Water Treatment Breakthrough Heralds Global Change 0f the Century HKUST ENGINEERING | Spring 2013 | Newsletter No.23
I have been traveling to many different parts of the world in the past six months. Not only have I participated in leading global conferences related to wireless communication – my specialist area. I have also been delighted to take part in forums focused on frontier work in engineering education. From Asia to South America and the Middle East, I have been explaining the transformation at our School and how we have utilized Hong Kong’s move to a four-year undergraduate degree system to introduce our original “Engineering PLUS” education. This was launched in September 2012, bringing an innovative and flexible curriculum together with a range of enrichment, advisement and pioneering support activities such as our “clan” system, all of which you can read about in this In Focus. It is rare that a school of engineering has the chance to so completely revitalize its approach. So there has been great interest and excitement internationally about what HKUST is doing. Typically, most educators only get to make incremental adjustments. What is so special at the School of Engineering is that we have advanced the complete package. This includes not only our undergraduate education but also the research postgraduate experience we offer. We are currently exploring how to assist such students in developing their communication and presentation skills and the enterprising spirit that will benefit them whether they continue in academia or head for business and industry. In addition, we are set to redouble our efforts in internationalization as we believe that an international student body is critical in terms of educational and personal development for undergraduates and postgraduates alike. The reaction I receive when I go overseas and discuss all this? “Wow!” It reinforces my belief that the School has had an opportunity that most institutions don’t usually have, and this rare occurrence really gives us an edge in providing a truly enjoyable, truly excellent, and truly outstanding engineering education. This year is special for me in another way, as it marks my 20th year at HKUST. When I joined in 1993, little did I think I would be spending so many years of my life here. It is what many find at HKUST. Starting out as a junior faculty member during the University’s founding years, over the past two decades I have been immersed in an environment that celebrates initiative, achievement and an international outlook, become a distinguished global research scholar, and since 2009 had the honor of taking great colleagues and students forward as Dean of the School. I have also really enjoyed living and working in Hong Kong, which is perfectly located for engineering academics and students to study and engage with the immense social and economic changes occurring in Asia, and a wonderfully tolerant, go-getting international city. As I and all at the School of Engineering enter a new era, it is appropriate our magazine does too. I hope you enjoy the new-look format and content as together – students, faculty, staff, and In Focus readers in Hong Kong and beyond – head toward a fresh chapter of dynamic development. Dean’s Message Prof Khaled Ben Letaief Dean of Engineering 1 IN FOCUS
Aremarkable four papers from the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering were presented at the prestigious IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference ISSCC 2013(also known as the“Chip Olympics”), held from February 17-21 in San Francisco, US. The conference is the premier forum for the presentation of advances in solid-state circuits and systems-on-a-chip. It is regarded as an honor for a university to have one paper accepted at this event where global industry leaders, including Intel, IBM and Sony, discuss their latest chips and designs. To have two Digest and two Student Research Preview papers accepted in a single year is an unprecedented demonstration of the quality of work being carried out by the Department. PhD student Cheng Huang’s paper showcased“An 82.4% Efficiency Package-Bondwire-Based Four-Phase Fully Integrated Buck Converter with Flying Capacitor for Area Reduction”. This is the first converter of its kind to achieve high current density and high efficiency without any additional off-chip inductors and capacitors. On-chip capacitor reduction is achieved by a novel flying capacitor technique. The paper was supervised by Prof Philip K T Mok. Another paper, “A 13.56MHz Fully Integrated 1X/2X Active Rectifier with Compensated Bias Current for Inductively Powered Devices”, by PhD students Yan Lu and Xing Li, presented the first fully integrated 13.56MHz 1X/2X active rectifier in the 30mW range with all capacitors fabricated on-chip. It employs a novel switching arrangement that effectively reduces capacitor area, and an innovative biasing scheme that helps to reduce reverse current to enhance efficiency. Prof W H Ki, Prof C Y Tsui and Prof Patrick Yue co-supervised the paper. In addition to the Digest presentations, two Student Research Preview papers were delivered at the conference. The first paper was by Li Sun(visiting PhD student), Yipeng Wang(PhD), Alex Pan(PhD), Robin Hou(MPhil), Yan Lu(PhD)and Prof Patrick Yue and focused on“A 26-Gb/s Optical Receiver Front-End in 65nm CMOS”. The second was by PhD student Jing Guo and Prof George Yuan in the area of bio-medical sensing circuitry. Preview sessions are organized as short presentations of works-in-progress in conjunction with a poster presentation and optional demo. Prof W H Ki also gave a tutorial on“Design of Voltage References”at the conference. Four Studies Showcased at ‘Chip Olympics’ 2013 IN FOCUS 2
For many people, a career spent working with sewage would be a challenge. For environmental engineer Prof Guanghao Chen, it is the adventure of a lifetime that has seen the leading international researcher and his team develop pioneering wastewater treatment technology to help solve one of the world’s major issues on sustainable living As a native son of Jiaxing, a picturesque canal water town around 100km from Shanghai, Prof Guanghao Chen has always felt an affinity for rivers, lakes, streams and seas, and respected the essential role that water has played in human civilization. Now the School of Engineering professor and his research team are set to make a revolutionary contribution of their own to development through their Sulphate reduction, Autotrophic denitrification and Nitrification Integrated(SANI)Process – one of the most remarkable technological breakthroughs in wastewater treatment in over 100 years. More than 10 patents related to the ideas and technology have been received or applied for, and the groundbreaking nature of the research brought a clutch of international awards in 2012. The team received three International Water Association awards, Germany’s International Huber Technology Prize (second prize)and a finalists’ award in Spain’s World Smart Cities Awards. Prof Chen was also the first Hong Kong scholar to be elected a Fellow of the prestigious International Water Association in 2011. Such achievements follow 18 years of strenuous research efforts, which have engaged Prof Chen since he arrived at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in 1995. But they also mark a watershed where Prof Chen can now place his dream of advancing the world’s capabilities for sustainable water resources within a 10-20 year realizable framework. “I had witnessed the impact of the pollution that went together with industrialization and development in China and destroyed plants and people’s lifestyle,”said Prof Chen, explaining his drive to explore the field. “When I finished high school, I knew without hesitation I wanted to study water. I applied for postgraduate studies in this area, also without hesitation. I worked as a water engineer for three years. I am fascinated by how you can turn dirty water into clean water. I feel it is my destiny, my mission, to work in this field, to change the world to have a better future – like Steve Jobs.” The task is growing more urgent by the day. The sewage sludge produced by conventional wastewater treatments is a costly, difficult item to eliminate. In Hong Kong, for example, landfills taking sewage sludge are close to capacity and sludge incineration will be unpopular with nearby residents and further impact on air quality in the city. SANI – known as “sludge killer” in Chinese – is a novel technology that minimizes the environmental impact of sewage treatment plants by getting rid of 90% of the sludge. The idea for such a technology was inspired by Hong Kong’s globally pioneering seawater flushing system in use for the past 50 years to help solve the city’s lack of water resources. Hong Kong is the only city globally using seawater for flushing on a city scale, saving 740,000 cubic meters of freshwater per day. Using sulphate-reducing bacteria and the sulphate in seawater as the medium to oxidize and get rid of pollutants, Prof Chen discovered he could minimize CLEANING 3 IN FOCUS
the sludge production rate. This brought a host of additional benefits, reducing energy consumption, odor and greenhouse gas emissions and cutting the cost and space required for treatment by half. The exciting breakthrough came after several years of studies that had achieved some results but not enough for Prof Chen’s high expectations. “After seven years’ work, I was still not satisfied. I had only reduced sludge by 40%. This was not even close to my dream.” Then, in 2002, Prof Mark van Loosdrecht, a good friend from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands came to visit Prof Chen at HKUST. For the first time, Prof van Loosdrecht realized that Hong Kong was using seawater for flushing. Prof Chen recalled: “He said: ‘GH, why not think around sulphate?’ I thought: ‘Yes, there could be solution there.’ But we didn’t discuss it. I reflected on it for two years and then decided to try it at a lab scale from 2004-06. And it worked very well in the lab. No sludge. Then I took the product to departments of the Hong Kong government and they liked it. So we tried it on a pilot scale at the Tung Chung Sewage Pumping Station. This was also very successful. Now, we are going for a full-scale demonstration.” The large-scale trial has received HK$24.525 million in sponsorship from the Hong Kong government’s Innovation & Technology Fund, Drainage Services Department, and industry, the largest amount for a single local environmental project. It will begin in March and run over two years at Shatin Sewage Treatment Works at an average capacity of 1,000 cubic meters of sewage per day. Following the full-scale demonstration, Prof Chen’s target is to see the system adopted in Hong Kong and then take it to coastal cities in Mainland China and to other countries. The technology has already attracted the interest of the UNESCO-IHE Institute of Water Education, which invited Prof Chen to take part in a fouryear study. Students from around the world are applying to work with Prof Chen and major companies are showing great interest. SANI has also drawn in other top researchers in the water field. One eureka moment came during a 2008 visit to HKUST by Prof George Ekama, a globally renowned water quality expert at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Prof Chen said: “We were in the coffee shop and I was talking about my SANI research when suddenly he leapt up and said: ‘Of course! What a fantastic idea!’” He, too, became a collaborator on the project. An extension of SANI known as the triple water supply system uses freshwater for drinking, seawater for flushing and cooling, and greywater recycling systems for air-conditioning, kitchen and laundry. This not only minimizes sludge production but reduces demand for freshwater. The Hong Kong Airport has been the first organization to put the system into use, with over 50% saving in freshwater demand, reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, and up to HK$20 million saved on electricity bills. “We are altering the language but it will take some time to alter thinking about the one-pipe system that has been in place for so many years everywhere except Hong Kong, and the cost of doing so,” Prof Chen said. “However, the issue has become so large that people are now starting to see this as a good way to maximize water use.” Bringing Prof Chen several steps closer to his dream. UP IN FOCUS 4
Reclaimed Grey Water Supply Seawater Supply Toilet Flushing Sewage Treatment Plant (SANI Process) Once-Through Cooling System Irrigation and Industrial Uses Freshwater Supply Domestic and Commercial Uses Grey Water Reclamation Plant Sea Sea Sludge • Conceptual diagram of triple water supply system Anoxic Anaerobic Sulfate Reducing NO3 - Recycle Aerobic NO3 - SO4 2S2- N2 [O] [O] NO2 - NH3 O2 CO2 Org-C Heterotrophic Sulphate Reduction Autotrophic Denitrification Autotrophic Nitrification SANI® Process Anoxic NO3 - Recycle Aerobic Heterotrophic Denitrification Autotrophic Nitrification Conventional Biological Nitrogen Removal Process N2 [O] CO2 Sludge Org-C NO2 - NH3 O2 NO3 - Changing the System a n but reduces demand for freshwater. The Hong Kong Airport has been the first organization to put the system into use, with over 50% saving in freshwater demand, reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, and up to HK$20 million saved on electricity bills. “We are altering the language but it will take some time to alter thinking about the one-pipe system that has been in place for so many years everywhere except Hong Kong, and the cost of doing so,” Prof Chen said. “However, the issue has become so large that people are now starting to see this as a good way to maximize water use.” Bringing Prof Chen several steps closer to his dream. IN FOCUS 4
Young Prof Guanghao Chen has been deeply connected with water throughout his life: - Born in the Chinese water town of Jiaxing in Zhejiang Province - Fortune teller uncle predicts his life will be related to water - Aged around 11, officially changes the “hao” character in his name to include a water element, without initially telling his parents - Studies environmental engineering at Zhejiang University - One of the second batch of national candidates to undertake postgraduate studies overseas, gaining a place on a renowned environmental program at Kyoto University in Japan - Immediately has to learn Japanese to a level where he can undertake postgraduate studies, including writing a PhD thesis on biological wastewater treatment in Japanese - After 6.5 years studying and working in Japan, headhunted by National University of Singapore. Immediately has to learn English, gaining access to additional water research knowledge - Joins HKUST in 1995, attracted by the presence of top names in the wastewater field, such as Prof Howard Ju Chang Huang, the research facilities and the spectacular coastal campus IN F OCUS
A remarkable welcome to life at the School of Engineering awaited the first batch of Year 1 four-year undergraduates The city-wide 334 reform, which has seen Hong Kong move to a six-year secondary school, four-year university degree education system, brought the first intake of four-year undergraduates to the School of Engineering in September 2012. These 750 young engineers are younger than their three-year counterparts, with a broader secondary school diploma experience and more varied academic backgrounds than the focused approach of Hong Kong A-level graduates. At the same time, the four-year degree system they have entered is more open and flexible than the three-year system, giving them a year to explore their interests before choosing a major, and a wider range of courses to select throughout their time at the School. To assist the Year 1s in their academic choices, transition from school to university, and to foster a sense of belonging and identity, the School implemented a fresh introduction to the university experience, tailored to these students’ needs and groundbreaking in its approach to engineering education support. We Support You, Young Engineers! Clan-tastic On arrival at HKUST, four-year entrants were placed into one of nine “clans”, which immediately enfolded them within a group environment. Members include a mix of local, mainland and international Year 1s, student mentors from other years, faculty members, and a “clan fellow”, often a Head of Department. Even the Dean participates. “The clan concept covers four main areas, academic, social, emotional and institutional attachment, to help Year 1s over the transition from school to university and to expand their university experience,” said Prof Roger Cheng, Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies). “For example, in their first year in the clan, they will also get to know people who may eventually choose different majors from themselves. This can help interdisciplinary communication.” One activity to help clan members get to know each other saw professional trainers with experience of working with major corporations and engineers hired for a one-day team-building camp. Each clan offered its own camp, securing 60% to 70% total participation – a major success for a non-compulsory activity held at a weekend. “After the camp, we had lots of positive feedback,” Prof Cheng said. “The young engineers were surprised and pleased that we would organize something like this for them.” 5 IN FOCUS
Fun and enterprise The award-winning HKUST Robotics Team draws st departments across the School to design di erent t competitions. Five members describe how team me Chun Yin Leung - Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College - BEng in Computer Science 2011 - MPhil student, Electronic and Computer Engineering Jack As leader of the Robocon team taking part in the 2012 local and regional contests, Jackie was able to employ her passion and vision as well as strengthen her analytical skills. Indeed, one of t outstanding memories of taking part in such contests is the stro emotion – sometimes even tears – that team members experien following a victory, she said. “If you watch it on the television, you won’t share the same feeling. Only when you are one of the participants can you understand the excitement, after one year’ hard work.” In guiding the team ahead, Jackie expected members to learn h to present ideas and make convincing arguments, just as engine would. Discussions not only embraced robotics but virtually anything. She also improved her decision-making capabilities a she had to compare the pros and cons of di erent ideas, not sim follow others as in the past. Now, even though she has graduated, Jackie continues to advis and support the HKUST Robotics Team. Leadership and vision Since joining the HKUST Robotics Team impressed by the tremendous support and cohesion within the team. He has f only a group project, it is similar to a fa atmosphere creates higher morale and In this family, where everyone has di e ways of thinking, Eric has learned to be and look at issues from other perspectiv “keeping it fun” is as important as work After doing well in robotics competitio Eric and teammates Henry and Tak (bo also featured here) decided to try using robotic knowledge to devise a business “ It was time to go to the next stage, ” he They went on to compete in two contests, receiving the First Runn placeandtheHongKongTechnopreneurAwardattheHSBCYDCY Entrepreneur Challenge 2012, and gaining the Lenovo Innovatio Award and a place in the nals of the 1st Asia Innovation Forum Over 315 teams took part in the rst contest and more than 235 t in the second. The students’ business idea focused on a robot for underwater research, monitoring and investigations. To prepare for the busi plan contests, they attended enrichment talks and entrepreneu workshops organized by HKUST. Now their dream is to realize th plan, Eric said. Young Engineers 9 IN FOCUS
acquired by the various teams in half of 2012: Award Team - Championship, Robocon Best Engineering Award, teams Best Artistic Design Award - First Runner-up Third Class Award Smart Car First Runner-up and Remotely HK Technopreneur Award Operated Vehicle Second Runner-up Remotely Operated Vehicle Best Idea Award Robocon Lenovo Innovation Remotely Award and Finalist Operated Vehicle Gold Award Remotely Operated Vehicle Widy’s enthusiasm for robotics started in junior high school, with a course on electronics which featured robotics as one of the topics. He became curious how simple electronic equipment could perform powerful functions. He was also fascinated by the usefulness of robots, for example, in moving objects around and collecting data. Someone who always enjoys a challenge, Widy (as he is usually called)decided to apply to HKUST because he wanted to experience a new environment outside his home country of Indonesia. On starting at the University, the HKUST Robotics Team caught his attention. Although he initially had doubts about his knowledge of robotics, he learned from talking to team members that the basics would be taught. It wasn’t all straightforward at the beginning, but rather than give up, Widy tried to take part in meetings and basic work. Eventually, his efforts paid off. When he saw his robot functioning well, it brought a tremendous sense of achievement, he said. In addition to obtaining great satisfaction from the HKUST Robotics Team’s remarkable achievements, Henry has found his attitude toward life has also changed. With numerous school projects to fit in and the Robocon Team internal competition all at the same time, it meant managing on three to four hours’ sleep at night. Yet Henry persisted. “Giving up means an immediate end and instantaneous failure,” he said. “If I never give up, I will succeed one day.” In addition, Henry has become more courageous in trying new approaches. “Creativity is unlimited. Through trial and error, we can find good alternatives, which can then be applied in competitions,” he said. Andreas Widy - Santa Laurensia Senior High School, Serpong, Indonesia - BEng student, Electronic and Computer Engineering Hoi Lam Chan - Buddhist Tai Hung College - BEng in Computer Engineering 2012 - MPhil student, Electronic and Computer Engineering Spirit obocon Hong Kong Contest in 2004 e on to become leading contenders etitive circuit. The HKUST Robotics ajor areas — Robocon, Remotely d RoboCup — and more than 70 am supervisor Prof Kam Tim Woo, Engagement Program. Additions family are always welcome. Before joining the HKUST Robotics Team, Tak was a quiet, retiring person. As team members are required to take an active role, at first he had to force himself to speak and ask more. Later, he found this to be a good change and became more willing to express his opinions. With the encouragement of senior members, he is now more outgoing. He also found he gained much more than friends. Through training and competitions, Tak acquired presentation skills and greater independence. He had never previously thought of making a robot himself but through his work with the team, he discovered the power of passion to motivate him to achieve great things. The first competition Tak took part in was held in Thailand, where he learned to treat the contest as an exchange of technical skills and culture. Another important turning point was the HKUST Robotics Team tradition of senior members teaching junior ones. Seeing the transformation of new members from knowing nothing to learning a great deal made a deep impression, he said. Independence and social skills Personal challenge and persistence Motivation and courage otics Lung Tak Ho - AD & FD POHL Leung Sing Tak College - BEng student, Computer Engineering Tak Henry Widy IN FOCUS 10
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