From August 12 to 16, a delegation of 32 undergraduate students from the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Zhejiang University (ZJU) participated in a five-day academic exchange program in Hong Kong. Led by Professors Zhaohui Ren and Xusheng Qiao, together with Tianyun Han, the delegation visited the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Hong Kong Science Park, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), and City University of Hong Kong (CityU), gaining firsthand insights into cutting-edge materials and interdisciplinary research, as well as technological innovation.
HKUST: Exploring Advanced Materials Research
On August 13, Dr. Yan Shen from HKUST's Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering guided the students on a campus tour and visits to research facilities dedicated to materials characterization, design and manufacturing, and multifunctional composites. Students explored advanced instruments for thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, and mechanical testing, while learning how HKUST's interconnected engineering
and science facilities foster interdisciplinary collaboration. Dr. Qing Chen subsequently introduced postgraduate study opportunities at HKUST, highlighting the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme and research directions in flexible electronics and energy storage.
Hong Kong Science Park and CUHK: Bridging Research and Innovation
On August 14, the delegation visited Hong Kong Science Park, where students learned about the city's innovation ecosystem and its support for technology transfer and commercialization in areas including information and communication technology, biomedicine, and advanced materials. At CUHK, students explored the university's academic heritage through an exhibition featuring Nobel laureates Chen-Ning Yang and Charles Kao. They then attended three English-language lectures introducing the university's research facilities and recent advances in nanoparticle research and biomolecular simulation. Laboratory visits covering advanced batteries, quantum research, and thin-film characterization further broadened their understanding of emerging research directions.
CityU: Discovering Luminescent Materials and Research Opportunities
On August 15, Professor Feng Wang introduced CityU's Department of Materials Science and Engineering and shared his research on mechanoluminescent materials. During an interactive demonstration, students observed light emission from material samples under applied mechanical pressure, gaining an intuitive understanding of the relationship between mechanical stimuli and optical responses. In the afternoon, Professor Changhong Linghu, a ZJU alumnus and Presidential Assistant Professor at CityU, shared insights from his research in soft robotics and his academic journey. He encouraged students to develop rigorous research habits, embrace new challenges, and explore opportunities beyond their comfort zones.
Broadening Horizons and Inspiring Future Exploration
The five-day program provided students with valuable exposure to Hong Kong's advanced research infrastructure, interdisciplinary academic environment, and vibrant innovation ecosystem. Through laboratory visits, academic lectures, and interactions with leading researchers, participants deepened their understanding of materials science and its applications, while gaining fresh perspectives on future research, postgraduate studies, and international academic collaboration.
(Thanks to Bang Zeng for the contribution to this article)
