Electronic Engineers Win Recognition for High-Performance Transistors Water-Saving Technology ‘Exported’ to Cuba Congratulations go to the research team led by Prof Kei May Lau, Chair Professor of Electronic and Computer Engineering, for receiving the JSAP Outstanding Paper Award from the Japan Society of Applied Physics for its work on novel high-speed, energy-saving transistors. This is the first time the award has been won by any team from Hong Kong and Mainland China since its inception in 1979. The paper on “InvertedType InGaAs MetalOxide-Semiconductor High-Electron-Mobility Transistor on Si Substrate with Maximum Drain Current Exceeding 2A/mm” was co-authored by alumna Dr Xiuju Zhou, PhD student Qiang Li, researcher Chak Wah Tang and Prof Lau. The award honors excellent original papers that contribute to the progress and improvement of applied physics. The novel “match-making” technology deposits next-generation, highspeed, energy-efficient transistors on silicon using high-mobility compound semiconductor materials. These devices seek to reduce power consumption by as much as 10 times and increase switching speeds five-fold. This is indeed groundbreaking work, given the importance of computers, mobile devices and other gadgets in everyday life and their reliance on high-performing transistors. In addition, the research team has also demonstrated high-speed transistors and photo-detectors utilizing the compound crystals with comparable performance to those using highcost matching crystals. The project is supported by major multinational companies in the field and by public funding, and the technology is expected to be widely used by the semiconductor integrated circuit industry in the future. It is an everyday matter that Hong Kong people hardly give a second thought to, but for those in developing parts of the world it can make a huge difference to their lives – and that is the SAR’s seawater toilet-flushing system, which saves huge amounts of fresh water and energy daily. Prof Guanghao Chen, Civil and Environmental Engineering, explains: “Leveraging this unique system, we have developed a novel, energy-efficient and low-carbon sewage treatment technology.” The resulting innovative urban watermanagement system is part of “+AGUA PARA TODOS (More Water for All)”, a three-year water-saving project at the heart of a partnership between HKUST and the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, being implemented in the Caribbean island of Cuba. “The Sulphate Reduction, Autotrophic Denitrification and Nitrification Integrated (SANI) Process can eliminate 90% of sewage sludge production and reduce sewage treatment costs by 50%, space requirements by over 50% and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 35%,” explains Prof Chen. This valuable project includes the conversion of part of a tourist resort near Havana to seawater toilet flushing, reuse of wastewater for irrigation and the use of the SANI Process for wastewater treatment. It is an excellent example of the relevance of HKUST’s research and development regarding global water management and environmental protection. Water shortages are a growing problem in the world today, and this innovative technology provides an energy-efficient and economical way to save water in coastal cities and islands. 9 IN FOCUS
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