NerOcean

NerOcean, Proud Innovators of the Next-Gen Sensors for the Marine Ecosystem
NerOcean is an innovative sensor technology startup incubated through a collaborative effort between the CityU HKTech 300 Seed Fund and the HKSTP Ideation Programme. The company is dedicated to advancing sustainable marine ecosystem development through cutting-edge sensor technologies that address critical environmental monitoring challenges.
 
The founders of NerOcean represent a diverse and talented team of young researchers and innovators. Dr. Ron Ng Chi-on, an alumnus and research associate from the Department of Chemistry at City University of Hong Kong (CityU), brings extensive scientific expertise to the startup. Alongside him is Mr. Eric Kwok Chun-leung, a PhD student from The Education University of Hong Kong, who contributes advanced research capabilities to the team. Completing the founding trio is Miss Allison Zhong Yuen-chun, an undergraduate from the Department of Electrical Engineering at CityU, bringing fresh perspectives and technical innovation.
 
The startup is further strengthened by its distinguished advisory board, which includes prominent academic experts. Professor Rudolf Wu Shiu-sun, the founding director of the State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution at CityU, provides strategic guidance and deep scientific insight. Dr. Vincent Ko Chi-chiu, an associate professor from the Department of Chemistry at CityU, offers additional academic and research expertise. Dr. Leung Chi-fai, an alumnus of the Chemistry Department at CityU, rounds out the advisory team with his specialized knowledge.
 
NerOcean has already garnered significant recognition and support from prestigious institutions. The startup has successfully secured funding from the CityU HK Tech 300 Angel Fund in 2022 and the CityU HK Tech 300 Seed Fund in 2021. Additionally, they received support from The Education University of Hong Kong's Education And Social Entrepreneurs (EASE) Fund Scheme in 2022. The team has also been accepted into the HKSTP Incubation Programme in 2022 and previously participated in the HKSTP IDEATION Programme in 2021, demonstrating their potential and the promising nature of their innovative marine sensing technology.
 
Technological Innovation
At the core of NerOcean's approach is the development of next-generation sensors designed to detect water quality parameters with unprecedented efficiency and reliability. The company's primary breakthrough lies in creating detection methods that significantly reduce sensor maintenance costs and mitigate the persistent challenge of biofouling - the problematic growth of biofilm that typically compromises sensor performance.
 
Flagship Product: Dissolved Oxygen Sensors
The company's inaugural product is a revolutionary dissolved oxygen (DO) sensor featuring a groundbreaking sensing technology centered on replaceable DO sensing film. This innovative design offers remarkable advantages, particularly in continuous long-term monitoring scenarios. Most notably, the sensor's performance remains consistently high and unaffected by biofouling, dramatically reducing maintenance costs by up to ten times, especially in remote and challenging environmental conditions.
 
Vision and Future Developments
NerOcean aims to establish a comprehensive water quality monitoring network dubbed "Nerve of the Ocean". This ambitious project seeks to provide cost-effective, sustainable environmental monitoring and management solutions, with a particular focus on supporting fisheries and marine ecosystem preservation.