CityU and Cambridge Join Forces, 3D Printing Set for Big Things-3DPTimes

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CityU and Cambridge Join Forces, 3D Printing Set for Big Things

October 13, 2026 News 9266

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) and the University of Cambridge have jointly established the Centre for Advanced and Smart Manufacturing (CASM).

Located at Hong Kong Science Park, the centre is co-led by Professor Lu Jian and Professor Colm Durkan, and operates under the InnoHK platform.

The centre takes additive manufacturing as its core technology platform, integrating material design, digital engineering, manufacturing processes, and applications into one seamless chain — working backwards from end-use requirements to drive new material and product development.

Research focuses on four key areas: next-generation refrigeration technology, high-efficiency thermal management for data centres, green manufacturing for new energy vehicles, and innovative materials for consumer electronics. In data centres, the team is developing novel heat exchange structures and high-performance metal materials to improve cooling efficiency and cut energy consumption. In new energy vehicles, researchers are exploring recycled aluminium combined with AI-assisted design and additive manufacturing to reduce weight and carbon emissions while maintaining performance and safety.

Professor Lu Jian noted that Hong Kong was once a major industrial base in Asia. Looking ahead, he hopes high-end manufacturing will bring Hong Kong back to a key position in the global supply chain, transforming it into a hub for Industry 5.0 manufacturing innovation. Beyond research, the centre also has a talent development mission, with plans to recruit PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and undergraduates for research, internships, and international collaboration.

Here, 3D printing is not just a "printing technology" but an integrated platform spanning materials to applications. Combined with two real industry demands — data centre cooling and new energy vehicles — it is better positioned to deliver practical results than purely academic research centres.