr. Andy Leung (CEO of VTech Contract Manufacturing Services), Mr. Hillson Cheung (President of Telecommunication Products of VTech), Ms. Shereen Tong (Group Chief Financial Officer of VTech), Prof. Weizhao Zhang (Assistant Professor of MAE Department) and Prof. Chaoyu Yang (Research Assistant Professor of MAE Department).
We would like to thank VTech for their effort to promote innovation and awareness of sustainability in CUHK.
Awardees’ Sharing
CHAN Hoi Fung Ronaldo (EEEN)
I am deeply honored to have been awarded the Champion of the VTech Innovation and Sustainability Award for my project, “Development of Low-Cost and Low-Carbon Passive Daytime Radiative Cooling Coating (E-COATING)”. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to VTech for organizing this prestigious competition, which provided an invaluable platform for innovation and sustainable solutions.
E-COATING is primarily made of recycled glass and focuses on developing eco-friendly coating technology that helps cool buildings without using electricity, thereby minimizing environmental impact. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication that went into this project, and I am excited about the potential applications of E-COATING in various industries. I am eager to explore future collaborations with VTech to further advance sustainable technologies and contribute to a greener future.
Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to the MAE Department and Prof. CHEN Chun for their unwavering support throughout this journey.
SUYANTO Pamela Wylona (EEEN)
I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the VTech competition and present my work. It was a great experience to see the products of VTech. This would not have been possible without the invaluable guidance and unwavering support of my supervisor Prof. ZHANG Weizhao, and Dr. ZOU Jianchao. My research focuses on improving the efficiency and sustainability of thermoforming, a popular manufacturing method for recyclable carbon fiber materials. By optimizing this process, we aim to help industries reduce material waste, time, and costs while promoting more sustainable practices. This project has been a valuable learning experience, allowing me to contribute to the development of innovative solutions that address real-world challenges in using recyclable carbon fiber materials.
CHEUNG Cheuk Him (MAEG)
I would like to express my gratitude to my FYP supervisor Dr. HAN Dongkun and senior technician Mr. Martin LEUNG for their care and support throughout the entire project. There was so much to learn in my aquaponics project since the system was a renewed rooftop version. The academic research and coding were sophisticated and required a significant time investment. Moreover, it was a precious opportunity to learn how to communicate with service providers during purchases and installation. Although it was rewarding to initiate my water quality surveillance and feeding automation, there is still much room for improvement. I am grateful to VTech for providing me with the opportunity to participate in the competition.
AU Ming Piu (MAEG)
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Prof. ZHANG Weizhao for his guidance and support throughout this project, and my heartfelt thanks to VTech for providing me with this opportunity. My project on finding optimized layup structures on CFRP laminates is closely related to innovation and sustainability. By developing optimized layup structures, the project aims to enhance the mechanical properties and performance of CFRP laminates, making them more efficient and lightweight. This innovation can lead to advancements in various industries, such as aerospace, automotive, and renewable energy, where lightweight materials are crucial for fuel efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The project’s focus on optimization aligns with sustainability goals by promoting resource efficiency, reducing material waste, and potentially lowering energy consumption during manufacturing processes. Overall, this project combines innovation and sustainability by pushing the boundaries of material design and contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.
HUI Pak Kei (EEEN)
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to my supervisor Dr. HAN Dongkun for his invaluable help and support during my participation in the VTech Innovation and Sustainability Award. It is my honor to be one of the awardees. My project focuses on developing a renewable energy device: a bladeless wind turbine. The goal is to reduce the use of non-renewable energy sources and create a more sustainable environment. The bladeless wind turbine features a simplified and innovative design, relying on vortex-induced vibrations rather than traditional rotating blades. This system allows users to generate electricity by harnessing wind power, making it suitable for rooftop installation. Furthermore, users will benefit from reduced maintenance requirements and higher reliability compared to conventional wind turbines.