Environmental protection is now a major global trend. Hong Kong people are increasingly concerned about the issue. Apart from air pollution, the public is also concerned about noise pollution, ocean pollution and light pollution. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) will display two technology projects for environmental protection at the coming Inno Design Tech Expo at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 10 to 12 December. The projects include a noise simulation system and a system of interactive virtual underwater environment.

The noise simulation system is developed by Professor Hui Kin-chuen of the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, CUHK. This system can simulate noise effect from complicated numerical data with a 3D virtual environmental display. Users can experience the noise level as if they were in the real place. The system helps architects and road designers to test the noise pollution level induced by different constructions. Besides, it helps assessors, councilors and the general public to have a better understanding on the noise impact when the government is assessing the environmental friendliness or doing public consultation for new constructions. Until now, the research team has finished the noise simulation in virtual environment for the seaside of Central, Shatin City One, Kwun Tong and Tung Chung. It aims at covering more districts and commercializing the system in the coming future.

Another project of Professor Hui is a system of interactive virtual underwater environment developed for the Hong Kong Science Museum. It aims at conveying information about the various human factors contributing to pollution in an underwater environment, and how to protect the ocean.

Date:  10 to 12 December, 2008 (Wednesday to Friday)

Time:  9:30 am to 7:00 pm（10 – 11 December）, 9:30 am to 6:30 pm（12 December）

Venue: Booth 2A05, Trade Hall, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wanchai, Hong Kong

中大參與「創新科技及設計博覽」
展出兩項環保科研項目

環保是世界的大趨勢，而香港人的環保意識亦正不斷提升。市民除關心空氣污染外，還有噪音污染、海洋污染、光污染等。香港中文大學（中大）將於本周三至五（12月10至12日）假香港會議展覽中心舉行的「創新科技及設計博覽」中，展出兩項與環保有密切關係的科研項目，包括「噪音模擬系統」及「虛擬海洋生態互動系統」。

「噪音模擬系統」由中大機械與自動化工程學系許健泉教授研發，系統能將複雜的噪音數據轉化成模擬聲效，再配合立體虛擬環境，讓使用者如置身現場一樣，更容易掌握實際環境中的噪音水平。這個系統不但有助建築師及道路設計師掌握不同建築設計對環境帶來的噪音，亦有助政府就不同建設進行環保評估或公眾諮詢時，為評估員、議員及市民提供更實質而具體的資訊。直至現時為止，研究團隊已經成功製作了中環海旁、沙田第一城、觀塘及東涌共四個地方的噪音虛擬環境，未來會再擴展至其他地區，並盼望可於不久的將來將系統商品化，推出市場。

許健泉教授的另一項研發為「虛擬海洋生態互動系統」，此發明專為香港科學館開發，參加者可從中了解人類活動對海洋生態所造成的污染，以及如何保護海洋環境。

日期： 2008年12月10至12日（星期三至五）
時間： 上午9時30分至下午7時（12月10至11日），上午9時30分至下午6時30分（12月12日）
地點： 香港灣仔博覽道一號香港會議展覽中心貿易館2A05攤位