Latest news with #AlexLau
South China Morning Post
11 hours ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Asia champ Alex Lau targets world rankings rise after 2-year top 40 breakthrough
New Asia squash champion Alex Lau Tsz-kwan said on Friday that he had his eyes on entering the world top 30, after finally breaking through a two-year 'bottleneck' at No 40. The Hongkonger has reached a career high on the rankings list after winning gold in Malaysia at the Asian Squash Championships last week, where he beat Qatar's Abdulla Al-Tamimi 3-0 in the final. And after training overseas, which he called 'finding the right direction for me', the 29-year-old said he expected to focus on competing in more World Series tournaments so he could chase ranking points. 'No 40 was like a bottleneck for me for almost two years, so reaching the 30s for the first time meant a lot to me,' Lau, who is now ranked 39th, said. 'Your ranking tells your consistency throughout the season; I felt I could reach a higher spot but got stuck instead. Other players might be able to play their strongest game whoever they play, but my game might work only on specific players.' Alex Lau (left) and Tomato Ho won their maiden regional individual titles at the Asian Squash Championships in Malaysia last week. Photo: Handout Setbacks in New Zealand and Australia, even with favourable draws, were offset by better results in China, England, Singapore and Switzerland.
South China Morning Post
7 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Tomato Ho, Alex Lau seal historic squash double for Hong Kong
Hong Kong celebrated double success at the Asian Individual Squash Championships in Malaysia on Saturday with triumphs for Tomato Ho Tze-lok and Alex Lau Tsz-kwan. Ho beat home favourite Rachel Arnold 3-1 to secure a first Asian title, while Lau beat top seed Abdulla Al-Tamimi of Qatar in straight games at the Sarawak Squash Centre in Kuching to claim his maiden crown. It marked the first time two Hongkongers won the men's and women's titles in the same year. 'I might look calm on the court but I was quite emotional and still didn't believe I'd won it,' Ho said. 'My opponent might feel more pressure due to her higher ranking and made more mistakes of her own.' It was a game apiece before Ho took full control with a victory so dominant, she even claimed a bagel to cap it off. She won 11-4, 10-12, 11-4, 11-0 in 35 minutes. The Hong Kong team poses for a photo after the Asian Squash Championships. Photo: Squash Association of Hong Kong, China. 'I was playing my own game and listening to my coach's instructions,' the 29-year-old said. 'So, even when I kept scoring in the final game, I wasn't thinking about [the score] much.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Revolutionary SUPERWOOD Technology Named to Fast Company's 2025 World Changing Ideas for Transforming Wood at the Molecular Level
SUPERWOOD is stronger than steel with the soul of wood, transforming the built environment while addressing wildfire, climate, and supply chain crises FREDERICK, Md., June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- InventWood's SUPERWOOD has been named to Fast Company's prestigious 2025 World Changing Ideas list for its breakthrough molecular transformation of wood that fundamentally reimagines one of humanity's oldest building materials. The patented technology (with 144 patents filed and 41 granted) represents the first successful manipulation of wood's nano-cellulose structure to unlock extraordinary performance while maintaining its character and enhancing its beauty. The Innovation: Molecular Architecture Meets Ancient Material SUPERWOOD represents a fundamental reinvention of wood at the molecular level. Through InventWood's proprietary process, the wood is compressed, creating incredibly strong hydrogen bonds between the fibers, and yielding a material with: Up to 10x higher strength-to-weight ratio of steel while being 6x lighter Class A fire resistance that self-extinguishes and resists ignition 90% lower process emissions than steel production Natural resistance to insects, rot, and degradation "Bing and his incredible team of scientists discovered how to unlock the incredible strength hidden in wood's cellulosic matrix," said Alex Lau, co-founder and executive chairman of InventWood. "By manipulating the nano-architecture of cellulose, nature's most abundant polymer, we've now brought into the world a material that outperforms steel while maintaining everything people love about wood: its warmth, beauty, and connection to nature." The Science: From Lab Discovery to Commercial Reality The innovation journey began in 2013 at the University of Maryland, where Dr. Liangbing Hu's research team began exploring a simple question: Could we make wood better in terms of a broad range of properties (e.g., optical transparency, ion and fluidic transport, mechanical strength)? This initial curiosity unlocked a decade of discoveries, leading to a breakthrough: by removing lignin and hemicellulose while preserving and densifying the cellulose structure, wood could be transformed into something extraordinary. This wasn't an incremental improvement. It was a paradigm shift. Key technological breakthroughs protected by InventWood's patent portfolio include: Controlled molecular modification technology that preserves structural integrity Nano-cellulose densification achieving unprecedented mechanical properties Scalable manufacturing methods enabling commercial production Fire-resistant formulations meeting stringent safety standards Real-World Impact: Three Crises, One Solution Fast Company recognized SUPERWOOD for addressing multiple interconnected global challenges: 1. Wildfire Resilience: As communities face increasingly destructive wildfires, SUPERWOOD's Class A fire resistance offers hope. Unlike traditional wood that fuels fires, SUPERWOOD resists ignition and self-extinguishes, potentially saving lives, homes and communities. 2. Warmth by Nature, Strength by Science: SUPERWOOD offers a unique package combining biophilia—human's built-in affinity for the organic qualities of true nature—with the unprecedented strength enabled by the latest science and technology. 3. Climate Action: With construction responsible for over 15% of global CO₂ emissions, SUPERWOOD provides a carbon-sequestering alternative. Each SUPERWOOD beam stores carbon while replacing emissions-intensive materials like steel and concrete. 4. Domestic Supply Chain Security: By transforming domestically sourced wood into high-performance materials, SUPERWOOD reduces dependence on imported tropical hardwood, steel, and aluminum and creates resilient supply chains based on a broad variety of locally available wood and waste wood. From Innovation to Implementation InventWood has achieved critical milestones validating both its technology and market potential: $50+ Million in Capital: Including a recent $15 million Series A first close led by prominent climate tech investors Government Validation: Numerous government awards, including a $20 million SCALEUP award from U.S. Department of Energy recognizing transformative potential Manufacturing Scale: First commercial facility in Frederick, Maryland now being commissioned, which will ultimately provide 1 million square feet annual capacity Market Partnerships: Strategic distribution partnerships to accelerate North American adoption Looking Forward: Scaling Molecular Innovation With its first manufacturing facility entering production and commercial shipments beginning later this year, InventWood is positioned to scale rapidly. The company envisions regional production facilities worldwide, each transforming local wood resources into SUPERWOOD while creating jobs and strengthening communities. "Fast Company's recognition validates what we've known since our first lab breakthrough: that molecular innovation can solve civilization-scale challenges," added Lau. "SUPERWOOD proves that the path to a sustainable future doesn't require choosing between performance and planet. By reimagining materials at their most fundamental level, we can have both." Learn more about InventWood and its technology at About InventWood InventWood transforms nature's oldest building material into something extraordinary. With SUPERWOOD, we've reinvented wood itself, delivering a building material that's superstrong, superdurable, and engineered to outperform conventional alternatives. Our technology creates beautiful, biogenic buildings using domestically sourced wood, directly supporting the health and longevity of American forests. SUPERWOOD's nano-cellulose-based innovation retains wood's countless natural qualities, from its organic warmth and tactile feel to its intrinsic connection to natural environments, while providing unmatched performance. InventWood has received significant recognition and support, including a $20 million SCALEUP award from the U.S. Department of Energy in 2022, as well as funding from prominent organizations including Grantham, Builders Vision, JLL Foundation, and Baruch Future Ventures. With over $50 million in total capital secured, the company is poised to revolutionize the construction industry. Learn more at About Fast Company Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication Inc., and can be found online at Media Contact InventWoodChristina Ramedia@ in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MRI Software Completes Acquisition of Anacle, a leading Singapore-based provider of Property and Facilities Management Solutions
Acquisition extends MRI's footprint in Asia; expands offerings for commercial real estate owners, operators, and tenants; drives scale with AI-powered innovations SYDNEY, June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MRI Software, a global leader in real estate solutions and services, announced that it has completed its acquisition of Singapore-based Anacle Systems Limited, a pioneer in commercial property management, facilities, digital workplace, energy, and asset management solutions. The acquisition delivers expanded capabilities and scale for the commercial, occupier, and residential markets across Asia Pacific, including the public and private sectors. The deal was initially announced in March and the take-private transaction has been completed. A Game-Changer for APAC's PropTech Ecosystem "This acquisition marks a major milestone in our APAC growth journey," said David Bowie, Executive Managing Director, APAC, MRI Software. "By combining Anacle's deep expertise in property management, smart infrastructure, sustainability, and government-grade lifecycle asset management with MRI's open, AI-powered platform, we are unlocking new levels of innovation, compliance, and operational insight for our clients." The strategic collaboration deepens MRI's longstanding client relationships in Singapore and expands its presence across Asia via Anacle's trusted client base and solutions tailored for complex, regulated environments. At the same time, Anacle clients gain access to MRI's broader global ecosystem—spanning property management, document intelligence, leasing, and analytics capabilities. Complementary Strengths Delivering Immediate Client Value Anacle's products will be enhanced with MRI's broader real estate and energy technology offerings. Together, the combined portfolio delivers solutions across Asia-Pacific for all property sectors. "This is a powerful collaboration," said Alex Lau, CEO of Anacle. "MRI brings the operational scale, innovation roadmap, and trusted global presence that will empower us to accelerate our product vision and deliver even more benefits to our clients across Asia. We're proud to join an organization that shares our dedication to the industry and aligns with our core values." An Enhanced Regional Presence with Global Support Anacle's headquarters in Singapore and diverse customer base across Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, China and other Asian countries expand MRI's presence in the region, giving clients across Asia-Pacific access to more regional talent, increased investment and product localisation—all while maintaining continuity of service. Anacle will continue to support its clients without interruption. About MRI SoftwareMRI Software is a leading provider of real estate software and services that transform the way communities live, work and play. MRI's open and connected, AI-powered platform enables owners, operators, agents and occupiers in commercial and residential property organisations to innovate in rapidly changing markets. A trailblazer in the PropTech industry, MRI serves more than 45,000 organisations across 170 countries. Through innovative solutions and a rich partner ecosystem, MRI gives real estate companies the freedom to realise their vision of building thriving communities and stronger businesses. MRI became one of the first real estate software providers to serve Australia and New Zealand in 1995 and continues to grow its client and employee footprint throughout the APAC region. For more information, please visit Media Contact Amber KeoghCommunications Snr Manager, MRI Software View original content: SOURCE MRI Software
TechCrunch
12-05-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
InventWood is about to mass-produce wood that's stronger than steel
It sounds like the stuff of science fiction, but it actually comes from a lab in Maryland. In 2018, Liangbing Hu, a materials scientist at the University of Maryland, devised a way to turn ordinary wood into a material stronger than steel. It seemed like yet another headline-grabbing discovery that wouldn't make it out of the lab. 'All these people came to him,' said Alex Lau, CEO of InventWood, 'He's like, OK, this is amazing, but I'm a university professor. I don't know quite what to do about it.' Rather than give up, Hu spent the next few years refining the technology, reducing the time it took to make the material from more than a week to a few hours. Soon, it was ready to commercialize, and he licensed the technology to InventWood. Now, the startup's first batches of Superwood will be produced starting this summer. 'Right now, coming out of this first-of-a-kind commercial plant — so it's a smaller plant — we're focused on skin applications,' Lau said. 'Eventually we want to get to the bones of the building. Ninety percent of the carbon impact from buildings is concrete and steel in the construction of the building.' To build the factory, InventWood has raised $15 million in the first close of a Series A round. The round was led by the Grantham Foundation with participation from Baruch Future Ventures, Builders VC, and Muus Climate Partners, the company exclusively told TechCrunch. Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Berkeley, CA | June 5 BOOK NOW InventWood's Superwood product starts with regular timber, which is mostly composed of two compounds, cellulose and lignin. The goal is to strengthen the cellulose already present in the wood. 'The cellulose nanocrystal is actually stronger than a carbon fiber,' Lau said. The company treats it with 'food industry' chemicals to modify the lignin in the wood, he said, and then compresses the result to increase the hydrogen bonds between cellulose molecules. 'We might densify the material by 4x and you might think, 'Oh, it'll be four times strong, because it has four times the fiber.' But it's actually more like 10 times stronger because of all these extra bonds that get created,' Lau said. The result is a material that has 50% more tensile strength than steel with a strength-to-weight ratio that's 10 times better, the company said. It's also Class A fire rated, or highly resistant to flame, and resistant to rot and pests. With some polymer impregnated, it can be stabilized for outdoor use like siding, decking, or roofing. InventWood's first products will be facade materials for commercial and high-end residential buildings, Lau said. Compressing the material also concentrates the colors. 'You end up with something that looks like these richer, tropical hardwoods,' he added. Ultimately, InventWood is planning to use wood chips to create structural beams of any dimension that won't need finishing. 'Imagine your I-beams look like this,' Lau said, holding up a sample of Superwood. 'They're beautiful, like walnut, ipe. These are the natural colors. We haven't stained any of this.' Topics buildings Climate construction materials Exclusive materials science Tim De Chant Senior Reporter, Climate Tim De Chant is a senior climate reporter at TechCrunch. He has written for a wide range of publications, including Wired magazine, the Chicago Tribune, Ars Technica, The Wire China, and NOVA Next, where he was founding editor. De Chant is also a lecturer in MIT's Graduate Program in Science Writing, and he was awarded a Knight Science Journalism Fellowship at MIT in 2018, during which time he studied climate technologies and explored new business models for journalism. He received his PhD in environmental science, policy, and management from the University of California, Berkeley, and his BA degree in environmental studies, English, and biology from St. Olaf College. View Bio May 13, 2025 London, England Get inside access to Europe's top investment minds — with leaders from Monzo, Accel, Paladin Group, and more — plus top-tier networking at StrictlyVC London. REGISTER NOW Most Popular Congressman is investigating fintech Ramp's attempt to win $25M federal contract Mercury's CEO formalizes bets on early-stage founders with a $26M fund Google launches new initiative to back startups building AI Saudi prince launches AI venture as Trump, Musk, Altman, and Zuckerberg arrive for conference Sam Altman apparently does not respect olive oil OpenAI's Stargate project reportedly struggling to get off the ground, thanks to tariffs GM taps Aurora co-founder for new chief product officer role Loading the next article Error loading the next article
