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The Centre for Innovation and Technology (CINTEC) in The Chinese University of Hong Kong’s (CUHK) Faculty of Engineering recently organised the 2^nd “Mitsubishi Electric Eco Tech Cup”, in collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric (Hong Kong) Limited. The competition aims to provide a platform for the public and local students to unleash their creativity, showcasing innovation solutions on how to integrate sustainable concepts into daily life with technology. As a positive response to the government’s sustainable development policies, it enhances public education at the University and in the community.

Sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric (Hong Kong) Limited, the 2^nd “Mitsubishi Electric Eco Tech Cup” final and prize presentation ceremony took place on 24 August at Lee Koon Chun Hall, Sino Building, CUHK. Professor Wong Kam-fai, Associate Dean (External) and Professor Lau Tat-ming, Assistant Dean of CUHK’s Faculty of Engineering, thanked all participants for their support and said they hoped the competition could further raise public awareness and encourage a sustainable, low-carbon lifestyle. Mr Kibushi, Chairman & Managing Director of Mitsubishi Electric (Hong Kong) Limited, appreciated the organiser’s dedication to putting together this successful competition, and proudly continued supporting this meaningful competition to promote sustainability.    

This year’s competition included both Student and Open Divisions. More than 276 teams of primary and secondary school students and members of the public took part, including start-ups, tertiary students and other members of the community, coming up with innovations that aim to save our Earth. There was an overwhelming response, with nearly 1,300 people voting online for their favourite in the preliminary stage from 2 to 8 August.

In the Open Division, three teams of students from CUHK were selected to advance to the final round. The Champion, “Rebirth”, cooperated with local restaurants, enhancing the growth of vegetable leftovers it collected using biochar it made by pyrolysis of organic materials at high temperature, giving waste food a new life. At the same time, it will sell the vegetables it grows through a mobile app, offering discounts from participating restaurants as a rebate, and thus creating a circular economy and reducing the local food waste problem. The other two CUHK teams, “Rhinoceros Seven” and “Algae Rehabilitation”, were awarded the Third Prize and Merit Prize respectively.

The Champion of the Student Division, “Baptist Green Recycling Team”, designed a recycling incentive mechanism, whereby the recycling sorting device uses AI image recognition technology to identify recyclables and an app to allow users to accumulate points in exchange for rewards, including tableware, plastic bags for waste collection and so on, enhancing the public’s motivation to recycle and their awareness of environmental protection. The technology can help to slow landfill saturation.

More about the competition:
https://www.cuhk-greenstem.com/mitsubishielectricecotechcup24

Video of the event:
https://youtu.be/EYoL0dY4Bg4?si=Oe8d7YSsJ3NwGa6Y

For enquiries or more information about the event, please contact green-stem@cuhk.edu.hk