HKU's Diamond Membranes Shatter Industry Barriers

The research team led by Professor Zhiqin Chu, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, and Professor Yuan Lin, Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), has developed a novel technique called ‘Edge-Exposed Exfoliation.' This breakthrough shatters decades-old manufacturing bottlenecks in materials science and the semiconductor industry, successfully enabling mass-production of large-area, flexible diamond membranes with ultra-flat surfaces at low-cost and high-efficiency. This research has been published in the prestigious international journal Nature, and has received numerous international honors, including the 'Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year' from the ‘Falling Walls Foundation 2025' and a 'Gold Medal' at the 'International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva', marking a significant step in the commercialisation of diamond semiconductor technology.

HKU's Revolutionary Diamond Membranes

Addressing Industry Pain Points: Overcoming Cost and Scalability Challenges

Diamond is not only a precious gemstone but is also regarded as the 'ultimate semiconductor material.' Its exceptional thermal conductivity and extremely high carrier mobility make it an ideal semiconductor. However, traditional methods of synthesising diamond membranes are typically costly, slow, and limited in size, with insufficient surface flatness, severely constraining their commercial applications and industry development. The HKU team has revolutionised the production process of high-quality diamond membranes. This technology can produce 2-inch diamond wafers in just 10 seconds, with production costs at 1/1000th of previous methods.

Compared to previous expensive, time-consuming, and non-scalable processes, this technology is ready for immediate industrial-grade speed and scalability, while ensuring products have atomically flawless surfaces and excellent flexibility. This foundation sets the stage for precision manufacturing at the micro-nano level and applications in flexible electronics, moving diamond from the lab to widespread applications, including in high-power electronics, quantum technologies, advanced RF systems, and optoelectronics.

Diamond Membrane Technology

Diamond Membrane Technology

Three Core Technologies of Diamond Membranes

• Cost-effective – Production costs have reduced to 1/1000th of previous technologies, transforming diamond from an expensive laboratory material into an affordable industrial-grade component.

• High-Speed, Scalable Industrial Process – The process is rapid, stable, and scalable, ready for immediate industrialisation and advancing the technology from the lab to the market.

• Flawless, Flexible, Ultra-Flat Product Characteristics – The resulting diamond membranes are flawless, flexible, featuring extremely flat surfaces, meeting the stringent requirements of high-precision optoelectronic and semiconductor processes.

Diamond Membrane Technology

Prof. Zhiqin Chu and Prof

Professor Chu stated, ‘The company we founded, DiamNEX, is dedicated to promoting the research, production, and commercialisation of diamond membrane materials. Our technology and development prospects have received high recognition in the market. The company successfully completed over 10 million in angel round financing last year and is currently focused on advancing its industrialisation plans. We look forward to collaborating with academic and industry partners to bring this revolutionary product to market and accelerate the arrival of diamond era.'

Speech by SCST at Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra "Welcome Tarmo Reception"

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) "Welcome Tarmo Reception" today (November 7):

David (Chairman of Board of Governors of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society, Mr David Cogman), Tarmo (Music Director of the HK Phil, Mr Tarmo Peltokoski), Vincent (Chairman of the Chow Sang Sang Group, Mr Vincent Chow), ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. I have the greatest pleasure to join you at this reception to officially welcome our new Music Director, Tarmo Peltokoski. I say welcome, but of course, Tarmo is already a familiar and highly respected figure among our musicians and audiences. Tonight's reception is a formal introduction, but really, it should feel even more like a homecoming party.

First, let me propose that once again we give a good round of applause to Tarmo and all the talented instrumentalists, vocalists and choristers, from Hong Kong and overseas for the stunning performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 8 just now. The performance was a magnificent close to the HK Phil's complete Mahler cycle; but it was also a splendid fanfare for the new era under Maestro Tarmo's baton.

Great artistic synergy takes time to build, yet today it felt entirely natural. Tarmo first sparked this chemistry as the HK Phil's Guest Conductor in 2023, strengthened it as Music Director Designate last season, and he now finally steps into his new role with deep familiarity and well-honed artistry. Tonight's concert is a brilliant showcase of Tarmo's assured stage performance, exceptional conducting prowess, and seamless teamwork with the HK Phil's talented musicians. Just now I told Winnie (Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society, Ms Winnie Tam), if I were a choir member, I would also be very, very happy to work with a conductor like Tarmo.

I am fully confident that this strong partnership will elevate the HK Phil to new heights and enrich Hong Kong's vibrant cultural scene. The Hong Kong SAR Government proudly supports the HK Phil in its further effort to solidify its role as a cultural flagship of our city. Together, we will project Hong Kong's artistic brilliance on the global stage, reinforcing our position as an East-meets-West cultural exchange centre.

As a music lover myself, please allow me to express my warmest thanks to Tarmo and all the musicians for an unforgettable orchestral feast. Here is to a new era for the HK Phil - one filled abundantly with breathtaking music, rewarding projects, and exciting milestones ahead. Tonight is just a remarkable beginning, and the best is yet to come.

Let us all enjoy the rest of this delightful evening. Do keep your eyes and ears open. I'm told there will be surprise bonus encore performances during the reception, and I, for one, definitely won't want to miss them. Thank you very much.

Source: AI-found images