HKBU Endowed Chair Professor Cheah Kok-wai shares on novel materials to produce and control light

HKBU bestowed Endowed Chairs 2017 upon three prominent academics at HKBU in recognition of their accomplishments. Professor Cheah Kok-wai, Associate Head of the Department of Physics of HKBU, who was awarded the title of Dr Elizabeth K S Law Endowed Chair of Advanced Materials, spoke on “Materials to Produce and Control Light” at the Inaugural Lecture yesterday (5 March).

Professor Cheah highlighted an impressive array of selected works developed by his research group over the years on the production and control of light, from invention to application and commercialisation. 

Professor Cheah said his research team’s interest in light interaction with matter triggered them to investigate a broad range of materials that can either emit light or manipulate light. Their aim is to understand the fundamental physics and explore if the knowledge can be applied as a technology. The team’s investigation has given them insight into how nature evolves structures that can manipulate light.
 
Among Professor Cheah Kok-wai’s most notable works is the invention of ArmoGlass, an ultra-hard anti-scratch sapphire cover for touchscreen devices. Professor Cheah said that this invention is curiosity driven and is grateful to have the opportunity to apply it to the industry. The invention won him many accolades, including the top prize, the Grand Prix Award at the 44th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva in 2016. To commercialise the technology, Professor Cheah sets up the HKBU spin-off company Cathay Photonics.