Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), in collaboration with the Innovation and Technology Commission, has officially launched the third InnoHK research cluster, SEAM@InnoHK, at Hong Kong Science Park. This initiative is set to drive emerging industries such as sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing, and materials, underscoring Hong Kong's robust R&D capabilities and its role as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub.
The ceremony was graced by key officials including Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Ms Cordelia Chung, Chairman of HKSTP; and Mr Terry Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP, alongside representatives from top local and international academic institutions. The new cluster brings together eight R&D centres that will focus on translating cutting-edge research into tangible societal benefits, further solidifying Hong Kong's position in the global I&T landscape.
Ms Cordelia Chung highlighted the significance of this milestone: "InnoHK has been with the Science Park for 5 years and this is the start of the second 5-year period. What we can see is that InnoHK has demonstrated the power of collaboration amongst world eminent scholars, researchers, and global partners. The first two clusters, Health@InnoHK and AIR@InnoHK have delivered world-class achievements. We commit to provide all the support we can to the InnoHK teams, as your success will add to the heartbeat of the ecosystem—not only for HKSTP, but for Hong Kong's entire innovation landscape."
The SEAM@InnoHK cluster features collaborations with over 30 prestigious universities and research institutions, including the University of Cambridge, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Nagoya University, National University of Singapore, Tsinghua University, and Peking University. Notably, three R&D centres involve Nobel Laureates: Professor Ben L. Feringa (2016 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry) from the University of Groningen participates in the InnoHK Centre of Functional Materials for Energy and Sustainability (CFMES); Sir Konstantin Novoselov, the "Father of Graphene" from the National University of Singapore (2010 Nobel Laureate in Physics), serves as principal investigator for the Inno Centre for Heterogeneous Integration and Production (CHIP); and Professor Hiroshi Amano from Nagoya University (2014 Nobel Laureate in Physics) is involved in the InnoHK Power Semiconductors and Applications Center (PowerSAC). This stellar lineup underscores Hong Kong's unique ability to attract world-class talent and foster cross-border research collaboration.
The eight R&D centres under SEAM@InnoHK cover a wide range of transformative areas. The InnoHK Centre for Advanced and Smart Manufacturing (CASM) aims to lead global manufacturing toward Industry 5.0 by integrating AI, advanced materials, additive manufacturing, and digital twins. The InnoHK Centre of Functional Materials for Energy and Sustainability (CFMES) focuses on breakthroughs in functional materials for energy and sustainability challenges. The InnoHK Centre for Heterogeneous Integration and Production (CHIP) advances next-generation electronics through innovations in semiconductor equipment and material processing. The InnoHK Centre for Space Manufacturing Technology (CSMT) establishes a world-class hub for space manufacturing research. The InnoHK Hong Kong Center for Renewable Energy and Storage (HKCRES) develops high-performance perovskite photovoltaics, green hydrogen systems, and next-generation batteries. The InnoHK Power Semiconductors and Applications Center (PowerSAC) develops advanced power semiconductors for efficient power conversion. The InnoHK Research Centre for Intelligent GRID and Energy Technologies (I-GET) creates intelligent grid technologies for carbon-neutral cities. Finally, the InnoHK Sustainable Materials & Advanced Renewable Technologies (SMARTCentre) uses AI to accelerate materials discovery for waste upcycling and clean energy.
This initiative is part of the HKSAR Government's flagship InnoHK program, which aims to position Hong Kong as a global hub for scientific research cooperation. With the addition of SEAM@InnoHK to the existing Health@InnoHK and AIR@InnoHK clusters, Hong Kong is set to accelerate technology transfer, startup incubation, and the growth of its I&T industry. HKSTP, as the largest I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong, provides comprehensive support including world-class R&D infrastructure, connections with academic institutions, talent pools, and investor networks, ensuring that these research teams can transform breakthroughs into commercial solutions that benefit society.
The launch of SEAM@InnoHK not only enhances Hong Kong's scientific landscape but also strengthens its position as a global leader in innovation, particularly in areas critical to future sustainability and advanced manufacturing. By fostering collaboration among top global institutions and leveraging Nobel Laureate expertise, Hong Kong is poised to make significant contributions to addressing global challenges and driving economic growth.
