As one of the most dynamic and culturally diversified universities in the world, CityU has been a cradle for creative innovations. Not only that, this vibrantly young university has increasingly become a source of scientifically minded entrepreneurs, who offer innovative solutions to meet existing real-world challenges, while contributing ways to make this a better planet.

AmaZinc Energy Limited is a start-up co-founded by Professor Zhi Chunyi and Ph.D graduate Dr Tang Zijie, Zane, of CityU’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Eyeing on top safety, this exciting fledgling firm specialises in developing next-generation flexible batteries and energy storage systems. The former has widespread application in the world offering unsurpassed energy densities.

Flexible batteries come in various shapes and forms, including thin-film, curved and printed. The market is expected to increase a whopping 30 percent CAGR from US$325 million in 2018 to US$9.5 billion by 2026 , according to market research and insights company Verified Market Reports. Zhi explains the growing significance of flexible batteries. “We could have flexible integrated circuits and flexible touchscreen monitors. But if the batteries used to power all these components are not flexible, the end products themselves can never be truly flexible.”

The next-generation flexible batteries to power wearable devices will likely resemble light-weight fabrics undetected even on close contact with our skin . “In addition to functional considerations, more importantly there are concerns for comfort and safety,” adds Zhi, who has taken the role of Chief Scientist and President in the start-up. Hence, the development for much-needed improvement on safety,  which serves as a compass for AmaZinc Energy’s future development direction.

In energy storage materials and systems, it is a constant challenge is to juxtapose between performance and safety. In the mind of this top 1% of cited scientists in the material science world , there are always safety concerns. 

To safeguard the interest of future customers, for any widespread application, the team has developed the batteries with sound structural capability for maximum mechanical stability. AmaZinc’s batteries are distinguished from other flexible battery systems with the use of strong separators.

In parallel, the start-up also looks to develops another product line, commercial solutions based on aqueous zinc-ion battery technology. Various experiments conducted by the team have shown the battery is intrinsically safe. It can be cut, bended, pierced, soaked in water, and saturated in brine, and yet still records no burning or explosion issues.

While research on zinc-ion batteries has become active over recent years, Zhi’s team is at the fore of using hydrogels as electrolyte. Zhi notes that semi-solid hydrogels serve as an extremely flexible agent offering excellent shock absorbing ability. “The super tough hydrogels we developed is characterised by high degrees of flexibility and tenacity,” says Zhi. “They can effectively avoid the contact of the anode and cathode in the system, minimising short-circuit risk.” The potential application of the research is literally borderless.

The other co-founder, Tang enrolled in a Ph.D programme in CityU in 2015, focusing on the research in zinc-ion batteries and polymer electrolytes under the guidance of Zhi. Tang did not view himself as an absolute scholar, being mindful of his long-term ambition to create something that people could use in their daily lives. 

He reckons: “It would be very unfortunate if all of our research projects only ended up appearing in scientific papers. And being young is an advantage, I thought to myself, I could start a new project if an idea would fail the test in the actual world.”

As AmaZinc Energy’s CEO, the reserved, yet confident Tang is under no illusion, knowing that any start-up has a fairly long shot of being successful. Yet, he praises the support given by CityU in his path to becoming an entrepreneur. 

He says: “CityU offered us HK$200,000 in my third year being a Ph.D student, while offering technical assistance for us to apply for the Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities, funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Hong Kong SAR Government.”

Now, amazing Energy operates a research centre in Hong Kong, whereas in Dongguan it has a small development centre cum assembling plant. Its clients range from local companies looking for reliable battery solutions to multinationals that wish to stay on top of their game with innovative, next-generation flexible batteries.

For example, the company has been developing watch strap batteries for Guangdong-based Little Genius, a leading smart watch brand targeting kids in the global market. It has also worked with fashion brands for electronically illuminated clothing and accessories, in addition to military supplies manufacturers for heated wearables. 

In addition to flexible batteries, AmaZinc Energy is also developing zinc-ion batteries for ultra-safe energy storage solutions. According to Zhi and his team, this can be a feasible alternative to lithium-ion battery systems, which are prone to knock-on effect, potentially catching fire in the process, resulting in huge damages.

As one of the safest and most reliable energy storage systems for both household and community uses, zinc-ion batteries can be connected to such renewable sources as solar power panels. AmaZinc has produced prototypes in various proof-of-concept stages, in capacity of 10 amp hour.

As proved by Zhi and Tang, there is always a better, safer and more viable solution for existing challenges. In the area of flexible batteries and safe energy storage systems, the CityU scientists have helped make this world a safer, more comfortable and, ultimately, a better place.