SENG Award Winner Gives ‘Smart’ Materials Keynote Lecture
The winner of the HKUST School of Engineering Distinguished Research Excellence Award 2012 Prof Tongyi Zhang gave a fascinating keynote lecture on December 11, 2012, to an audience of 200, including HKUST President Prof Tony F Chan, other senior members of the University management, students and members of the public.
Prof Zhang, Chair Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, spoke on “Fracture and Failure of Smart and Intelligent Materials of Piezoelectric Ceramics”. His research on such “smart” materials has made a huge impact on the academic world, with numerous national and international honors, 170 published papers, and two co-held US patents. Piezoelectric ceramics also have a wide range of applications in hi-tech industries.
The Distinguished Research Excellence Award is the highest level of recognition bestowed by the School, and has been established to acknowledge the impact and contribution of the School’s leading-edge faculty. The keynote lecture forms part of the award and is an honor in itself.
In his introductory speech, Dean of the School of Engineering Prof Khaled Ben Letaief noted the faculty support and outstanding nominations received for the Research Excellence Award scheme since its launch in 2011. President Chan also spoke about the importance of world-class research for HKUST’s international recognition and long-term success in his opening remarks and applauded the School of Engineering for starting the scheme.
A tea reception following the lecture brought together 160 people, including those who attended the lecture as well as friends of the School of Engineering.
About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (www.ust.hk) is a world-class research university that focuses on science, technology and business as well as humanities and social science. HKUST offers an international campus, and a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy to nurture well-rounded graduates with global vision, a strong entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking. HKUST attained the highest proportion of internationally excellent research work in the Research Assessment Exercise 2014 of Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee, and is ranked as the world’s best young university in Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings 2019. Its graduates were ranked 16th worldwide and top in Greater China in Global University Employability Survey 2018.
