EdUHK Wins Four Awards at iENA 2026
Award-winning Projects Span Environmental Monitoring, Sustainable Construction, 6G Communications and Digital Health
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) has won four awards at the International Trade Fair, Ideas, Inventions and New Products 2026 (iENA 2026) in Nuremberg, Germany: one Gold Medal, two Bronze Medals and a Special Award. EdUHK was the only university from Hong Kong, China, to receive the Special Award this year. The award-winning projects span environmental biotechnology, sustainable construction materials, wireless communications, and digital health and rehabilitation. Several of the technologies have already progressed to clinical trials or industry applications, reflecting EdUHK's strengths in applied research and its commitment to translating research outcomes into practical solutions for society.
Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, Vice President (Research and Development), congratulated the award-winning teams and highlighted the practical significance of their achievements. “These projects go beyond conceptual innovation by delivering evidence-based solutions to real-world challenges faced by society and industry. Our researchers have demonstrated deep expertise in their respective fields and successfully showcased their work on the international stage. Recognition at iENA 2026 affirms that EdUHK’s research is not only academically rigorous, but also highly relevant and impactful in practice,” he said.
The Special Award (Thailand Award for the Best International Invention & Innovation) was presented to Dr Cheng Jinping, Assistant Professor in the Department of Science and Environmental Studies, for his invention “BioSentinel Passive eDNA/eRNA Enrichment and Sampling System”. The technology enables the efficient collection of environmental DNA and RNA samples over extensive areas, reducing monitoring time by 90% and costs by 75% compared with conventional approaches. It provides a cost-effective solution for biodiversity monitoring and environmental management.
Also from the Department of Science and Environmental Studies, Dr Tsang Yiu-fai, Associate Professor, received a Gold Medal for his project “From Sludge to Structure: Transforming Waterworks and Sewage Sludge into Sustainable Concrete”. The technology converts waterworks and sewage sludge into sustainable concrete materials, reducing waste disposal while producing environmental-friendly concrete with varying strength levels for diverse applications. The innovation offers a practical solution for promoting circular economy practices and sustainable construction.
Dr Lemon Kwan Hok-ming, Executive Director of Knowledge Transfer, said the results demonstrated the international competitiveness of EdUHK’s research and innovations. He said, “Recognition at iENA, one of Europe’s most established invention exhibitions, reflects the international calibre of EdUHK’s research and innovation. Through knowledge transfer, we seek to bring research beyond laboratories into communities and industries, ensuring that innovative solutions can generate tangible benefits for society.”
Founded in 1948, iENA is one of the world’s longest-established inventors’ fairs. Held annually in Nuremberg, Germany, it brings together inventors, universities, research institutes and industry representatives from around the world, providing an important platform for showcasing innovations, promoting knowledge transfer and fostering international collaboration. This year’s competition attracted 580 inventions from 340 exhibitors representing 21 countries and regions.
List of EdUHK awarded projects and related awards:
| Project Name | Investigator(s) | Abstract | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| BioSentinel Passive eDNA/eRNA Enrichment and Sampling System | Dr Cheng Jinping, Assistant Professor at Department of Science and Environmental Studies | A portable and flexibly deployable passive eDNA/eRNA enrichment and sampling system that enables efficient large-scale collection, saving 90% of time and 75% of cost. It supports eco- friendly, high throughput, non-destructive biota monitoring for environmental health and sustainability. | Thailand Award for the Best International Invention & Innovation (Special Award) |
| From Sludge to Structure: Transforming Waterworks and Sewage Sludge into Sustainable Concrete | Dr Tsang Yiu-fai, Associate Professor at the Department of Science and Environmental Studies | This innovation transforms waterworks and sewage sludge into concrete by replacing conventional aggregates and cement. With a simple pre-treatment process, eco-friendly concrete of varied strengths can be produced for diverse applications. | Gold Medal |
| AI-Steered Wireless Circuit Design for Next-Generation 6G and Satellite Transmitters | Dr Steve Mung Wai-yin, Assistant Professor at the Department of Science and Environmental Studies | A deep neural network predicts linearity in wireless 6G and satellite transmitters. The approach reduces testing time by over 70% and automatically generates and suggests 3GPP-compliant, low-current matching networks, significantly accelerating 6G/satellite design. | Bronze Medal |
| RoMetric: Intelligent Hand Function ROM Assessment System | Dr Fu Hong, Associate Professor at Department of Mathematics and Information Technology | RoMetric is a hand function assessment system using advanced computer vision to automate precise measurement of 15 joints (20 degrees of freedom) in 3D. It provides accurate, objective data for non-invasive evaluation, reducing assessment time by up to 87% and supporting timely rehabilitation planning. | Bronze Medal |
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