Research Infrastructure
In March 2001, HKUST was awarded HK$14.9 million by the Innovation and Technology Fund to establish the Semiconductor Product Analysis and Design Enhancement Center. The funds were matched by the HK$2.4 million donation from over 20 local semiconductor companies. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the Center will provide service and support to the semiconductor industry through product analysis, design enhancement, and failure analysis.

The Geotechnical Centrifuge Facility was opened on 3 April 2001 to provide construction companies and other industries with a cutting-edge geotechnical modeling facility to enhance the design, quality, and safety of engineering projects. The 8.5-meter-diameter geotechnical centrifuge facility is equipped with a 4-axis robotic manipulator, the world's first biaxial shaking table, and a state-of-the-art distributed data acquisition and control system. The facility can simulate a variety of construction activities and provide technical solutions for geotechnical problems pertinent to Hong Kong. In addition, it is capable of simulating seismic ground response for a better understanding of earthquake-induced soil interactions.

The HKUST Institute for Nano Science and Technology was inaugurated on
15 May 2001. First in Hong Kong, the Institute was established with a funding of HK$10 million and aims to provide a platform for researchers around the world to advance nanotechnology research.