Thanks to the great support of the central and Macao SAR governments, the University of Macau (UM) has progressed at an astounding speed in scientific research over the past 20 years. In the Essential Sciences Indicators (ESI) rankings, it is ranked among the top 1 percent in six subjects, namely Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Computer Science, Clinical Medicine, and Social Sciences, General. Through adopting a problem-oriented approach, highlighting unique features, bringing existing advantages into full play, and strengthening cooperation in scientific research, UM focuses on supporting disciplines with local characteristics that are in line with global trends. In addition, a new ‘3+3+3+3’blueprint has also been formulated to support interdisciplinary research.
Focusing on Cutting-edge Research
Essentially, the ‘3+3+3+3’ model refers to UM’s three state key laboratories (for integrated circuits, Chinese medical sciences, and Internet of Things for smart cities, respectively ), three new key research areas (precision medicine for cancer treatment, advanced materials, and regional oceanography), three interdisciplinary research fields (artificial intelligence, cognitive and brain science, and data science), and three research platforms for humanities and social science (Centre for Macau Studies, Asia-Pacific Academy of Economics and Management, and Institute for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences). UM focuses on cutting-edge research and encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, especially the integration of humanities and social sciences on the one hand, and modern technology on the other.
A Top Platform for Innovation in Chinese Medicine
Biomedicine is an important field of research at UM, which involves ensuring the quality of Chinese medicines, establishing international quality standards, developing innovative medicines and health products, applying precision medicine in tumour treatment, stem cell and tissue regeneration, bioinformatics and medical big data, ageing and ageing-associated diseases, neurological and brain sciences, and biological imaging. The university has China’s first state key laboratory in the field of Chinese medicine, and has established a top platform for innovation in Chinese medicine. The laboratory have won several special science and technology awards in Macao as well as the second prize of the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award. The laboratory has also carried out extensive collaborations with the United States Pharmacopeia and the European Pharmacopoeia in the development of quality standards for more than ten Chinese medicines.
Ranked No 2 Globally in Published Papers on Chip Research
Electronic information is one of the best-performing areas of research at UM. The State Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal Very Large Scale Integrated Circuits has distinguished itself at the internationally authoritative IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC). In 2019, eight papers from the laboratory were accepted at the conference, ranking the university second in the world. The laboratory has also won numerous national awards for achievements in science and technology. The State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City focuses on the integration of physical interconnection, network communication, and IoT modules, in order to support the development of a people-oriented ‘Internet Plus’smart city, with a radiating effect to the Greater Bay Area. The laboratory mainly conducts basic and applied research in five areas: urban big data and smart technologies, smart sensing and network communications, IoT applications for smart energy systems, IoT-based smart transport systems, and urban public safety monitoring and disaster prevention.
Record-breaking Research in Advanced Materials
UM conducts innovative research in civil engineering, electrical and computer engineering, electromechanical engineering, mathematics and applied physics, and materials engineering. Main research directions include robotics and intelligent systems, regional oceanography, design and synthesis of nanomaterials, and development of new sources of energy, materials, and technologies. Main research outcomes include hybrid active power filters, perovskite solar cells and zinc-air fuel cells, as well as superabsorbent and superconducting highly-elastic hydrogel. The photoelectric conversion efficiency of perovskite developed by UM researchers reaches 12.9 per cent, close to the peak photoelectric conversion efficiency of other expensive semiconductors. The innovative hydrogel can absorb up to 13,600 times its own weight in water, which is more than twice the water-absorption ability of the most water-absorbent hydrogel ever recorded.
Substantial Participation in Science and Technology
As a public university in the west of the Greater Bay Area with the most state key laboratories, UM takes an active part in technological innovation in the area. In March 2019, UM’s Zhuhai UM Science and Technology Research Institute signed a collaboration agreement with Hengqin New Area Management Committee on the establishment of a base for industry-academia collaboration on Hengqin. According to the agreement, the base will rely on UM’s three state key laboratories to carry out R&D activities in chip design, IoT applications for smart cities, materials technology, Chinese medicine quality research, and cancer diagnosis and treatment. In October 2019, UM inaugurated the Zhuhai UM Science and Technology Research Institute and established a joint laboratory with Huafa Group. In December this year, the Hengqin branch of UM’s three state key laboratories was inaugurated. UM also helps the national smart supercomputing platform in Hengqin to establish a branch in Macao.
Looking ahead, UM will continue to help develop Macao, integrate with the Greater Bay Area to serve the country, and increase its degree of internationalisation to make a greater contribution to humanity.
Source: Communications Office
Media Contact Information:Communications Office, University of Macau
Albee Lei Tel：(853) 88228004Kelvin U Tel：(853) 88224322Email：prs.media@um.edu.moUM Website：www.um.edu.mo
