Graduate Studies & Research Newsletter March 2009 Published by City University of Hong Kong Volume 36 http://www.cityu.edu.hk/ro/newsletter IN THIS ISSUE FEATURES • Research 1 P.4 P.12 P. 22 • Recent Events 9 Launch of CityU Forum on data 2008 graduates’ • Knowledge Transfer 11 Wind Tunnel security and reflections • Graduate Studies 15 Facility encryption technology • CUPA News 24 CityU projects win huge research grants n the 2008/09 Research Grants Council’s funding exercises, Prof Cheng Sheung-tak of the Department of Applied Social Ithree projects from the College of Science and Engineering Studies, received the larger grant. have received funding through the Collaborative Research Fund Exercise totalling HK$16.2 million, and one project “This is a testimony from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences has won to the outstanding the largest grant of about HK$5 million in the Strategic Public research abilities Policy Research Funding Scheme. of CityU and is surely a boost The Collaborative Research to collaboration Fund offers Group Research among institutions Grants to encourage of higher education collaborative research across in driving disciplines and/or across research,” said Prof institutions funded by the Roderick Wong University Grants Committee. Sue-cheun, Vice- CityU received the highest Prof Lee Shuit-tong President (Research amount of funding among and Technology). local universities this year, and its application success “CityU researchers are driving special investigations in the rate was also the highest. The fields of science and social sciences that could ultimately funded projects included two yield an array of discoveries or improvements on current and on nanomaterials, led by Prof developing technologies, as well as contributing to enhancing Michel Van Hove, Head, and health and quality of life,” he added. Prof Michel Van Hove by Chair Professor Lee Shuit- tong, from the Department of Physics and Materials Science The two projects on nanomaterials are complementary, sharing respectively, and one on the detection and assessment of toxins the goals of contributing to medical applications, energy in seafood and their transfer led by Prof Paul Lam Kwan-sing development and the environment. of the Department of Biology and Chemistry, who is also Vice- President for Student Affairs. The performance of nanodevices is often dominated by surface properties because of the extremely high surface-to-bulk ratio in The Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme was a nanostructure, said Prof Van Hove. His project, titled “Studies launched in 2008/09 to support and promote longer-term public of Fundamental Properties of Nanosurfaces and Selected policy research projects. Of the two successful applications Applications”, will use a new methodology for designing and this year, the project titled “A Benefit-finding Intervention for tailoring highly-controlled nanoplatforms. The team will Family Caregivers of Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease”, led by (continued on pages 2 and 3) 1 Newsletter Advisory Board Prof Roderick Wong, Vice-President (Research & Technology) / Dean of Graduate Studies • Prof Y V Hui, Associate Dean, Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies • Prof K K Wei, Dean of College of Business • Dr Zhu Chunshen, Department of Chinese, Translation and Linguistics • Dr Bruce Richardson, Department of Biology and Chemistry • Dr John Ho, School of Law • Mr Tang Kin-ching, representative from CityU Postgraduate Association The Editorial Board welcomes articles, photos and ideas. Please send your Editorial Board contributions to Ms Millie Mark c/o Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies Mrs Linda Cheng, Research Grants & Contracts Office • Ms Shirley Lam, Office of the Vice-President (Research & Technology) • (Fax: 2788 7097; Email: [email protected]). Ms Millie Mark, Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies • Mr H Y Wong, Knowledge Transfer Office RESEARCH (continued from page 1) illnesses which are of then measure and explain with theory the growing global concern. functional properties, including determining Methods for the detection for the first time the surface structure of the of PSP toxins in seafood nanoplatforms. The dual longer-term aims have been established, are to improve the properties of nanoparticles but methods for the that enhance their antibacterial activity detection of CFP toxins for combating infections, and to optimize have not yet been fully the efficiency of converting solar energy to developed because these electricity. The project was awarded HK$7.4 toxins are structurally million, the biggest grant in this year’s complex and are difficult Collaborative Research Fund Exercise. Prof Paul Lam Kwan-sing and expensive to isolate or synthesise, said Prof The other project on nanomaterials, led by Prof Lee, received Lam. Through the research project, Prof Lam and his team will a grant of HK$5.6 million. The functions of all nanomaterials establish an instrumental method and bioassays for measuring are determined by their surface properties, thus the ability toxins involved in CFP and develop reference toxin standards. to control surface properties in nanostructures is crucial to The team will also develop a rapid testing method to detect the the development of nanostructure-based devices, said Prof toxins, thus contributing to the protection of human health and Lee. In the project titled “Study and Engineering of Surface- the environment, as well as minimizing economic loss. dependent Properties and Core-shell Composite Structures of Nanomaterials”, he and his team will study and manipulate the As little is known about the sources, dynamics and fates of PSP structure and properties of single nano-objects to gain detailed and CFP toxins in marine species and food webs, the team will understanding of their surface-dependent properties and core- study how the toxins transfer in ecosystems, hoping that this shell composite structure and their effects on nanomaterials will help minimize the occurrence of toxic fish species. characteristics. Based on their findings, the team will fabricate a range of nanodevices such as light emitting diodes and laser In the project funded by the Strategic Public Policy Research diodes, field effect transistors, solar cells, memory devices, Funding Scheme, Prof Cheng aims to develop an innovative chemical/biological/biomedical sensors and waveguides for benefit-finding programme to reduce the stress and promote diverse applications. the well-being of caregivers of family members with Alzheimer’s disease. The burden of caring for Alzheimer’s The project titled “Algal Toxins: Development of Analytical patients often results in depression and poor health, thus and Bioassay Detection Methods and Assessment of affecting the effectiveness of the caregivers. Prof Cheng Environmental Transfer in Marine Food Webs” received a believes that the caregivers will experience less stress and grant of HK$3.2 million. Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) feel more efficacious in carrying out their tasks if they find and ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) are major seafood-toxin (continued on page 3) Projects funded by the Research Grants Council Projects receiving the Collaborative Research Fund Investigators from CityU Studies of Fundamental Properties of Nanosurfaces and Selected Applications Prof Michel Van Hove Prof Chan Chi-hou Prof David Tong Shuk-yin Prof Zhang Ruiqin Study and Engineering of Surface-dependent Properties and Core-shell Composite Structures of Prof Lee Shuit-tong Nanomaterials Prof Igor Bello Prof Lee Chun-sing Dr Ma Duoduo Dr Wong Ning-bew Dr J Antonio Zapien Dr Zhang Ruiqin Dr Zhang Wenjun Algal Toxins: Development of Analytical and Bioassay Detection Methods and Assessment of Prof Paul Lam Kwan-sing Environmental Transfer in Marine Food Webs Dr Michael Lam Hon-wah Dr Lam Yun-wah Dr Margaret B Murphy Project receiving funding from the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme A Benefit-finding Intervention for Family Caregivers of Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease Dr Cheng Sheung-tak Dr Julian Lai Chuk-ling 2 Graduate Studies & Research Newsletter RESEARCH benefits and Besides focusing on the primary caregiver, the project will meaning in examine, at the global level, the effectiveness and feasibility of what they do. cross-generational interventions. “In addition to contributing By promoting to the development of caregiving as a formal occupation, a more positive development of a manual for the NGOs, on the training of image of professionals, for example, occupational therapists, social caregiving, workers and psychologists and the like who help caregivers, the caregivers will project will have far-reaching implications for long-term policy be encouraged development in Hong Kong as well as make an impact on the to get training, field’s thinking as to how caregiver interventions should be receive help conducted,” he said. and improve — Shirley Lam networking in the Prof Cheng Sheung-tak neighbourhood. Leading CityU scientist receives natural science’s highest state award rof Chen Guanrong, Chair Professor of Electronic Prof Chen’s main research pursuit is in one of the major areas PEngineering, was conferred the State Natural Science Award of engineering. While enhancing the quality of basic research, (SNSA), Second Class, in recognition of his achievements and he also applies his research to related areas such as complex contributions in the field of chaos theory. networks, information encryption and secure communications, non-linear vibration