Annual Report 2021–22

38 香港中文大學年報 CUHK Annual Report 2021–2022 先進科技破解謎團 Uncovering hidden secrets with advanced technology Researchers at CUHK’s School of Life Sciences have underscored the value of developing new technologies for the study of ancient creatures and artifacts. Applying the cutting-edge laser-fluorescence (LSF) imaging technique , they have brought tangible benefits to the wider archaeological community. A paleontology research team headed by Dr Michael Pittman used the technique to reveal details of the body structure of an aurorazhdarchid, a small flying reptile from the Late Jurassic, showing that pterosaurs launched themselves from water with folded wings and webbed feet, similar to how ducks fly today. The team also set a new record with their international partners for the oldest belly button found in reptiles and mammals by revealing the finest details of a 125-million-year old fossilised skin specimen of a Psittacosaurus, a plant-eating dinosaur, using the novel laser imaging technology. CUHK researchers pioneered the application of the non-destructive LSF imaging technique to the analysis of archaeological artifacts originating from the Roman town of Verulamium in AD50-450, revealing ancient fingerprints and other details previously invisible, and helping scientists understand history more comprehensively. Advancements in technology have also enabled us to unlock the mysteries of the Milky Way. Dr Leung Po-kin and Mr Chan Tin-lok from CUHK’s Department of Physics were the only representatives from Hong Kong to participate in the internationally acclaimed Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) project team, which brought together more than 300 researchers and engineers worldwide. The first image captured by EHT in May 2021 serves as overwhelming evidence of Sagittarius A*, at the centre of the Milky Way, being the nearest supermassive black hole in our galaxy. It is also the second-ever black hole image in history. 中大生命科學學院的研究人員致力開發新技 術，應用於研究古代生物和遠古文物。他們以 尖端的 鐳射螢光成像技術 （LSF）進行研究，為 全球考古界帶來重大貢獻。 由文嘉棋博士帶領的古生物學團隊利用LSF技 術，分析生活於侏羅紀晚期的 Aurorazhdarchid 小翼龍的身體結構，發現翼龍像鴨子一樣藉鼓 動雙足和雙翼飛離水面。團隊及國際研究夥伴 亦利用該先進技術，成功在一塊有一億二千五 百萬年歷史的草食性恐龍鸚鵡嘴龍的皮膚化石 上，發現完整的恐龍肚臍，屬科學界至今找到 最古老動物肚臍的紀錄。 中大團隊亦首次以非破壞性的LSF技術分析源 自公元50至450年的古羅馬城鎮維魯拉米恩出 土文物，成功呈現文物表面上肉眼看不見的隱 藏細節，例如古代人的指紋等，有助科學家更 全面地了解歷史。 科技進步有助人類揭開銀河系中心的神秘面 紗。中大物理系的梁寶建博士和本科生陳天諾 參與匯集全球三百多名研究人員和工程師的 國際知名的天文合作研究計劃 「事件視界望遠 鏡」 （EHT），為團隊中唯一的香港代表。EHT 於2021年5月公布全球首張人馬座A*（Sgr A*） 的影像，證實了位於銀河系中心的Sgr A*是最接 近地球的超大質量黑洞。該圖像也是全球第二 張黑洞影像。 事件視界望遠鏡公布全球首張銀河系中心人馬座 A * 的 影像。 The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) has unveiled the first image of Sagittarius A*. 中大團隊在躺著的鸚鵡嘴龍之立體重建圖上發現包圍著恐龍臍部疤痕的獨特鱗片。 A 3D reconstruction of a reclining Psittacosaurus by CUHK researchers reveals the long umbilical scar on the reptile's body surrounded by distinctive scales.