mechanical engineering news - Department of Mechanical

28th Issue 2011
MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING NEWS
Department of Mechanical Engineering
The University of Hong Kong
http://www.hku.hk/mech
Message from the Head of Department
by Prof. Y. Li
Thank you for reading this issue of Newsletter of the HKU
Mechanical Engineering.
engineering, nano-materials, energy and environmental
engineering, mechanics, thermo-fluids, design and manufacturing,
and dynamics, acoustics and control etc. We participate in 4 of
We trace our roots back to 1912, when the first professor
the 19 strategic research themes of this University. We establish
of this University, Professor C.A. Middleton-Smith, a mechanical
multi-disciplinary collaboration with our sister faculties such as
engineer, was appointed. I am very proud of what our staff,
medicine, science, architecture etc.; develop collaboration with
students and alumni have accomplished.
industry and government, and integrate research and teaching.
This is an exciting time for HKU Mechanical Engineering,
as we reflect on our part of history in the University Centenary
Celebration and look ahead to the new opportunities and
challenges from the rapid engineering development in China and
the region.
We have attracted the quality local and international students
to join our undergraduate programmes. In our innovative and
engaging curriculum, we attempt to integrate the latest advances
in bio-nano-technology, energy and environment, sustainability
and IT; we engage our young able students with their passion,
creativity, curiosity and dreams. Our students have an opportunity
to develop a deep understanding of mechanical engineering
foundation; a broad understanding of major areas of traditional
and modern mechanical engineering; and their professional skills
through applied research and hands-on design projects. The long
Excitingly, 7 new faculty members joined us in the past 3 years
to strengthen our teaching and research in energy, biomedical,
material and control engineering.
Mechanical engineers develop innovative technologies and
break-through solutions for people. New challenges in energy,
environment, resources, rapid urbanization and rapid knowledge
expansion suggest the growing
needs for knowledge of mechanical
engineers. We will continue to
improve our curriculum, learning and
research environment to attract the
best and brightest young students
to explore the amazing world of
mechanical engineering with us.
As the new Head of
held open-door tradition allows students to talk to any teaching
Department from July
staff any time. We are looking forward to the exciting new 4-Year
1, 2011, I welcome
Undergraduate Curriculum in 2012.
suggestions and
My academic colleagues who graduated from world
renowned universities excel in their research, teaching and
knowledge exchange. Our faculty and research students
grow our leading-edge research programs in biomechanical
comments from
our alumni, local
and international
community.
1
2011 – A Year of Centenary or Golden Jubilee for
the Department of Mechanical Engineering?
by Prof. A.H.W. Ngan
This year, the University celebrates Centenary, for the
University of Hong Kong was incorporated by ordinance
in 1911. To a lot of Mechanical Engineering teachers and
graduates, the formal establishment of the Department
seems to be in 1961, the year the University celebrated its
Golden Jubilee, and so fifty years later in 2011, we should
be celebrating Golden Jubilee of the
Department. A search of the archives,
however, reveals that Mechanical
Engineering in this University dates back
to 1912, the year the University opened
its doors to students. The following
shows the historical events relating to
Prof. C.A.
Middleton Smith
Mechanical Engineering in this University:
“The New Steam Tables: Together with their Derivation and
Application” with Mr. A.G. Warren who was soon to join HKU
as Lecturer on Machine Design and later became Professor of
Electrical Engineering in 1914 and Dean of Engineering in 1919
(Fig. 1). This is likely the Faculty’s first scholarly output as well
as the University’s. During his subsequent tenure at HKU, Prof.
Smith continued to publish on topics including suction gas plants,
theory of prime movers and mechanical testing of timber, which
were all Mechanical Engineering subjects at the time.
1920
From 1912-1920, Prof. Middleton Smith as Dean of
Engineering (except for the year 1919) was in charge of the
Degree programmes of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, and
1912
Prof. C.A. Middleton Smith arrived as the
first full-time academic staff of the University,
as Taikoo Professor and Dean of Engineering.
Prof. Smith was a Mechanical Engineer by
qualification (MIMechE), and he held no similar
qualification in other engineering disciplines.
This same year, the Faculty admitted the first
batch of students, and the Faculty was also
busy recruiting staff to teach its future courses.
From the earliest plans by Prof. Smith, the
Faculty of Engineering was to offer B. Sc. Eng.
Degree programmes in Civil, Mechanical and
Electrical Engineering [1]. The pre-war degree
programmes were four years in duration, with
the first three years common among the three
disciplines (Fig. 1). Examination scripts were
sent to the University of London for determining
Honours classification. The first Mechanical
Engineering graduate with First Class Honours
was Mr. Liu Chen-hua (also known as 劉仙洲)
in 1918, who later became Vice-President of
Tsinghua University in Peking, and was elected
Member of Chinese Academy of Sciences in
1955.
1913
Just a year after his arrival, Prof. Middleton
Smith published an academic volume titled
2
Figure 1 – (Left) Extracts of “Details concerning the Faculty of Engineering”, C.A.Middleton
Smith, 1913, showing the earliest staff of the Faculty of Engineering and the Mechanical
Engineering programme structure. (Right) Extracts from “The New Steam Tables: Together with
their Derivation and Application”, published in 1913.
from 1914 on, Electrical Engineering was under a separate
and Demonstrator in Materials and Applied Mechanics”, i.e. a
Professor of Electrical Engineering (Prof. T.H. Mathewman 1914-
staff of only 5 members. The same document also described Civil
18, Prof. A.G. Warren 1918-21, Prof. M.H. Roffey 1921-41).
Engineering to consist of 4 staff members including the Professor,
The appointment of Prof. F.A. Redmond in 1920 as Professor of
and Electrical Engineering of 2 staff members including the
Civil Engineering was symbolic in the sense that from that year
Professor. It is clear that in those days, the Faculty was organized
on, the three Engineering disciplines were each headed by a
into the three disciplines each under a Professor, but in one-
separate Professor, and Mechanical Engineering was continued
third of the pre-war years, Civil and Mechanical Engineering were
to be under Prof. Smith for a further 19 years, until his retirement
under the same Professor (Prof. C.A. Middleton Smith from 1912
in 1939. In records, these three Engineering disciplines were
to 1920, or Prof. F.A. Redmond from 1939 to 1941).
not referred to as “Departments” until about 1939 [2,3], but the
grouping of staff within the Faculty was rather clear. For example,
the University’s Annual Report in 1932-33 [4] described the Staff
of Mechanical Engineering as composed of the “Taikoo Professor
of Engineering, Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, Workshop
Foreman and Instructor, Demonstrator in Mechanical Engineering,
1925 - 1934
From 1912 to 1925, the Engineering Laboratories were in
the Main Building, and two nearby buildings which housed the
Heat Engine Laboratory (also serving as the Power House of the
Figure 2 –The Strength of Materials (top left) and Applied
Mechanics (top right) Laboratories in the basement of the
Main Building, ca. 1922 [2]. These rooms are occupied
by the Staff Association today (middle). Immediately
outside these rooms was a popular photography spot
in the pre-war years, including the well-known photo
shooting of Dr. Sun Yat Sen’s visit of the University in
1923 (bottom). In this picture, the group of students at
the back were standing on a windowsill of the Strength
of Materials Laboratory.
3
Figure 3 – (Top left) The Power Station and Heat Engine Laboratory in ca. 1917, in an annexe (bottom left) at the back of the Main Building before its
southward expansion after the war. (Right) The same area was completely demolished, and the Great Hall in the Main Building looted to roofless, during the
war (ca. 1945).
University until 1927) and the Steam and Hydraulics Laboratories
an “Engineering Graduate Apprentices” scheme [4]. Documents
[5] (Figs. 2-4). The Power House (Fig. 3) was at the location of the
show that the British employers were highly impressed by these
present southeast quarter of the Main Building – before the war
graduates’ performance. Sometime in 1934-1938 [6], the B.Sc.
the Main Building consisted only of its present north part, and the
Eng. Degree in Mechanical Engineering was accepted by the
south part was added as an extension in 1950. The old Steam
Institution of Mechanical Engineers in U.K. as exempting from
and Hydraulics Building was converted from an old Government
entrance examinations, and the Electrical Engineering Degree
pumping station prior to the foundation of the University, and
was similarly accepted by the Institution of Electrical Engineers.
stood at a site next to the Fung Ping Shan Museum where the
It is thought that Prof. Middleton Smith’s MIMechE qualification,
present East Gate Exit of the University is located (Fig. 4). By
as well as the MIEE qualification of Prof. M.H. Roffey, might also
the 1920’s, these laboratories had become overcrowded and
have been instrumental. In the pre-war era, no ICE or IStructE
the noise and smoke generated during laboratory work were a
qualifications could be noted on the staff list of the Faculty, and
great nuisance to the rest of the University. As a result, funds
the programme in Civil Engineering was not on the accredited list
were raised to erect two new buildings along the north side of
of these two U.K. institutions [7].
Pokfulam Road next to the present Belcher’s Garden, namely, the
Ho Tung Engineering Workshop opened in 1925, and the Peel
Engineering Laboratory opened in 1934 (Fig. 5). These were wellequipped with practical training facilities for students especially
in the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering disciplines. Prof.
Middleton Smith actually had a plan to also erect a building in the
space between these two buildings, to complete a new centre for
Engineering, but this plan was not materialized until the Duncan
Sloss Building was built after the war (Fig. 5).
4
1939
Japanese invasion in China starting from 1937 had caused
loss of employment opportunities for graduates and rapidly
declining student intake from China. The University’s original
mission of serving China was questioned, and a University
Committee appointed by the Chancellor in 1939 looked into the
situation [8]. For the Faculty of Engineering, Japanese occupation
of the large coastal cities of China meant loss of job openings
1932
especially for Mechanical and Electrical Engineering graduates,
The road towards accreditation began. Due to a lack
The Committee therefore made a resolution to suspend teaching
of training places for Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering [8]. However, there was
graduates in Hong Kong and China, the Faculty began sending
no sign of actual action before the Japanese invasion of Hong
graduates in these two disciplines to England for training under
Kong in December 1941, as at the autumn of 1939, five students
while Civil Engineering graduates continued to serve Hong Kong.
were still entering the Mechanical Engineering programme in
Duncan Sloss Building opened on March 1, 1950 (Fig. 5). Due to
their third year and four were proceeding into their fourth year of
instability of staffing, this combined Faculty struggled to maintain
study (by this time, only the first two years were common with
standard, and the first half of the 1950’s saw discussions on
Civil and Electrical Engineering) [2], and the 1940-41 University
whether Engineering at the University should continue to exist or
Calendar still showed the syllabi of Mechanical and Electrical
not [7].
Engineering [3]. Prof. C.A. Middleton Smith retired in 1939, and
1954
Prof. F.A. Redmond succeeded him as the Taikoo Professor and
Dean of Engineering, and became in-charge of the Mechanical
Engineering Department jointly with the Civil Engineering
Department [2], until the Japanese invasion in December 1941.
A Gifford-Hull Committee in 1954 recommended that in order
for Engineering to continue in the University, the Civil Engineering
programme should seek accreditation from the Institution of Civil
December 1941 – July 1945
Engineers, and Mechanical and Electrical Engineering should
During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, the
Government based on funding considerations versus employment
University’s work was suspended and its premises badly
opportunities of the graduates. The Civil Engineering programme
damaged or looted. The Engineering equipment and laboratory
successfully gained accreditation status for the first time from the
records were seized by the Japanese, and the Steam and
Institution of Civil Engineers in 1955, followed by a similar status
Hydraulics Building and the Heat Engine Laboratory (the former
from the Institution of Structural Engineers a year later in 1956.
be reinstated [7]. These proposals were questioned by the
Power House) were completely demolished [7] (Fig. 3).
1958
1947
A Committee led by Mr. L. Kadoorie recommended reinstating
University re-opened, but teaching of Mechanical and
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering due to foreseeable
Electrical Engineering was suspended on the recommendation
demand of graduates, provided that these degree courses were
of a Cox Committee in 1945 [7], which took into consideration
accredited by the corresponding professional institutions in
of the 1939 University Report [8]. A combined Faculty of
England [7]. The University decided to restart these two degree
Engineering and Architecture housed the three Departments
programmes in a modest way, by creating a Reader post in each
of Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Mathematics in a new
programme.
Figure 4 – The Steam and Hydraulics Laboratories in ca. 1922 (top left and bottom) [2], located at the site of the present East Gate exit of the University (top
right). This building complex was demolished during the Japanese occupation.
5
1962
In June 1962, full accreditation status was given to the
Degree in Mechanical Engineering by the Institution of Mechanical
Engineers.
1967 onwards
The Chair Professorship of Mechanical Engineering was
revived in 1966 as a “structural” post, and the first holder was
Prof. H.C.H. Gurney who arrived on 31 December 1966. Since
Figure 5 – Post-war Engineering complex on Pokfulam Road: Peel
Engineering Laboratory (left), Duncan Sloss School of Engineering and
Architecture (middle), and Ho Tung Workshop (far right) in ca. 1950.
These buildings were vacated in the 1980’s when Engineering moved to
the present Haking Wong Building, and were demolished in the 1990’s to
give way to the construction of the present fly-over which connects to the
west entrance of the University.
then, up to about 2000, the Chair of Mechanical Engineering
(renamed Sir Robert Ho Tung Chair of Mechanical Engineering
in 1984) was tied to the Headship, except for one year in 19901991 when the Headship was held by Prof. N.W.M. Ko who was
a “personal” Chair Professor. The tie between the “structural”
Chair and Headship came to an end when the then holder Prof.
A.T.Y. Chwang stepped down as Head in 2000 while keeping his
Sir Robert Ho Tung Chair title. Around this time, the University
October 1958
underwent a major governance reform exercise, and Headship
appointment was made on a fixed-term, rotational basis, and so
The first batch of postwar Mechanical and Electrical
the concept of “structural” Chair effectively disappeared.
Engineering students was admitted as Part I students to study a
common syllabus with Civil Engineering students. In the following
Reading the pre-war archives gives the strong impression
1959-60 session, nine students opted for the Part II Mechanical
that insofar as a Professor was appointed in a given discipline,
Engineering courses, and four of them graduated in June, 1961.
there was a small “Department” of several staff under him.
To accommodate this move, the Department of Civil Engineering
In the Faculty of Engineering, the term “Department” was
was renamed Department of Engineering in 1959, still under the
not used in official documents until about 1939, and that of
combined Faculty of Engineering and Architecture.
“Head of Department” did not exist until after the war, but such
“Departments” were proper functional groups of the Faculty. After
January 1960
Dr. C.D. Weir arrived as the first Reader in Mechanical
Engineering. Dr. S.Y. King was also appointed as the newly
created Reader in Electrical Engineering.
1961
was much bigger than its pre-war counterpart, with Head
properly appointed and a Departmental Office supporting. But the
traditional British practice of leadership by a “structural” Professor
was still followed as much as was technically possible in the
extended period from 1960 to 2000, except for short periods
when the “structural” Professorship was to be re-established
This year the University celebrated its Golden Jubilee,
(1960-67), or re-filled following a predecessor’s departure (1990-
and new Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Laboratories,
91). In the modern era beginning from ca. 2000, the requirement
comprising a Steam Laboratory, Heat Engines Laboratory,
to have the Headship on a rotational basis effectively removes
Electrical Machines Laboratory and a 110 m.p.h. Wind Tunnel,
the need to have the “structural” Chair. In a sense, therefore, the
were opened in the Ho Tung Workshop and the Duncan Sloss
present day’s Department of Mechanical Engineering has evolved
Building, as a result of donations from local and British industrial
gradually since Prof. C.A. Middleton Smith’s time. At each time
firms and associations. Dr. C.D. Weir resigned in May 1961,
point in this long history, it has existed in a form most appropriate
but the first batch of postwar Mechanical Engineering students
to the contemporary situations, in terms of size and the way it
graduated in June. Among the four graduates, Mr. Cheung Shing
was led, including perhaps the very unfortunate suspension of
Tai became the first postwar First Class Honours graduate. In
two decades due to the war. The Department was indeed very
July, the Department of Mechanical Engineering was formally re-
small in the days of Prof. Smith, but which one-hundred-year-old
established [9]. Since Dr. Weir had already resigned, Mr. P.S.K.
university did not start in such a humble way?
Fang (appointed Lecturer in 1958) was appointed as Head of
Department of Mechanical Engineering, until the arrival of the new
Reader Mr. W. Smith in January 1962 as the new Head.
6
the war, to meet modern demands the re-established Department
Succession list of Head of Mechanical Engineering, with structural titles:
1912-1939
Prof. C.A. Middleton Smith, Taikoo Professor of Engineering
1939-1941
Prof. F.A. Redmond, Taikoo Professor of Engineering
1960-1961
Dr. C.D. Weir, Reader in Mechanical Engineering
1961-1962
Mr. P.S.K. Fang
1962-1967
Mr. W. Smith, Reader in Mechanical Engineering
1967-1973
Prof. H.C.H. Gurney, Chair of Mechanical Engineering
1973-1982
Prof. E.A. Bruges, Chair of Mechanical Engineering (1973-80), Taikoo Professor of Engineering (1980-82)
1982-1990
Prof. C.L. Chow, Sir Robert Ho Tung Chair of Mechanical Engineering
1990-1991
Prof. N.W.M. Ko
1991-2000
Prof. A.T.Y. Chwang, Sir Robert Ho Tung Chair of Mechanical Engineering
2000-2002
Prof. B.J. Duggan
2002-2011
Prof. S.T. Tan
2011-
Prof. Y. Li
References:
[1] C.A.M. Smith, “Details concerning the Faculty of Engineering”,
Noronha & Co., 1913.
[2] The University of Hong Kong. Annual Report on the Work of the
University for 1939-1940.
[3] University of Hong Kong Calendar 1940-1941.
[4] The University of Hong Kong. Annual Report 1932-1933.
[5] C.A.M. Smith, “The University of Hongkong. The Work and Equipment
of the Engineering Faculty”, The Far Eastern Review, p. 209-216,
April, 1922.
[6] The University of Hong Kong. Quinquennial Report on the Work of the
University from 1934-1938.
[7] S. Mackey, “The Faculty of Engineering and Architecture”, in “University
of Hong Kong, The First Fifty Years 1911-1961”, Ed. B. Harrison,
Hong Kong University Press, 1962.
[8] University of Hong Kong. Report of a Committee on the Development
of the University, appointed by the Chancellor His Excellency Sir
Geoffry Alexander Stafford Northcote K.C.M.G. on 4th March 1939.
[9] The University of Hong Kong: Departmental Reports for the Year
1960-61.
Hong Kong Airlines Flying Machine Competition
by Dr. C.K. Chan
Several of our year 2 and year 3 students collaborated with
and build a relatively big model plane. To achieve higher lifting
the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corp (HKACC) to participate in the
force, they adopted a special wing shape with canard stabilizer
"Hong Kong Airlines Flying Machine Competition". The joyful
in their design. The model's structure was made of plywood and
event was held on September 17, 2011 at the promenade near
reinforced by carbon fiber tubes for reducing weight. The surface
Hong Kong Cultural Center of Tsim Sha Tsui. The HKU-HKACC
of the wing structure was covered by thermal-contractible plastic
team built a human-powered airplane with a wing span of 5
film for reducing drag force. We are delighted that the joint-team
metres. Through the event, our students learned how to design
won the 3rd prize in the competition. 7
Kingboard Professor of Materials Engineering
Prof. A.H.W. Ngan was named Kingboard Professor of
Materials Engineering in May, 2011. This is the second Endowed
Professorship established in the Department, after the historic Sir
Robert Hotung Chair of Mechanical Engineering, which was left
vacant after the last holder Prof. A.T. Chwang passed away in
2007.
At HKU, Endowed Professorships are one of the highest
honours bestowed on academics in recognition of their high
academic standing. The Kingboard Professorship was established
by a generous donation of the Kingboard Chemical Holdings
Ltd., which has a keen interest on the development and use of
engineering materials in a wide front of applications, from building
and construction, to electronic circuit boards and solar cells.
there to lead extensive discussions, and so the organizers usually
pick invited speakers whom they think have made substantial
Prof. Ngan is an alumnus of the Department, as the
contributions. Prof. Ngan says, “In many occasions, the invitations
Williamson Prizeman (the top graduate of the Faculty) in 1989.
just came out of the blue, from organizers whom I knew of but
He then pursued PhD and postdoctoral studies in Materials
have never met before. You have to ask in such a competitive
Science and Engineering in the United Kingdom, at the University
field, why they would pick someone from the “Far East”, where
of Birmingham and University of Oxford respectively. He returned
almost all the other invited speakers are from institutions such as
to the Department to take up a Lectureship in 1993, and rose
Caltech, Stanford, MIT, Lawrence Livermore, Max Planck, CNRS,
through the ranks to become Professor in 2006. His research
Oxford, Cambridge, etc. And this has happened not just once –
interest is mainly the link between properties of engineering
nowadays I am travelling four, five times a year for these. I came
materials and their microstructures, and he uses a variety of
to the conclusion that they see the importance of what we are
research tools both theoretical and experimental in his study,
doing in Hong Kong.”
including electron microscopy, molecular dynamics, continuum
defect theory, and nanomechanics. His research involves
After his initial research training in the UK, Prof. Ngan’s
understanding the full spectrum from the discreteness of atoms
entire research career thus far was developed at HKU, since the
and their bonding, to the continuum description of materials such
1990’s when the Hong Kong Government began to invest more
as elasticity and viscoelasticity, plastic deformation, and fracture
on higher education and academic research. All his research is
and fatigue. This requires the appreciation of the importance
funded by the Government since that time, and so he feels his
of, and interrelation between, a mixture of subjects, including
case can be used as an example to show whether such research
quantum and statistical mechanics and electrochemistry, in
investment is worthy or not. He says, “My research may not find
addition to classical mechanics. He often says “in Engineering,
immediate applications in Hong Kong, but the same applies to
one learns parts of this spectrum, and in Physics or Chemistry,
my peers in those top institutions in the world. In this field, we just
one learns the other parts, but in real life no such artificial
want to establish the basic knowledge of materials behaviour at
boundaries exist and as a materials researcher, you have to learn
the nano-scale, which is full of unknowns at the moment. Only
the full spectrum”. It is such richness and diversity of knowledge
after such knowledge is established can we talk about making
in this field that fascinates him. “I keep learning something new
small machines at the nano-scale that can function continuously.
every few months for the past 20 years”, he says.
This is a frontier field, and is an example of what a university like
HKU ought to pursue – HKU is the foremost university locally
Prof. Ngan’s research is gaining international recognition.
as well as in Asia, and so we should be interested in creation
Apart from winning a few external research prizes and awards,
of fundamental knowledge, rather than just routinely engaging
one key indication is his invitations to give plenary talks in
in something of a “fire-fighting” nature, meaning solving local
international conferences. These invitations mainly concern his
problems by applying knowledge developed elsewhere. As China
work in the field of “nanomechanics”, where his interest is to
continues to gain importance in the world scene, it needs to
understand the mechanical behaviour of nano-sized materials and
demonstrate to the rest of the world that, as far as frontiers of
structures, for use in applications like NEMS or MEMS. This is a
knowledge are concerned, we can “give” as well as ”take”. To
very competitive field at present, and is dominated by countries
some extent, this involves national pride, and is well worth the
like the USA, Germany, France and the UK. Many of these are
investment of a % or so of the GDP by the Government – afterall
highly prestigious conferences, including the Gordon Research
Hong Kong is still a rich city compared to many others in China or
Conferences run in the US, where participation from Asians is
the world, so if we cannot afford this, who should be able to?”
typically low at a few %. In these conferences, the invited talks are
8
Research Activities of New Staff
Research activities in Quantum Control
Dr. M.Z.Q. Chen
We are currently entering into a
this undergoing revolution as well as
second quantum revolution. The first
many other relevant areas, including
quantum revolution enabled us to
p h y s i c a l c h e m i s t r y, q u a n t u m
acquire the underlying principles that
optics and nanotechnology. In
govern the dynamics of the world
order to actively manipulate the
from the microscopic perspective.
states of quantum systems, two
The second quantum revolution
principal control strategies have
will apply the rules to develop new
been employed, that is, open-loop
quantum technologies.
quantum control and quantum
f e e d b a c k c o n t ro l , w h i c h c a n
Quantum control theory is one of
effectively alter the quantum view of
the key new quantum technologies
our physical world. The progress of
since the true understanding of
quantum control will also boost the
quantum systems is ultimately
innovation of modern devices.
reflected in our ability to control
them. It is a combination of quantum
Hopefully with quantum control
Simulated particle collision (image by CERN)
mechanics and control theory and
we can take a quantum leap with a
lies at the heart of the development of
bit more confidence!
Research activities in Advanced Alloys
Dr. M.X. Huang
Fuel economy requirements and CO2 emission regulations
Our group aims at understanding the fundamental
are currently pushing the global automotive industry towards
mechanisms determining the strength of AHSS and NS at the
reducing vehicle weight while preserving high safety standards,
micrometre and nanometre scale. Based on the fundamental
which has been the motivation to develop new light weight alloys,
understanding achieved, new AHSS and NS with optimised
particularly advanced high strength steels (AHSS) and nano-
mechanical properties can be re-designed and fabricated. A few
structured steels (NS). AHSS and NS possess extraordinary high
research examples in our group are listed as follows:
strength such that much thinner automobile components can be
made of AHSS and NS, resulting in lighter car bodies.
(1)
The nucleation mechanism of nanometre-sized twins in
Twinning Induced Plasticity (TWIP)
steels;
(2)
High-resolution transmission
electron microscopy (HRTEM)
study on the interaction between
nano-precipitates and nanotwins;
(3)
Plastic deformation mechanism
of ultrafine grained and
nanostructured alloys;
(4)
Figures (a) A nanometre-sized twin goes through a nanometre-sized VC precipitate; (b) diffraction pattern
of twin at the position X; (c) detailed atomic structure of twin and matrix at position X; (d) diffraction pattern
of VC at Y; (e) detailed atomic structure of VC precipitate.
Stability of micrometre-sized
retained austenite in TRIP steels.
9
Research activities in Solar Photovoltaics
Dr. F.D. Liu
Using upgraded metallurgical-grade silicon (UMG-Si) is a
cost-effective and energy-efficient approach for the production
silicon for photovoltaics”, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells
95, 2497 (2011).
of solar cells. Grain boundaries (GBs) play a major role in
determining the device performance of multicrystalline Si (mcSi) solar cells. In the latest study conducted by F.D. Liu and his
collaborators, two UMG-Si wafers, one from the middle part of
a brick and the other from the top part of the same brick, were
investigated. An excellent correlation was found between the
grain misorientation and the corresponding optical response
of GBs as indicated by photoluminescence (PL) imaging,
electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), and cross-sectional
transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In addition, the PL
features at random GBs depend also on the impurity levels in the
wafer. In particular the PL emission was greatly enhanced in the
narrow regions close to the random GB in the top wafer, which is
an interesting phenomenon that may have potential application in
high efficiency light-emission diodes (LEDs) based on Si. These
important findings were published by the Solar Energy Materials
& Solar Cells. For details, please refer to Fude Liu et al., “Optical
response of grain boundaries in upgraded metallurgical-grade
Top wafer. (a) PL image. The inset is the magnified PL image from region
I. Also shown is the image intensity profile from the region indicated by the
arrow in the inset. Note that grain boundaries light up under PL imaging.
(b) EBSD map. The map was acquired from region II as indicated in the
inset of (a). (c) GB model. The depletion regions near the GB are polarity
inverted.
Research activities in Microfluidics
Dr. A.H.C. Shum
Through miniaturization of fluid flows down to the micrometer
scaled up for high-throughput
scale, microfluidics has arguably revolutionized the study of
analysis while achieving
fluid flows. Due to advances in micro- and nano-fabrication
rapid mixing, enhanced
techniques, tiny channels with complicated geometries are
analytical performance and
routinely fabricated with high precision. This has not only created
reduced waste. In addition,
new opportunities to study flow in the micro- and nano-scale,
the potential of microfluidic
but also made controlled manipulation of fluids possible for
approaches has also been
analyzing biological components such as cells, proteins and
demonstrated in generating
DNA. The so-called “Lab-on-a-chip” devices are advantageous
m a t e r i a l s t r u c t u re s w i t h Fig. 2: Drops-in-drops
complex architectures, which
in that they require only tiny volumes of reagents and can be
are useful structures for encapsulation and release applications,
such as drug delivery.
Microfluidics is a rapidly developing multidisciplinary
field, providing a versatile platform for studying fundamental
Fig. 1: Glass capillary microfluidic device
engineering and life science problems, as well as developing tools
for applications ranging from materials fabrication to medical
diagnostics. Current areas in our group include, but not limited to:
• Micro-scaled flow
• Fabrication of functional capsules
• Emulsion-based processes and synthesis
Fig. 3: Core-annular fluid flow
10
• Bio-microfluidics
Design, Build and Fly (DBF) Design Project
by Dr. K.W. Chan
Project team celebrating HOMER’s successful maiden flight test
performance of HOMER by means of computer simulation and
wind tunnel test; 2) re-assessing the structural behaviour of
the main wing; 3) manufacturing the main wing in glass fiber
reinforced plastic material; and 4) using in-flight avionic equipment
for obtaining more flying data such as flying height and position.
In the wind tunnel test, HOMER was used directly as
the testing model instead of using a scale-down model. In
conjunction with this decision, the HKUST’s wind tunnel testing
HOMER in action
facility was employed because their low speed testing section is
large enough to accommodate HOMER. Students Sam Chen and
The DBF project was introduced in 2009-10 as one of the
George Ng were responsible for the wind tunnel test. Their hard
project topics in our level 3 Design course. The first project
work and contributions are deeply appreciated. The experimental
group designed and developed a remote control model airplane
data collected and the overall experience gained from the wind
which was named “HOMER”. An impressive maiden flight test
tunnel test are beneficial for supporting future work of the DBF
of HOMER was conducted on October 31, 2010 by using the
project.
licensed runway of the Hong Kong Air Cadets Corps (HKACC) at
Junk Bay, Kowloon. More photos and video clips of the flight test
can be viewed from the following internet paths:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTOfucpACic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esXMXeEVeHI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUaCSiUDZDY
In 2010-11, the DBF project was continued by another
team of 14 enthusiastic students. Among them, two had won
their participation in the Boeing-Cathay Pacific Engineering
Internship Programme, and another four had studied at overseas
universities under the student exchange programme. The new
project missions for them include: 1) verifying the aerodynamic
Students George Ng (left) and Sam Chen (right) measuring HOMER’s
aerodynamic behaviour in a wind tunnel.
11
Design, Build and Drive (DBD) Design Project
by Dr. K.W. Chan
The DBD design project, also known within the Department
as the Mini-Baja Project, was introduced in our level 3 Design
course in 2009-10. The background for launching this project is
that one of our students, Terris T.C. Lo, studied at the University
of Virginia (UV), USA in 2008-09 under the student exchange
programme. During his time at UV, he participated in the SAE
Mini-Baja competition which is one of the regular inter-university
design competitions organized by the Society of Automotive
Engineers (SAE). The SAE collegiate competitions require
engineering students to design, build and test the performance
of real vehicle in a competitive environment. After returning to the
Department, Terris took the initiative of forming a project team
with his classmates and convinced the Department to introduce
the DBD project for them to undertake.
Project team conducting engine test.
the summer months, two enthusiastic students conducted testing
on the transmission system. In the current academic year 201112, they aim to complete the design of the vehicle and produce a
working prototype for testing. With the production of a functional
vehicle, it is anticipated that more students will be attracted to
join the project as they can take the vehicle to participate in public
competitions. With the experience gained from the competitions,
further design enhancement can then be made on the vehicle.
The conceptual vehicle designed by the first project team in 2009-10.
The first DBD project team, with Terris as the leader, consisted
of 6 students. They addressed the design of a competing vehicle
with due regards to the design rules and rival regulations defined
by the organizer. They produced a comprehensive report together
with the conceptual design of all the essential parts represented in
CAD models. The team also bought some used-car components,
including a differential gear box and a steering mechanism, which
Students Toni Cheng and Vincent Wang working on the DBD project.
were intended for use in building a prototype.
It can be appreciated that our level 3 design projects, as
12
A second project team of 5 students followed up the project
exemplified by the DBF and DBD projects, have a common
in 2010-11. They focused on the design of the power and
objective of challenging students to design, implement and
transmission systems by buying an organizer-approved engine
verify engineering solutions. Students can also strengthen their
for use in the competing vehicle. The torque-speed characteristic
inter-personal and communication skills through interaction with
of the purchased engine was then determined by using testing
teammates, supervisors and project sponsors. Many universities
equipment installed in our engine laboratory. With the engine
around the world have adopted similar framework in running their
performance known, they were able to ascertain the design of
design related education. To successfully adopt this education
the power transmission system in detail. After considering various
approach, however, collaborative supports from external
factors and design alternatives, the team bought a second-
expertise and industrial partners are indispensable. To this, we
hand Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) system of a motor
are very grateful to many industrial organizations, our alumni and
cycle. Some design modification and manufacturing works were
professionals for offering untiring support and advice to enhance
performed for connecting the engine with the CVT system. During
the quality of our curriculum.
Non-local Students
Fang Tianshi, ME3
Cindy Qu Linfei, ME3
HKU arms every student
I joined the University under the 2+2 study mode after
with all the necessary abilities for
completing my first-year study in Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
our future career: well-designed
For me, the first year in Hong Kong is challenging but fruitful. I
curricula equip us with knowledge;
faced difficulties like language barrier and culture difference at
a variety of extra-curricula activities
the beginning. But in the meanwhile I can feel my growth at the
improve our organizational abilities
city of opportunities. Campus life is splendid and full of surprise.
and communication skills; group
The school provides excellent academic environment and the
projects cultivate spirit of teamwork; sharing sessions and buddy
professors are always approachable and warm-hearted. They
programmes facilitate better future plans; and interviews for
welcome and offer chances to students who are interested in
internships make us feel the keen competition in the job market
gaining early research experience. Hall life is controversial but
ahead of time.
unforgettable. Though joining hall functions after a day’s study is
sometimes tired, the friendship between hall mates is so precious
HKU also provides us with a wide range of choices: if you
and irreplaceable. HKU has a very international environment and
want to be a scholar in the future, there are a number of research
I met exchange students from all over the world. We studied
projects you can participate in; if you want to be a practical
together, went out playing and joined external competition as
engineer, there are many design competitions you can be
a team. When I
engaged in; if you want to gain different study experience, there
look back, I am
are plenty of opportunities of world-wide exchange; if you want to
surprised to find
gain more working experience, there are full-year internships you
how much I have
can apply for. Whatever your future plan is, whatever your interest
learned throughout
is, at HKU, you can always find the choice that suits you best.
t h e y e a r. A n d
The culture diversity at HKU is a bonus for me. Students come
from all over the world, bringing all kinds of cultural elements
into this campus. I always have the chance to communicate
with friends from different nations, and the university organizes a
number of activities, for instance, exhibitions of different cultures,
to facilitate mutual interpretation. Such experience really broadens
my horizon.
most importantly,
the experience
widens my horizon
and builds up
my confidence
for achieving my
dreams.
Qu Linfei (third from right)
Korea Study Tour 2011
by Dr. S.C.M. Hui
attended the ASHRAE Region XIII Chapters Regional Conference
2011 held in Hong Kong on August 19-20, 2011. During the
regional conference in Hong Kong, the students took part in the
technical seminar, student forum, technical and cultural visits;
they had also met and interacted with more than 140 students
from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and
Thailand.
For the study tour, the students visited 5 major universities in
South Korea including Seoul National University, Ewha Womans
Visit to the Center for Sustainable Housing, Yonsei University
A technical study tour to South Korea was organized
jointly by the ASHRAE HKU, CityU, PolyU and HKUST Student
Branches with the support from ASHRAE Hong Kong Chapter
(www.ashrae.org.hk). Five students from HKU joined this study
tour from August 22 to 28, 2011 together with nine students
from other universities. Before the study tour, the students had
University, Yonsei University, Chungnam National University and
KAIST. In addition, they visited the Korea Institute of Energy
Research (KIER) in Daejeon and the Cheonggyecheon Museum
and Digital Media City in Seoul. The academic and cultural
exchanges are very fruitful and interesting. Further information
can be found on “www.ashrae.org.hk/studytour/”. The next study
tour to Malaysia is expected in August 2012.
13
Master of Science in Engineering (Energy Engineering)
[MSc(Eng)(EnergyE)]
by Prof. D.Y.C. Leung
As a consequence of rising industrialization, economic
With all the above energy measures and developments,
and social development, and the supply of additional and
there will be a great demand on master level education in
better energy services for an increasing population, there is a
energy engineering in Hong Kong and Mainland, particularly for
tremendous increase in energy consumption in the world in the
those professionals with specialized knowledge of energy and
past several decades, which is predicted to grow continuously,
related technologies. This is especially true when many areas
particularly in most developing countries. However, most of the
like renewable energy, electric transportation, smart power
energy sources come from fossil fuels, which produce much
grid, smart buildings etc. are quite new with a lot of research in
air pollutants and greenhouse gases that threaten the earth.
progress. They are also non-conventional, and not included in the
Also, fossil fuels are not unlimited and its depletion affects our
traditional training of engineering professionals. Consequently,
economic development. Therefore, relevant technologies should
there is a pressing need to deliver state-of-the-art technologies
be explored to reduce our usage of energy and to derive energy
to practicing engineers for their application at work. As such, a
and fuels that are sustainable.
new MSc programme in Energy Engineering has been launched
in 2011-12 within the Faculty of Engineering. The programme
In Hong Kong, most of our air pollution problems are due
is jointly offered by the Electrical & Electronics Engineering and
to the use of energy. According to the Government statistics,
the Mechanical Engineering Departments both of which are in
99% of Hong Kong’s air pollutants arise from energy sources like
the forefront of research and consultancy in the areas of energy
transportation, industry and power generation. In recent years
engineering. As Hong Kong had been positioned as an education
considerable effort has been expended on the development
hub in the Chief Executive Policy Address, the programme timely
of so-called clean energy technology in transportation and
addresses the emerging demand from Hong Kong as well as
power generation. For example, the Government has provided
mainland China.
incentives to encourage the use of electric and hybrid vehicles
for road transportation, and issued guidelines to encourage
the use of energy-efficient installations in buildings and other
constructions. The Government has also set up several task
forces to derive relevant codes in energy efficiency.
HK Electric’s 550kW thin film solar photovoltaic panels (Courtesy of HK Electric)
14
About 50 students have been admitted in 2011-12 as the first
batch of students under this programme.
New Staff
Dr. P.K.L. Chan
Dr. Chan graduated from The University of Hong Kong with a B.Eng. degree in Mechanical
Engineering in 2002. He obtained his PhD degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA in
2007. He also obtained his M.Sc. degrees in Mechanical Engineering and in Electrical Engineering from
the same institution. His research work in Michigan was focused on developing a non-contact submicron scale temperature sensing technique. He joined the department in August 2011 and before
joining HKU, Dr. Chan has been an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department of
the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. His current research interests include: nanoscale heat transfer,
energy conversion physics, organic photovoltaics and transistor based memory devices.
Dr. A.H.C. Shum
Dr. Shum received his B.S.E. degree, summa cum laude, in chemical engineering from Princeton
University in 2005, S.M. and Ph.D. in applied physics from Harvard University in 2007 and in 2010
respectively. During his PhD study, he worked on droplet microfluidic techniques for fabrication
of functional materials. He joined the Department as an Assistant Professor in December 2010.
His research interests include micro-scaled flows, emulsions, microfluidic technologies, emulsiontemplated materials and soft matter.
Staff Awards
Dr. B.P. Chan received the Outstanding Young Researcher Award 2011 in recognition of her research accomplishments. This is an award
made to young researchers who are demonstrating extremely high quality research.
Dr. L.X. Huang received the Faculty Best Teacher Award 2011 in recognition of his devotion and hard work in promoting teaching and
learning.
Prof. D.Y.C. Leung received the 2011 Research Output Prize in Mechanical Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering for the paper
"A review on biodiesel production using catalyzed transesterification" published in Applied Energy. The other two co-authors are Miss Wu
Xuan and Dr. M.K.H. Leung.
Prof. D.Y.C. Leung received the ACU Wighton Titular Fellowship 2011 that allows him to visit the University of Nottingham for a month
for a collaborative research on carbon capture and sequestration.
Prof. Y. Li was elected as a Fellow of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers in 2011.
Prof. Y. Li received the Best Paper Award by the Indoor Air Journal (2008-2010) in 2011 for the paper “ Removal of exhaled particles by
ventilation and deposition in a multibed airborne infection isolation room”. The co-author is Dr. H. Qian.
Dr. C.O. Ng was awarded in January 2011 a First Class Prize of Natural Science Award by the Ministry of Education, China, for research
achievements in the theory and technique for the forecasting of marine pollution in a complex wave-current environment.
Mr. W.S. Sze received the Long Service Award in 2010 in recognition of his devotion and contributions to the University in the past 35
years.
Our Honorary Professor and distinguished alumnus, Professor Y.W. Mai, F.R.S., University Professor & Personal Chair in Mechanical
Engineering, Centre for Advanced Materials Technology (CAMT), The University of Sydney was elected as an International Fellow of the
Royal Academy of Engineering, UK in 2011 in recognition of his groundbreaking work in the field of advanced materials and fracture
mechanics.
15
Prizes and Scholarships
Boeing – Cathay Pacific Engineering Internship Award 2011
Orbananos Lai Aina , Wu Cheuk Yin Ernest, Wong Tin Po Neil
Best Student Paper Award
The 2011 International Conference of Systems Biology and
Bioengineering, London, UK
Fan Yi (MPhil student)
Fong’s Scholarship in Mechanical Engineering 2010 – 2011
Lam Yin Wo, Zhang Zeyi
Mohamed Shibly Kammil Ur Rahman, Lu Xu
Fong Kam Wai Kelvin, Lo Chun Yin
HKU Engineering Alumni Association Scholarship 2010 – 2011
Fang Tianshi
British Council FameLab HK 2010 competition
Mohamed Shibly Kaamil Ur Rahman (Grand Prize and Audience
Choice Award)
Grewal Ahmad Saleem (Second Runner-up Online Video Selection
Award)
HSBC Scholarship for International Students 2010 – 2011
Grewal Ahmad Saleem, Mohamed Shibly Kaamil Ur Rahman
Chiang Cheng Industrial Charity Foundation Scholarship 2010 –
2011
Chan Chi Fung
Simatelex Charitable Foundation Scholarships 2010 – 2011
Ho Kwun Yin, Hugentobler Charles Peter, Chung Wai Choi
Chiap Hua Cheng’s Foundation Scholarships 2010 – 2011
Zhang Zeyi, Fang Tianshi, Wong Man Long
CO2nnsulting Initiative for Education and Research in Climate
Change 2011
Choi Ka Wai
CPDC CUM MSDI Scholarship 2010 – 2011
Fong Kam Wai Kelvin, Wong Chi Chung
Daikin Scholarship 2010 – 2011
Chang Ruo Han (Level 1 Award); Ho Sze Wing (Level 2 Award); Chan
So Chun (Level 3 Award); Tang Wai Ping, Tung Wan Chung, Wan
Ching Kit (Design Awards); Chan So Chun, Wong Shiu Lun, Wong Yin
Ka (Research Awards)
Design for Elderly Competition – Engineering Week 2011
Hung Tsz On Harris, Zhang Zeyi, Yung Hon Ki Kenneth
Parsons Brinckerhoff (Asia) Ltd. Scholarship 2010 – 2011
Kwok Yu Ho, Leung Yuk Chun
Speak Out for Engineers (SOFE) Competition, Engineering Week
2011
Mohamed Shibly Kaamil Ur Rahman
The HKIE (Fire Division) Scholarship 2010 – 2011
Li Shuk Wan
The HKIE Building Services Division Scholarship 2010 – 2011
Wong Chi Chung
The Providence Foundation Outward Bound Training Awards
2010 – 2011
Kwok Siu Hei
Young Tsun Dart Scholarships 2010 – 2011
Zhang Zeyi
YS and Christabel Lung Undergraduate Scholarship for
Engineering Students 2010 – 2011
Ho Kwun Yin, Sit Koon Yip Mattew, Pang Hong Lun
Engineering Outstanding Students Scholarship 2010 – 2011
Au Ching Nok, Choi Man Chung, Ho Kwun Yin, Sit Koon Yip Mattew,
Wong Yu Ting
Analogue Engineering Group Scholarship in Mechanical
Engineering 2009 – 2010
Cheng Yuen Ching
Hong Kong Joint Branch of the Royal Institute of Naval
Architects and the Institute of Marine Engineer Prize 2009 – 2010
Leung So Sum
ASHARE Hong Kong Chapter Scholarship 2009 – 2010
Chan So Chun (Diamond Award (Bachelor degree category))
Ma Tse Sau Prize in Mechanical Engineering 2009 – 2010
Kwok Wai Lun
Best Final Year Energy Project Competition 2010 by Energy
Institute Hong Kong (Branch)
Wong Ki Fung Mike (1st Runner-Up (individual project category))
The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineer Book
Prize 2009 – 2010
Chan So Chun
Best Student Paper Award at the Second International
Symposium on Surface and Interface of Biomaterials
Sun Tao (PhD student)
The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers Prize
2009 – 2010
Wong Chi Chung
Centenary Prize, Faculty of Engineering
Wong Man Long, Fang Tianshi
The Hong Kong Electric Co. Ltd. Energy Systems Prizes 2009 –
2010
Choi Chi Fai, Lao Seak Hong, Wong Man Long
Fong’s Project Prize in Mechanical Engineering 2009 – 2010
Ho Sin Wai, Chung Hin Yeung, Kwok Wai Lun
Choi Hin Fai Raymond (Design Project), Tang Kit Wai (Final Year
Project), Chu Chi Wah Henry (Final Year Project)
Ho Fook Prize in Engineering 2009 – 2010
Grewal Ahmad Saleem
Hong Kong Government Industry Department Prize in CAD/CAM
Technology 2009 – 2010
Chau Chi Wai
16
Walter Brown Memorial Prizes in Mathematics 2009 – 2010
Fang Tianshi
Young Investigator Award at the 2010 International Symposium
of Materials for Regenerative Medicine
Li Siyue (PhD student)
SUPPLEMENT 28th Issue 2011
MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING NEWS
Department of Mechanical Engineering
The University of Hong Kong
http://www.hku.hk/mech
Mechanical Engineering has been taught at HKU since 1910’s and the Department of Mechanical Engineering of HKU was formally established in
1961. At present, it offers two full-time undergraduate programmes leading to honours degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering
(Building Services Engineering), respectively. Under the common admissions scheme offered by the HKU Faculty of Engineering, applicants can use
the single JUPAS Code JA6963 (for 3-year curriculum) or JS6963 (for 4-year curriculum) to apply for admission to the twelve of its engineering
programmes including the two that we offer. Students entering the Faculty can choose their desired study programme after their common first semester
(for 3-year curriculum) / first year (for 4-year curriculum), on the basis of academic performance. With effect from academic year 2012-13, except for the
Bachelor of Engineering in Engineering Science programme, a quota of 120 will be imposed for BEng programmes offered by each department of the
Faculty of Engineering.
Mechanical Engineering Programme
Mechanical engineering is a discipline at the heart of engineering.
Indeed, nothing can move in the modern world without the participation of
mechanical engineers. In transportation, motor cars, trains, mass transit
railway systems, ships and aeroplanes are designed and maintained by
mechanical engineers. Factories producing mechanical and electronic
products cannot run smoothly without mechanical engineers. Power
stations would come to a halt without mechanical engineers. These
are only a few, but important, examples. They illustrate that mechanical
engineers are trained to cope with a variety of challenges and have a very
broad career spectrum.
The degree of BEng in Mechanical Engineering aims to prepare our
graduates for the many career paths open to them. It is broadly based
to allow students to acquire a basic engineering science knowledge, and
is flexible enough to enable students to specialize in areas of their own
interest.
Apart from the introductory and Common Core courses offered
to students for the 4-year curriculum in their first year of study, the
emphasis of the mechanical engineering programme is on the basic
engineering science subjects such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics,
solid mechanics, materials technology, dynamics and control. In the
final year, students can choose to specialize in areas such as computerrelated manufacturing technologies, building services, acoustics and
vibration, or to study in-depth the basic engineering subjects described
earlier. Students also have the opportunity to select the Environmental
Winglet modification on a Boeing
737 aircraft (Courtesy of HAECO)
The wind turbine in Lamma Island.
(Courtesy of HK Electric)
Engineering stream after the first year of study (for 3-year curriculum) /
second year of study (for 4-year curriculum).
Environmental Engineering Stream
Students in the environmental engineering stream will take courses
offered by both the Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Civil
Engineering to acquire the range of skills and knowledge required
by today's environmental engineers. It is well understood that the
production of power and consumption of energy may result in pollution.
The construction of infrastructure also produces many environmental
problems which require a large number of mechanical engineers who
have a broad based knowledge in various modern energy production and
conversion systems, as well as environmental awareness.
Mechanical Engineering
(Building Services Engineering) Programme
Building services engineering is a challenging, interdisciplinary
profession. It involves planning the specification, design, installation and
management of all the engineering services associated with the built
environment. With the growing complexity of engineering services in
modern buildings and the significance of energy efficiency and pollution
control, the role of the building services engineer is becoming more and
more important.
The aim of this programme is to respond to the growing demand
for building services engineers who are required to possess a sound
knowledge of engineering principles and the ability to apply this
knowledge to the complex situations prevailing in the building industry.
The students will develop transferable skills and knowledge through
guided technical courses, laboratory studies, workshop practice, industrial
training, design and research projects.
To establish a strong grounding in engineering sciences, this
programme has a common first year (for 3-year curriculum) / second year
(for 4-year curriculum) with the Mechanical Engineering Programme and
shares many courses in the two curricula. At present, the programme
covers the fundamental elements of mechanical engineering, building
services systems design, project and technology management. It also
provides knowledge in such fields as automatic controls, energy and
environment, material sciences, electrical and electronics engineering.
The main emphasis is on the art of applying and integrating the
engineering principles, intelligent technology and critical system thinking
to the innovative design and effective management of building services
systems.
To develop good communication skills and the ability to interact and
collaborate effectively with other professionals, a unique interdisciplinary
design project is offered to
the final year’s students. This
project-based course provides
an excellent opportunity
for our students to develop
experience and skills in
teamwork, communication,
graphics and problem-solving
in a real-life situation.
Modern commercial buildings are monitored by
computerized building management systems.
Professional Recognition and Employment Prospects
Our BEng degree programmes are accredited by the Hong Kong
Institution of Engineers and also recognized by many other professional
institutions. Graduates with proper training and working experience can
obtain the status of Registered Professional Engineer. This professional
status is recognized through the Washington Accord by the signatories
of professional engineering bodies in Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei,
Ireland, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, UK and
USA.
With the help of overseas external examiners, our BEng curricula can
meet international standards in terms of rigor and excellence. We are
very active in research and have excellent collaborations with international
scholars. There are many opportunities for our students to learn from and
to work with world-renowned researchers.
There is a variety of career opportunities for our BEng graduates.
Professional graduate training is also offered by the government, public
utility companies, consulting firms, contractors and manufacturing
companies.
Some graduates may consider further study through the master
or doctoral degree programmes in local or overseas institutions. The
knowledge and skills developed from our programmes will enable them to
pursue broad career interests and become highly adaptable.
MSc(Eng) programmes
The Department offers an MSc(Eng) programme in Mechanical
Engineering and two other MSc(Eng) programmes with the Department
of Electrical and Electronics Engineering: MSc(Eng) in Building Services
Engineering and MSc(Eng) in Energy Engineering.
MSc(Eng) in Mechanical Engineering
The aim of the programme is to provide postgraduate education in
mechanical engineering. Courses are offered in the fields of energy and
power; environmental engineering; materials and nano-technologies;
theoretical mechanics; computer aided product development and
engineering/technology management to graduates in engineering or
related science.
MSc(Eng) in Building Services Engineering
The programme provides advanced education in the fields of design,
management and operation of modern building services engineering
systems to practising engineers or related professionals who wish to
acquire new knowledge and keep abreast of technical developments
in the building services industry. The present coverage of topics in the
programme embraces a wide spectrum ranging from services system
design and project management to intelligence and sustainability of
buildings.
MSc(Eng) in Energy Engineering
The Energy Engineering programme aims to provide state-of-the-art
and cutting edge technologies in various kinds of energy technologies to
practicing engineers for their application at work. The programme is jointly
offered by the Electrical & Electronics Engineering and the Mechanical
Engineering Departments both of which are in the forefront as regards
research and consultancy in the areas of energy engineering.
Contacts for Further Information
Admission Tutors for BEng prgrammes:
Dr. K.C. Cheung
Tel: 2859 7907
Email: kccheung@hku.hk
Dr. P.K.L. Chan
Tel: 2859 2634
Email: pklc@hku.hk
Ir. Dr. S.C.M. Hui
Tel: 2859 2123
Email: cmhui@hku.hk
Modes of Study
There are two modes of study available: full-time or part-time.
Classes will normally be arranged in the evening on weekdays and in the
morning on Saturdays. Full-time students can also take courses taught
in the daytime on weekdays. The full-time programme requires a student
to satisfactorily complete 8 modules and a project within a study period of
1 to 2 years. For the students enrolled in the part-time programme, they
may opt to either satisfactorily complete 12 modules or 8 modules plus a
project within a study period of 2 to 3 years.
Study Modules
A number of core courses will be selected for offer to students in
each academic year. A student who does not undertake a project must
complete at least 8 core courses whereas a student who undertakes
a project must complete at least 5 core courses. Optional courses are
available from other MSc(Eng) programmes in the Faculty of Engineering
for selection by students.
Entrance Requirement
Applications for admission should have a Bachelor’s degree in
engineering or related science from a local university or a comparable
overseas institution.
Websites
http://www3.hku.hk/mech/program_taughtpostgraduate.
php?MainMenu=programmes
(Mechanical Engineering and Building Services Engineering programmes)
http://www.eee.hku.hk/programmes/msc_energye.html
(Energy Engineering programme)
Programme Co-ordinators for MSc(Eng) Programmes:
Dr. Y.H. Chen (ME)
Tel: 2859 7910
E-mail: yhchen@hku.hk
Ir. H.N. Lam (BSE)
Tel: 2859 2640
E-mail: hn.lam.hku@hku.hk
Ir. Prof. D.Y.C. Leung (EnergyEng) Tel: 2859 7911
Email: ycleung@hku.hk
Department of Mechanical Engineering
The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
Email: mech@hku.hk
Tel No.: (852) 2859 2635 Fax No.: (852) 2858 5415
Website: http://www.hku.hk/mech