ASTRI and NAMI merger begins yielding hybrid AI and materials technologies

ASTRI and NAMI have started producing notable outcomes from their merger, which concluded in April 2026. At the LEAP East event, several innovative technologies combining artificial intelligence with advanced materials were showcased. These developments mark a significant step forward in integrating information and communications technology with material science. The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) has reported that merging with the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute (NAMI) has allowed researchers to explore intersections where information and communications technology (ICT) and materials expertise can enhance each other. This synergy has led to the creation of new technologies that blend AI with advanced materials, demonstrating practical applications in various fields. Dr. Ying Huang, ASTRI’s Chief Technology Officer, emphasized that the merger has greatly enhanced the organization’s ability to conduct interdisciplinary research. He noted that the combination of ICT capabilities and materials knowledge has resulted in more efficient and effective research processes. Specifically, the integration of AI with traditional materials research has accelerated discoveries related to molecular and structural properties. One such achievement involves the development of sensing technologies for robotics. By uniting materials researchers who specialize in piezoresistive materials, capable of detecting pressure, with ICT experts working on optical sensing supported by AI, the teams have created more sophisticated solutions. These combined efforts have led to the creation of a system resembling artificial skin, which offers improved performance in systems requiring both pressure detection and detailed texture analysis. The institute maintains a model of industry partnership to ensure that research aligns with commercial demands. Industry partners contribute a portion of the funding for projects, helping to direct research toward viable applications. Once a technology reaches a functional stage, the team actively seeks additional collaborators to assist in scaling its deployment. An example of this approach is an AI-enhanced firewall initially tested in an IoT device trial with a government agency. It was later adapted and scaled for commercial use, being integrated into routers offered by a telecommunications company to small and medium enterprises. At the LEAP East event, ASTRI displayed a range of technologies, including a two-phase immersion cooling system that has been successfully trialed at a government facility. This system has demonstrated energy savings exceeding 20 percent and achieves a power usage effectiveness rating below 1.1. Additionally, it received acclaim at an international invention exhibition earlier this year. Other innovations on display include long-life batteries engineered to function under extreme conditions. These batteries can operate at temperatures up to 85 degrees Celsius for up to a decade without needing replacement. They also meet European safety standards for emergency communication systems following vehicle accidents. Another exhibit highlighted a photovoltaic-storage hybrid inverter and a drone system designed for maintaining high-rise buildings, both of which were developed through collaborative efforts.