Abstract:

Recently, the Ministry of Education announced winners of the 2019 Science Research Achievement Award in Higher Education. Prof TONG, Shuk Yin and his research team won the second prize of the Natural Science Award for “Research on the Growth and Optical Properties of Wide Band-Gap Semiconductors". Besides Prof Tong, the team comprised Dr S. J. Xu and Dr M. H. Xie, both full professors of Physics at HKU and Dr C. M. Chi, full professor of Chemistry at HKU and a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Award Background:

Established by the Chinese Ministry of Education, the Science Research Achievement Award in Higher Education recognizes outstanding research discovery of teachers and research workers. It is a significant award in science and technology and is divided into the Natural Science Award, Technology and Innovation Award, Scientific and Technology Progress Award and the Youth Science Award. The evaluation is for work done at national universities. The winners are selected by peer experts and the awards are given annually.

Research Synopsis:

Wide band-gap semiconductors possess unique properties to function at high temperatures and voltages where silicon-based electronic devices fail. They also emit light without being heated up, thus delivering environmentally friendly performance. It is envisioned that in future, these materials will provide ubiquitous lighting. Some of the most important wide band-gap semiconductors are synthesized in the laboratory by growth on suitable substrates. Tailor-made growth engineering can produce miniature devices in 1-D and 2-D. Prof Tong’s research team made important discoveries in growth methods and characterization of the semiconductors’ light emitting properties.

About Professor

                                                                                                                   Professor S. Y. Tong

Prof Tong is professor of SSE and Dean of the Graduate School, CUHK-Shenzhen. He is a Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fellow of the American Physical Society, and Member of The World Academy of Sciences. In 1997, Prof Tong won the Croucher Foundation Senior Research Award.