The Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Ms Rebecca Pun, visited universities and start-ups to meet with research teams to understand the research and development (R&D) and application of local anti-epidemic innovation and technology (I&T) products on April 27 and 29 and today (May 3).
 
Accompanied by the Executive Vice President of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Dr. Miranda Lou, Ms. Pun on April 27 visited the PolyU InnoHub, which is a co-working space for start-ups, and met three PolyU research teams to understand their innovations and applications. The innovations developed by the three research teams are related to anti-epidemic use. The first invention, CareCoatex, is a non-toxic and eco-friendly antibacterial and antiviral coating that can kill 99 per cent of common bacteria and viruses. The coating is effective for up to six months and can be applied to various types of equipment for disinfection, contamination control and anti-epidemic protection. The second invention is a novel COVID-19-killing 3D printing material that can be used to produce equipment that is touched frequently such as door handles and elevator buttons to reduce the chance of virus transmission. This R&D outcome is funded by the special call for projects to combat the COVID-19 epidemic under the Public Sector Trial Scheme (PSTS) of the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC). The third invention is a portable nucleic acid testing device for COVID-19 that can test both human and environmental samples with 100 per cent sensitivity and specificity and can facilitate personal and environmental hygiene management. According to PolyU, CareCoatex and the 3D printing material have been commercialised and adopted by different organisations and enterprises.