Major honours for outstanding CityU science researchers
By : Choi Yiu
From catalysis and green chemistry to robotics and biomedical engineering, CityU science is increasingly attracting attention from the world’s foremost scientific institutions.
Professor István T. Horváth, Chair Professor in the Department of Chemistry, has been elected External Member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences while Professor Sun Dong, Chair Professor and Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Director of Centre for Robotics and Automation, was elected Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE).
Controlling chemical reactions
Professor Horváth is internationally recognised for his research on the mechanisms of transition metal catalysts, the replacement of traditional organic solvents with novel reaction environments, and the application of new, biomass-based renewable chemicals.
Chair Professor István T. Horváth “Election to the Hungarian Academy of Sciences is very important recognition for me,” said Professor Horváth, who joined CityU in 2009.
His fluorous biphasic concept led to the evolution of fluorous chemistry, a fundamental discovery that allows chemical reactions to be controlled and proceed. His landmark paper on this topic with Dr József Rábai of Eötvös Loránd in Hungary in the top academic journal Science in 1994 and his review in Accounts of Chemical Research in 1998 achieve an average of 48 and 30 citations per year, respectively.
Fluorous chemistry involves the use of perfluorinated compounds or perfluorinated substituents to facilitate the recovery of a catalyst or reaction product.
Another of his major research directions is the conversion of biomass to fuels and chemicals as well as the definition and metrics of sustainability. He has suggested that gamma-valerolactone (GVL), a naturally occurring chemical and frequently used food additive, could become a “sustainable liquid for energy and chemicals” for future generations. Other researchers have expanded on these concepts, offering good prospects for the development of a GVL economy.
Established in 1825, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences has national status with about 700 members, including corresponding and full members (for Hungarians living in Hungary), external members (for Hungarians living outside the country), and honorary members (for non-Hungarians).
Robotics and biomedical engineering
Professor Sun has made groundbreaking advances in precision medicine using technologies that he invented such as microrobots and robot-aided automated micro processing for cell therapy.
Chair Professor Sun Dong “I’m deeply honoured at being elected Fellow of CAE,” he said. “I’m grateful to CityU for its support over the past 20 years. This platform has enabled me to contribute to robotics and biomedical engineering.”
He would use his experience to encourage more CityU young scientists to persevere on research breakthroughs, he said.
Professor Sun and his research team have developed the world’s first magnetic 3D-printed microscopic robot capable of carrying stem cells into the body to repair damaged tissue or treat tumours. The technology offers an alternative to invasive surgery, a means of reducing side effects caused by drugs and a way of tackling drug resistance issues.
“This invention could revolutionise regenerative medicine by offering more precise treatment for diseases,” he said, adding that the research outcomes have been published in the top academic journal Science Robotics.
Professor Sun, who joined CityU in 2000, holds the philosophy that “any outstanding engineering research must prove its application value”. Thus he set up DynaCity Technology (HK) Limited at the Hong Kong Science Park to facilitate knowledge transfer. The company’s patented invention of a P-beam sensor is used for the e-channel auto-pass systems at Hong Kong’s boundary-crossing facilities. The sensor can detect a passenger passing the e-channel and enable the system to control the opening and closing of the channel’s gate.
Over the past 20 years, Professor Sun has focused his research on robotics and biomedical engineering and successfully developed projects such as robot-aided automated processes for cell manipulation and diagnosis.
Started in 1987, CAE confers fellowships on individuals who have made substantial contributions to engineering in Canada, other countries or globally. A CAE fellowship is regarded as one of the highest honours in engineering.