Two Esteemed SEE Faculty Members Secured Over HK$12 Million in RGC Collaborative Research Funds (CRF) 2024/25

Congratulations to Prof. Charles Chunbao Xu, Chair Professor, and Prof. Jian Wang, Assistant Professor, on receiving the RGC-Collaborative Research Fund (CRF) and RGC-Young Collaborative Research Grant (YCRG), respectively. The total awarded projects have received funding of over HK$12 million.

The project “A Biorefining Approach to Converting Organic Solid Wastes into Multiple High-Value Bioproducts,” led by Prof. Charles Chunbao Xu as Principal Investigator, was awarded over HK$8 million from the RGC. This innovative zero-waste approach aims to convert food waste (FW) and yard waste (YW) into multiple high-value bioproducts, including non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) resin, bio-carbon materials, green H2/CH4, and green chemicals. For instance, NIPU could be used as a plant growth medium, while the bio-carbon materials produced could serve in gas adsorption-separation processes. This project aligns with Hong Kong’s objectives of achieving zero landfill by 2035 and carbon neutrality by 2050, and supports China’s “waste-free cities” initiative.

The project “High-Performance and Long-Life Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis: From Material Design to Cell Innovation,” led by Prof. Jian Wang, was awarded over HK$4 million from the RGC. This project aims to innovate both the electrode materials and cell devices of anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE). Through advanced characterization techniques and theoretical calculations, the team will elucidate the mechanisms underlying the modulated performance of these systems. Their collaborative efforts are poised to establish a rational and effective approach for enhancing the performance and longevity of AEMWE, with the ambitious goal of surpassing the performance targets set by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for 2031.

Our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Charles Chunbao Xu and Prof. Jian Wang for their remarkable achievements!