As Founding Director of HKICE, Prof Alex Jen bridges deep-tech innovation with policy, education and cross-border partnerships
Professor Alex Jen, the Founding Director of the Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy (HKICE), is a scientist, strategist and visionary. Over the past three years, he has helped shape HKICE into a multi-disciplinary force that bridges lab-scale breakthroughs with large-scale solutions.
As an expert in organic and perovskite optoelectronic materials, Prof Jen’s work sits at the nexus of clean energy innovation, global collaboration and policy impact.
Building an Institute with Global Vision
When HKICE was founded in 2021, Prof Jen’s long-term goal was to create an energy institute that could convene engineers, physicists, chemists, economists and legal scholars, a place where clean energy wasn’t confined to the lab bench, but extended to smart cities, green finance and climate policy.
“We’re solving scientific problems, yes – but we’re also building systems that shape policy, influence markets, and impact everyday life. That’s the power of clean energy when it’s truly connected to society.”
Under his leadership, HKICE has established a series of thematic thrusts in solar energy, hydrogen production, battery storage, smart grids and energy-saving materials. These pillars are supported by more than 60 affiliated faculty members and a growing number of cross-departmental research labs.
His experience in the US, where he previously led a National Science Foundation-funded Science and Technology Centre (STC), gave him the foresight to build HKICE not only for academic output but for industry readiness and policy influence.
Through initiatives like CityUHK’s role in Hong Kong’s Green Tech and Finance Development Committee, Prof Jen has helped position HKICE as a thought leader in sustainability innovation.
From Printable Solar to Zero-land Energy
At the heart of Prof Jen’s scientific work is a focus on printable, flexible solar cells. His team has pioneered next-generation perovskite and organic photovoltaics that can be printed onto curved surfaces, embedded into windows, or applied to fabrics.
He explains: “These materials are thin, colourful and flexible. Think of solar panels that don’t just sit on a building – they’re built right into it, like part of the architecture itself.”
These new solar solutions are lightweight and aesthetically pleasing, making them ideal for zero-land-use deployment in dense cities like Hong Kong. With backing from Towngas and other industry partners, his lab is scaling this technology for curtain walls, sound barriers, and semi-transparent installations.
He also leads research into recyclable solar modules, addressing the growing problem of solar waste. “Our films can be reclaimed in water; we’re rethinking sustainability from fabrication to disposal.”
Spinning Science into Start-ups
Prof Jen is a strong advocate for commercialisation. His research has led to the formation of Hong Kong Tech Solar, a CityUHK spin-out that has already raised nearly HK$100 million in private investment. The start-up is developing tandem solar technologies that combine perovskite and silicon, aiming to exceed traditional performance ceilings.
“We want people to see what clean energy really looks like something you can touch, use and build a business around, not just read about in a paper.”
By collaborating with local developers, utilities and manufacturers, Prof Jen has built a pipeline from lab to proof-of-concept, and then to deployment. His approach blends academic rigour with entrepreneurial realism.
He also advises policymakers on ESG investment strategies, carbon markets and green innovation incentives, shaping how clean technologies are supported at the government level.
Second Journey in Hong Kong
Prior to relocating to Hong Kong, Prof Jen had spent over 36 years in the US where he led successful academic centres and startups in Seattle and Silicon Valley.
“Life in Seattle was comfortable – good job, great environment. But when I got the chance to transfer into CityUHK in 2016, I saw it as an opportunity to build something meaningful here.”
He saw Hong Kong as a place with “global reach, strategic location and the urgency to innovate.” Under his tenure as Provost, he helped launch the Materials Science and Engineering department at CityUHK – now ranked Top 5 globally.
“As a Chinese scientist with roots in Taiwan, a career in the US and impact across mainland China, I wanted to contribute to something that transcends borders.”
He sees his influence not only in research but also in talent development. “Across China, I’ve trained more than 100 professors, many of whom are now shaping the next generation. That’s a legacy beyond publications.”
Championing Collaboration and Education
Apart from research, Prof Jen is deeply invested in HKICE’s outreach and talent development. He leads seminars, supports school STEM programmes, and champions international student exchanges.
“If we want a sustainable world, we need sustainable thinking, and that begins with education. The next generation must not only understand science but believe in its power to do good.”
He has also forged international collaborations with CNRS, OXFORD, EPFL and MIT, recognising that clean energy challenges are borderless. “Science doesn’t happen in silos. If we want to accelerate the energy transition, we need to build alliances.”
A Personal Philosophy of Innovation
Prof Jen brings a rare blend of discipline and creativity to his work. A prolific researcher with over 1,200 publications, 73 patents, and numerous highly cited awards, he remains approachable and forward-looking.
He likens the role of a professor to that of an entrepreneur – recruiting talent, cultivating a clear identity, developing ideas and taking calculated risks. His legacy at HKICE lies in establishing a platform where science, industry and policy intersect to generate meaningful, lasting impact.
