Ariel Suen Hei-tung, a Year 13 student at King George V School, is curious about how things work. This interest has evolved into a purposeful mission: to make energy both accessible and sustainable.
Several years ago, a sequence of geography, physics and chemistry lessons introduced her to renewable energy production and the electrochemical principles that power batteries, the 17-year-old said.
“I was motivated to explore renewable energy and enrolled in online courses, where I recognised that one of the primary challenges facing renewable energy is intermittency,” Ariel said, referring to the issue of renewable energy sources, like wind and solar power, not always being available.
The realisation prompted her to investigate batteries and other energy storage solutions, revealing a diverse array of technologies and their potential applications.
“This growing interest in batteries led me to apply for an internship at City University of Hong Kong (CityU), where I was able to build batteries from scratch, starting from the composition of electrodes,” Ariel shared.
The hands-on experience demystified energy storage and convinced Ariel that solving intermittency through enhanced battery design could transform everyday life.
Determined to debunk the myth that scientific research is overwhelmingly technical, Ariel strives to translate complex ideas into clear, persuasive narratives that engage a broad audience.
As the champion of the ESF Innovation Fair and a finalist in the Junior Elevator Pitch Challenge, she learned to distil intricate electrochemistry into memorable metaphors and business-ready pitches. These competitions sharpened her storytelling skills, helping her research resonate with peers, teachers and potential partners.
“I was particularly proud of my presentation at the ESF Innovation Fair, as the format of the fair allowed me to verbalise my research,” she said. “I used analogies, such as comparing lithium-ion flow to swimming pools. This approach ensured that I effectively conveyed my findings, enabling my peers to grasp the concepts, even if they lacked a background in electrochemistry.”
As a UNITAR Asia-Pacific Youth Ambassador and speaker at the Climate Science Olympiad, Ariel emphasises the importance of adaptability in sustainability.
“I’ve observed that different regions worldwide adopt distinct solutions that leverage their unique geographical contexts,” she noted. “Solutions should entail adaptability in global contexts to encourage collective action towards a common goal.”
She also advocates for shifting sustainability from an optional add-on to a default mindset embedded in daily processes.
Ariel was recognised for her efforts when she was named a finalist in the Sustainability Advocate category of the 2024/25 Student of the Year Awards, organised by the South China Morning Post and solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Looking ahead, Ariel is excited to advance both materials science and entrepreneurship. She aims to continue turning scientific insight into scalable solutions that keep lights on and ecosystems thriving.
