Congratulations to our undergraduate, Mr HE Zhengyang, on receiving the Grand Award in the Best URIS Research Project Award 2023.
Under the supervision of Dr TANG Hui, Associate Professor of ME, Mr HE has demonstrated distinctive research achievements through his project which contributed to harvesting energy from flowing water with a unique flapping-foil-based hydropower harvester. This award also symbolises the recognition of his endeavour to advance knowledge with applications.
Grand Award
Project Title: Development of a New Generation of Flow Energy Harvester
Awardee: HE Zhengyang, BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering
Chief Supervisor: Dr Tang Hui, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Abstract: The URIS project achieved a breakthrough in harvesting energy from flowing water with a unique flapping-foil-based hydropower harvester. Unlike traditional turbine-based technologies, this harvester brings several advantages, such as lower cut-in speeds, slower tip speeds, better-filling factors, and scalability. To convert water flow into electricity, a hybrid power-take-off unit combining triboelectricity and electromagnetic induction was designed, developed, and tested. Through extensive water-tunnel experiments, the unit was optimized for different water speeds and foil movements. The flapping-foil technology operates at lower tip speeds, making it environmentally friendly for energy harvesting in rivers and oceans. Its applications also include charging low-power devices and measuring water speed simultaneously, especially in remote off-grid areas. This innovation opens up new possibilities for harnessing renewable energy from water sources and providing sustainable power solutions in various settings.
The Undergraduate Research and Innovation Scheme (URIS) is a prestigious programme of PolyU to promote undergraduate research with the aim to nurture the next generation of intellectuals. The programme offers an enquiry-based learning opportunity to empower PolyU Ug students to build research track records, establish research networks, gain exposure to their fields of study and equip themselves with competencies to take up research career opportunities in Hong Kong and beyond.
It is great to see the undergraduate from the Department being acclaimed for his research innovation.
