HKAES series

February 24, 2026 (Tuesday) 4:00-5:00pm
This talk will start by analysing the need for energy storage for decarbonization, and then review the global status of electrochemical energy storage, followed with the discussion of future perspectives for electrochemical energy storage in research and development.

January 20, 2026 (Tuesday) 4:00-5:00pm
Nature is an expert in water and energy management. Over billions of years’ evolution, biological systems have orchestrated a variety of principles to regulate mass and energy transport, especially by harnessing elegant surfaces and interfaces.
This talk will present our recent development on proposing a field-matching principle that provides a new framework for surfaces and interface designs to achieve efficient water-energy nexus. This principle suggests that by tailoring the heterogeneous surfaces to reconstruct the fluid field and the physical gradient field, the two originally mismatched fields can be perfectly matched to maximize the energy output. Such a field-matching principle is also substantiated by introducing the matching coefficient, which serves as an important metric of interface design to mediate the transport and energy processes. The common feature of this principle across diverse fields allows us to establish a unified potential-energy equation, which complements the well-established theoretical framework of energy conversion and helps to guide the development of new materials and systems, even involving acoustic, optical, and magnetic fields.

December 18, 2025 (Thursday) 4:00-5:00pm
Hong Kong is one of the places with the longest life expectancy in the world. Many attributes this to the success of the healthcare system. The public healthcare system offers high quality healthcare services to all residents, ensuring no one is deprived of adequate healthcare due to lack of means.
Hong Kong’s health system, however, faces huge challenges from the aging population and rapidly advancing medical technology. These two biggest challenges have become the major drivers of healthcare costs, leaving questions on sustainability and accessibility. We are seeing Artificial Intelligence (AI) disrupting many aspects of health and healthcare delivery. Will AI help to address these challenges? How can AI help?

November 18, 2025 (Tuesday) 4:00-5:00pm
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming the construction industry, driving innovation and efficiency like never before. AI enhances decision-making through predictive analytics, process automation, and real-time insights, while IoT connects devices and systems, enabling seamless communication and data collection. With the introduction of Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) and Multi-trade Integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP), this synergy further optimizes off-site prefabrication, improving precision, reducing waste, and accelerating project timelines. From smart sensors monitoring site conditions to AI-driven schedules, this convergence paves the way for smart, sustainable, and advanced construction solutions.

October 22, 2025 (Wednesday) 4:00-5:00pm
While climate change is a global crisis, its impacts are profoundly and systematically unequal. This talk will confront the uncomfortable truth that the burden of a warming planet is not shared fairly. We will explore how different communities, nations and even people of different sexes are suffering its most devastating consequences.
We will start with first the frontlines of the crisis, then trace the roots of this disparity, highlighting how vulnerable regions are experiencing climate impacts with a severity that outstrips their capacity to cope.
However, this is not just a story of victimhood; it is a call for redefined responsibility. This talk will argue that climate justice must be at the heart of our response. The fight against climate change is inseparable from the fight for a more equitable world.

June 17, 2025 (Tuesday) 4:00-5:00pm
Environmental Analytical Microbiology integrates advanced sequencing, absolute quantification, and standardization to address microbial pollution and antibiotic resistance. This talk traces microbial ecology’s evolution from microscopy to metagenomics, highlighting innovations like cellular internal standards for cross-study comparisons. Case studies demonstrate applications in wastewater treatment, anaerobic digestion, and microbial risk assessment, emphasizing quantification of pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The global resistome analysis reveals anthropogenic impacts on ARG distribution, while frameworks prioritize high-risk genes. Future efforts focus on the Environment–Microbiome–Health axis, advocating for microbiome-informed urban design to enhance public health. By merging cutting-edge technologies with interdisciplinary collaboration, this field aims to mitigate environmental risks and promote sustainable co-evolution with microbial ecosystems.

May 20, 2024 (Tuesday) 4:00-5:00pm
Environmental Analytical Microbiology integrates advanced sequencing, absolute quantification, and standardization to address microbial pollution and antibiotic resistance. This talk traces microbial ecology’s evolution from microscopy to metagenomics, highlighting innovations like cellular internal standards for cross-study comparisons. Case studies demonstrate applications in wastewater treatment, anaerobic digestion, and microbial risk assessment, emphasizing quantification of pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The global resistome analysis reveals anthropogenic impacts on ARG distribution, while frameworks prioritize high-risk genes. Future efforts focus on the Environment–Microbiome–Health axis, advocating for microbiome-informed urban design to enhance public health. By merging cutting-edge technologies with interdisciplinary collaboration, this field aims to mitigate environmental risks and promote sustainable co-evolution with microbial ecosystems.

May 16, 2024 (Friday) 4:00-5:00pm
Transitioning to renewable energy and efficient energy systems is paramount for achieving carbon neutrality, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach. Energy research must encompass a wide array of factors, including temporal aspects, geographical considerations, and data analysis. This discussion delves into the complexities of energy transitions, illustrating their interconnectedness with the global energy landscape. Challenges such as integrating renewable energy sources, managing demand fluctuations, and overcoming research barriers are explored. By forging connections between energy and various sectors, comprehensive and sustainable solutions can be developed. A focus on interdisciplinary research is crucial for advancing future energy endeavors and addressing broader environmental imperatives.

March 18, 2024 (Tuesday) 4:00-5:00pm
Recent advancements in nanotechnology have enabled the creation of diverse nanostructures, which are integral to high-performance biosensors, terahertz (THz) devices, and meta-devices. Nanoimprint technology, when combined with precise dry etching techniques, facilitates the rapid production of three-dimensional (3D) nanodevices with high uniformity and precisely controlled dimensions across large areas.
In this presentation, we will showcase several applications of these technologies:
1. 3D Biomimetic Platforms and Plasmonic Biosensors to control and monitor cells and biomolecules with exceptional sensitivity.
2. High-Frequency Terahertz (THz) Lenses and Antennas utilizing curved or meta surfaces to enhance functionality and performance.
3. Multi-Layered Meta Surfaces with Twist Angles to achieve chiral magic angles for advanced light manipulation.