City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and the University of Cambridge have established the Centre for Advanced and Smart Manufacturing (CASM), a Hong Kong Science Park research center that uses 3D printing as its core technology platform. CASM is one of the research centers under the Hong Kong government’s InnoHK initiative, with the goal of positioning Hong Kong as an Industry 5.0 manufacturing hub.

The center is co-led by Professor Lu Jian, Chair Professor in CityUHK’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Professor Colm Durkan of the University of Cambridge, and brings together researchers from Hong Kong and abroad to work on new materials, manufacturing methods and digital technologies.

“Hong Kong was once one of Asia’s leading manufacturing centres. Looking ahead, our aim is to leverage advanced manufacturing to enable Hong Kong to once again play a key role in the global industrial value chain,” said Lu. “The vision of CASM is to establish Hong Kong as a world-leading Industry 5.0 manufacturing innovation hub.”

CityUHK distinguishes Industry 5.0, which it says places AI alongside sustainability, human expertise and social responsibility, from Industry 4.0’s focus on connected systems, robotics and data-guided production.

“AI is a key enabler, but environmental protection and social responsibility are equally important,” said Lu. “These are the defining principles of Industry 5.0.”

Four application areas

CASM’s research covers four areas: environmentally friendly refrigeration, thermal management for data centers, green manufacturing for new energy vehicles, and materials for consumer electronics.

On data centers, CityUHK stated that AI growth was driving demand for facilities that consume large amounts of energy removing heat from computing hardware. CASM researchers are developing heat-exchange structures and metallic materials aimed at improving cooling efficiency and cutting energy use.

For vehicles, the center is exploring recycled, or “green”, aluminum, pairing AI-assisted design with AM to cut weight without compromising performance or safety. Recycled aluminum requires substantially less energy to produce than primary aluminum, lowering carbon emissions.

Talent and regional outlook

CASM plans to recruit PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and undergraduates for research, internships and international collaborations. Lu said Hong Kong was well placed to become a manufacturing hub given its international outlook, research capabilities and links to industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

“Hong Kong is home to a platform that attracts talent from around the world, while also serving as a unique gateway connecting the Greater Bay Area with the international community,” said Lu.

“Through CASM, we aim to bring more innovative technologies from the laboratory to industry, injecting fresh momentum into Hong Kong’s new industrialisation and future economic development.”