Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and the Innovation and Technology Commission have officially launched the third InnoHK research cluster, SEAM@InnoHK, at Hong Kong Science Park. This new cluster focuses on sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing, and materials, and is jointly led by top local and international academic and research institutions. The initiative underscores Hong Kong's robust R&D capabilities and global collaboration networks, promising tangible societal benefits and further solidifying the city's role as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub.
The launch ceremony, officiated by key government and industry leaders including Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, and Ms Cordelia Chung, Chairman of HKSTP, marked the beginning of a new phase for InnoHK. As Ms Chung noted, InnoHK has been part of the Science Park for five years, and this launch starts the second five-year period. The first two clusters, Health@InnoHK and AIR@InnoHK, have already delivered world-class achievements. SEAM@InnoHK is expected to continue this legacy by fostering collaboration among eminent scholars and global partners, thereby enriching the entire innovation landscape.
SEAM@InnoHK comprises eight R&D centres that bring together over 30 top global universities and research institutions, including the University of Cambridge, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Nagoya University, National University of Singapore, Tsinghua University, and Peking University. Notably, three centres feature collaborations with Nobel Laureates: Professor Ben L. Feringa (2016 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry) participates in the InnoHK Centre of Functional Materials for Energy and Sustainability (CFMES); Sir Konstantin Novoselov (2010 Nobel Laureate in Physics) serves as principal investigator for the Inno Centre for Heterogeneous Integration and Production (CHIP); and Professor Hiroshi Amano (2014 Nobel Laureate in Physics) is involved in the InnoHK Power Semiconductors and Applications Center (PowerSAC). This stellar scientific lineup highlights Hong Kong's unique advantages in assembling world-class research talent and fostering cross-border collaboration.
The eight centres are designed to address critical challenges and drive innovation in their respective fields. For instance, the InnoHK Centre for Advanced and Smart Manufacturing (CASM) aims to lead global manufacturing toward Industry 5.0 by fusing AI, advanced materials, additive manufacturing, and digital twins. The InnoHK Centre for Space Manufacturing Technology (CSMT) seeks to establish a world-class hub for international research collaboration in space manufacturing. The InnoHK Hong Kong Center for Renewable Energy and Storage (HKCRES) focuses on developing high-performance perovskite photovoltaics, green hydrogen systems, and next-generation batteries. These centres will accelerate technology transfer, startup incubation, and the growth of the I&T industry in Hong Kong.
As the largest I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong, HKSTP provides comprehensive professional support and resources to the R&D centres under SEAM@InnoHK. This includes world-class R&D infrastructure, connections with academic institutions, talent pools, investor networks, and matchmaking with funding and industry partners. This support empowers teams to transform breakthrough research into scalable, high-impact commercial solutions. The launch of SEAM@InnoHK represents a significant step in Hong Kong's efforts to develop into a global hub for scientific research cooperation, leveraging its unique position to attract world-leading universities and research institutes.
