News & Stories

Researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed the world’s first kilowatt-scale elastocaloric cooling device. The device can stabilize indoor temperatures at a comfortable 21-22°C in just 15 minutes, even when outdoor temperatures reach between 30-31°C, marking a significant breakthrough toward the commercial application of elastocaloric solid-state cooling technology. The research findings have been published in the leading international science journal Nature, offering a promising solution to combat climate change and accelerate low-carbon transformation of the global cooling industry. 

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Taiping Reinsurance Co., Ltd. (TPRe) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on March 4, 2025, to jointly develop and transfer new technologies to solve problems faced by the insurance industry and to gradually establish a long-term partnership. The signing ceremony was held at the China Taiping Finance Center. Prof. GUO Yike, HKUST Provost, and Mr. ZHAO Feng, Deputy General Manager of China Taiping Insurance Group Company Limited (China Taiping), witnessed the ceremony. Prof. ZHANG Limin, Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at HKUST, and Mr. YU Xiaodong, Chief Executive Officer of TPRe, signed the MoU on behalf of the two parties. Mr. Stephen WAI, Director of Business Development at the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Center (LSCM), and Dr. David LIU, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of Stellerus Tech, also attended the ceremony.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today announced partnerships with HKSH Medical Group (HKSH) and Hong Kong Adventist Hospital (HKAH), two leading private medical institutions which have served the city for over a century. These collaborations mark a significant step in HKUST’s ongoing efforts to establish Hong Kong’s third medical school and galvanize innovation in healthcare.

A collaborative research team led by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), and the National Center for Applied Mathematics Shenzhen (NCAMS) has introduced a nitrogen-centric framework that explains the light-absorbing effects of atmospheric organic aerosols. Published in Science, this groundbreaking study reveals that nitrogen-containing compounds play a dominant role in the absorption of sunlight by atmospheric organic aerosols worldwide. This discovery signifies a major step towards improving climate models and developing more targeted strategies to mitigate climate impact of airborne particles.

Top medical experts from the Council Advisory Group (CAG) and Medical Education Taskforce (Task Force) for The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) convened last month to advise the University on its plan to establish the city’s third medical school. The Task Force reviewed and endorsed the design of HKUST’s proposed curriculum, while the CAG encouraged the University to leverage its unique strengths in artificial intelligence (AI) and other cutting-edge technologies to cultivate clinically competent and technology-savvy physicians capable of driving innovations in medicine and healthcare.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is deeply saddened to announce the passing of its founding president, Prof. Chia-Wei WOO, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 87. Prof. Woo's visionary leadership and dedication were instrumental in establishing HKUST as a leading research university in Hong Kong and beyond. HKUST conveys its deepest condolences to his family and friends.Prof. Woo served as HKUST President from 1991 to 2001, during which he laid the foundation for a world-class institution that has significantly contributed to the advancement of technology and education in Hong Kong and the region. His foresight in proposing the Hong Kong Bay Area in the 1990s has left a lasting impact on the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs has predicted that by 2050, over 68% of the global population will reside in cities. This massive projected urban population (6.5+ billion) will no doubt put a great deal of strain on infrastructure, resources and the world’s ecosystems, but, from an engineering standpoint, such large-scale urbanization also presents tremendous opportunities for technological, human as well as other societal and economic development.

In a significant advancement for boosting renewable energy generation development, the School of Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has taken the lead in breaking through studies of the nanoscale properties of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). This initiative has resulted in the development of more efficient and durable cells, poised to substantially diminish costs and broaden applications, thereby connecting scientific research with the needs of the business community.