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ASTRI Welcomes Government Appointments of New Board Chairman and Board Members

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HONG KONG, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) welcomes the Hong Kong SAR Government’s appointment of Prof Chan Chi-hou as the new Board Chairman, effective 21 October 2026, for a two-year term. He succeeds Ir Prof Sunny Lee, who concludes a seven-year tenure as ASTRI’s Board Chairman on 20 October 2026.

Prof Chan Chi-hou said: “I am deeply honoured that the Hong Kong SAR Government has entrusted me to serve ASTRI and contribute to our country and Hong Kong’s technological innovation and development goals outlined in the Nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan and Hong Kong’s first five-year plan. I would also like to thank Ir Prof Sunny Lee for his visionary leadership, particularly in steering the successful merger with the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute (NAMI), which has strengthened ASTRI’s interdisciplinary research and development (R&D) capabilities and heightened its profile at home and abroad.”

“As Hong Kong accelerates investment in technology infrastructure and talent development, I look forward to working closely with fellow Board members and Ir Dr Ted Suen, CEO of ASTRI, to advance innovation, foster collaboration across government, industry, academia, research, and investment communities, and expedite the commercialisation and adoption of research outcomes. Together, we will help enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness, create greater value for society and reinforce the city’s position as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub,” he added.

Prof Chan is an internationally-recognised expert in applied electromagnetics, terahertz science and wireless communications. He currently serves as Vice-President (Community Engagement), Director of the State Key Laboratory of Terahertz and Millimetre Waves, and Chair Professor of Electronic Engineering at City University of Hong Kong (CityU). Before joining CityU in 1996, he was a tenured Associate Professor in the Electrical Engineering Department at the University of Washington, and a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of Illinois. He obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Ohio State University and his doctoral degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. An IEEE Fellow, Prof Chan has received numerous international honours in recognition of his pioneering research and contributions to the field.

Outgoing Chairman Ir Prof Sunny Lee congratulated Prof Chan on the appointment and said: “It has been my great privilege to serve on ASTRI’s Board as a member and Chairman for nearly 14 years to witness its remarkable growth into a leading R&D centre that delivers tangible impact for industry, the economy and society. I am confident that, with Prof Chan’s distinguished expertise, strategic vision and extensive leadership experience, ASTRI will continue to scale new heights, drive impactful innovations and accelerate the translation of research excellence into real-world applications, creating lasting value for Hong Kong and beyond.”

Under Ir Prof Lee’s stewardship, ASTRI has actively supported national development priorities and the Hong Kong SAR Government’s policy agenda. Leveraging Hong Kong’s unique role as a super-connector between Chinese Mainland and the world, ASTRI has reinforced its position bridging stakeholders in the global I&T ecosystem.

Six New Board Members Appointed

In addition, the Hong Kong SAR Government has appointed six new members to the ASTRI Board: Prof Chan Shing-chow, Professor & Associate Dean (Masters), Faculty of Engineering, University of Hong Kong; Mr Ricky Chan Wai-chung, Chief Executive Officer, Jing Mei Automotive Limited; Mr Alan Chiu Chi-wai, Managing Partner, ELLALAN; Ms Irene Chow Man-ling, Director, DSL Investments Limited; Mr Hui Chi-wai, Chief Executive Officer (AXM), ASMPT SEMI China (AXM); and Prof Gary Wong Ka-leung, Associate Provost (Quality Assurance and Accountability) and Chair Professor, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong. Their two-year terms will run from 21 October 2026 to 20 October 2028.

ASTRI expresses its heartfelt gratitude to outgoing Board Chairman Ir Prof Sunny Lee and members Dr Felix Chow Bok-hin, Mr Theodore Ma Heng, Dr Alfred Ng Man-cheuk, Ir Dr Samson Tai Kin-hon and Mr Anthony Tong Tat-hay for their dedicated service and invaluable guidance.

Effective from 21 October 2026, the members of ASTRI’s Board of Directors are as follows:

Chairman

Prof Chan Chi-hou

Members (listed in alphabetical order of surname)

Prof Chan Shing-chowMr Ricky Chan Wai-chungProf Christopher Chao Yu-hangProf Cheng Shuk-han, MHMr Alan Chiu Chi-waiMr Jason Chiu Tsz-kiu, JPMs Irene Chow Man-ling, JPMr Dennis Ho Chiu-pingMr William Ho TatMr Hui Chi-waiIr Arthur Lee Kam-hungHon Jack Ng Wun-kit, JPArchitect So Ching, JPProf Michael Tse Chi-kongProf Martin Wong Ding-fatProf Gary Wong Ka-leungMr Wilfred Wong Kam-pui, BBS, JP

Official Members

Mr Kevin Choi, JP, Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and IndustryMr Ivan KB Lee, JP, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology

Photos Download: https://bit.ly/4B1pToO

About ASTRI

Founded in 2000 by the HKSAR Government, Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) is the city’s largest government-funded R&D centre. Committed to transforming high-impact research into practical innovations, ASTRI drives market-driven, interdisciplinary advancements across sectors, including Smart City, FinTech, Digital Health and Life Sciences, New Industrialisation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) and Advanced Electronics, New Energy and Energy Storage, and Green and ESG Technologies. Following its merger with the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute, ASTRI has further strengthened its capabilities, with over 1,500 patents and 2,200 successful cases of technology transfer. Recognised with numerous international awards, ASTRI continues to nurture top I&T talent and foster collaborations among the I&T ecosystem, contributing to Hong Kong’s high-value economic development. For more information, please visit: https://www.astri.org 

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SOURCE Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI)

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NAVER D2SF Invests in On-Device AI Startup TraceWeave

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TraceWeave develops its own post-Transformer AI architecture that enables AI agents to run on memory-constrained devicesCompletes paid pilot in mobility; pursues commercialization across robots, drones, smart glasses, and moreNAVER D2SF continues to invest in on-device AI and next-generation device technologies

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NAVER D2SF has made a new investment in TraceWeave, an on-device AI startup led by co-founder and CEO Jaeyoung Park. TraceWeave is the team behind Phase-TITAN, a post-Transformer architecture that understands long contexts and carries out multi-step tasks while keeping memory usage constant. NAVER D2SF recognized the company’s core technology for enabling AI agents on resource-constrained devices.

As AI expands to robots, vehicles, smart glasses, and drones, its applications are advancing beyond simple chatbots toward complex reasoning and decision-making. In Transformer-based models, the key-value cache (KV-Cache) grows with context length, requiring more memory. On-device constraints in memory, battery life, and heat have made it difficult to implement AI agents that understand long contexts and perform complex tasks.

TraceWeave’s Phase-TITAN is a new AI architecture designed to resolve this memory bottleneck by replacing the conventional Transformer architecture altogether. TraceWeave develops its own AI models rather than relying on existing open-source models. Memory usage remains constant as context grows. According to TraceWeave, at a 1M-token context without quantization, a comparable Transformer’s KV-Cache holds tens of gigabytes or more, while its 1B Phase-TITAN model holds 0.04 GB. This enables agents to call tools, interpret results, and decide on their next actions entirely on the device, without cloud calls. TraceWeave’s internal benchmarks on RULER and BFCL indicate that Phase-TITAN maintains performance on par with Transformer models of the same size and larger.

TraceWeave has demonstrated a multi-step agent running on a smartphone using only its CPU, without cloud calls. In mobility, it completed a paid pilot with the autonomous driving affiliate of a global automotive group, identifying driving-data frames that improve the partner’s autonomous driving model without human annotation. It is also validating in-vehicle agent performance with a global automotive electronics software company and exploring opportunities in robots, drones, smart glasses, and wearables. TraceWeave was a Top 20 finalist in NVIDIA’s 2026 Inception Grand Challenge.

TraceWeave was co-founded in October 2025 by researchers with backgrounds at ETH Zurich, Google, and KAIST. The team combines engineering expertise grounded in computational neuroscience and physics with business development capabilities, designing its own architecture and validating it in device environments that reflect real-world customer needs. In this seed round led by Mirae Asset Capital, TraceWeave raised approximately KRW 3 billion at a pre-money valuation of approximately KRW 30 billion. Based at NAVER D2SF @Gangnam, the company plans to use the funding to expand its research and engineering team for next-generation architecture development and grow its business.

“Taking the KV cache out was never the hard part. Staying capable without it was,” said Jaeyoung Park, co-founder and CEO of TraceWeave. “The best part is no part. Phase-TITAN already delivers Transformer-class capability without the Transformer’s memory tax, and the next one goes well beyond its class, with the memory still fixed.”

“On-device AI is a core technology for implementing complex, advanced AI across diverse device environments beyond PCs, and it also offers advantages in reducing cloud call costs and protecting privacy,” said Sanghwan Yang, Head of NAVER D2SF. “TraceWeave is a team that is innovating AI architecture to overcome the limitations of existing AI models and bring AI to on-device environments.”

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/naver-d2sf-invests-in-on-device-ai-startup-traceweave-302913752.html

SOURCE NAVER D2SF

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Gear Up for Year-End Wellness: iHerb Spotlights 4 Everyday Health Essentials and Kicks Off 11.11 Early Access Sale with Up to 40% Off Sitewide

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HONG KONG, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As October gets underway, many individuals are proactively preparing their daily health and self-care routines ahead of the busy year-end season. Global health and wellness e-commerce platform iHerb has curated a premier lineup of four top-selling daily nutritional supplements from its flagship house brand, California Gold Nutrition, and consumer-favorite brand, Doctor’s Best. Encompassing marine collagen, Omega-3 fatty acids, CoQ10, and chelated magnesium, this selection addresses distinct nutritional priorities, providing consumers with comprehensive, high-quality choices for daily maintenance and holistic vitality.

The iHerb Singles’ Day Early Access campaign officially launches today and runs through October 28. During the promotional period, shoppers can apply promo code “HD11BUY” at checkout to receive up to 40% off sitewide. Additionally, new customers worldwide can use promo code “WELCOME7” to enjoy 30% off their first purchase—offering consumers the ideal opportunity to proactively map out their year-end wellness and nutrition regimens.

Daily Wellness from Within: Collagen and Omega-3 as Nutritional Building Blocks

Founded in the United States and powered by 30 years of global health curation, iHerb offers an extensive catalogue spanning vitamins, dietary supplements, beauty, sports nutrition, and everyday lifestyle essentials. The platform empowers consumers to explore premier wellness goods from around the world all in one convenient place.

Among the featured highlights is California Gold Nutrition’s Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen Peptides + Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C. This synergistic formula pairs bioavailable hydrolyzed marine collagen peptides with hyaluronic acid and antioxidant vitamin C. Formulated as an unflavored, easily dissolvable powder, it blends effortlessly into morning coffee, smoothies, or water according to usage guidelines, offering a hassle-free addition to daily beauty and mobility regimens.

For essential fatty acid support, California Gold Nutrition’s Omega-3 Premium Fish Oil provides concentrated Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA. Delivered in fish gelatin softgels, it offers an accessible, high-purity option for consumers seeking to incorporate vital fatty acids into their daily dietary routine to maintain overall cardiovascular, cognitive, and cellular wellness.

Targeted Cellular Vitality and Essential Minerals: Advanced Science from Doctor’s Best

Complementing collagen and fish oil, trusted wellness brand Doctor’s Best delivers science-backed formulations for more specialized nutritional support. The brand’s High Absorption CoQ10 utilizes naturally fermented Coenzyme Q10 paired with patented BioPerine® black pepper extract to enhance nutrient absorption and bioavailability. It provides an exceptional daily option for adults focused on supporting cardiovascular function, cellular energy generation, and antioxidant defenses.

Another standout favorite is Doctor’s Best High Absorption Magnesium Lysinate Glycinate, which features Albion® TRAACS® chelated magnesium in convenient tablet form. This fully chelated delivery ensures high bioavailability and superior digestive tolerance, allowing consumers to easily select the right daily supplement tailored to their dietary habits, physical activity, and relaxation needs.

Special Promotion: 11.11 Early Access

Sitewide Early Bird Offer: Use promo code HD11BUY to take up to 40% off sitewide.

New Customer Welcome: First-time shoppers globally can apply promo code WELCOME7 for 30% off their order.Promotion Window: Active immediately through October 28, 2026.Details & WhatsApp: Subject to terms and product eligibility on the official iHerb website. Subscribe to the official iHerb Hong Kong WhatsApp channel for real-time campaign updates.

About iHerb (https://hk.iherb.com/)

iHerb is a world-leading e-commerce destination dedicated to health, wellness, and self-care. Founded in California in 1996, iHerb now serves millions of customers across more than 180 countries. With a selection of over 40,000 authentic, high-quality products across vitamins, supplements, sports nutrition, personal care, and grocery items, iHerb delivers value and convenience directly to doorsteps worldwide, supported by state-of-the-art GMP-registered, climate-controlled distribution centers.

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SOURCE iHerb

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EPG Showcases Full-Stack AIDC Capabilities and Global Delivery Network at DCWA 2026 in Singapore

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SINGAPORE, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — EPG, a global provider for prefabricated modular data center infrastructure, showcased its latest AI data center solutions at Data Centre World Asia (DCWA) 2026, held in Singapore on September 29–30. Demonstrating its commitment to Asia-Pacific and the markets beyond, EPG presented its AI Core prefabricated modular data center solution and Edge POD prefabricated edge data center solution, alongside the global launch of AeroLev 1850, an air-cooled, magnetic-bearing chiller platform jointly introduced with MagPro. Together, these offerings demonstrate EPG’s end-to-end capabilities across modular infrastructure and high-efficiency cooling for AI data centers (AIDCs).

At the opening address for the Critical Infrastructure Theatre, EPG Chief Operating Officer Johnny Zhang highlighted the growing demands AI is placing on data center infrastructure, from higher power density and faster deployment to more efficient cooling. As AI continues to evolve, infrastructure must keep pace to support the next generation of AI computing.

Building on these themes, Johnny Zhang moderated a panel discussion on the future of data centers, resilience and digital infrastructure, bringing together industry experts from data center design, cloud and AI infrastructure, and cooling technology to explore emerging requirements for energy efficiency, high-density cooling and scalability. EPG Chief Technology Officer Enso Li also presented AI Core at the Energy Security & Efficiency Theatre, demonstrating how standardized modules and factory prefabrication can accelerate data center deployment.

Alongside these industry discussions, EPG continued to strengthen its global partnerships. The company signed cooperation agreements with international industry partners across AI data center planning, construction and delivery. These collaborations will support the development of next-generation data center infrastructure, broaden EPG’s ecosystem across the Asia-Pacific and expand its presence in global markets.

Complementing these industry engagements, EPG showcased its AI Core and Edge POD solutions across its exhibition space, welcoming visitors to explore its modular infrastructure offerings. AI Core takes a prefabricated, modular approach to AI infrastructure, integrating standardized power, cooling and other critical infrastructure modules to simplify deployment and enable flexible expansion as compute requirements grow. Built on this modular approach, EPG’s E Series offers configurable solutions tailored to different project requirements. One of its offerings, Edge POD, is an all-in-one solution for distributed computing environments where power availability and deployment speed are critical. Designed for 1–10 MW applications, Edge POD supports rapid deployment, low-latency computing and distributed redundancy.

EPG’s joint venture, MagPro, also introduced its new magnetic levitation chiller platform, AeroLev 1850. The 1.85 MW-class, air-cooled, magnetic-bearing chiller platform is designed for next-generation AI data centers in water-scarce, high-ambient environments, with chilled-water outlet temperatures of up to 45°C. Its cooling-tower-free architecture combines oil-free magnetic-levitation technology with intelligent controls to deliver efficient, reliable cooling while reducing water consumption.

The launch of AeroLev 1850 marks a strategic milestone in EPG’s global cooling technology roadmap. Established in May 2026, MagPro brings together EPG’s data center engineering and global delivery expertise with CIGU’s magnetic-levitation technology and R&D capabilities. The partnership expands EPG’s portfolio into advanced cooling to address the demands of high-density AI computing while reducing reliance on water-intensive cooling systems.

“AI computing is reshaping the infrastructure requirements of data centers,” said Alick Wan, Founder and Chairman of EPG. “Our focus extends beyond individual technological breakthroughs. By combining modular and standardized solutions with global delivery capabilities, we aim to help customers deploy and scale computing infrastructure efficiently across markets. We will continue working with global partners to build more efficient and resilient infrastructure for the next generation of digital growth.”

Looking ahead, EPG will continue to evolve its solutions and strengthen its capabilities to meet the changing demands of the data center industry.

Learn more: https://www.epg-module.com/

CONTACT: communications@epg-module.com

About EPG

EPG is a prefabricated modular data center infrastructure provider, powered by R&D centers in Singapore, Malaysia, and Shanghai, as well as six advanced manufacturing hubs in Malaysia and China. With over 20 years of engineering expertise, it has a workforce of more than 1,600 employees, including nearly 300 researchers and experienced engineers in its R&D and technical team. Through continuous technological innovation and a scalable delivery system, EPG delivers  integrated and efficient data center solutions for hyperscale, cloud, and enterprise deployments across APAC, EMEA, and other global markets.

About MagPro (Nanjing CIPU Technology Co., Ltd.)

MagPro is a joint venture between CIGU Technology Corp. Ltd. and EPG Data Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., specializing in the research, development, and production of reliable, energy-efficient cooling and air-conditioning systems for AI data centers, cloud, and hyperscales. MagPro operates a more than 6,000-square-meter production base and two air-cooled laboratories, supporting testing of air-cooled units up to 2,000 kW.

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SOURCE EPG Global Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

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