Organized by: Sponsored by: 1+1 Science Tip-top Talent Scheme 2015/16 Suggested Research Topics Teams may choose the following research topics or any other topics that they wish: Biology and Chemistry Stream 1. Grain size distribution and composition of beach sediments in Hong Kong 2. The rhythm of plants - Description: Plants will follow a day-night rhythm. For example, the axil angle of plant leaves change in a 24 hour cycle (leaf movement rhythm). One can measure this by setting up a camera. If the plants are waked up by light during dark, will they change this rhythm? If we pretreated the plants with stress, will they change the rhythm? Related videos: a) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HzbyTHA0u0 b) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUwbbLZANVE c) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sSpy6gtDvk 3. Rapid and simple test for pesticides 4. Biodiversity in urban city 5. Peptide-based hydrogels 6. Colourful Food Description: Chemicals that give the colour of certain foods and how this food colour can be utilized in current society can be investigated. 7. Garlic - A Natural Antibiotic? Physics and Engineering Stream 1. A motion sensing system for rehabilitation applications based on a Leap Motion Sensor - 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Description: Students are expected to develop a motion sensing system based on a Leap Motion Sensor. The system should be built with a software toolbox that can capture and analyze subjects’ hand motions for rehabilitation applications. Remarks: Students should be equipped with basic programming knowledge. 3D printing for the future Information and communication technology E-learning development Mobile apps development Theoretical physics 7. Investigation of the underlying physics of the UV-blocking mechanism of sun-block lotions Description: This project will study the transmission coefficient of sun-block lotion as a function of its thickness and determine the dominating mechanism for UV protection. 8. Towards a big data approach to Hong Kong property price analysis 9. Energy recovery from water flowing in pipes Description: Potential energy that drives water flowing in pipes can be partly recovered by installing a miniature rotating device in the pipe together with a motor that converts the kinetic energy of water into electricity. The electricity generated can be used to power electrical devices such as LED lights, digital thermometer, or common household appliances. Since the voltage generated by this apparatus is proportional to the flow of water in the pipe, this phenomenon can be used to measure the rate of water flow in pipes. Other applications can also be explored as the project proceeds. 10. Mobile phone-based microscopes 11. Mobile phone-based projectors 12. Developing a vision system for the visual impaired 13. Design and construct a multifunctional assistive tool for the elderly 14. Measuring the frequency response characteristics and speed limitations of digital communications over copper wire 15. Determining the location of robot through dead-reckoning method using sensors such as gyroscope and accelerometers has been explored and developed thoroughly. However, for long-term use on vehicle robot’s maneuvering, the positioning might be inaccurate. Therefore, development of a better system and algorithm through combination of sensors analysis is needed such that it will be very useful for the future of robotic industry. 16. Design an innovative learning tool for learning geography topic(s) with Kinect. Description: In this project, student has to learn about the programming language and image processing, and how to apply these technologies in the teaching material.