Workshop on Clean Energy and Environment
Minutes of Discussion Session
(Draft)
Participants: UCB (Brian Barsky, Connie Chang-Hasnain, Haolin Chen, Robert Dibble,
Steve Glaser, Sheng Luan, Seth Sanders, Anthony St. George), HKU (W. K. Chan, K. P.
Cheung, Anthony Choi, Yuguo Li, Wallace Lim, Chris Mak, Felix Wu, Jin Zhong), TU
(Guanyi Chen, Zhongyi Jiang, Bingzhi Li, Junjie Liu, Zhen Luo, Gequn Shu, Wanhua Su,
C. S. Wang, Yuxin Wang, Mingfa Yao, Tian Zhe, Jialing Zhu, Neng Zhu)
Date and time: 10:30 am – 12:00 noon January 13, 2009
Venue: Room 8, Conference Building, Tianjin University
Chairmen: Prof. Felix Wu, The University of Hong Kong, and Prof. Gequn Shu, Tiamjin
University.
1: SUMMARY OF GROUP DISCUSSIONS
Group 1: Nanotechnology for clean energy
Prof. Connie Chan-Hasnain informed the meeting that the Group had identified two areas
that the collaboration between UCB and HKU would be fruitful. Appropriate researchers
from TU need to be identified. There is a natural synergy in the area of efficient solidstate LED lighting between UCB’s strength in material growth, optics design, etc. and
HKU’s focus on processing and characterization, similarly in the area of solar cells
between UCB’s research on inorganic cells and HKU’s organic cells, and their interface.
Group 3: Efficient combustion
Prof. Robert Dibble remarked that collaboration between UCB and TU on efficient
combustion had been going on for some time. Participation of researchers form HKU will
be encouraged. Immediate collaboration activities under planning include:
 Co-authored papers for a Beijing symposium
 Undergraduate and postgraduate student exchange
Group 4: Distributed generation
Prof. Seth Sanders summarized the group’s discussions. Strong synergy is found in solarthermal generation among the three institutions and the research in this area ties in with
research interests in micro-grids and energy storage that exist in other groups. It is
suggested that collaboration activities will start with faculty visits.
Group 5: Smart grid
Prof. CS Wang and Dr J Zhong reported that research at TU on micro and smart grids
currently focuses on software development and simulation and HKU focuses on the
development of laboratory hardware. Complementary joint research could be developed.
Prof. Seth Sanders expressed the possible interest by UCB in this area with potential
contribution in the research in control, network architecture and advanced sensor
technologies. Possible collaboration activities include the application of joint research
projects
Group 2+6: Bio-fuel + energy efficient buildings
Prof. Guanxi Chen reported that this group had more in-depth discussions on
collaboration. Two specific collaborative projects were considered by the group.
Project 1: Sustainable biomass and energy chain in high-salinity land
The idea arises due to rapid development in the Tianjin Binhai area. Central to this
possible joint project is the basic concept of the plant-environment-energy cycle.
Research focus is on crops that can grow in high-salinity environment that will
simultaneously modify the salinity content of both land and air. The possible
contributions from the three universities include:
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UCB: Molecular biology focusing on development of energy crops, suitable for
high-salinity lands.
TU: Biomass energy conversion
HKU: Impact to heat and moisture balance of the environment.
Project 2: Eco-city development based on the Sino-Singapore Ecocity Project in Tianjin
Prof. KP Cheung will assist Prof. Zhu and provide more ideas to the existing proposal.
Prof. Sheng Luan noted that this project is a truly integrated research that includes plants,
environ, and energy. Further research may include air sensors for ventilation and CO2
concentration and soil sensors for salinity, etc.
2: ACTION ITEMS
The participants recognized the advantage and potential in TU-HKU-UCB collaboration,
such as TU’s strong relationships with the government and local industries in China, the
special status of HK and HKU within China, and reputation of UCB. The participants are
very much encouraged by President Gong Ke’s willingness to serve as the champion of
the group in seeking support from the government and industries.
Prof. Connie Chang-Hasnain pointed out that the energy and environment as a global
issue justifies a considerably large collaboration proposal. There is also a need to build up
a multi-disciplinary graduate student program. She suggested that UCB looks into
submitting a proposal to NSF Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship
Program (IGERT).
Prof. Shu Gequn pointed out that the interests of the six groups are covered under the
large umbrella of clean energy. Collaboration may start with faculty and student
visit/exchange with individual group. Several funding opportunities are available for such
activities. An integrated proposal covering all areas needs to be developed and proper
funding agency needs to be identified. This workshop provides a good foundation and
should continue annually rotating in three institutions. It is suggested that the next
workshop be held at UCB. It is also suggested that a virtual center, HKU-TU-UCB Joint
Center on Clean Energy and Environment, be set up immediately to facilitate the
coordination of continuous collaborative activities.