This is a cutting-edge technology named Nano-probe for artwork analysis and authentication. Nano-probe is a laser analytical technology based on ultra-violet laser-induced plume fluorescence. The technology was invented by Prof Cheung Nai Ho and his group at HKBU. This innovative technology will not cause any visible damage to the artwork surface even under a high-magnification microscope. The test results were analysed by using their chemometric algorithms and compared against the proprietary artwork material database. The provenance of artworks could then be traced.
In 2016, the Certificate of Merit Award was awarded by the Sixth Bank of China (HK) Hong Kong Federation of Innovative Technologies and Manufacturing Industries (FITMI). It also received the gold medal in the category 'computer science' at the 44th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva in 2016.