Chemical engineering has become a highly diversified engineering and science discipline which encompasses research interests ranging from aerosol to zeolite and from conventional petrochemical processing to multi-disciplinary areas such as materials engineering, biotechnology and environmental engineering. In addition to the fundamentals of transport, thermodynamics, kinetics and reaction engineering, research interests of HKUST focus on four areas, as described below.
Advanced Materials
Over the last three decades, many of the “high-technology”
industries have evolved from mechanical-based manufacturing to chemical-based manufacturing. Examples may be seen in home entertainment, data storage and manipulation, tele-communication, high performance polymers, advanced ceramics and composites. Chemical engineers have actively participated in researches that have made these advances possible. At HKUST, research efforts are being focused on novel polymers and polymer composites. The fundamental processes such as rheology, non-Newtonian flow, heat and mass transport, and reactor design
Ti02 (Titanium Dioxide) Synthesis Reactor
associated with the production and processing of these materials are being studied in depth. Research programmes are supported by state-of-the-art equipment at the Materials Characterisation and Preparation Centre. In addition, multidisciplinary research and collaboration are possible through the Institute of Micro Systems, the Advanced Manufacturing Institute, Advanced Materials Research Institute and Centre for Advanced Engineering Materials.
Bioprocess Engineering
Biotechnology has emerged as a new opportunity for chemical engineers. Genetic and environmental manipulation of cells for protein production and for enhanced biocatalytic activities are possible by recombinant DNA techniques and metabolic engineering. Designing and maintaining the associated bioprocesses relies on the understanding of (i) the kinetics of cell growth and enzymatic catalysis, (ii) the transport and thermodynamic properties of the system, (iii) cell culture equipment and down-stream separation, (iv) current good manufacturing practices (GMP). Chemical engineers contribute
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to a large number of traditional and new biotechnology industries from brewing, pharmaceutical and waste treatment to protein production by animal and insect cells and the associated purification. At HKUST, novel biosensors and environmental biotechnology are active research endeavors. Research activities are supported by the Biotechnology Research Institute at HKUST.
Environmental Engineering
Hong Kong is a densely populated urban city where encounter of air, water, municipal and industrial pollution is a fact of life for its residents. Naturally, research programmes at HKUST aim to develop appropriate technologies for improving the environmental quality in Hong Kong. However, research efforts will not merely be restricted to tackling local problems but will involve fundamental studies of generic phenomena and innovative methods which provide the basis for new solutions to the many and varied environmental problems world-wide. The Department participates in collaborative programmes with other departments in the University and the Institute for Environmental Studies.
Examples of projects include air pollutant formation and abatement, source apportionment of air pollutants, gas to particulate conversions, deodorisation of indoor air, catalytic and advanced oxidation, conventional and advanced methods for the treatment of wastewater, hazardous waste and micro-contamination, waste minimisation, and cleaner technologies.
Process System Engineering
Validated and robust models underpin the success of scale-up, design and optimisation of all kinds of processes in the process and allied industries. The design, operation and control of these processes may be facilitated by advanced computational tools and computer technology. In conjunction with the other three areas of research, projects are developed to model complex problems such as air pollutant dispersion, scale-up of bioprocesses, and surface phenomena and effects. More fundamental studies involve the development of process design tools, optimization strategies and model solution techniques. Other projects will focus on the application of dynamic simulation, advanced control, parallel processing, knowledge-based systems, neural network and other artificial intelligence techniques to problems in non-traditional processes. particularly those that are relevant to industries in Hong Kong and Asia.
LABORATORIES
Advanced Materials Research Laboratories Air Pollution Control Research Laboratory Analytical Laboratory
Biochemical Engineering Research Laboratories Environmental Engineering Research Laboratories Food-Engineering Laboratory
Pilot Plant Research Laboratory Polymer Characterization Laboratory Polymer Processing Laboratory
Process Engineering Applications Laboratories
Waste and Wastewater Treatment Research Laboratory
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n June 1995, we watched with excitement the first batch of graduates receive their degree from our undergraduate
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programme, thirty-six in total. What gives us the greatest pleasure is the fact that they are working in relevant fields where they can apply to the fullest what they have learned at HKUST. In the same year, we also admitted an unprecedentedly large intake of 128 undergraduate students to the Department. Now, we have a total undergraduate enrolment of 294 students, among whom 73 are expected to graduate by June 1996. The fact that the Department itself has eventually produced its own graduates also has significant implications on its postgraduate programmes. In Fall 1995, the Department took in 31 new part-time MSc students, of whom 18 are graduates from our own undergraduate programme. This figure, which is also half of the 36 graduates that we produced in that year, is by no means a coincidence.The high enrolment percentage from our own fresh graduates indicatively reflects the appreciation for and the attachment to the Department on the part of its own graduates. Though less drastic than the progress made in the MSc programme, the research student enrolment is also on the rise. Our research programmes now have a total of 45 full-time equivalent, which is a 50% growth in comparison with the figures in 1994-95.
There is no doubt that the Department has already built up a strong foundation in both its teaching and research programmes, and is more ready than ever to reach out to the profession.
In Spring 1996, there were three new ventures in the Department’s history. First there came the debut of the Department’s World Wide Web in April 96. The WWW, as the World Wide Web is usually known, has allowed the Department to meet with friends from all over the world through the electronic network. On 18 May, the Department had its first Open Day.
Over a hundred visitors from a wide range of consultancy firms, contractors, and government agencies, were recorded flocking to the campus to see the state-of-the-art facilities of the Department on the Day. On 31 May 1996, the Department launched its first Continuing and Professional Development course, which is one among a series of courses that will continue into July of the same year. With a series of short courses in line, the Department is committed to serve the needs of the profession in technology transfer and development. In the coming years, it can be expected that the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering at HKUST will continue to excel in fulfilling its mission of educating the young and contributing to the economic development of Hong Kong.
Professor Wilson Tang, Head
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FACULTY
Professor and Head of Department
Wilson H. TANG BSc, MS MIT;
PhD Stanford
Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 7152
Systems, Risk, Reliability
Professor
Paul T. Y. CHANG BS National Taiwan;
MS, PhD California (Berkeley) Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 7172
Structural Analysis, Computer-Aided- Design
Gary. W. HEINKE BASc, MASc Toronto;
PhD McMaster
(Principal Research Scientist of Research Centre, and Director of Institute for Environmental Studies) Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 6927
Water/wastewater treatment, cleaner production, air pollution, marine pollution
Howard J. C. HUANG BS National Taiwan;
MS, PhD Texas (Austin) Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 7165
Water/Wastewater Treatment
Chih-Kang SHEN BS National Taiwan;
MS New Hampshire;
PhD California (Berkeley) Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 7151
Foundation Engineering, Ground Improvement, Soil Behaviour
Yeou-koung TUNG BS Tamkang (Taiwan);
MS, PhD Texas (Austin) Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 8764
Probabilistic Approaches to Water Resource Problems
Associate Professor / Senior Lecturer
Neil C. MICKLEBOROUGH Dip CE Hobart Tech College;
MEng Carleton;
PhD Tasmania
(Associate Dean of Engineering) Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 7159
Reinforced/Prestressed Concrete Structures, Structural Dynamics
Visiting Associate Professor / Senior Lecturer
Ali JAAFARI BSc MEngg Tehran;
MSc, PhD Surrey
Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 8721
Construction Systems Design Management
& Risk Assessment
Akira MITA BS Tohoku (Japan);
MS Kyoto (Japan);
PhD California (San Diego) Email: cemita @usthk.ust.hk Tel: (852) 2358 8757
Control and Health-monitoring of Structures
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Assistant Professor/Lecturer
Chun-Man CHAN
BSc, MSc Massachusetts Inst of Tech;
PhD Waterloo
Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 7173
Tall Building Design, Structural Optimization
Chih-Chen CHANG BSc National Taiwan;
MS, PhD Purdue
Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 7201
Wind, Vibration Control, Structural Dynamics
Guanghao CHEN BASc Zhejiang Agricultural;
MEng, DEng Kyoto
Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 8752
Biotreatment, Water Quality
Mark J. DAVIDSON
BSc, PhD Canterbury (Christchurch) Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 7161
Environmental Hydraulics
Mohamed S. GHIDAOUI BEng, MASc, PhD Toronto Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 7174
Water Resources Modelling
L. S. KATAFYGIOTIS
Dip CE National Tech U (Athens);
MS, PhD California Inst of Tech Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 8750
Structural Dynamics & Identification
Jun-Shang KUANG BSc South China Inst of Tech;
PhD Hong Kong and Cambridge Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 7162
Tall Buildings, Reinforced Concrete Bridges
Kin-Man LEE
BESc, PhD Western Ontario Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 7158
Land Reclamation, Soft Ground Engineering
Xiang-Song LI BS Tsing Hua;
MS, PhD California (Davis) Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 7177
Soil Dynamics, Geotechnical Instrumentation
Zongjin LI BE Zhejiang;
MS, PhD Northwestern Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 8751
Materials, Nondestructive Test
Hong-Kam LO BSc Hong Kong;
MSc, PhD Ohio State Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 8742
Transportation Management, Information Systems
Irene Man-Chi LO BSc National Taiwan;
MSc, PhD Texas (Austin) Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 7157
Soil Remediation, Landfill Design, Waste Treatment
55 Duncan A. MCINNIS
BSc, MSc Calgary;
PhD Toronto
Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 6922
Water Supply Hydraulics, GIS for Environment and Infrastructure
Charles W. W. NG MSc Southampton;
PhD Bristol
Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 8760
Centrifuge & Numerical Modelling, Laboratory & Field Testing
Douglas B. RIGBY BS, MS, PhD Arizona Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 8720
Soil Structure Interaction
Lianfa SONG BS, MS Peking;
PhD California (Los Angeles) Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 7885
Physical & Chemical Processes, Membrane Separation Processes
Hai YANG BSc Wuhan;
MEng, DEng Kyoto
Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 7178
Modelling & Optimization of Transportation Systems
Visiting Assistant Professor / Lecturer
P. L. SHRESTHA BCE Jadavpur;
MS, PhD California (Davis) Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 7175
Hydrodynamics, Sediment & Pollutant Transport
Visiting Scholar
Qingshi J. YANG
BSc U of Sci and Tech of China (Beijing);
PhD Concordia (Montreal) Email: [email protected] Tel: (852) 2358 8753
Soil Modelling, Marine Geotechnics, Computational Geomechanics
Part-time Lecturers
Y. C. MOK
BSc(Eng), MSc(Eng) Hong Kong
C. SIU
OBE; BSc(Eng) Hong Kong
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RESEARCH AREAS
The research focus of the Civil and Structural Engineering Department lies in two broad areas: infrastructural development and planning, and environmental and water resources studies.
There are many subgroups under each of these two areas. A brief description of each area is given below. It is likely that research focus will change as necessary to explore new areas of interest associated with the emergence of new technology.