Following the launch of the DesignSmart Initiative by ITC in 2004 , a new Design Incubation Programme has been added to the originally technology-based incubation programme of HKSTP. Operated by InnoCentre, a set-up under HKSTP, the Design Incubation Programme is tailored to nurture start-ups in the design industry, including companies working in the areas of product, fashion, branding/packaging, jewelry, visual and media arts, and interior design. Currently, there are a total of 29 design incubatees.

For further information of the Design Incubation Programme, please click here.

Launched in 1984, the State Key Laboratory Scheme aims to support innovative studies in accordance with the directions of state technological development and strategic objectives. The invitation to apply for the establishment of State Key Laboratory in Hong Kong has met with enthusiastic response, with a total of 17 applications received from local universities.

In co-ordinating the applications, ITC will work closely with the Education Bureau, Research Grants Council and other relevant government departments in processing the applications and arrange their vetting by expert panels. Based on the panels' views, ITC will submit a list of recommendations for consideration and approval by the Ministry of Science and Technology. Results of the applications are expected to be announced by late-2008.

The Standards and Calibration Laboratory (SCL) of ITC has recently extended the measurement ranges of its calibration services for electrostatic discharge (ESD) generators and electrical fast transient/ burst (EFT/B) generators.

For the ESD generators, the verification of the discharge waveform in accordance with IEC61000-4-2 standard was extended for current amplitude up to 30 A. For EFT/B generators, the verification of the peak voltage of burst pulses in accordance with IEC61000-4-4 standard was extended to 2.4 kV into 50 Ω load and 4.6 kV into 1 kΩ load respectively.

Effective from 1 January 2008, accreditation service for proficiency testing providers is available from Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS) under ITC.

Proficiency testing refers to the comparison of results from different laboratories with a view to confirming their accuracy. This is a mandatory requirement for laboratories accredited by Hong Kong Accreditation Service. With just a few Proficiency Testing Programmes now available locally, many laboratories have to turn to the costly programmes administered by overseas organisations. Also, there are some technical disciplines where suitable programmes are not readily available.

With the new accreditation service, the standard of local proficiency testing providers will be enhanced, which in turn will help them market their service as the accreditation is a third party attestation of their quality. Also, more organisations will be ready to provide proficiency testing service and the local laboratories will then be able to enjoy both lower costs and more choices of service providers.

For those interested in becoming accredited proficiency testing providers, please click here.

The calibration services play an important role in facilitating international trade as the ESD generators and the EFT/B generators are used for the immunity tests against electrostatic discharge and electrical fast transients for electromagnetic compatibility which are required by our major trade partners, such as European Community and USA, for various kinds of electrical and electronic products.

For details of SCL's calibration services, please click here.

A team of four P.6 students from the Hong Kong and Macau Lutheran Church Primary School, which had won the Champion at the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) 2007-Hong Kong Section held at the Innovation Expo organised by ITC on 16 September 2007, was awarded the Champion again in the Open Category in WRO 2007 held in Taipei in November last year, a competition joined by 22 strong teams from around the world.

The four students developed a robot 'Emergency Rescue Team' by using Lego Mindstoms NXT. In a simulated atomic power plant crisis, the Rescue Team members: Remote Rescuer, Fire Fighter, The Driller, Spiderman and Call-for-help Signalman performed a series of high risk tasks to rescue a robot doggie, the victim in the disaster.

'We have made reference to the remote control racing game and spent about one month to develop the Emergency Rescue Team,' said Peng Oi-lam, one of the student members. 'The robots were equipped with bluetooth technology and supported by computer programmes. We are grateful to the advice and guidance from the two teachers throughout the project.'

The Hong Kong Student Science Project Competition (HKSSPC) 2008 received 176 entries when application closed on 26 January 2008, an increase of 15% compared to last year. 86 and 90 teams registered for the Junior Division and the Senior Division respectively.

All primary and secondary schools are encouraged to bring their students to attend the initial judging held on 10 May at InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and see the work of other students. Best Participation Awards will be given to schools which have the greatest no. of students to attend the initial judging. The students will have their interest in science stimulated by just serving as audience. After sharing the excitement of the contestants, they may want to take part in the competition themselves next year.