City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and the University of Cambridge have established a new research centre focused on advancing smart manufacturing and supporting Hong Kong’s transition towards Industry 5.0.
The Centre for Advanced and Smart Manufacturing (CASM), based in Hong Kong Science Park, is one of the research centres under the Hong Kong Government’s InnoHK initiative. It is co-led by Professor Lu Jian, Chair Professor in CityUHK’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Professor Colm Durkan of the University of Cambridge.
CASM will bring together researchers from Hong Kong and overseas to develop new materials, manufacturing methods and digital technologies targeting challenges across several industries, CityUHK said in a news release.
Its research will focus on four application areas: next-generation refrigeration, thermal management for data centres, green manufacturing for new energy vehicles, and innovative materials for consumer electronics.
The centre will use additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, as a core technology platform, combining materials design, digital engineering, manufacturing processes and end-use applications.
According to CityUHK, this approach is intended to allow researchers to consider performance, cost and sustainability during the design and manufacturing process.
Professor Lu said the centre was intended to support Hong Kong’s role in advanced manufacturing and its wider reindustrialisation efforts.
“Hong Kong was once one of Asia’s leading manufacturing centres. Looking ahead, our aim is to leverage advanced manufacturing to enable Hong Kong to once again play a key role in the global industrial value chain,” Professor Lu said.
The centre will also investigate technologies for improving data centre cooling as demand for computing infrastructure grows. Researchers are developing heat-exchange structures and metallic materials aimed at improving cooling efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
Another research area involves the use of recycled aluminium in new energy vehicles. CityUHK said researchers will combine AI-assisted design with additive manufacturing to explore ways of reducing vehicle weight while maintaining performance and safety.
Industry 5.0 builds on the connected systems, robotics and data-driven production associated with Industry 4.0, while placing greater emphasis on human expertise, sustainability and social responsibility.
“AI is a key enabler, but environmental protection and social responsibility are equally important,” Professor Lu said. “These are the defining principles of Industry 5.0.”
CASM will also support research training through PhD, postdoctoral and undergraduate opportunities, including research projects, internships and international collaborations.
Professor Lu said Hong Kong’s international links and connections with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area could support the centre’s ambitions to connect research with industry.
“Through CASM, we aim to bring more innovative technologies from the laboratory to industry, injecting fresh momentum into Hong Kong’s new industrialisation and future economic development,” he said.
