Research Project
Physical Sciences
Research Projects
Administrative,
Business and
Social Studies
Medicine,
Dentistry
and Health:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Civil and
Structural
Engineering
Electrical and
Electronic
Engineering
Computing
Sciences,
Information
Technology
and Applied
Mathematics
Mechanical,
Production and
Industrial
Engineering
including
Textiles and
Clothing
TECTONIC EVOLUTION OF NORTH WEST CHINA: WEST JUNGGAR REGION
To undertake a pilot investigation of ophiolitic rocks in the Western Juggar Region of North West China.
Investigators: Dr. J.C. Aitchison (Principal)
Mr. S. Buckman
Mr. W.J. He
Professor J.G. Malpas
Dr. M.F. Zhou
Department: Earth Sciences
Source of funding: CRA Exploration Pty Ltd., Australia
Dr. Stephen S.F. Hui Trust Fund
Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1996.12
PALEOCLIMATOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FOR EVOLUTION OF THE ASIAN MONSOON
To obtain a continuous non-marine record of climate history in the Nepal Himalaya since the late Neogene; to establish the effects of the India-Asia tectonic collision and uplift of the Tibetan Plateau on climate evolution; to establish the associated effects of development of Asian monsoonal patterns; to compare climatic evolution in this area with other South Asian or East Asian monsoon history; to prepare investigators for participation in ODP Leg 184 "South China Sea".
Investigators: Dr. J.C. Aitchison (Principal)
Dr. A.M. Davis
Department: Earth Sciences
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
TECTONIC AND TEMPORAL RELATIONSHIPS OF OPHIOLITIC AND OTHER ROCKS BETWEEN THE LHASA (CHINA) AND HIMALAYAN (INDIA) TERRANES
To produce a detailed tectonostratigraphic terrane map of the geology between the Himalayan and Lhasa blocks within a 300 km long zone along the Yarlung-Tsangpo River, centered around Lhasa, Tibet; to identify individual terrances within this zone; to determine the ages and internal stratigraphies, structure and metamorphism of individual terrances; to determine the tectonic affinity/depositional environment/geological histories of individual terranes; to construct a time/space diagram to constrain temporal/tectonic relationships, if any, between terrances; to determine the structural histories within terranes and constrain their accretion/amalgamation and later deformational histories.
Investigators: Dr. J.C. Aitchison (Principal)
Dr. J.R. Ali
Dr. D.Z. Ba
Professor P. Baumgartner
Dr. A. Jayko
Professor J.G. Malpas
Dr. M.F. Zhou
Departments: Earth Sciences
Tibet Geological Survey, Lhasa, People's Republic of China
US Geological Survey, U.S.A.
University of Lausanne, Switzerland
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1998.10
ORIGIN OF THE OCEAN CRUST FRAGMENTS IN NEW CALEDONIA: REFINING PLATE TECTONIC MODELS FOR THE SW PACIFIC USING PALEOMAGNETISM
Using paleomagnetism, determine the formation sites of two allochthonous oceanic terranes in New Caledonia: the Carboniferous Supra Subduction Zone Koh Terrane and the Upper Cretaceous Poya Terrane MORB unit (both crustal fragments were emplaced on New Caledonia in the Paleogene). Using these paleomagnetic constraints, develop a new model for the tectonic evolution of the SW Pacific over the past 300 million years.
Investigators: Dr. J.R. Ali (Principal)
Dr. J.C. Aitchison
Department: Earth Sciences
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.11
A PALEOMAGNETISM PILOT STUDY OF THE JIAMASU TERRANE, NE CHINA
To study what the Jiamusi Massif collided with at 500 Ma - was it Siberia, N. China or some other crustal block?
Investigator: Dr. J.R. Ali
Department: Earth Sciences
Source of funding: Dr. Stephen S.F. Hui Trust Fund
Starting date: 1999.07
ANALYSES OF INDEX-TO-LABORATORY CORRELATION FACTORS IN CHARACTERISATION OF WEATHERED IGNEOUS ROCKS
To investigate applicability of constant correlation factors derived for point-load and Schmidt hammer index tests in predicting laboratory-measured values of strength in weathered igneous rocks; to establish relationships between weathering induced changes (in mineralogy and microfabric) and index-to-laboratory correlation factors, and also other index tests of microfracturing, durability and hardness; to improve available equipment and testing procedures for a reproducible correlation at various scales of material testing and sensitive to the degree of chemical decomposition.
Investigator: Dr. A. Aydin
Department: Earth Sciences
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1999.08
POSITRON BEAM STUDIES OF METAL-SEMICONDUCTOR INTERFACES
To provide necessary manpower to carry out up-grades to the Physics Department's positron beam, and to investigate its focussing limit actions.
Investigators: Dr. C.D. Beling (Principal)
Dr. S. Fung
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Croucher Foundation
Hung Hing Ying Physical Sciences Research Fund
Run Run Shaw Research and Teaching Endowment Fund
University Grants Committee
Starting date: 1989.04 Completion date: 1998.12
IMPLIMENTATION OF THE NEW DOUBLE DOPPLER BROADENING SPECTROSCOPY (DDBS)
The implimentation of an improved form of positron Doppler Broadening spectroscopy. The technique known now as Double Doppler Broadening Spectroscopy (DDBS), which uses a dual detector configuration, offers both a 40% improvement in instrument resolution together with exciting possibilities for spectral deconvolution and vacancy defect characterization.
Investigators: Dr. C.D. Beling (Principal)
Dr. S. Fung
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07
THE DEVELOPMENT OF POSITRON DEEP LEVEL TRANSIENT SPECTROSCOPY
To demonstrate conclusively a new way of using positrons to probe defects in semiconductors.
Investigator: Dr. C.D. Beling
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.09
AUTO-CORRELATION FUNCTION CHARACTERIZATION OF POINT DEFECTS IN ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
It aims at systematically fingerprinting and identifying the point defects in electronic materials such as Si, GaAs, and in SiC, by first obtaining positron-electron autocorrelation functions (AFs) for different semiconductor defects through experiment (using the research group's new high resolution Doppler Broadening of Annihilation Radiation Spectyroscopy (DRARS) system) and by then making comparison with Ab-Initio pseudopotential theory.
Investigators: Dr. C.D. Beling (Principal)
Dr. S. Fung
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
IMPROVED SEMICONDUCTOR DEFECT CHARACTERIZATION USING TWO-DIMENSIONAL DOPPLER BROADENING OF ANNIHILATION RADIATION SPECTROSCOPY
Implementation of an innovative form of Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy (PAS), referred to as 2-Dimensional Doppler Broadening of Annihilation Radiation Spectroscopy (2D-DBARS). The tool utilizes a dual detector configuration, offering improvements in instrumental resolution and core annihilation sensitivity over conventional DBARS which make the technique highly promising for defect identification in semiconductors.
Investigator: Dr. C.D. Beling
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1998.10
DLTS AND PAS STUDIES OF ION CO-IMPLANTED SILICON CARBIDE
To investigate the ion implanted damage in silicon carbide by varying the temperature of implantation and the ion dosage.
Investigators: Dr. C.D. Beling (Principal)
Dr. G. Braver
Dr. G. Parniewski
Departments: Physics
Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research, Research Centre Rossendorf, Germany
Source of funding: Germany/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme
Starting date: 1999.01
BIOSYNTHESIS OF ARTEMISININ
To establish the biosynthetic pathway leading to production of the antimalarial artmeisinin in artemisia annua.
Investigator: Dr. G.D. Brown
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1994.11
GRADIENT DIFFUSION-ATTENUATED NMR SPECTROSCOPY FOR THE ANALYSIS OF MULTI-COMPONENT MIXTURES
Spectroscopic analysis of multi-component mixtures has always required a physical separation of the components by some chromatographic technique prior to the acquisition of a characteristic spectrum from ech component. In recent year there has been a proliferation of "hyphenated" techniques based on this very principle. The modern capability to generate magnetic-field gradients in NMR Spectroscopy opens up the possibility of differentiating compounds by their diffusion characteristics. The project aims to investigate whether this molecular property can be applied to resolve different components when present simultaneously in the same mixture. If successful, NMR analysis of complex mixtures would then be as simple a matter as NMR analysis of individual compounds, and the need for prior chromatography will have been removed, resulting in greater simplicity and wider applicability of NMR in the analysis of multi-component mixtures.
Investigator: Dr. G.D. Brown
Department: Chemistry
Starting date: 1994.12
ORGANIC SYNTHESIS INCLUDING NATURAL PRODUCTS
To explore new synthetic methods for cyclo-alkano[d]xanthones and naphthoquinones including chiral syntheses to synthesise physiologically active natural products or their analogues.
Investigator: Dr. G.D. Brown
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1995.07
NEW ANTI-CANCER DRUGS FROM PLANTS USED IN TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
To undertake a chemical investigation of plants described in traditional Chinese medicine whose use might suggest anti-tumour properties.
Investigator: Dr. G.D. Brown
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded)
Starting date: 1995.09
PRODUCTION OF PHARAMACEUTICALS IN PLANT TISSUE CULTURE
To produce two modern pharmaceuticals of plant origin, artemisinin from Artemisia annua and taxoL from Taxus brevifosia, by means of plant tissue culture.
Investigator: Dr. G.D. Brown
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: HKUST Biotechnology Research Institute
Starting date: 1995.09
THE CHEMISTRY OF ENDOPHYTES FROM ARTEMISIA ANNUA
To define the chemistry of endophytes associated with A. annua in order to determine whether such transfer of genes involved in the biosynthesis of artemisinin has also occurred in this medicinally important species. If found to be true, then culture of A. annua endophytes which produce artemisinin would offer an alternative, reliable and very economical means for production of this important anti-malarial drug.
Investigators: Dr. G.D. Brown (Principal)
Dr. K.D. Hyde
Departments: Chemistry
Ecology and Biodiversity
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
ELECTROLYTES IN NANOSTRUCTURES
To investigate the adsorption properties of electrolytes in confined structures of nanometre scale and to relate these to the charge, size, and concentration of the ion, and geometry of the nanostructure.
Investigators: Dr. G.K.Y. Chan (Principal)
Dr. D. Nicholson
Departments: Chemistry
Chemistry, Imperial College, University of London, London, U.K.
Source of funding: UK/HK Joint Research Scheme (British Council / Hong Kong Research Grants Council)
Starting date: 1996.09
THEORETICAL STUDIES OF ION TRANSFER REACTIONS ON ELECTRODES
To investigate the mechanism of ion transfer electrochemical reactions using a combination of computer simulations, integral equation techniques, and quantum mechanical calculations.
Investigators: Dr. G.K.Y. Chan (Principal)
Professor W. Schmickler
Departments: Chemistry
Abteilung Elektrochemie, University of Ulm, Germany
Source of funding: Germany/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme
Starting date: 1997.01
HARD SPHERE MIXTURES IN THE COLLOIDAL LIMIT
To establish an accurate equation for the prediction of pair correlation function of hard spheres in the colloidal limit.
Investigator: Dr. G.K.Y. Chan
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07 Completion date: 1998.12
SOLVATION FORCES IN AN ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPE
To determine the extent of molecular forces of solvent between an AFM tip and a surface being imaged.
Investigator: Dr. G.K.Y. Chan
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded)
Starting date: 1997.12 Completion date: 1998.09
SELECTIVITY IN ION CHANNELS
Computer simulations are performed to investigate the selective adsorption properties of ions in a charged molecular channel and to relate the selectivity to the charge, size, and concentration of the ion, and geometry of the nanopore.
Investigator: Dr. G.K.Y. Chan
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
ELECTROCHMEICAL OXIDATION OF GLUCOSE
The electrochemical oxidation of glucose on some inorganic electrodes will be studied. These electrodes appeared to have better activities than others reported in the literature. Investigations are planned to identify the oxidation products and hence the mechanism of the glucose oxidation process. Furthermore kinetics studies will be made on well characterized surfaces so that the effects of surface morphology and composition on catalytic activity can be determined. The results of these studies will help in the design of better catalytic electrodes for glucose oxidation and will be used to help in the development of a glucose sensor. The applications of these electrodes as glucose sensors will be assessed. Tests will be made for determination of glucose concentration in serum. Anti-fouling, anti-interference, linearity, and selectivity of a glucose sensor using the new catalyst will be evaluated.
Investigators: Dr. G.K.Y. Chan (Principal)
Dr. G.D. Brown
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Outstanding Researcher Award, Vice-Chancellor's Development Fund
Starting date: 1998.09
PALEOMAGNETIC AND TECTONIC STUDY OF SOUTH CHINA
Application of paleomagnetic and geophysical methods to determine the tectonic structure and history of the maritime province of South China
Investigator: Dr. L.S. Chan
Department: Earth Sciences
Starting date: 1993.09
APPLICATION OF FIELD GEOPHYSICAL METHODS TO SLOPE STABILITY ANALYSIS IN HONG KONG
To investigate the feasibility of the use of several geophysical methods to study slope conditions in the urban setting of Hong Kong.
Investigator: Dr. L.S. Chan
Department: Earth Sciences
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.08
SLOPE MOVEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH LANDSLIDES
To determine whether brittle landslides, i.e. those which move extremely rapidly after main failure, are preceded by plastic (i.e. irreversible) movements.
Investigators: Dr. L.S. Chan (Principal)
Dr. A.W. Malone
Departments: Earth Sciences
Civil Engineering
Source of funding: Dr. Stephen S.F. Hui Trust Fund
Starting date: 1999.05
FUNCTIONALIZED BLOCK COPOLYMERS: SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION
To synthesize a series of functionalized diblock copolymers with controlled nano-architecture and to characterize their structural and physical properties; to investigate how the microphase structure and the morphology of nanoscaled, self-assembled diblock-copolymers can be controlled; to study how the size and type of the functionalized microphase, which can be controlled by the molecular weight and composition, affects the physical properties of the block copolymers.
Investigator: Dr. W.K. Chan
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1996.09
DETERMINATION OF CHARGE CARRIER MOBILITIES IN POLYMER FILM BY TIME-OF-FLIGHT EXPERIMENT
To determine the charge carrier mobilities of organic polymeric film by the time-of-flight method. The polymer film for measurement will be fabricated by coating a thin layer of electrode by sputtering. By using a laser pulse, the sheet of charge injected into the film will travel across the polymer film, and the time taken will be recorded by an oscilloscope. Several important parameters such as charge carriers' nature, density, and mobilities can be obtained.
Investigator: Dr. W.K. Chan
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hung Hing Ying Physical Sciences Research Fund
Starting date: 1997.01
SYNTHESES AND PROPERTIES OF METAL CONTAINING POLYMERS
To synthesize a series of metal containing polymers and to study their liquid crystalline and other physical properties.
Investigator: Dr. W.K. Chan
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.09
SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ORGANIC MOLECULAR AND POLYMERIC MATERIALS FOR MULTILAYER DISPLAY DEVICES
To synthesize a series of organic molecular/polymeric materials and to characterize their physical properties by different measurement techniques.
Investigator: Dr. W.K. Chan
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
ORGANIC MATERIALS FOR ELECTRONIC AND PHOTONIC APPLICATIONS
To synethesize a series of aromatic polyimides which contain bisterpyridine ruthenium (II) complexes; to synthesize different organic compounds which contain hole transporting unit, electron transporting unit, and light emitting functional group; to characterize the structure and photophysical properties of the above mentioned materials; to fabricate the materials into simple electronic devices such as light emitting diodes, photodiodes, and organic field-effect transisitors, and to study the relationship between the device structure and its efficiency and stability.
Investigator: Dr. W.K. Chan
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1998.09
DEVELOPMENT OF A LASER SAMPLING-GLOW DISCHARGE SYSTEM FOR THE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF SOLIDS
To develop a laser sampling-glow discharge analytical atomic source; to explore the capability of this device for chemical analysis of solids; to do fundamental studies of laser material interactions.
Investigator: Dr. W.T. Chan
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1993.07
DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERISATION OF A DIRECT SAMPLE INSERTION (DSI) SYSTEM FOR THE INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA - ATOMIC EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY (ICP-AES)
A direct sample insertion (DSI) device will be developed; the DSI technique, as a sample introduction method for the inductively coupoed plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), will be characterised; research effort will be concentrated on the thermal characteristics of the sample probe and the vaporisation processes of the analyte; DSI of both solids and liquids is potentially a powerful analytical technique for elemental analysis; with improvement on the analytical performance, accurate direct solid analysis is possible; the time and cost of sample analysis will also be reduced; applications include environmental, metallurgical, biological, and geological studies, among others.
Investigator: Dr. W.T. Chan
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1994.11
DEVELOPMENT OF A SAMPLING TECHNIQUE FOR ANALYTICAL ATOMIC SPECTROMETRY
to further develop a novel laser sampling technique, "back surface ablation"; to study laser material interactions at a fundamental level.
Investigator: Dr. W.T. Chan
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1996.07
DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS - INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA SPECTROMETRY FOR ELEMENTAL SPECIATION
To develop a sensitive technique for metal speciation using capillary electrophoresis (CE) and inductively couple plasma - atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES).
Investigator: Dr. W.T. Chan
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded)
Starting date: 1996.10
AN ION-EXCHANGE SAMPLE PROBE FOR INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA - ATOMIC EMISSION SPECTROMETRY
To develop a simple ion-exchange sample probe for analyte pre-concentration and matrix separation.
Investigator: Dr. W.T. Chan
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS - INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA SPECTROMETRY FOR ELEMENTAL SPECIATION
To develop a sensitive techniques for metal speciation using capillary electrophoresis (CE) and inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES); to apply CE-ICP-AES for metal speciation of environmental samples and Chinese medicine.
Investigator: Dr. W.T. Chan
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded)
Starting date: 1998.11
QUANTUM ALGORITHMS, QUANTUM COMPUTATION, AND THE SECURITY OF QUANTUM CRYPTOGRAPHIC PROTOCOLS
With the application of quantum mechanics in computational and cryptograhic situations, perform theoretical investigations on possible constructions of a quantum mechanical computer, and to find new useful quantum mechanical algorithms. Besides, to improve some classical cryptographic protocols and address their crypto-security using quantum information theory.
Investigators: Dr. H.F. Chau (Principal)
Dr. H.K. Lo
Departments: Physics
Hewlett-Packard Laboratory, U.K.
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.09
SETTING UP OF HIGH-POWER PICOSECOND LASER SYSTEM AND A HIGH-POWER NANOSECOND YAG LASER
Setting up of high-power picosecond laser system and a high-power nanasecond YAG laser
Investigator: Professor C.M. Che
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Croucher Foundation
Starting date: 1995.03
HIGH VALENT ALKYLIDENE AND ALKYLIDYNE COMPLEXES OF RUTHENIUM AND OSMIUM. ELECTRON TRANSFER PROPERTIES AND CATALYSTS FOR CARBON-CARBON BOND FORMATION
To study metal-carbon multiple bonds in those complexes containing highly oxidizing metal ions, to design new catalysts for C-C bond formation, and to investigate the electron transfer properties of metal-alkylidene and -alkylidyne complexes.
Investigator: Professor C.M. Che
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1996.10
MICROPOROUS AND MESOPOROUS MATERIALS
To prepare new microporous and mesoporous materials through modifications with transition metal complexes; to develop new and long-lived heterogeneous catalysts for organic oxidations.
Investigator: Professor C.M. Che
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hung Hing Ying Physical Sciences Research Fund
Starting date: 1997.01 Completion date: 1998.12
PHOTOCHEMICAL OXIDATION OF ALKANES BY HIGH-VALENT METAL-OXO COMPLEXES
To prepare neutral and luminescent osmium-oxo complexes which undergo photochemical oxidation of alkanes; to develop a system for photocatalytic oxidation of organic molecules using molecular oxygen.
Investigator: Professor C.M. Che
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07 Completion date: 1999.06
HIGH-VALENT NITRIDO AND IMIDO COMPLEXES OF RUTHENIUM AND OSMIUM FOR NITROGEN ATOM TRANSFER REACTIONS
To prepare and to study highly oxidizing ruthenium and osmium complexes which have metal-nitrogen multiple bonds, to elucidate the mechanism of alkene aziridinations, to design new chiral ruthenium catalysts for asymmetric alkene aziridination, and to develop the chemistry of cationic nitrido complexes of ruthenium and osmium.
Investigator: Professor C.M. Che
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.09
PLATINUM (II) COMPLEXES - DNA INTERACTIONS
To develop new non-radiative probes for nucleic acid via luminescent platinum(II) complexes-nucleotide base interactions.
Investigators: Professor C.M. Che (Principal)
Dr. M. Yang
Departments: Chemistry
Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
METAL-CATALYSED ASYMMETRIC ORGANIC OXIDATIONS: CHIRAL RUTHENIUM-OXO AND PEROXO COMPLEXES
To elucidate the factors governing the high enantioselectivities observed in metal-catalysed alkene epoxidations and the mechanism of asymmetric alkane oxidations by highly oxidizing metal-oxo complexes; to explore the oxidation chemistry of ruthenium-peroxo complexes with the aim to develop new catalysts for enantioselective organic oxidations. Related studies on chromium-oxo and molybdenum and rhenium-peroxo complexes will be undertaken.
Investigator: Professor C.M. Che
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1998.08
BLUE LIGHT PHOTOLUMINESCENT MATERIALS
To design and prepare highly robust and luminous materials for fabrication of bright blue-light emitting diode (LED) devices.
Investigator: Professor C.M. Che
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hung Hing Ying Physical Sciences Research Fund
Starting date: 1999.02
ADVANCED TECHNIQUES IN MOLECULAR MATERIALS
To review latest developments in preparation and characterization techniques of materials at the molecular or nanometer level.
Investigators: Professor C.M. Che (Principal)
Professor A.P. Alivisatos
Professor P.F. Barbara
Professor A.J. Heeger
Professor D.M. Kolb
Professor T. Marks
Professor D.G. Whitten
Departments: Chemistry
Northwestern University, U.S.A.
University of California, U.S.A.
University of Minnesota, U.S.A.
University of Rochester, U.S.A.
University of Ulm, Germany
Source of funding: Croucher Advanced Study Institute
Starting date: 1999.04
DYNAMICS OF CONDENSED CONJUGATED MATERIALS
To reach a comprehensive undertanding of complex dynamic processes of conjugated materials in a molecular level, relate microscopic properties to macroscopic observable of condensed materials, and provide synthetic chemists guidelines for design or tailor of novel organic materials.
Investigator: Dr. G.H. Chen
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.10
LINEAR-SCALING CALCULATION OF EXCITED STATE PROPERTIES OF VERY LARGE ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
To calculate the excited state properties of very large electronic systems, for instance, protein, DNA and polymer thin films, from the first principles.
Investigator: Dr. G.H. Chen
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
MULTI-DIMENSIONAL FREE ENERGY LANDSCAPE OF A SMALL PROTEIN
To resolve fundamental issue in life science, the mechanism of protein folding.
Investigator: Dr. G.H. Chen
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1998.11
CHEMICAL SYNTHESIS OF NEW AGENTS FOR MALE FERTILITY REGULATION
To synthesize a number of new agents to be used for biological screening for fertility regulation in the human male.
Investigator: Professor K.F. Cheng
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: International Organization for Chemical Sciences in Development
Starting date: 1987.01
SYNTHETIC STUDIES TOWARD THE PSEUDOLARIC ACIDS AND THEIR ANALOGUES
To synthetically prepare pseudolaric acids A, B, and C, and to make structurally varied analogues which will be subjected to structure-activity relationship correlation studies (SAR) with the aim of enhancing the potency of the pseudolaric acids against fungal infections and tumors.
Investigators: Professor K.F. Cheng (Principal)
Dr. P. Chiu
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.10
HIGH ENERGY PHENOMENA AROUND ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI
To develop a general model to explain the spectral features, intensity and energy range of high energy gamma-rays from Active Galactic Nuclei; to study a new possible mechanism of gamma-ray burst, in which a neutron is trapped in the accretion disk of AGN and transform to be a strange star by accreting 0.5 M matter.
Investigator: Professor K.S. Cheng
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1996.10 Completion date: 1998.09
RELATIVISTIC ASTROPHYSICS: COALESCENCES OF NEUTRON STAR BINARIES
To study physical processes occuring in the coalescence of two neutron stars including gamma-ray emission, gravitational wave emission and change of the equation of state in high density matter.
Investigators: Professor K.S. Cheng (Principal)
Professor W.M. Suen
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07 Completion date: 1999.06
SOME CONSEQUENCES OF ACCRETING NEUTRON STARS: CHANGE OF STELLAR STRUCTURE, GRAVITATIONAL RADIATION, GAMMA-RAY EMISSION AND MAGNETIC FIELD DECAY
To study some possible changes of neutron star properties after accreting material from its companion.
Investigator: Professor K.S. Cheng
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.07
X-RAY EMISSION FROM ROTATION POWERED PULSARS
A set of relativistic thermal transport and energy balance equations will be used to study the thermal evolution, without making the assumption of spherical symmetry. By comparing the observed data and model results we expect to obtain useful information on the stellar structure. We will also model the X-ray emission features to see if the surface magnetic field is dominated by multiple field.
Investigator: Professor K.S. Cheng
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
GAMMA-RAY PULSARS AND RELATED TOPICS: DIFFUSE GAMMA RAYS AND UNIDENTIFIED GAMMA-RAY POINT SOURCES
To study the detailed radiation properties of gamma-ray pulsars.
Investigator: Professor K.S. Cheng
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1998.07
NEAR INFRARED DIODE LASER SPECTROSCOPY OF TRANSITION METAL COMPOUNDS
To obtain laser induced fluorescence spectrum of simple transition metal oxides and nitrides in the near infrared(0.8 -1.3 um) spectral region; to understand in detail the very complicated optical spectra of the transition metal oxides and nitrides that are known constituents of the stellar atmosphere.
Investigator: Dr. A.S.C. Cheung
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1994.11
INTERMODULATED FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY OF TRANSITION METAL COMPOUNDS
To obtain intermodulated fluorescence spectrum of diatomic transition metal oxides and nitrides at sub-Doppler resolution.
Investigator: Dr. A.S.C. Cheung
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1996.01
LASER SPECTROSCOPY OF METAL CONTAINING RADICALS
To study electronic transition and determine molecular structure of metal containing radicals.
Investigator: Dr. A.S.C. Cheung
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1996.07
PREDISSOCIATION LINEWIDTHS OF THE SCHUMANN-RUNGE BANDS OF OXY
To study in detail the predissociation mechanism of the Schumann-Runge bands of oxygen.
Investigators: Dr. A.S.C. Cheung (Principal)
Dr. M.J. Jamieson
Departments: Chemistry
Computing Science, University of Glasgow, U.K.
Source of funding: UK/HK Joint Research Scheme (British Council / Hong Kong Research Grants Council)
Starting date: 1996.10
LASER INDUCED FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY OF SUPERSONIC BEAM OF REFRACTORY MOLECULES
To produce various gas-phase refractory molecules using laser vaporization/reaction followed by supersonic cooling and study their electronic spectra in the visible and near IR (400-1300 nm) region using laser induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy.
Investigator: Dr. A.S.C. Cheung
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.01
LASER INDUCED FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY OF HAFNIUM NITRIDE (HFN)
To study the electronic transition of hafnium nitride and determine its molecular structure.
Investigator: Dr. A.S.C. Cheung
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07
LASER POLARIZATION SPECTROSCOPY OF TRANSITION-METAL NITRIDES
To obtain Doppler-free electronic transition spectrum of group IVB nitrides in the ultraviolet spectral region; to identify and analyse these electronic transitions; to obtain molecular parameters; to understand the nature of chemical bonding in this group of nitrides.
Investigator: Dr. A.S.C. Cheung
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded)
Starting date: 1998.01 Completion date: 1998.09
NEAR IR TUNABLE DIODE LASER ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY OF FORMALDEHYDE
To study the near infrar red absorption spectrum of formaldehyde (HCHO) between 1.3 um and 1.5 um using tunable diode laser spectroscopy with wavelength modulation technique. This investigation can give the absorption cross sections and the minimum detection limit of the species in the near IR region.
Investigator: Dr. A.S.C. Cheung
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
LASER POLARIZATION SPECTROSCOPY OF THE B2E - X2E TRANSITION OF GROUP IVB NITRIDES
To obtain Doppler-free electronic transition spectrum of group IVB nitrides in the ultraviolet spectral region; to identify and analyse these electronic transitions, to obtain molecular parameters; to understand the nature of chemical bonding in this group of nitrides.
Investigator: Dr. A.S.C. Cheung
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1999.01
DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF FINGERPRINTING TECHNIQUES FOR ANDESITIC TEPHRAS
To provide volcanologists with a workable, definitive means of identifying and correlating andesitic tephras; to use the techniques to help erect regional tephra stratigraphies where these are needed, and to resolve stratigraphic correlations specifically at Tongariro and Egmont volcanic Centres; to characterise the compositional diversity of andesitic tephras and use this information to study magma chamber evolution and eruptive mechanisms at these volcanoes.
Investigators: Dr. S.L. Donoghue (Principal)
Dr. D. Mullineaux
Dr. V.E. Neall
Dr. A.S. Palmer
Dr. R.B. Stewart
Departments: Earth Sciences
Branch of Volcanic and Geothermal Process, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S.A.
Soil Science, Massey University, New Zealand
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1995.12
GEOMAGNETIC INDUCTION PROBLEM
A geophysics project in which electrical anomaly structure underground is studied theoretically. The lateral gradients in electric conductivity underground can be detected by using a single magnetograph. Theoretical results of such detection are usually expressed as induction arrows, which are complex numbers. In this project, numerical models are being used to investigate the behaviour of these real and imaginary 'induction arrows', with the aim to study earth-quake prediction eventually.
Investigators: Professor P.C.W. Fung (Principal)
Dr. P.F. Chen
Departments: Medicine
Physics
Starting date: 1987.01
SOLITON SOLUTIONS OF YANG-MILLS GAUGE FIELD AND GRAVITATIONAL FIELD
Using differential geometrical and other techniques, the investigators attempt to find one-soliton and two-soliton solutions of the Yang-Mills gauge field and gravitational field in the presence of a spherical symmetrical gravity field, due to the presence of the earth.
Investigators: Professor P.C.W. Fung (Principal)
Mr. F.T. To
Departments: Medicine
Starting date: 1989.01
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY THEORIES
To study the various physical conditions under which the electron and hole pairs can form Cooper pairs, leading to the propagation of current without ohmic resistance. These studies include the two-carrier model, the tri-excitonic enhancement model, the bi-polaron model. Physical properties of ceramics superconductors in their normal states are investigated.
Investigators: Professor P.C.W. Fung (Principal)
Dr. C.C. Lam
Professor K.W. Wong
Mr. T.F. Yu
Mr. J. Zong
Departments: Medicine
Applied Science, City University of Hong Kong
Physics, University of Kansas, U.S.A.
Physics
Starting date: 1989.01
ELECTRON SPIN RESONANCE STUDY OF HIGH TC CERAMIC SUPERCONDUCTORS AND OTHER MATERIALS USING THE PHOTOACOUSTIC TYPE OF DETECTION
To continue the phase transition studies of a number of new superconductors fabricated in the Department of Physics using the electron spin resonance method down to 77K. The detection techniques have already been developed in the Department.
Investigators: Professor P.C.W. Fung (Principal)
Mr. H.L. Tam
Mr. S.Y. Tang
Mr. X.H. Zhang
Ms W. Zhu
Mr. J. Zong
Departments: Medicine
Physics
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1991.07 Completion date: 1999.06
MICROSTRUCTURE ANALYSIS OF HIGH TC SUPERCONDUCTORS
To analyze the microstructure with various length scales (mm-um-nm) of ceramic superconductors fabricated in this University and those sintered by co-workers in other institutions, in order to understand the crystal grow process and phase distribution Phase transitions reflection intensity of the surface is also observed through scanning electron microscope covering the temperature 83K - room temperature.
Investigators: Professor P.C.W. Fung (Principal)
Mr. H. Li
Mr. A. Vyas
Mr. T.F. Yu
Departments: Medicine
Physics
Starting date: 1992.01
EXACT SOLUTIONS TO EINSTEIN FIELD EQUATIONS
To solve the Einstein Field Equations (EFE) in general relativity. The exact solutions found are applied to various stellar and cosmological models.
Investigators: Professor P.C.W. Fung (Principal)
Mr. M.K. Mak
Departments: Medicine
Physics
Starting date: 1994.01
INVESTIGATION ON PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND APPLICATIONS OF YBA2CU3O7-DELTA (YBCO) BULK HIGH TC SUPERCONDUCTORS (HTCS) WITH LARGE GRAINS AND DOMAINS
The two superconductivity groups collaborate to grow MTG YBCO Bulk HTCS with large grain and domains, to study their physical properties with the aim to build HTCS motors.
Investigators: Professor P.C.W. Fung (Principal)
Dr. W. Gawalek
Mr. K.F. Liang
Dr. M.Z. Wu
Departments: Medicine
Material Sciences, Institute of Physikalische, Germany
Physics
Source of funding: Germany/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme
Starting date: 1997.03 Completion date: 1998.12
SCHOTTKY BARRIER STUDIES OF SEMICONDUCTORS
To study electron transport and Schottky barrier formation of metal-semiconductor junctions involving novel semiconducting materials and various metals.
Investigator: Dr. S. Fung
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Hung Hing Ying Physical Sciences Research Fund
Starting date: 1997.01 Completion date: 1998.12
SCHOTTKY BARRIER STUDIES AT METAL/WIDE BAND-GAP SEMICONDUCTOR INTERFACES
To study metallic contact formation on wide-bandgap modern semiconductor materials.
Investigator: Dr. S. Fung
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.12
STUDIES OF ANOMALOUS ELECTRIC FIELD DISTRIBUTION IN METAL-GAAS INTERFACE
To study a more accurate electric field distribution and the associated physics.
Investigators: Dr. S. Fung (Principal)
Dr. F.C.C. Ling
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS, MONITORING AND CONTROL OF PARTICULATE MATTERS, ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS AND OTHER CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES IN HONG KONG
To develop analytical methods for chemical analysis of particulate matters, environmental pollutants and other chemical substances in Hong Kong with the use of a diode-array multi-channel spectroscopic detector, high volume air particulate sampler, and fibre optic spectrophotometer.
Investigator: Dr. Y.S. Fung
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: China Light and Power Co. Ltd.
Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Run Run Shaw Research and Teaching Endowment Fund
Starting date: 1985.07
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHEMICAL METHODS FOR ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY AND OTHER APPLICATIONS
To support in general the development of chemical methods for analytical chemistry and other applications in the Department of Chemistry.
Investigator: Dr. Y.S. Fung
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Miscellaneous external fund sources
Starting date: 1985.10
INVESTIGATION OF THE METHODOLOGY AND APPLICATION OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY FOR INDUSTRIAL USE
To support the research activities for the development of analytical chemistry for industrial use.
Investigator: Dr. Y.S. Fung
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Lafe Computer Magnetics Ltd.
Miscellaneous external fund sources
Starting date: 1989.06
DEVELOPING THE PURGE AND TRAP METHOD FOR THE ANALYSIS OF TRACE VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES
Developing the purge and trap method for the analysis of trace volatile organic compounds in environmental samples.
Investigator: Dr. Y.S. Fung
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Ocean Man Ltd.
Starting date: 1992.01
MONITORING AND APPORTIONMENT OF AIR POLLUTION SOURCES BY CHEMICAL ANALYSIS AT RECEPTOR SITES
To develop analytical methodologies using capillary electrophoresis (CE) for the analysis of trace inorganic ions and easily ionisable organic compounds; to develop microcomputer controlled samplers for collecting rainwater at different durations of the rain and sampling particulates at given wind sectors; to develop a complete analytical procedure for automatic analysis of environmental important inorganic and ionisable organic compounds at ppb to ppt levels for background rain water analysis by coupling CE with the micro-computer controlled samplers developed, the flow injection analysis (FIA) and isotachophoresis for automatic sample introduction and pre-concentration, and the ECD for selective and sensitive detection; to apportion the major sources of air pollutants at receptor sites using results obtained from the method developed.
Investigator: Dr. Y.S. Fung
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1995.07
DEVELOPMENT OF QUARTZ PIEZOELECTRIC CRYSTAL BIOSENSOR FOR THE DETECTION OF SALMONELLA
To determine the optimal coating conditions for a family of 7 monoclonal antibodies, which specifically identify Salmonella belonging to the serogroups A, B, C1, C2, D, E1 and E2, respectively; to establish the analytical procedure and to construct the continuous flow equipment and its associated circuitry which can allow us to detect the change in resonance frequency bought about by binding of the bacteria onto the quartz surface in aqueous solution; to determine the sensitivity and the specificty of this family of antibody coated crystals for detection and serogroup differentiation of Salmonella in mixed cultures of bacteria and in natural samples.
Investigators: Dr. Y.S. Fung (Principal)
Professor M.H. Ng
Departments: Chemistry
Microbiology
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1996.07
DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF ANALYTICAL METHODOLOGIES BASED ON ELECTROCHEMICAL AND LASER INDUCED FLUORESCENCE DETECTION FOR CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS IN THE ANALYSIS OF PESTICIDES AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS
1) Development of analytical methodologies based on electrochemical (ECD) and laser induced fluorescence (LIF) detection for capillary electrophoresis. 2) Optimisation of the working conditions and analytical parameters of the methods and detectors developed for the analysis of pesticides, air particulate matters and other environmental pollutants. 3) Application of the methodologies developed to solve problems in the apportionment of air pollutants from distant sources using the highly sensitive laser-induced fluorescence detector and to provide an instrumental separation method for field monitoring based on capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection.
Investigators: Dr. Y.S. Fung (Principal)
Professor E.K. Wang
Departments: Chemistry
Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, People's Republic of China
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.10
TO DEVELOP AN ANALYTICAL PROCEDURE USING THERMAL SPRAY FOR NEBULISATION AND MICROWAVE INDUCED PLASMA EXCITATION/ATOMIC EMISSION FOR DETECTION AND SPECIATION OF METALLIC SPECIES AFTER SEPARATION BY ION CHROMATOGRAPHY AND CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS
To study the analytical performance using thermal spray for nebulisation of the mobile phase after separation using ion chromatography (IC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE); to optimise the analytical paramters using the microwave induced plasma for excitation of atomic species generated after nebulisation of the mobile phase; to apply the analytical procedure developed for speciation of heavy mnetals in environmental studies and in Chinese hebal medicine.
Investigators: Dr. Y.S. Fung (Principal)
Professor Q.H. Jin
Departments: Chemistry
Chemistry, Jilin University, People's Republic of China
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
DETERMINATION OF FREE AND ALBUMIN-BOUND BILIRUBIN BY CAPILLARY ELETROPHORESIS IN HONG KONG CHINESE NEWBORN BABIES
Developing the analytical methodology using capillary electrophoresis with UV laser induced fluorescence, mass spectrometry and other detectors for the determination of free and albumin-bound bilirubin and the residual binding capacity of albumin for free bilirubin in blood samples of newborn babies. Investigation of the effect of substances present in the blood samples or coming from drugs, the presence of chemical agents coming externally or as the results of the change of external conditions on the dynamic interaction of bilirubin and albumin. Setting up chemical models to simulate the interaction of free and albumin-bound bilirubin during CE separation and interaction with drugs and other substances present in the blood. Application of the analytical technique developed for a preliminary survey of different forms of bilirubin in Chinese newborn babies in Hong Kong to identify high risk groups of infants.
Investigators: Dr. Y.S. Fung (Principal)
Professor B.C. Lin
Professor C.Y. Yeung
Departments: Chemistry
Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, People's Republic of China
Paediatrics
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Outstanding Researcher Award, Vice-Chancellor's Development Fund
Starting date: 1998.07
HIGH TC MULTILAYER JOSEPHSON JUNCTIONS WITH A GRADIENT DOPED-PR BARRIER
To study the interface structures between the barrier and superconductors and to develop a gradient doped-Pr barrier to improve the lattice matching in the multilayer structures.
Investigator: Dr. J. Gao
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07 Completion date: 1999.06
STUDY OF THE INITIAL GROWING STAGE OF YBACUO ULTRATHIN FILMS ON ZRO2 SUBSTRATES
To clarify the initial formation and growth of YBCO on YSZ substrates. The occurrence ofthe intermediate layer commonly observed between YBCO and YSZ will be investigate. Its influence on the initial formation and growth of YBCO films will be studied.
Investigator: Dr. J. Gao
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.09
ENHANCED ADHESION BETWEEN CARBIDE COATINGS ON METAL BY A FUNCTIONAL INTERMEDIATE LAYER
To further investigate experimentally the influence of such a functional intermediate layer on the physical and mechanical properties of the carbide coating and their adhesion at high temperature.
Investigator: Dr. J. Gao
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
SYNTHESIS AND ADHESION OF BORON CARBON NITRIDE THIN FILMS
1. BxCyNz thin films with high content of desired phase will be fabricated by using laser epitaxial deposition technique which is particular suitable for grow materials having very high melting points. 2. The formation and growing process of BxCyNz compounds will be investigated. 3. The structural characteristics and physical properties of the grown filsm will be studied by RHEED, x-ray diffraction, HRTEM. 4. To enhance the adherence of the BxCyNz coatings on different materials like Ni-Cr alloy and silicon, which is an important issue for many practical applications.
Investigator: Dr. J. Gao
Department: Physics
Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded)
Starting date: 1998.11
MECHANISMS OF UNDERPRESSURED RESERVOIR AND IMPLICATIONS FOR WASTE DISPOSAL
To explore the fundamental mechanism of abnormal pressure and evaluating quantitatively the potential of underpressured geological formations for disposal of liquid wastes.
Investigator: Dr. J.J. Jiao
Department: Earth Sciences
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE DYNAMIC INTERACTION BETWEEN SEAWATER AND GROUNDWATER IN COAST AREAS IN HONG KONG
To explore the dynamic interaction between seawater and groundwater by analysing the tidal cycle and the groundwater level in geologic formations near the coastline in Hong Kong, and area which is critical for the environment and has many important engineering structures; to estimate hydraulic parameters of some typical geologic materials along coastline by considering the fluctuations of groundwater levels caused by tidal effects.
Investigators: Dr. J.J. Jiao (Principal)
Mr. H.K.Y. Cheung
Department: Earth Sciences
Source of funding: Dr. Stephen S.F. Hui Trust Fund
Starting date: 1999.01
A STUDY OF ITERATED BOOTSTRAP METHODOLOGIES
To investigate the iterated bootstrap in general, hoping to provide satisfactory solutions, complete or partial, to the aforementioned fundamental issues.
Investigator: Dr. S.M.S. Lee
Department: Statistics & Actuarial Sc
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.12
A UNIFIED STUDY OF NONPARAMETRIC LIKELIHOOD WITH APPLICATIONS TO CONFIDENCE REGION CONSTRUCTION
(1) Provide a solid conceptual framework to unify the rationale behind and characterise the various existing formulations of nonparametric likelihood. (2) Set out axiomatic principles for definitions of nonparametric likelihood. (3) Develop a general procedure for constructing nonparametric likelihood, and derive problem-specific solutions for cases of general interest. (4) Focus on the issue of confidence region construction, study the properties of methods based on nonparametric likelihood derived from the above general procedure, and investigate possibilities of improvement in terms of accuracy and efficiency.
Investigator: Dr. S.M.S. Lee
Department: Statistics & Actuarial Sc
Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded)
Starting date: 1998.11
A SURVEY AND RISK ASSESSMENT OF NON-IONISING RADIATION IN HONG KONG
To do a territory-wide survey on the level of non-ionising radiation (from power line frequency to ultraviolet); to assess the health effect and to formulate proper means for reducing the health risk.
Investigators: Dr. J.K.C. Leung (Principal)
Dr. W.M.Y. Tso
Department: Radioisotope Unit
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1993.07 Completion date: 1999.06
THE KINETICS AND RADIOLOGICAL HAZARD OF 110MAG RELEASED FROM NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
To investigate and quantify the release of 110mAg from Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant (NPP): to study the biological transport pathways and to assess the radiological hazard of 110mAg.
Investigator: Dr. J.K.C. Leung
Department: Radioisotope Unit
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
DEVELOPMENT OF LUMINESCENCE DATING TECHNIQUES FOR POORLY BLEACHED SEDIMENTS AND THEIR APPLICATION TO COLLUVIAL AND OFFSHORE SEDIMENTS FROM HONG KONG
To explore methods of dating poorly bleached sediments in and around Hong Kong; these include - sediment related to landslides, which are likely to contain grains with different bleaching histories - near-shore marine deposits in which there may be a record of massive land slides from the land into the ocean, of the type which occurred recently at Aberdeen - off-shore marine deposits and the underlying fluvial deposits which are currently being exploited as sources of building materials.
Investigators: Dr. S.H. Li (Principal)
Dr. G.A.T. Duller
Dr. A.G. Wintle
Departments: Radioisotope Unit
Institute of Earth Studies, The University of Wales, U.K.
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1998.01
OPTICAL DATING OF QUATERNARY SEDIMENTS FROM HONG KONG
To set up a luminescence chronological framework for key quaternary sections in Hong Kong, and to improve and refine the isochron technique of optical dating. A more minor objective would be the use of the dates obtained within this study for more general palaeoenvironmental reconstruction in the region.
Investigator: Dr. S.H. Li
Department: Radioisotope Unit
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
DEVELOPMENT OF ISOCHRON DATING WITH OPTICALLY STIMULATED LUMINESCENCE SIGNALS
To explore methods of isochron dating with optically stimulated luminescence signals. These include a single aliquots method with minerals grains of aliquots having a different internal dos rate, a single grains method dealing with individual grains.
Investigators: Dr. S.H. Li (Principal)
Dr. W.M.Y. Tso
Department: Radioisotope Unit
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1999.01
THE STUDY OF THE CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS OF FATTY ACID MOLECULES
To study the chemical behaviour of unsaturated and polyfunctional fatty acid molecules derived from natural sources, or produced by total synthesis; to examine the physical behaviour of novel derivatives using modern spectroscopic techniques.
Investigator: Professor M.S.F. Lie Ken Jie
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Lipid Research Fund
Starting date: 1970.01
MODERN FATTY ACIDS CHEMISTRY OF THE NINETIES
To explore the mechanisms of reaction involving multi-functional lipid molecules and to study the chemistry and physics of such molecules with the view of applying such compounds to industrial and medical uses.
Investigator: Professor M.S.F. Lie Ken Jie
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Leung Kau Kui Research and Teaching Endowment Fund
Starting date: 1990.05
REACTIONS OF LIPID MOLECULES IN AQUEOUS MEDIA: AN ULTRASONIC APPROACH
To study the effects of ultrasound energy on the rates of organic reactions, when water or aqueous organic media are used as the solvent; to determine the role of water during such reactions under concomitant ultrasonic irradiation involving hydrophobic substrates and organic reagents; to generate hydroxy free radicals from water by high frequency ultrasound and to study the reaction of such free radicals with polyunsaturated fatty acids; to study the chemical and physical properties of the newly formed fatty acid derivatives.
Investigator: Professor M.S.F. Lie Ken Jie
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.01 Completion date: 1998.12
SYNTHESIS AND STUDY OF THE PROPERTIES OF UNSATURATED THIA FATTY ACID ESTERS
To synthesize three sets of unsatruated fatty acids (4 positional isomers each) containing a sulphur atom at a designated location in the fatty acid chain and to study the infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic and mass spectrometric properties of such novel compounds.
Investigator: Professor M.S.F. Lie Ken Jie
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hung Hing Ying Physical Sciences Research Fund
Starting date: 1997.12
SYNTHESIS AND A STUDY OF THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF FULLERENOID-LIPIDS
To synthesize several series of C60 fullerenoid-lipid molecules; to study the physico-chemical properties of the C60 fullerenoid-lipid molecules; to study the effects on the enzymatic hydrolysis and esterification of fullerenoid-lipid molecules involving lipases and other enzymes.
Investigator: Professor M.S.F. Lie Ken Jie
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded)
Starting date: 1997.12 Completion date: 1998.09
EPOXY FATTY ACIDS
To study the oxidation process of conjugated and unconjugated unsaturated fatty acid esters by chemical reactions.
Investigator: Professor M.S.F. Lie Ken Jie
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
SONOCHEMISTRY OF LIPIDS. A STUDY OF ULTRASOUND ASSISTED REACTIONS IN THE SYNTHESIS AND DERIVATIZATION OF LONG CHAIN FATTY ACID MOLECULES
To enhance research level.
Investigator: Professor M.S.F. Lie Ken Jie
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Outstanding Researcher Award, Vice-Chancellor's Development Fund
Starting date: 1998.11
SYNETHESIS AND A STUDY OF THE PROPERTIES OF ACYLGLYCEROLS CONTAINING UNUSUAL FATTY ACID MOIETIES
To synthesize mono-, di- and tri-acylglycerols containing usual fatty acid moieties; to study the physico-chemical properties of such derivatives; to examine the anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties of these derivatives.
Investigator: Professor M.S.F. Lie Ken Jie
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1999.01
POSITRON STUDIES OF SIC WITH A VIEW TO MANUFACTURING A HIGH EFFICIENCY POSITRON MODERATOR
To observe positron re-emission and perform Positron-induced Auger Electron Spectroscopic measurements on the SiC surface so as to give a direct result of the possibility of using SiC as a new moderator and a better understanding of the surface process of positron re-emission; to carry out positron mobility measurements and vacancy studies in SiC bulk, which is capable of trapping positron, so as to investigate the positron transport processes in SiC bulk; to study the defects in SiC bulk and SiC surface condition making significant contributions towards the understanding of this material, which can be used in high power and high temperature devices.
Investigators: Dr. F.C.C. Ling (Principal)
Dr. C.D. Beling
Department: Physics
Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded)
Starting date: 1998.01 Completion date: 1998.09
SEMICONDUCTOR DEFECT STUDIED BY POSITRON ANNIHILATION AND OPTICAL ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPIES
To study the defects in SiC, CdTe and GaAs.
Investigator: Dr. F.C.C. Ling
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.06
POSITRON STUDIES OF SIC WITH A VIEW TO MANUFACTURING A HIGH EFFICIENCY POSITRON MODERATOR
To observe positron re-emission from the SiC surface so as to give a direct result of the possibility of using SiC as a new moderator. Careful observation of the position emission energy spectrum is expected to give a better understanding of the surface process of positron re-emission. With a view to possible fabrication of a field assisted moderator different methods of making electric contact to the SiC will be attempted. In particular thin metallic films and p-type ion implanted contacts will be fabricated and the positron re-emission spectrum measured and compared with that of the clean SiC surface to assertain the harmful or beneficial properties of the contact. To carry out positron mobility measurements and positron lifetime measurements at different temperatures in order to investigate positron transport and vacancy defect trapping in SiC bulk, knowledge of which is essential for correct fabrication of a field assisted moderator. Yield information about defects in SiC bulk and SiC surface condition making significant contributions towards the understanding of this material, thus enable its better use in high power and high temperature devices.
Investigators: Dr. F.C.C. Ling (Principal)
Dr. C.D. Beling
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1998.12
TRACE ELEMENT PARTITION COEFFICIENTS DETERMINATION BY LAM-ICP-MS AND APPLICATION IN PETROGENETIC STUDY OF ISLAND ARC BASALTS
To produce an accurate and reliable data set of partition coefficients for trace elements (REE, Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, Ti, Y, U, Pb, Rb, Sr) critical to understanding the petrogenesis of a variety of igneous rock suites but particularly those of island arcs. The primary mineral phases we will be analysing are pyroxenes (both clino- and orthopyroxene), amphiboles, spinels, and titanites. Such an accurate data set is not readily available and its value cannot be underestimated.
Investigators: Professor J.G. Malpas (Principal)
Dr. M. Sun
Dr. G.M. Thompson
Departments: Earth Sciences
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1996.10
INVESTIGATION OF PROBLEMS OF ACID MINE DRAINAGE: A CASE STUDY
To investigate the processes involved in the production of acid waters from the oxidation of massive sulphide bodies; the nature of toxicity, the fate of trace element contaminants from disused mines and the potential for mitigation.
Investigators: Professor J.G. Malpas (Principal)
Mr. C.K. Wong
Department: Earth Sciences
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07
THE EVOLUTION OF ARC VOLCANISM: INCEPTION TO MATURITY I) EARLY ARC DEVELOPMENT
To understand the processes following the initiation of subduction by studying the Northland ophiolites and establishing their environment of formation and relationship to the early stages of arc volcanism; to determine whether the Northland ophiolites are allochthonous or autochthonous; to define the processes involved in the very early stages of island arc volcanism including the disruption of the ophiolitic basement; to understand the evolution of an arc system by unravelling the volcanic stratigraphy of the southern portion of the Coromandel Peninsula and elucidating the relationship between the products of the Northland-Coromandel, Lau-Colville and younger Tonga-Kermadec-Taupo volcanic arc sequences; to provide a detailed model of the plate tectonic evolution of the northern portion of North Island New Zealand on the basis of the compiled data set from this investigation using palaeomagnetic, structural, petrological, geochemical and age dating constraits.
Investigators: Professor J.G. Malpas (Principal)
Dr. J.C. Aitchison
Dr. J.R. Ali
Dr. P. Black
Dr. I.E.M. Smith
Departments: Earth Sciences
Geology, Auckland University, U.S.A.
Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded)
Starting date: 1998.11
MECHANISMS OF MELT MIGRATION IN THE LOWER OCEAN CRUST
To investigate how magma is transported, modified and crystallises as it rises through the lower crust at mid-ocean ridges by the newly-proven technique of in situ trace element analysis of single crystals (using the new laser ablation ICP-MS at the University of Hong Kong) in gabbroic rocks, from the SW Indian Ridge and East Pacific Rise.
Investigators: Professor J.G. Malpas (Principal)
Dr. L.A. Coogan
Dr. C. MacLeod
Dr. G.M. Thompson
Department: Earth Sciences
Source of funding: UK/HK Joint Research Scheme (British Council / Hong Kong Research Grants Council)
Starting date: 1999.04
MATERIALS PROPERTIES OF ELECTRONICALLY COUPLED BUT SPACIALLY SEPARATED METAL CENTERS
Synthesis of molecular materials in which two transition metal centers are connected via organic pi systems. A special focus will be placed on two materials aspects: electronic communication between the two metal centers across the organic pi system nonlinear optical properties.
Investigator: Dr. A. Mayr
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1995.07 Completion date: 1998.12
HYDROLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HONG KONG
To establish an instrumented catchment with the aims of, first, examining natural water quality; secondly, investigating slope stability; and, finally, conducting experiments to evaluate the impact of man on the functioning of various components of the hydrologic cycle.
Investigators: Dr. M.R. Peart (Principal)
Dr. A.W. Jayawardena
Departments: Geography and Geology
Civil Engineering
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Dr. Stephen S.F. Hui Trust Fund
Leung Kau Kui Research and Teaching Endowment Fund
Starting date: 1988.12
URBANIZATION AND THE FLOOD HAZARD IN THE NORTH AND NORTHWESTERN NEW TERRITORIES
To establish a long term record of flooding in the Northern New Territories in order to examine if urbanisation has been associated with an increased frequency of the flood hazard; to determine the rate of river channel bank migration to see if this may (1) pose a threat to property and (2) provide sufficient sediment to raise the channel (i.e. decrease depth) and increase the possibility of flooding.
Investigator: Dr. M.R. Peart
Department: Geography and Geology
Source of funding: Lau Wong Fat Urbanization Research Fund
Starting date: 1996.01
AN INVESTIGATION OF BACKGROUND CAESIUM137 LEVELS IN HONG KONG
To determine background Cs137 concentrations in the soils of Hong Kong and identification of the controls.
Investigator: Dr. M.R. Peart
Department: Geography and Geology
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1996.07
VEGETATION AND EROSION IN HONG KONG
To examine the effects of harvesting vegetation upon soil erosion.
Investigator: Dr. M.R. Peart
Department: Geography and Geology
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1996.07
CALIBRATING CAESIUM - 137 CONTENT OF SOILS TO EROSION RATES
To derive an empirical relationship relating caesium - 137 levels to soil erosion rates.
Investigators: Dr. M.R. Peart (Principal)
Dr. D. Zhang
Department: Geography and Geology
Source of funding: Dr. Stephen S.F. Hui Trust Fund
Starting date: 1998.06
NATURAL ORGANIC MATTER AND ITS SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL VARIATION IN A SMALL BASIN IN HONG KONG
To quantify the particulate and dissolved organic matter content of a small upland stream during both storm and baseflow conditions; to describe and quantify the dissolved organic matter content and other related water quality determinands of rainfall, throughfall, soil-water and pipeflow in the drainage basin; determine the organic matter content of representative soil profiles.
Investigator: Dr. M.R. Peart
Department: Geography and Geology
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
VIBRATIONAL REORGANISATIONAL ENERGIES OF PHOTOINDUCED ELECTRON TRANSFER REACTIONS OF MOLECULAR COMPLEXES WITH SUBSTITUTED AROMATIC DONORS AND CYANO COMPOUND ACCEPTORS INVESTIGATED BY RESONANCE RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY
To obtain resonance Raman spectra of several model photoinduced electron transfer complexes made up of substituted aromatic donors andcyano compound acceptors; by taking a variety of resonance Raman spectra of electron donor-acceptor complexes with systematically differing structures and rates of electron transfer we can start to address questions on how the initial complex geometry and the distortion in this geometry in the excited state affects the mechanism and rates of electron transfer reactions; the appropriate method of analysing the resonance Raman spectra of the many different classes of donor-acceptor complexes will also beaddressed in developing resonance Raman spectroscopy to become a general tool in characterising photoinduced electron transfer reactions; we hope to contribute to a new vibrational mode specific level of understanding different classes of electron transfer reactions and to better predictive models of the rates of electron transfer to help establish the suitability of new materials for imaging processes.
Investigator: Dr. D.L. Phillips
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1994.09
ELECTRONIC EXCITED STATES AND PHOTOCHEMISTRY INVESTIGATED BY RESONANCE RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY
To investigate the structure and dynamics of electronic excited states associated with photodissociation reactions and examine the structure of the photoproducts formed from these reactions.
Investigator: Dr. D.L. Phillips
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1996.07
INVESTIGATION OF FEMTOSECOND SOLVATION AND SOLVENT EFFECTS ON BOND BREAKING IN DIHALOALKANES AND NITROALKANES FROM RESONANCE RAMAN INTENSITY ANALYSIS
To obtain experimentally based subangstrom and femtosecond information about solvation and solvent effects on how a chemical bond is broken.
Investigator: Dr. D.L. Phillips
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1996.09
INVESTIGATION OF BOND BREAKING IN GLASSES AND SOLID-STATE MATRICES USING RESONANCE RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY
To obtain experimentally based subangstrom and femtosecond information about how glass and solid-state molecular environments affect bond cleavage compared to gas and liquid solution phase environments.
Investigator: Dr. D.L. Phillips
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.09
LOW TEMPERATURE SAMPLE APPARATUS AND SPINNING SAMPLE APPARATUS FOR RESONANCE RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY INVESTIGATIONS OF PHOTOINDUCED CHEMICAL REACTIONS
To design and build a low temperature sample apparatus and spinning sample apparatus to be used in resonance Raman spectroscopy investigations of photoinduced chemical reactions. These special sample apparati will allow us to investigate to wider range of sample conditions (such as low temperature glasses) and smaller sample sizes (by using a spinning tube of the sample instead of a flowing system).
Investigator: Dr. D.L. Phillips
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hung Hing Ying Physical Sciences Research Fund
Starting date: 1997.12
INITIATION OF RESEARCH INVESTIGATION OF ELECTRONIC EXCITED STATES OF INORGANIC COMPLEXES AT THE VIBRATIONAL MODE-SPECIFIC LEVEL
To carry out exploratory investigations on selected inorganic complexes using ground state resonance Raman and nanosecond time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopies to elucidate the structure and dynamics of short-lived electronic excited states.
Investigators: Dr. D.L. Phillips (Principal)
Professor V.W.W. Yam
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
EFFECTS OF GEOMETRIC CONFORMATION ON HALOALKANE DIRECT PHOTODISSOCIATION DYNAMICS IN THE FRANCK-CONDON REGION AND BOND SELECTIVE ELECTRONIC EXCITATION
To extract experimentally based subangstrom and femtosecond information about how molecular conformation and structure affect the initial stages of direct bond cleavage processes; to study the short-time photodissociation dynamics of several dihaloethanes, halopropanes and halocyclohexanes in gas and/or solution phases using absorption and resonance Raman spectroscopies.
Investigator: Dr. D.L. Phillips
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1998.07
THEORY OF MAGNETISM OF DOPED TRANSITION METAL OXIDES AND SOME RELATED LOW DIMENSIONAL SYSTEMS
To understand the physical mechanism of magnetism of transition metal oxides and its close relation to anomalous transport properties.
Investigators: Dr. S.Q. Shen (Principal)
Dr. Z.D. Wang
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.02
137CS AND 210PB DATING TECHNIQUES AND THEIR APPLICATION TO SOIL EROSION AND SEDIMENTOLOGICAL STUDIES IN HONG KONG
To develop and improve the reliability of the 137Cs and 210Pb dating techniques; to apply the techniques for the estimation of soil erosion rates in Hong Kong; to apply the techniques for the estimation of sedimentation rates in Hong Kong; to develop models for the transportation and deposition of radionuclides; to examine the application of the results to the management of hillslopes and wetlands; to enhance teaching of the following courses: Sc87201 Radioisotpe Techniques Sc87231 Environmental Radioactivity.
Investigators: Mr. L.P. Su (Principal)
Dr. W.W.S. Yim
Departments: Radioisotope Unit
Earth Sciences
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY OF METAL IONS IN MEDICINE: TARGET SITES FOR BISMUTH(III)
To characterize the structures of bismuth drugs both in solid-stte and in aqueous media; to identify the target sites for the interaction of bismuth drugs and related compounds with proteins and enzymes, and to determine the kinetics of bismuth uptake, release and the structural changes of the proteins induced by bismuth; to investigate the bio-transformation of this drug in biofluids.
Investigator: Dr. H.Z. Sun
Department: Department of Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1999.03
GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISATION OF PRECAMBRIAN META-IGNEOUS ROCKS IN SHANXI AND HEBEI PROVINCES, CHINA
Geochemical study of the metamorphosed basaltic and felsic rocks formed in precambrian times in the Shanxi and Hebei Provinces, China, to characterise the origin and tectonic settings of these rocks. This will in turn enhance our understanding of crustal evolution in the Sino-Korean Craton.
Investigator: Dr. M. Sun
Department: Earth Sciences
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1996.07
PALEOCLIMATE STUDY BY USING CORAL SR/CA THERMOMETER FOR SOUTH CHINA SEA
Climate change is a major issue in environmental sciences. In order to make a correct long-term climate forecast, a crucial task for enivornmental scientists is to record climate changes in the past for reference.
Investigators: Dr. M. Sun (Principal)
Professor X.H. Li
Professor B.F. Nie
Departments: Earth Sciences
Institute of New Geological Technology, Academia Sinica, People's Republic of China
Oceanography Institute of South China Sea, Academia Sinica, People's Republic of China
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.01
GEOCHRONOLOGICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL STUDY OF GRANITIC INTRUSIONS IN KUNLUN MOUNTAINS, NORTHWESTERN CHINA
To reveal the tectonic evolutionary history of the Kunlun Mountain region, by precise isotopic dating and geochemical study of some important granitic plutons intruded in Caledonian, Hercynian, and Indosinian times.
Investigator: Dr. M. Sun
Department: Earth Sciences
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07
LOWER CRUST OF THE SINO-KOREAN CRATON: ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN CONTINENTAL ACCRETION AND MANTLE-CRUST INTERACTION
To define a geotherm for the lower crust in the region by using mineral geothermobarometers; to reveal the compositional structure of the lower crust; to discuss the underplating/delamination history at the base of the lower crust and its significance in crustal accretion; and isotopically (Pb, Sr, Nd, and Os) characterize the lower crust and trace underplating and partial melting processes.
Investigators: Dr. M. Sun (Principal)
Professor X. Zhou
Departments: Earth Sciences
Institute of Geology, Academia Sinica, Beijing, People's Republic of China
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.10
GEOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF WITHIN-PLATE GRANITES IN NORTH-WESTERN CHINA: THEIR SIGNIFICANCE IN CONTINENTAL ACCRETION
It involves field mapping and sampling of some granites and enclaves in north-western China. A comprehensive petrological, geochemical and isotope geological study will be carried out on the samples immediately after the field investigation. The obtained isotope results will be used to identify sources of the granites and enclaves, and the major and trace element data will help to decipher petrogenesis of the granites and their relationships to enclaves.
Investigator: Dr. M. Sun
Department: Earth Sciences
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CORE MANTLE BOUNDARY INTERACTION AND UPPER MANTLE METASOMATISM FOR THE ORIGIN OF THE EMEISHAN FLOOD BASALTS, SOUTH WEST CHINA
To determine the relative geochemical influences of core-mantle and upper mantle components in generation of primary magmas for the Emeishan Flood Basalts (EFB) and nature of metasomatism (if any) within the lithospheric mantle prior to the generation of primary magmas which produced the EFB and the origin of flood basalts in general.
Investigators: Dr. G.M. Thompson (Principal)
Professor J.G. Malpas
Dr. M.F. Zhou
Department: Earth Sciences
Source of funding: Dr. Stephen S.F. Hui Trust Fund
Starting date: 1999.05
INTERNAL SOURCE ELECTRON HOLOGRAPHY
To develop direct methods based on the principle of internal source electron holography to determine the structure of surfaces. The holographic methods will produce 3-dimensional atomic images of individual atoms with an unprecedented resolution.
Investigator: Professor D.S.Y. Tong
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1995.07 Completion date: 1998.12
SURFACE CRYSTALLOGRAPHY BY DIFFRACTION AND IMAGING TECHNIQUES
To study two fundamental aspects of solids in the surface region: surface dynamical processes such as magnetic excitations in crystalline slabs, ultrathin-layered materials and chemisorbed systems on substrates and aspects of the geometric structure which are intimately connected to the dynamical excitations.
Investigator: Professor D.S.Y. Tong
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1995.10
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF RADIONUCLIDES RELEASED FROM A NUCLEAR POWER STATION
To study the contribution from various kinds of radiation exposures, internally and externally, and their significance to the annual radiation dose received by the general public in this part of the world. The results obtained in the study can also be used to assess the potential biological effects, if any, to man from radioactive materials released to the environment as a result of the operation of the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant.
Investigator: Dr. W.M.Y. Tso
Department: Radioisotope Unit
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1986.07 Completion date: 1999.04
MITIGATION METHODS FOR INDOOR RADON IN HONG KONG
To investigate the pathways of radon ingress into room air in typical dwellings and offices in Hong Kong; to investigate the various possible mitigation methods, including the installation of active devices, to reduce the radiation dose due to indoor radon.
Investigators: Dr. W.M.Y. Tso (Principal)
Dr. J.K.C. Leung
Department: Radioisotope Unit
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded)
Starting date: 1994.10
QUANTUM CHAOS IN THE PRESENCE OF MAGNETIC FIELD
It is well known that in the conductance measurement of a quantum dot at low transmittance, each electron eigenstate corresponds to a peak in the Fermi energy dependence of the conductance. This allows one to make a real spectroscopy of electorns in quantum dots. However, most experiments measure the conductance as a function of external magnetic field instead of the Fermi energy. We will study how does the peaks in magnetoconductance correspond to the eigenspectrum of the quantum dot.
Investigator: Dr. J. Wang
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Croucher Foundation
Starting date: 1996.12
FREQUENCY DEPENDENT TRANSPORT IN MESOSCOPIC SYSTEM
To understand the long range Coulomb interaction in mesoscopic conductor when frequency is low.
Investigator: Dr. J. Wang
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07
FREQUENCY DEPENDENT CONDUCTANCE OF MESOSCOPIC SYSTEMS
To study the dynamic conductance of interacting system such as one-dimensional tunnelling diode and two-dimensional quantum wires. The key issue is that the internal potential is a consequence of the charge distribution generated by the ac-voltage applied at the contacts and must be calculated self-consistently. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the long range Coulomb interaction in order to obtain a charge and current conserving theory.
Investigator: Dr. J. Wang
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.09
CONDUCTANCE OF ATOMIC WIRES
We will combine the ab initio pseudopotential calculation method and the quantum scattering theory to study the electric and thermal conductance of atomic wire systems under DC or AC fields.
Investigator: Dr. J. Wang
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
QUANTUM TRANSPORT IN ATOMIC WIRES
To combine the ab initio pseudopotential calculation method and the quantum scattering theory to study the electric and thermal conductance of atomic wire systems under DC or AC fields; to investigate the electrochemical capacitance spectroscopy of atomic scale devices.
Investigator: Dr. J. Wang
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1998.11
TRANSPORT PROPERTIES OF UNCONVENTIONAL D-WAVE SUPERCONDUCTORS
To study the transport in d-wave superconductors and devices on the basis of an uncoventional theory of superconductivity, so as to give unambiguous insight into the pairing symmetry as well as technical applications.
Investigator: Dr. Z.D. Wang
Department: Physics
Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded)
Starting date: 1997.12 Completion date: 1998.09
THEORY OF VORTICES IN UNCONVENTIONAL SUPERCONDUCTORS
To study by using appropriate theoretical models, in particular, the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau theory with unconventional pairing. The importance and perspective of this study are two-fold. First, comparing our results with relevant experiments can give clue to the pairing symmetry. Second, the systematic study can enrich our understanding of unusual vortices and shed new light on the physics of vortex matter as well as unconventional superconductivity.
Investigator: Dr. Z.D. Wang
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
VORTEX DYNAMICS OF UNCONVENTIONAL (S+ID)-WAVE AND P-WAVE SUPERCONDUCTORS
To study the structure and dynamics of vortices in unconventional superconductors by using the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau theory with unconventional pairing and the finite-element method.
Investigator: Dr. Z.D. Wang
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1998.07
STUDIES OF THE DYNAMICS CHARACTERISTICS OF SINGLE-SCREW EXTRUSION BY A VISIBLE TECHNIQUE
To investigate the dynamics characteristics of an extruder screw including material conveying, melting and homogenization.
Investigator: Dr. A.C.Y. Wong
Department: Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.01 Completion date: 1998.12
HOMOGENIZATION OF POLYMER MELT IN SINGLE-SCREW AND TWIN-SCREW EXTRUSION
To provide a proper reflection using the "visible" technique on the qualitative aspects of polymer homogenization/mixing in single-and twin-screw extruders; to enchance our understanding on the fundamental homogenization behaviour of polymer melt during extrusion; to investigate the inter- and intra-relationship among the important varibale including material properties, processing conditions and screw configurations etc. which are influential on the homogenization quality of polymer melt; to provide guidelines for screw design optimization (single-screw and twin-screw) for improving polymer mixing quality.
Investigator: Dr. A.C.Y. Wong
Department: Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering
Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded)
Starting date: 1998.11
MIXING CHARACTERISTICS OF POLYMER MELT IN EXTRUSION PROCESS
To provide a true reflection on the qualitative aspects of polymer mixing in single- and twin-screw extruders; to enhance our understanding on the fundamental mixing behaviour of polymer melt during extrusion, formulation of the related empirical model(s) will be attempted; to investigate the inter- and intra-relationship among the important variables including material properties, processing conditions and screw configurations etc. which are influential on the mixing quality of polymer melt; to provide guidelines for screw design optimization (single-screw and twin-screw) for improving polymer mixing quality.
Investigators: Dr. A.C.Y. Wong (Principal)
Professor H. Benkreira
Departments: Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering
Chemical Engineering, The University of Bradford, U.K.
Source of funding: UK/HK Joint Research Scheme (British Council / Hong Kong Research Grants Council)
Starting date: 1999.04
ORGANOMETALLIC COMPOUNDS WITH NONLINEAR OPTICAL (NLO) PROPERTIES
To design and develop new synthetic routes to organometallic compounds with nonlinear optical properties; to establish relationship between the structural and stereochemical properties and the nonlinear-optical behavior of these organometallic compoun to study the photophysical and photochemical properties of these new NLO systems.
Investigators: Dr. W.T. Wong (Principal)
Dr. N.J. Long
Departments: Chemistry
Chemistry, Imperial College, London, U.K.
Source of funding: UK/HK Joint Research Scheme (British Council / Hong Kong Research Grants Council)
Starting date: 1995.07
SPECTRO-ELETROCHEMICAL STUDIES OF TRANSITION METAL CARBONYL CLUSTERS
To prepare large transition metal carbonyl clusters; to study the electrochemical properties of these novel materials; to investigate the spectroscopic properties of the transition metal clusters at uncommon oxidation states.
Investigator: Dr. W.T. Wong
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hung Hing Ying Physical Sciences Research Fund
Starting date: 1997.12
HIGH-NUCLEARITY CARBONYL CLUSTERS OF OSMIUM
To design and develop synthetic routes to high nuclearity carbonyl clusters of osmium; to study their physical, chemical and eletrochemical properties.
Investigator: Dr. W.T. Wong
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded)
Starting date: 1998.01 Completion date: 1998.09
MIXED-METAL CARBONY1 CLUSTERS OF OSMIUM AND RHODIUM
To design and develop rational synthetic routes for mixed-metal clusters of osmium and rhodium; to study the structural and bonding properties of these new mixed-metal systems; to investigate the dynamic properties associated with the ligand rearrangements and metal core rearrangements in solution; to study the chemical and electrochemical properties of these complexes.
Investigator: Dr. W.T. Wong
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
THE CHEMISTRY OF RUTHENIUM AND OSMIUM CARBONYL CLUSTERS CONTAINING NITRENE AND RELATED LIGANDS
To design and develop synthetic routes to stable ruthenium and osmium nitrene clusters; to investigate the structural properties and chemical reactivities of these nitrene species towards unsaturated hydrocrabons; to study the transformations of nitrene on metal clusters as a means of understanding (a) nitrogen activation process, (b) deoxygenation of nitrosyl and nitro complexes, (c) amination of arene and (d) mixed-metal nitrido clusters formation.
Investigator: Dr. W.T. Wong
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1998.09
SUPRAMOLECULAR METAL CARBONYL CLUSTERS
To develop novel systems in which transition metal clusters are incorporated into supramolecular arrays of defined molecular architecture; to investigate the properties of the resulting arrays.
Investigator: Dr. W.T. Wong
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hung Hing Ying Physical Sciences Research Fund
Starting date: 1999.02
SUPRAMOLECULAR CLUSTERS
To design and develop supramolecular system containing transition; to investigate the electrochemical and photochemicl properties of these supramolecular systems; to study the interaction of these supramolecular complexes.
Investigators: Dr. W.T. Wong (Principal)
Dr. M.J. Hannon
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: UK/HK Joint Research Scheme (British Council / Hong Kong Research Grants Council)
Starting date: 1999.07
ATOMIC STRUCTURE STUDY OF SIC SURFACES WITH MULTI-TECHNIQUES
To determine, using LEED structural analysis and allied techniques, the structure and composition of the (?3) x (?3) and 3 x 3 reconstructions of the local plane (0001) surface of hexagonal 6H SiC.
Investigator: Dr. H.S. Wu
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07
COMBINED EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL STUDIES OF SURFACE STRUCTURES INVOLVING MANY ATOMS PER UNIT CELL
To bring multiple scattering theory in contact with measured spectra of ordered systems involving a large unit cell or defects systems involving the arrangement of a few hundred atoms either in a cluster or a supercell.
Investigator: Dr. H.S. Wu
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1998.07
MOLECULAR BEAM EPITAXY OF GAN FILM AND ITS SURFACE CHARACTERISATION BY REFLECTION HIGH ENERGY ELECTRON DIFFRACTION
To study the growth of GaN thin films by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The surface of the film is characterised by the reflection high energy electron diffraction method, including rocking curve measurements and the intensity oscillations. Combining with the other surface analysis tools in situ, quantitative information on the growth and the surface structure will be obtained.
Investigator: Dr. M.H. Xie
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.11
QUANTITATIVE RHEED STUDIES OF NITRIDE SURFACES DURING MBE GROWTH
To develop the reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) technique for quantitative analysis of nitride films grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). In particular the RHEED rocking curve and its intensity oscillations will be expolited for investigations of the surface structures and the growth of GaN and AIN films. Surfaces of SiC, LiAIO2 and LiGaO2, which are chosen as substrates of nitride epitaxial growth, will also be studied in detail.
Investigator: Dr. M.H. Xie
Department: Physics
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1998.09
THERMAL ANNEALING EFFECTS ON STRUCTURE AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF SELF-ORGANIZED SEMICONDUCTOR QUANTUM DOT STRUCTURES
To improve the size uniformity of the QDs through postgrowth thermal annealing and investigate thermal annealing effect on optical properties of the QDs.
Investigators: Dr. S.J. Xu (Principal)
Dr. M.H. Xie
Departments: Chemistry
Physics
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1999.03
INORGANIC /ORGANOMETALLIC PHOTOLUMINESCENT COMPLEXES - ENVIRONMENTAL AND BIOMEDICAL PROBES
To design, synthesize, and characterize various luminescent inorganic/organometallic complexes; to investigate the spectroscopic and photophysical properties; to investigate the perturbation of their spectroscopic and photophysical properties, and their reactivities with various substrates of environmental and biomedical interests; to compare and evaluate the selectivity and specificity of these complexes as luminescent probes for the various substrates.
Investigator: Professor V.W.W. Yam
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Croucher Foundation
Starting date: 1995.09 Completion date: 1999.06
LUMINESCENT TRANSITION METAL ORGANOMETALLICS WITH POTENTIAL SECOND HARMONIC GENERATION AND/OR LIQUID CRYSTALLINE CAPABILITIES: FROM SIMPLE MOLECULES TO ORDERED ASSEMBLIES
To design, synthesize, and characterize various luminescent transition metal organometallic complexes with potential second harmonic generation (SHG) and/or liquid crystalline capabilities; to investigate the spectroscopic, photophysical, second order nonlinear optical (NLO) and liquid crystalline properties; to incorporate the newly synthesized complexes in Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films and to measure their properties; to correlate the observed photophysical, nonlinear optical and liquid crystalline properites to the electronic and geometrical aspects of the complexes and to compare their properties with those observed in LB films.
Investigator: Professor V.W.W. Yam
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1996.09
LUMINESCENT TRANSITION METAL CHALCOGENOLATES - FROM MONONUCLEAR TO POLYNUCLEAR SPECIES
To design, synthesize, and characterize various luminescent mononuclear and polynuclear transition metal chalcogenolate complexes; to investigate the spectroscopic, electrochemical, photophysical and redox properties; to correlate the observed physical properties and reactivities to the nature of the chalcogenolates, the structural aspects as well as the nuclearity of these complexes.
Investigator: Professor V.W.W. Yam
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.07
MOLECULAR DESIGN OF LUMINESCENT MIXED METAL MONO- AND DI-ACETYLIDE COMPLEXES
To design and synthesize inorganic/organometallic oligomeric and polymeric materials based on rigid mono- and di-acetylide bridges, hopefully, with desired optical, redox, electro-optical, and chemical properties. It is envisaged that with the appropriate design of polymetallic acetylide materials, the proposed project should contribute not only to the basic understanding of the luminescent, redox, nonlinear optical and electronic coupling behaviour of the newly prepared inorganic/organometallic materials and their structure-property relationship, but also to the advancement and future development of new advanced materials with desired improved properties.
Investigator: Professor V.W.W. Yam
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
LUMINESCENT GOLD PHOSPHINE COMPLEXES CONTAINING DISCRETE METAL-METAL BONDS OR WEAK METAL-METAL INTERACTIONS
To design, synthesize, and characterize various luminescent gold phosphine complexes, in particular those containing weak Au(I)-Au(I) metal-metal bonding interactions and discrete Au(II)-Au(II) metal-metal bonds; to investigate the spectroscopic, photophysical, photochemical and redox properties; to systematically correlate the observed physical properties, stability, and reactivities to the nature of the ligands and the bonding, the oxidation states of the gold metal centres, and the structural aspects of these complexes.
Investigator: Professor V.W.W. Yam
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1998.08
CHIRAL DIOXIRANE METHOD FOR ASYMMETRIC EPOXIDATION AND ITS APPLICATION IN NATURAL PRODUCT SYNTHESIS
To develop a chiral dioxirane method for enantioselective epoxidation of unfunctionalized trisubstituted and trans-disubstituted olefins and to explore its application in the syntheses of biologically important natural products.
Investigator: Dr. D. Yang
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1996.09
ALPHA-AMINOXY ACIDS AS PEPTIDOMIMETICS: DESIGN, SYNTHESIS, AND APPLICATIONS
To develop novel peptidomimetics of defined structures to study molecular recognition process of biological importance.
Investigator: Dr. D. Yang
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.10
KETONE ACCELERATED DECOMPOSITION OF PEROXYNITRITE
To develop ketones for efficient decomposition of peroxynitrite. It not only explores the novel reaction between ketones and peroxynitrite but also reveals important roles of ketones in biological systems. Furthermore, it may open up new therapeutic avenues for treatment of a number of human diseases.
Investigator: Dr. D. Yang
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
ACCELERATED DECOMPOSITION OF PEROXYNITRITE BY KETONES
To understand the mechanism of peroxynitrite decomposition by ketones; to develop ketones for efficient decomposition of peroxynitrite.
Investigator: Dr. D. Yang
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1998.08
ENANTIOSELECTIVE RADICAL CYCLIZATION METHOD FOR TOTAL SYNTHESIS OF TRIPTOLIDE AND ITS ANALOGS
To develop a general enantioselective radical cyclization method for asymmetric syntheses of triptolide and its analogs.
Investigator: Dr. D. Yang
Department: Chemistry
Source of funding: Hung Hing Ying Physical Sciences Research Fund
Starting date: 1999.02
NOVEL CATALYTIC METAL CARBENE X-H INSERTION REACTIONS FOR ENANTIOSELECTIVE SYNTHESIS: APPLICATION IN TOTAL SYNTHESIS OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
To develop a novel catalytic metal carbene X-H insertion for enantioselective synthesis through asymmetrisation of prochiral molecules bearing enantiotopic groups and meso-compounds. Application of catalytic metal carbene transformations in total natural products.
Investigators: Dr. T. Ye (Principal)
Dr. A.S.C. Cheung
Departments: Chemistry
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1999.03
GEOCHEMISTRY OF GASES FROM OFFSHORE QUATERNARY SEDIMENTS IN HONG KONG
To study the geochemical composition of gases present within offshore Quaternary sediments in Hong Kong.
Investigators: Dr. W.W.S. Yim (Principal)
Professor P. Philp
Departments: Earth Sciences
School of Geology and Geophysics, University of Oklahoma, U.S.A.
Starting date: 1997.01
AMINO ACID DATING OF QUATERNARY MARINE MOLLUSCS IN HONG KONG
To carry out amino acid dating of Quaternary marine shell in Hong Kong to assist palaeoenvironmental reconstruction.
Investigators: Dr. W.W.S. Yim (Principal)
Dr. C. Murray-Wallace
Departments: Earth Sciences
School of Geosciences, University of Wollongong, Australia
Starting date: 1997.03
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF OFFSHORE QUATERNARY SEDIMENTS IN HONG KONG
To use magnetic properties of offshore Quaternary sediments in Hong Kong as a means of providing age information to assist palaeo environmental reconstruction.
Investigators: Dr. W.W.S. Yim (Principal)
Dr. L.S. Chan
Professor K. Verosub
Departments: Earth Sciences
Geology, University of California, Davis, U.S.A.
Starting date: 1997.06
HOLOCENE RECORD OF TYPHOONS IN SOUTHERN CHINA AND APPLICATIONS
To obtain a high resolution Holocene record of typhoons in Hong Kong and southern China (from the Changjiang Delta to the border with Vietnam) using coastal sediments and fossils, historical and archaeological records, and the instrumental record.
Investigators: Dr. W.W.S. Yim (Principal)
Dr. A.M. Davis
Mr. G. Huang
Department: Earth Sciences
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07
PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION ON THE PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE OF QUATERNARY DIATOMS IN OFFSHORE BOREHOLES OF HONG KONG
To carry out a preliminary study on the use of diatoms to reconstruct Quaternary palaeoenvironments using offshore boreholes in Hong Kong including the New Hong Kong Airport site. The degree of preservation of diatoms will be used to provide information on soil formation when marine deposits containing the diatoms were subjected to sub-aerial conditions during low sea-level stands.
Investigators: Dr. W.W.S. Yim (Principal)
Professor M.D. Dickman
Departments: Earth Sciences
Ecology and Biodiversity
Source of funding: Dr. Stephen S.F. Hui Trust Fund
Starting date: 1998.06
137-CS AND 210-PB DATING OF COASTAL SEDIMENTS IN HONG KONG
To carry out 137-Cs and 210-Pb dating of coastal sediments in Hong Kong to assist palaeoenvironmental reconstruction.
Investigators: Dr. W.W.S. Yim (Principal)
Dr. S. Pan
Mr. L.P. Su
Departments: Earth Sciences
Nanjing University, People's Republic of China
Radioisotope Unit
Starting date: 1998.06
CORRECTION FACTOR FOR MARINE SHELL RADIOCARBON DATES IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA
To carry out a systematic study to determine a correction factor using carefully chosen marine shells of a known date of collection between l950-1962.
Investigators: Dr. W.W.S. Yim (Principal)
Dr. M.J. Head
Dr. J. Southon
Departments: Earth Sciences
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, U.S.A.
School of Geosciences, University of Wollongong, Australia
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
STABLE ISOTOPE RECORD OF PORITES CORAL FROM HONG KONG
To investigate environmental signatures in modern Porites coral from Hong Kong including coral bleaching and hypoxic episodes.
Investigators: Dr. W.W.S. Yim (Principal)
Dr. M. Gagan
Professor M. McCullough
Departments: Earth Sciences
Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University, Australia
Starting date: 1998.07
QUATERNARY STRATIGRAPHY OF A SILICICLASTICS-DOMINATED INNER CONTINENTAL SHELF
To refine the Quaternary stratigraphy of the siliciclastics-dominated inner continental shelf of Hong Kong particularly with improved dating and to test the validity of the geological model obtained through regional and global correlation.
Investigator: Dr. W.W.S. Yim
Department: Earth Sciences
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1998.09
SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY OF OFFSHORE QUATERNARY SEDIMENTS IN HONG KONG
To refine the interpretation of the seismic profiles using ground truth information such as bulk density, p-wave velocity and magnetic susceptibility for assisting coastal engineering.
Investigators: Dr. W.W.S. Yim (Principal)
Professor H.K. Wong
Departments: Earth Sciences
Institute of Biogeochemistry and Marine Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Germany
Source of funding: Germany/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme
Starting date: 1999.02
A STUDY ON HAMILTON-JACOBI EQUATIONS/INEQUALITIES AND THEIR APPLICATIONS
To analyse (via the viscosity solution theory) Hamilton-Jacobi equations/inequalities that are closely related to important control problems, and use the finding to solve the associated control problems.
Investigators: Dr. S.P. Yung (Principal)
Dr. L.K. Li
Departments: Mathematics
Applied Mathematics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.09
REE, PGE AND AU ANALYSES OF DUNITES IN OPHIOLITIC MANTLE SEQUENCES
To produce an accurate and reliable data set for rare earth elements (REE), platinum-group elements (PGE) and Au critical to understanding the petrogenesis of these rocks in selected ophiolitic massifs; to provide better understanding of the relationship between dunites and host peridotites and associated mafic dykes and chromitite pods; to place constraints on the compositions and evolution of primary magmas generated in the upper mantle which eventually form the crust; to identify details of processes improtant in the formation of dunites and related rocks and the oceanic lithosphere.
Investigators: Dr. M.F. Zhou (Principal)
Professor J.G. Malpas
Dr. M. Sun
Professor G. Yumul
Departments: Earth Sciences
Geology, University of Philippines, Philippines
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.08
METAMORPHIC, DEFORMATIONAL, AND GEOCHRONOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE NYLONG METAMORPHIC CORE COMPLEX, SOUTHERN TIBET
To better constrain the metamorphic history of the MCC and to elucidate its role in the tectonic evolution of the region.
Investigators: Dr. M.F. Zhou (Principal)
Professor J.G. Malpas
Department: Earth Sciences
Source of funding: Leung Kau Kui Research and Teaching Endowment Fund
Starting date: 1999.01
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