Environmental Engineering: Water and Wastewater Treatment Technologies

A research team, led by Prof. Irene Lo Man-Chi (first right), Chair Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at HKUST and formed by HKUST Research Associate Dr. Zheng Zexiao (second left), PhD candidate Zhang Jin (center), postdoctoral fellow Dr. Jonathan J. Calvillo Solís (first left), and MPhil student Howard Y. M. Cheung (second right), has recently achieved a major breakthrough by discovering a novel oxidant-free electrocatalytic mechanism, opening up a new direction for water
A research team, led by Prof. Irene Lo Man-Chi (first right), Chair Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at HKUST and formed by HKUST Research Associate Dr. Zheng Zexiao (second left), PhD candidate Zhang Jin (center), postdoctoral fellow Dr. Jonathan J. Calvillo Solís (first left), and MPhil student Howard Y. M. Cheung (second right), has recently achieved a major breakthrough by discovering a novel oxidant-free electrocatalytic mechanism, opening up a new direction for water purification technologies. 
Enhances Pollutant Removal Efficiency and Potentially Doubles Economic Value Compared with Conventional Methods
HKUST Engineering Pioneers Novel Water Purification Technology for Selective Pollutant Polymerization
Developed by Prof. Yang Zhe and his collaborators, the new class of high-precision ion-selective membranes can benefit industries such as lithium resource recovery, sustainable energy storage, and high-salinity wastewater treatment.
Developed by Prof. Yang Zhe and his collaborators, the new class of high-precision ion-selective membranes can benefit industries such as lithium resource recovery, sustainable energy storage, and high-salinity wastewater treatment. 
A Solution for Resource Recovery and Industrial Wastewater Treatment
Prof. YANG Zhe and Collaborators Developed Novel Covalent Organic Network Membranes for Subangstrom Precision Ion Sieving
Prof. Dan Tsang’s research team published a research paper titled “Reducing environmental burden of electroplating wastewater treatment by ternary cooperation of zero-valence iron, manganese, and graphitic biochar” in Communications Materials, a journal from Nature Portfolio, in March 2025. Co-authors include Dr. Xu Zibo (first author), Dr. Zhang Yuying, as well as collaborators from Imperial College London (UK), Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China), University of Wuppertal (Germany), University of Califor
Prof. Dan Tsang’s research team published a research paper titled “Reducing environmental burden of electroplating wastewater treatment by ternary cooperation of zero-valence iron, manganese, and graphitic biochar” in Communications Materials, a journal from Nature Portfolio, in March 2025. Co-authors include Dr. Xu Zibo (first author), Dr. Zhang Yuying, as well as collaborators from Imperial College London (UK), Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China), University of Wuppertal (Germany), University of California, Davis (US), and Korea University. 
Engineered Biochar as a Sustainable Solution
HKUST Engineering Researchers Pioneer Breakthrough to Clean Toxic Electroplating Wastewater with Reduced Carbon Footprint
(From left to right) Dr. Zheng Zexiao (Research Assistant Professor of HKUST), Ms. Zhang Yu (PhD candidate of HKUST), Ir Dr. Raymond K. L. Chan (Chairman of the HKIE Environmental Division), Ir Prof. Irene Lo (Chair Professor at HKUST), Mr. Roger Wong Yan-Lok (Director of the Water Supplies Department (WSD)), Mr. Gary Yip Ka-Chun (Assistant Director of WSD), Mr. Kwok Yau-Ting (Project Assistant Secretary (Water Safety) of Development Bureau) and Ms. Leung Chui-Fan (Chemist of WSD)
(From left to right) Dr. Zheng Zexiao (Research Assistant Professor of HKUST), Ms. Zhang Yu (PhD candidate of HKUST), Ir Dr. Raymond K. L. Chan (Chairman of the HKIE Environmental Division), Ir Prof. Irene Lo (Chair Professor at HKUST), Mr. Roger Wong Yan-Lok (Director of the Water Supplies Department (WSD)), Mr. Gary Yip Ka-Chun (Assistant Director of WSD), Mr. Kwok Yau-Ting (Project Assistant Secretary (Water Safety) of Development Bureau) and Ms. Leung Chui-Fan (Chemist of WSD) 
Real-World Impact on Sustainable Raw Water Treatment Technology
Prof. Irene LO’s Research Team and Water Supplies Department Won 2024/2025 HKIE Best Environmental Paper Award for Pilot-Scale Phosphate Removal System for the Cleanup of Local River Water
Prof. Zhang Xiangru discovers an effective and rapidly degradable disinfectant. Using the instrument known as “ultra-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-tqMS)”, he successfully detects the degradation products of 2,6-DCQ and determines the degradation pathway of 2,6-DCQ in seawater.
Prof. Zhang Xiangru discovers an effective and rapidly degradable disinfectant. Using the instrument known as “ultra-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-tqMS)”, he successfully detects the degradation products of 2,6-DCQ and determines the degradation pathway of 2,6-DCQ in seawater. 
Greener and Cleaner
HKUST Engineering Researchers Discover an Effective and Environment-Friendly Disinfectant
Key members of the five teams present their research findings at a press conference.
Key members of the five teams present their research findings at a press conference. 
“1 to N” Transformation of R&D Outcomes
Five HKUST Research Projects Receive Funding from First Batch of RAISe+ Scheme
(From left to right) Prof. Terence Wong, Prof Shen Yajing, Prof. Chen Guanghao, and Prof. George Yuan
(From left to right) Prof. Terence Wong, Prof Shen Yajing, Prof. Chen Guanghao, and Prof. George Yuan 
“1 to N” Transformation of R&D Outcomes
Four Engineering Research Teams Received Inaugural RAISe+ Funding
At the award ceremony, Dr. Yin Ran shared his rewarding experience in the engineering research journey at HKUST with other postgraduate research students.
At the award ceremony, Dr. Yin Ran shared his rewarding experience in the engineering research journey at HKUST with other postgraduate research students. 
Recognizing PhD Research Excellence
Civil Engineering PhD Graduate Awarded for Advanced Water Treatment Research
The champion team received the award at a ceremony on January 8, 2020: Prof. Frank Lam, Lau Siu-Mei, Fung Hiu-Tung (from second left to fourth left), and Wong Hon-Fai (second right).
The champion team received the award at a ceremony on January 8, 2020: Prof. Frank Lam, Lau Siu-Mei, Fung Hiu-Tung (from second left to fourth left), and Wong Hon-Fai (second right). 
Championship for Another Year
Final Year Projects Recognized by HKIE Environmental Division
Prof. CHEN Guang-hao received the prestigious Hong Kong Green Innovations Awards - Gold Award from Mr. Matthew CHEUNG Kin-Chung (first from left), Acting Chief Executive of the HKSAR at the presentation ceremony of the Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence 2018.
Prof. CHEN Guang-hao received the prestigious Hong Kong Green Innovations Awards - Gold Award from Mr. Matthew CHEUNG Kin-Chung (first from left), Acting Chief Executive of the HKSAR at the presentation ceremony of the Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence 2018. 
Ultimate Glory for Paradigm-shifting Innovation for HK Sewage Management
Gold at the End of the Sewer: HKUST's SANI Process team received Hong Kong Green Innovations Awards' top accolade - the Gold Award
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