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A triumphant showcase of HKBU’s award-winning research projects at International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva

30 Apr 2025

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HKBU captures nine prizes, including two Gold Medals with Congratulations of the Jury, three Gold Medals, three Silver Medals and one Bronze Medal at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva.
The research “A novel herbal formulation (CDD-2103) for remission maintenance of ulcerative colitis” led by Professor Bian Zhaoxiang, Associate Vice-President (Clinical Chinese Medicine) and Director of CDD, and Professor Tan Hor-yue (right), Assistant Professor of CDD, clinches the Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury.
The invention “A method to produce an unusual monoterpenoid” led by Professor Liao Pan, Assistant Professor of the Department of Biology, has been awarded the Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury. The invention is presented by Dr Chen Lin (photo), Post-doctoral Research Fellow of Department of Biology.
The invention “Advanced catalysts and catalytic systems for green hydrogen production from biomass waste” led by Professor Zhao Jun, Associate Professor of the Department of Biology, has won the Gold Medal. The invention is presented by Miss Christina Tsang (photo), Research Assistant of the Department of Biology.
The research “Broad absorption spectrum for sunscreen compounds and its applications” led by Professor Jill Chiu, Associate Professor of the Department of Biology, and Dr Jenny Ng (photo), Research Associate of the Department of Biology, has been awarded the Gold Medal.
The research “Production of chitin using green and recyclable ionic liquid” led by Professor Matthew Lui, Assistant Professor of the Department of Chemistry, has secured the Gold Medal.

A total of nine projects conducted by HKBU research teams achieved remarkable success at the 2025 International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, taking home two Gold Medals with Congratulations of the Jury, three Gold Medals, three Silver Medals, and one Bronze Medal. This underscores the University’s outstanding research capabilities and innovative spirit.

The International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva is an annual global event devoted exclusively to inventions. This year, a panel of experts evaluated 1,050 projects from over 40 countries and regions. One of the HKBU projects awarded with the Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury was the innovative herbal formulation CDD-2103, developed by Professor Bian Zhaoxiang, Associate Vice-President (Clinical Chinese Medicine) and Director of the Centre for Chinese Herbal Medicine Drug Development (CDD), and Professor Tan Hor-yue, Assistant Professor of CDD. This Chinese medicine formulation is specifically designed for the remission maintenance of ulcerative colitis and was authorised for clinical trial by the National Medical Products Administration, bringing hope to numerous patients.

Another Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury went to the unique method for producing an unusual monoterpenoid compound developed by Professor Liao Pan, Assistant Professor of the Department of Biology. This method is not only environmentally friendly and cost-effective but also has the potential to open new avenues for the perfume and fragrance industry.

Among the Gold Medal recipients, Professor Zhao Jun of the Department of Biology developed an environmentally friendly catalytic system, which demonstrates the feasibility of converting waste into energy, providing new solutions for sustainable development. Additionally, the broad absorption spectrum for sunscreen compounds developed by Professor Jill Chiu and Dr Jenny Ng of the Department of Biology effectively blocks various UV, aiding in skin protection and reducing health risks associated with traditional sunscreen products. Meanwhile, Professor Matthew Lui of the Department of Chemistry invented a green and recyclable ionic extractant for chitin that enables the production of purer, high quality chitin for uses in healthcare and food packaging, reducing chemical usage and waste.

Other noteworthy award-winning HKBU projects include a Chinese medicine formulation for constipation developed by  Professor Bian Zhaoxiang and Professor Zhai Lixiang of CDD; an innovative intellectual property protection solution for 3D assets developed by Professor Wan Renjie of the Department of Computer Science; a water misting system for enhancing the bathing experience for wheelchair users developed by Professor Anna Qin of the Academy of Visual Arts; and a novel botanical remedy for myofibrillar myopathy developed by Professor Bian Zhaoxiang and Dr Lin Chengyuan of CDD. These research initiatives not only reflect the University’s research success but also bring positive impacts at various levels of society.

Aspiring to be a leading research-led university in Asia for the world, HKBU engages in cutting-edge, innovative and transdisciplinary research and knowledge transfer endeavours that push the boundaries of knowledge, address global issues, and contribute to the well-being of both local and international communities.