In order to understand Hong Kong citizens' views on the development of gerontechnology, Lingnan University recently held a public opinion survey. The results show that gerontechnology products related to healthcare and exercise are of the greatest interest to the public, although about 60 per cent of respondents find the cost of such products prohibitively high, which presents a barrier to purchase. At the same time, over 90 per cent hope that the government will increase support for elderly service organisations to adopt gerontechnology, and for research and development. This would stimulate growth and the silver economy, ultimately benefiting more older adults and caregivers.
A research team from Lingnan University interviewed 869 Hong Kong citizens aged 18 and over during this year's Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit (GIES), which was held from 20 to 23 November. The results show an ongoing upward trend in public awareness of gerontechnology, and 78 per cent of respondents were familiar with the word, up from 76 per cent the previous year.
Gerontechnology is extremely relevant in everyday life, and the survey reveals that public interest is strongest in development in 'healthcare' (72 per cent) and 'exercising' (52 per cent), which attract greater attention than ‘dining' (42 per cent) or 'living' (38 per cent). These findings reflect the public's different priorities for gerontechnology and its potential role in improving the overall quality of life for older adults.
Lingnan University's recent survey indicates that the public shows the strongest interest in gerontechnology products for healthcare and exercise.
Regarding the potential use of gerontechnology products, 95 per cent of respondents said they are very optimistic or optimistic. However, there are still obstacles as 60 per cent consider high prices the main barrier, 52 per cent cited a lack of product information, and about 34 per cent are unclear about where to buy the products. Compared to a similar survey last year, there is a rising trend in the number of citizens who consider gerontechnology products ‘too expensive’.
Around 60 per cent of respondents viewed the cost of these products as prohibitively high, 52 per cent cited a lack of product information, and approximately 34 per cent were unclear about where to buy them, all presenting a barrier to use.
92 per cent of respondents either ‘strongly support' or ‘support' the government allocating additional financial assistance to elderly care homes and other senior service organisations for the purchase and use of gerontechnology products. 90 per cent also expressed strong or general support for broadening the scope of the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme to subsidise older adults wishing to acquire the products. Meanwhile, more than 91 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that the government should boost backing for the industrial and commercial sectors in the research and development of gerontechnology products, thereby encouraging the growth of the industry. On the topic of education, most respondents considered both older adults and caregivers to be important target groups, and indicated willingness to continue disseminating information. 95 per cent of those surveyed recognise that universities play a key role in advancing the development of gerontechnology.
Dr Chloe Siu Pui-yee, Senior Lecturer of the School of Graduate Studies at Lingnan University, observed that the survey results indicate a particular public interest in gerontechnology in healthcare and exercise, a trend that may be linked to the HKSAR government hosting the 15th National Games this year, which has helped to raise public awareness of sport. This aligns with the government's aim to promote community physical activity, and encourage all sectors of society to exercise regularly.
Dr Siu added that the survey also shows respondents' hopes that the government will support issues such as sarcopenia. As people age, they often experience a reduction in muscle mass and strength, which may impair daily living activities, making walking or climbing stairs more difficult and increasing the risk of falls and related injuries. Some respondents suggested that a greater preventive investment in older adults' exercise and health may help to reduce future healthcare expenditure, and offer broader societal benefits. Such investment might include technology or services designed to maintain muscle strength and encourage regular exercise.
Dr Siu affirmed Lingnan University's continuing commitment to cross-sector collaboration, professional elderly care, and the quality of life for older adults, and is working with partners to address the challenges and seize the opportunities of an ageing society.
Dr Chloe Siu Pui-yee, Senior Lecturer of the School of Graduate Studies at Lingnan University (second from right), hopes that universities, the government, and industry can collaborate to advance gerontechnology.
In response to the global demand for clean energy transition, tandem solar cells are recognised as a crucial next-generation technology that will significantly improve solar power efficiency. Scholars from Lingnan University’s Wu Jieh Yee School of Interdisciplinary Studies (WJYSIS) and their collaborators have innovatively developed a novel interfacial structure, which substantially reduces energy loss and successfully overcomes the current limitations of perovskite solar cells in voltage, further improving the efficiency of converting sunlight into electricity. Their findings, published in the top-tier international journal Nature Communications, affirm Lingnan University’s research capabilities in the fields of renewable energy materials and photovoltaic technology.
Conventional strategies often lead to the uncontrolled diffusion of ligand molecules into the perovskite bulk or their severe loss during solvent washing, failing to form an effective ligand layer. The research team proposes a novel strategy that successfully immobilises the ligand molecules onto the SAM molecules, constructing a localised 2D/3D structure.
The joint research team, comprising Prof Chen Xi, Dean of the WJYSIS and Chair Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Lingnan University; Prof Wu Shengfan, Assistant Professor (Presidential Early Career Scholar) of the WJYSIS at Lingnan University, and colleagues from the City University of Hong Kong, has developed a novel method to form a localised 2D/3D structure within the perovskite solar cell, reducing energy loss and improving charge extraction efficiency and interfacial contact. At the same time, by utilising tandem solar cell technology, in which the top material absorbs short-wavelength light and the bottom material absorbs long-wavelength light. This arrangement substantially improves light utilisation efficiency.
The figure illustrates the novel SAM molecule designed by the team, named CbzBT-B. This molecule exhibits excellent stability, and its energy levels are better aligned with the perovskite. The sulfur atoms within this molecule can interact with the ligands, ensuring the formation of a localised 2D/3D perovskite heterojunction structure at the bottom interface.
The team explained that this innovative technology optimises the solar cell in multiple ways. Firstly, it improves the quality of the thin film, allowing this light-absorbing material to grow more uniformly, thereby reducing intrinsic defects. Secondly, the technology greatly reduces defect density at the interfaces, suppressing undesirable energy loss and thus minimising voltage loss. The technology also improves the energy level alignment at the interface, enabling more efficient charge extraction.
Solar cell test results indicate that wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells employing this strategy achieve significant enhancements in open-circuit voltage and efficiency, while exhibiting excellent operational stability. This strategy is applicable to various wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells and has broken multiple performance records. Based on this, the team fabricated tandem solar cells, achieving a high efficiency of 27.11 per cent.
The research team has successfully developed highly efficient and stable wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells, setting multiple cell performance records. The cell demonstrated excellent performance during long-term operational testing, maintaining over 95 per cent of its efficiency even after continuous operation for 700 hours. According to the team’s projections, the efficiency of this cell can still be maintained at over 90 per cent after 1,800 hours of long-term operation. Meanwhile, based on this technology, the power conversion efficiency of the perovskite-organic tandem solar cell reaches 27.11 per cent, among the highest efficiencies for this type of tandem solar cells.
Prof Chen Xi, Dean of the WJYSIS and Chair Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Lingnan University.
Prof Wu, co-corresponding author of the paper, said “This achievement builds upon our sustained and in-depth exploration of interface engineering and tandem photovoltaic devices. It provides a reliable foundation for future large-scale applications. We will continue to drive the advancement of related technologies toward commercialisation, transforming efficient and stable energy solutions into commercial products to address climate challenges and energy security needs, contributing to societal sustainable development.”
Prof Wu Shengfan, Assistant Professor (Presidential Early Career Scholar) of the WJYSIS at Lingnan University.
Prof Chen Xi commended the outcome highly, saying “Lingnan has been actively promoting interdisciplinary research in recent years. This breakthrough demonstrates the University’s strengths and commitment to tackling global energy challenges and developing clean energy technologies. Our team will continue to transform innovative research achievements into practical solutions, supporting the global transition towards a green and low-carbon future.”
The research paper was published in the top-tier international journal Nature Communications. Read the full study here: Localized 2D/3D heterojunction enhances photovoltage for perovskite-organic tandem solar cells.
