PolyU – China Resources Plan to Establish Joint Research Centres for Micro-Electronics and Precision Medicine

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) reached strategic collaborative research framework agreements with China Resources Microelectronics Limited (CR Micro) and China Resources Life Science Industry Development Co., Ltd. (CR Life Science) respectively to explore the possibility of establishing two joint research centres for novel micro-electronic devices and precision medicine. The agreements will strengthen the strategic collaboration between the parties, aiming to translate technologies research into practical applications.

PolyU excels in a number of research areas including artificial intelligence (AI), advanced materials, life science and healthcare. CR Micro and CR Life Science will provide resources and support to PolyU researchers and will build a mutually beneficial platform with PolyU to advance the transfer of research results into applications through close collaborations among industry, academia and research & development (R&D) sector.

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The agreements were signed today on PolyU campus by Ir Professor Alex WAI, Vice President (Research Development) of PolyU; Mr Sean ZHANG, General Manager of CR Micro; and Mr YAN Jianguo, Chairman of CR Life Science. Witnessing the ceremony were Mr LIU Zhi-ming, Deputy Inspector, Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs, Liasion Office of The Central People’s Government in HKSAR; Mr T C CHAN, PolyU Council Chairman; and Mr CHEN Ying, Chief Strategy Officer of China Resources Group (CRG).

Mr T C CHAN, Chairman of PolyU Council, said, “PolyU has always been committed to conducting impactful research with practical value. In addition to basic research, we also attach great importance to applied research. Among the universities in Hong Kong, PolyU has achieved outstanding results in knowledge transfer, taking up a leading role in the last four consecutive years. This is attributed to our close collaboration with the industry over the years. PolyU has proved itself a good partner of the industry. It is convinced that the collaborative effort between PolyU and CRG will generate fruitful commercialisation results from our research success through the tripartite partnership among industry, academia and research sector, thus improving people’s quality of life and promoting economic prosperity.”

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Mr CHEN Ying, Chief Strategy Officer of CRG, said, as a China state-owned enterprise, the Group is determined to implement its innovation-and-technology (I&T) driven strategies. The Group acknowledges that I&T is critically important to its transformation and development, therefore I&T development is a sustainable strategic direction of CRG. In the long run, the Group would cultivate innovation as corporate’s culture and DNA, it would also enhance investment in technology innovation, nurture talents and future leaders, perfect corporate culture and improve incentive schemes. The collaboration between CRG and PolyU is an important initiative to realise the nation’s implementation of the “innovation-driven” growth strategy and the Greater Bay Area development plan, as well as the Group’s I&T development strategy. Leveraging each other’s strengths, both parties will beef up the manpower and resources for I&T and promote commercialisation of research efforts. CRG will also continuously enhance its innovativeness and competitiveness for economic development and develop high-quality products.

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PolyU will collaborate with CR Micro to jointly develop an intelligent sprayable nano-engineered sensor system for monitoring the structural health of large wind turbine blades and its management system. It is expected that such technology will be applied to wind turbines of the renewable energy sector of China Resources. Another joint research project is to develop a low-cost, light-weight, highly sensitive and mechanically flexible organic electrochemical transistors for medical diagnosis use.

CR Micro also plans through various channels to support the joint R&D in third generation power semiconductor and module-based semiconductor device, sensing application, AI and advanced manufacturing, Internet of Things and smart cities. The two parties will jointly apply research project grants from Hong Kong and national projects, and strive to open up domestic and foreign markets through various channels for commercialisation of research findings.

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Separately, PolyU will collaborate with CR Life Science to develop frontier technology and products in life sciences and precision medicine, covering both fundamental and clinical research on precision medicine. The collaboration will leverage the edges of the two parties to conduct research on tumors, cardiovascular diseases, endocrine and metabolic diseases and rare diseases. PolyU experts will undertake research projects whereas CR Life Science will provide major research funding and open the channels for the application of related technologies.

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