A 3D printer, a smart home monitoring system, and an analysis of spatial data on US air pollutants… these were but a few things on display when UIC students presented their best 58 research results at the 2nd Undergraduate Science and Technology Poster Presentation on 9 April.
Students present 3D models produced by a printer they made
On show were academic posters prepared by some 150 students from the Division of Science and Technology (DST), including programmes such as Applied Psychology, Computer Science and Technology, Environmental Science, Food Science and Technology, and Statistics.
Good platform for exchanges
UIC Vice President Prof Zee Sze-Yong said that the event aimed to “enrich students’ learning experience, promote active engagement, and relate their academic knowledge to research traditions”.
Prof Zee says the poster presentation is a good platform for students to exchange research ideas
It also allows students to interact with fellow students, teachers and visitors from well-established research institutions and industries in Zhuhai.
The jury of the presentations included UIC Registrar Prof Zhang Genfa, Dean of DST Prof Stephen Chung and the five programme directors.
Five external judges were also invited. They were Ms Flora Li, Director of Dell Asia Soft Development; Mr Qiang Shi, Vice-President of Zhuhai Zhonghui Microelectronics; Prof Fangbai Li, Director of the Guangdong Institute of Eco-Environmental and Soil Sciences; Dr Joel Carlin, Visiting Professor from Gustavus Adolphus College, the US; and Mr Thomas D’Silva, CEO of Indian Kitchen Group of Companies.
Prof Stephen Chung presents the Best Division Poster Award to Wang Shunxin
Three awards were given, based on ratings from the jury and votes from visitors. The Best Division Poster Award went to a Statistics student Wang Shunxin with his study on spatial data of US air pollutants. Environmental Science student Li Yuhan won the Student Choice Award, as her research on corporate environmental responsibility in the bank industry in Guangzhou was the visitors’ favourite. Each programme also gave a research poster the Best Programme Poster Award.
Prof Stephen Chung said a poster presentation allows researchers to present their research information at an academic or professional conference.
Besides research skills, students in the annual Undergraduate Poster Presentation were required to demonstrate good communication skills to explain complicated concepts related to their research findings.
Associate Dean of DST Dr Ricky Hou gives Li Yuhan the Student Choice Award
Low-cost 3D printer
One eye-catching research product was a printer that printed out a 3D model of the UIC logo. One of the presenters said the printer provided a quick and interactive approach of modelling 3D shapes, and printing the models. “We spent our summer holidays producing this machine, and it costs less than RMB2,000.”
Associate Professor of the Applied Psychology Programme Dr Alan Lai revealed the 3D printer grasped most of his attention because the machine was produced at such an amazing low cost. “It should be reported as international news,” he said.
External judge Ms Flora Li said she was captivated by the quality of the projects. She believed the 3D printer would inspire people to find a more effective way to design and model 3D products. “The most interesting part is the Leap Motion Plug-in for model building, which enables completely new ways of interacting with 3D sense using our bare hands in true 3D space.”
Another external judge, Mr Qiang Shi, also heaped praise on the students and their 3D printer. He said, “It has a good performance in modelling, but its accuracy needs to be refined if it is to be upgraded to a commercial product.”
In the study of “physical and chemical characterization of solid waste materials as precursors of making activated carbon”, Li Yishu from Environmental Science noticed that many solid organic wastes are rich in carbon, and assessed the possibility for wood chips, coats and cotyledons of Jatropha seeds, and exocarp of mangosteen and durian to be used for making activated carbon.
“I tested their moisture content, ash content, nitrogen content and carbon content, and found that these solid organic wastes, except for cotyledons of Jatropha seeds, have great potential for making activated carbon.”
Students illustrate their research to spectators
Prof Zhang Genfa saluted students with their research results at the conclusion of the poster presentation. “This event requires students to take initiative in exploring the academic field further, and learn to process sources and materials actively, logically and meaningfully. The students and their research have impressed me a great deal,” he said.
List of the awards
The Best Division Poster Award
Analysis of Spatial Data on US Air Pollutants
WANG Shuxin (Statistics)
The Student Choice Award
Preliminary study on corporate environmental responsibility in the Bank Industry: a case study on Public Perceptions in Guangzhou, China
LI Yuhan (Environmental Science)
The Best Programme Poster Award
1) The Comparison between Personality in the Virtual World and Real Life Among College Students in China
LIN Lu (Applied Psychology)
2) A Study on Brand New Approaches of Commercial Products on 3D Modelling and Printing
WENG Jie*, TANG Lin, SONG Yuhao, CHEN Zhuo (Computer Science and Technology)
3) Physical and chemical characterization of solid waste materials as precursors of making activated carbon
LI Yishu (Environmental Science)
4) Educational Animation Production of the Soymilk Industry
LIU Yijun*, QIU Li (Food Science and Technology)
5) Analysis of Spatial Data on US Air Pollutants
WANG Shuxin (Statistics)
Reporters: Sean Chung, Wang Naidan and Tong Haiyan
Photographers: Irene Yu and Wang Naidan
Editor: Deen He
(from MPRO, with special thanks to the ELC)
