Bulletin Spring 1990

2 Ion Implantation of Advanced Thin Film Materials ($760,000) Researchers: Dr. S.P.Wong, Dr. P.S. Chung, Dr. W.P. Liang This is a three-year research jointly undertaken by CUHK and the Zhongshan University to study the effects of ion implantation on certain advanced thin f i lm materials of particular importance: amorphous silicon, amorphous carbon and high Tc superconducting materials. The project will explore how ion implantation can improve and modify such materials, so that new directions in future device application of these materials can be identified. 3 Research in Optoelectronics Device Technology ($2,000,000) Researchers: Dr. E.Y.B. Pun, Dr. P.S. Chung, Dr. S.P. Wong, Dr. C.C. Hsu This is a three-year project to establish a base for optoelectronics device research in Hong Kong. Funds will be used to set up an optoelectronics laboratory. The researchers will then work in close collaboration with research institutes in China on the following three projects: a. development of compound semiconductor materials and optoelectronic devices; b. development of integrated optical devices based on lithium niobate material; and c. development of optical fibre devices. The projects will be important for the development of the optoelectronic industry in Hong Kong. 4 High Performance Composite Materials ($396,000) Researchers: Prof. C.L. Choy, Dr. W.P. Leung This is a three-year collaborative project by the Physics Department of CUHK and the Institute of Mechanics and the Institute of Chemistry of the Academia Sinica to investigate the toughening mechanism and physical properties of two important classes of composite materials - continuous carbon fibre reinforced composites and short fibre reinforced thermoplastics. The objective is to find ways to produce composite materials with enhanced toughness, stiffness and strength for use in industries and everyday life. 5 Genetic Reconstitution of High Affinity Uptake Systems for Neurotransmitters ($2,000,000) Researcher: Prof. D.M.K. Lam This is a three-year research which will involve the transfer of specific human genes into mouse fibroblast (skin) cells to construct specific genetic-engineered cell lines useful for elucidating the molecular mechanism of certain brain functions such as vision, learning and memory. The cell lines are also useful for the discovery of new pharmaceutical agents against certain brain and cardiovascular diseases. This is the first research programme in Hong Kong that utilizes human-mouse transgenic cell lines to study information processing in the nervous system. 6 Sequencing of the A D H R Gene ($60,000) Researchers: Dr. K.K. Mark, Dr. H.S. Kwan, Dr. W.K.K. Ho This is a one-year project to study the genetic mechanism involved in the anaerobic switch during fermentation. The researchers have already successfully cloned the ADH R gene responsible for the switch, and they now aim to map out completely the DNA sequence of the gene. The results of the study will lead to significant developments in food and agricultural technologies. 7 Effects of Heavy Metal on Marine Planktonic Organisms in Tolo Harbour ($603,040) Researchers: Dr. C.K. Wong, Dr. P.K. Wong This is a three-year project to study the toxic effects of heavy metals on the biology and ecology of the marine plankton in Tolo Harbour. Researchers will measure the uptake rate of heavy metals by the organisms, study the transfer of such metals through the planktonic food chain, and identify the sites of accumulation and the mechanism of toxic action in selective organisms. Findings will enable more accurate prediction of the degree of bio-accumulation in planktonic organisms and shed light on bio- magnification in the marine food chain. RESEARCH — 1 5