Unveiling the Universe: Grand Opening of the Materials Characterization and Preparation Facility
Development of materials science and technology is closely related to strategic demands of the nation. Developing new materials is a necessary path for China to overcome the bottleneck of key materials and technology. HKUST(GZ), at the forefront of scientific research and development, is actively driving the establishment of the Materials Characterization and Preparation Facility (MCPF). MCPF will play a pivotal role and shoulder important responsibilities and missions in the research and development of materials science.
On August 1st, the Materials Characterization and Preparation Facility (MCPF) at HKUST(GZ) was officially inaugurated. Currently, the initial batch of instrumentations and equipment at MCPF has been successfully calibrated.
Why does HKUST(GZ) establish such a research facility?
What are the key research areas of the facility?
What sets it apart?
How can one apply to use the facility?
...
We will unveil the intriguing details of MCPF for you.
Key Phrase 1: Shared Resources in the Greater Bay Area
MCPF is dedicated to advancing the development of cutting-edge materials and serves as a fundamental support for overcoming critical technological barriers. Notably, as a central research platform exclusively designed for the synthesis and characterization of advanced materials, MCPF occupies an area of approximately 2500㎡. Its comprehensive range of equipment covers six major domains, including nanoscale analysis, surface analysis, X-ray analysis, molecular structure analysis, functional analysis, and materials preparation.
"HKUST(GZ) and HKUST have distinct and complementary plans for the development of large-scale equipment, ensuring no redundancy but mutual supplementation. Students and faculty from both campuses have the opportunity to utilize all the instruments and equipment in the research facility." MCPF offers students direct access to advanced facilities. Speaking of the establishment of the Central Research Facility, Professor Lutao WENG, Director of the Materials Characterization and Preparation Facility, stated, "Our aim is to provide a platform for teachers and students to conduct research as soon as possible. Cross-border sharing and utilization not only enhance the efficiency of utilizing state-of-the-art equipment but also foster the development of cross-disciplinary education."
Furthermore, the Central Research Facility is open to other universities, research institutions, and industries. It is committed to becoming an open and inclusive large-scale scientific platform, supporting the construction of a major scientific and technological innovation platform in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. According to the MCPF staff, many enterprises in the Greater Bay Area are looking forward to deep collaboration with MCPF in the areas of industry, academia, and research.
Guided by a team of experts and scholars, MCPF has actively fostered international academic exchanges and collaborations. As a testament to their efforts, HKUST(GZ) successfully obtained the hosting rights for the 2026 International Conference on Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry, making it the first time this premier academic conference will be held in China.
In the future, MCPF will strive to deeply integrate materials informatics, constructing an advanced materials database and establishing a comprehensive system for materials research and development. These initiatives aim to make significant contributions to the high-quality development of materials science and industry in the Greater Bay Area and the nation.
Key Phrase 2: Well-equipped
The advancement of materials science and technology is closely intertwined with various strategic needs of the nation. Presently, MCPF boasts a state-of-the-art infrastructure, featuring world-class advanced equipment. The key large-scale instruments encompass high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, multifunctional surface analysis instrument, nano-infrared spectroscopy, scanning probe microscopy, X-ray diffraction instrument, small-angle/wide-angle X-ray scattering instrument, focused ion beam dual-beam system, laser Raman spectrometer, and Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer. These cutting-edge instruments cater to diverse research requirements across different domains and materials. Notably, the time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry is the pioneering instrument of its kind in China.
At the inception of the university, MCPF was formally approved and, after relentless efforts by the research and technical personnel, it was officially inaugurated in August 2023. The instrument administrator at MCPF stated, 'Over the past six months, we have been progressively receiving samples from several faculty members.' Through these samples, the technicians have been continuously fine-tuning the equipment and exploring the full potential of the instruments.
Assistant Professor Jiaqiang HUANG from the Sustainable Energy and Environment Thrust expressed appreciation to MCPF for providing advanced characterization tools and temporary laboratories that have been instrumental in exploring the physical and chemical reaction mechanisms inside batteries. Meanwhile, Assistant Professor Jiaying WU from the Advanced Materials Thrust highlighted the immense benefits of utilizing MCPF's GIWAXS/SAXS and Raman spectroscopy in her research on the structure and morphology of organic molecules.
In addition to state-of-the-art experimental equipment, MCPF boasts an exceptional team of experts. Professor Gao Ping, the Thrust Head of Advanced Materials, is also a member of MCPF's Advisory Committee. Under her leadership, the team has invented a groundbreaking multifunctional ultra-thin porous polyethylene nanofilm. This nanofilm, the only one of its kind worldwide, has diverse applications, including transparent face masks, next-generation battery separators, innovative wound dressings, as well as health monitoring sensors and prototyping of seawater desalination membranes. The future industrial production of this technology will be gradually established in Nansha, leveraging the resources of HKUST(GZ).
Key Phrase 3: Safe and reliable
After the official opening of MCPF, professors from HKUST(GZ) can activate their accounts on the Large Instrument Sharing Management Platform, where they can provide their research group details, project funding information, and other relevant content. At present, the platform only accepts sample submissions for testing.
MCPF strictly adheres to national standards and takes a comprehensive approach to ensure the safety of all personnel, equipment, and the environment. According to the MCPF instrument administrator, 'Students, including research assistants and interns, who wish to use the relevant instruments are required to associate their respective supervisors' information, confirm the research group project number, and ensure a smooth reservation process.' It is important to note that MCPF houses large-scale and highly specialized instruments, requiring a high level of expertise for independent reservation and usage. To facilitate proficiency, periodic instrument training sessions will be organized for students on a monthly basis, and upon successful completion of training, faculty and students will be allowed to operate the instruments independently. Additionally, all faculty and students utilizing MCPF instruments must complete the 'MCPF Safety Clearance Form'.
Furthermore, the university has implemented a specialized procedure for the collection and disposal of waste generated during the operation of research facilities. This process ensures that the waste is properly managed and undergoes harmless treatment by third-party professional organizations.
