Industry-Academia Collaboration
Advanced Surface and Materials Analysis Centre

A batch of circuit boards produced by a Hong Kong factory in Guangdong were rejected by their buyer. The factory manager was baffled. Examining the circuit boards, he could only detect an unusual reddish tint on the gold plating. He took the boards to the University's Advanced Surface and Materials Analysis Centre, where the researchers found that the reddish patch contained more calcium, magnesium and carbonate than its surrounding region. They came to the conclusion that the problem was caused by contamination of the water used by the factory at its source. The factory then began filtering its tap water and the problem was subsequently solved.

These and similar problems beset high value-added industries like surface finishing and electronic packaging. Manufacturers need to employ advanced analysis technology to analyze the products of their competitors, account for flaws in their own products, solve production problems, and develop new products.

At CUHK, an Advanced Surface and Materials Analysis Centre was recently set up to provide crucial support to this kind of industry.

External Support

The most difficult part about establishing the centre was getting funding support.

Prof. S.P. Wong of the Department of Electronic Engineering and Prof. Raymund Kwok of the Department of Chemistry are materials scientists who have frequently lent their expertise to local industries to solve their production problems. They were joined by Prof. Leo Lau, professor of materials science, and Prof. Ian Wilson, professor of electronic engineering in planning the establishment of a permanent centre on campus to render the expertise required by the market. With the assistance of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, the team contacted different factories to explain how their project can be of use to them. Over 20 responded with great enthusiasm, agreeing to pay for the services proposed and promising to make an advance of HK$1.3 million, equivalent to about 3,000 hours of service, to help establish the centre. As a result the Industrial Support Fund approved a grant of HK$10 million to subsidize the centre's operation for three years.

University Support

The centre also received a generous start-up fund from the University, which is supportive of its collaboration with industry. Dean of science, Prof. Lau Oi-wah, and dean of engineering, Prof. P.C. Ching, helped look for an appropriate location for the centre's office and laboratory, in addition to endorsing financial support.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Arthur Li said at the opening ceremony that the setting up of the centre was necessitated by the demands of society and the market. It will help advance the development of local industries and the University's research, and establish an effective model for future collaboration between academia and industry.

Prof. Kwok was responsible for the acquisition of an x-ray photoelectron spectrometer and a scanning Auger microscope and for designing the labs. Prof. Wong helped set up the analysis program of the Rutherford backscattering spectrometer for analysing industrial samples. All four are involved in the recruitment of staff and staff training. The centre was officially opened on 18th January 1999 on the University campus.

Collaboration Between Academia and Industry

In the past the surface finishing and metal finishing industries could only rely on overseas expertise to solve their production problems. The costs were astronomical and only large manufacturers could afford the service. Medium and small manufacturers could hardly bank on this method to improve their products. Now with the installation in the centre of state-of-the-art equipment which can provide fast, effective, and high quality service, they can seek speedy assistance locally. Moreover they will only be charged the use of the equipment (HK$500 per hour for industry and HK$300 for academia). Expert service and analysis are free.

(From left) Prof. Ian Wilson, Prof. Leo Lau and Prof. Raymond Kwok next to the scanning Auger microscope

For surface finishing and metal finishing industries, the design and development departments are usually located in Hong Kong even if production takes place on the mainland. The demand for materials analysis services is therefore always there. Import/export agencies of industrial materials also need this kind of technology for quality control of their merchandise. Even large manufacturers with in-house materials analysis equipment will have to resort to the centre's services at times because combined in the centre are the facilities and wide-ranging expertise of the University's Departments of Physics, Chemistry, and Electronic Engineering, and the Hong Kong Productivity Council. Problems could thus be solved rapidly and effectively.

Looking to a Bright Future

During the first three years of its operation, the centre will strive to promote its services among manufacturers so as to gain their faith and establish connections. In the latter half of 1998, over 30 manufacturers used some 500 hours of the centre's services. And in January 1999 alone over a hundred hours were used. At this rate, the centre will easily reach its target of offering 4,500 hours of service in three years. Centre director Prof. Leo Lau is full of confidence that the centre will very soon be able to break even and stand on its own.

Important tasks in the coming months include obtaining accreditation from ISO 9000 for its analysis procedures, and the development of a computer database of analysis cases to serve as a reference centre for industrial applications.