Groundbreaking wireless charging technology developed by City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has contributed towards the highest-ever license fee revenues by the University for any invention. 

CityU’s novel technology enables different mobile devices to be charged simultaneously on a charging plate, which is more convenient, efficient and environmentally friendly, and can significantly reduce the number of different chargers you have to use for different brands. 

License fees received for all inventions reached HK$14 million this year for the University, the highest for the past five years.

CityU contributes to society by converting outstanding research into commercial products for daily use, with a leading role in the development of wireless charging technology.

The new technology has contributed to developing the global wireless charging standard, Qi, which is supported by millions of mobile devices around the world including brands such as Apple’s iPhone, Samsung, Xiaomi and Huawei. Qi is set by the Wireless Power Consortium. 

Mr Clement Lam Chun-yu, CityU’s Acting Director of Knowledge Transfer, said that technology licensing encouraged researchers to fully utilise their strengths and make their new technologies more accessible to the public. 

“This highest-ever licensing fee income reflects the development potential and commercial value of CityU’s inventions. I hope our researchers will develop more innovative inventions and make more discoveries in the future, and that we will work hard to promote their applications,” he said.

CityU’s other inventions licensed this year include VR technology for the developmental needs of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder as well as the bioconversion of food waste into high value-added products, power electronics technologies for energy saving, and air purification and water quality monitoring systems. 

Mr Lam stressed that the University supported research activities and promoted knowledge transfer for the benefit of society.