Professor Man also established the PolyU University Research Facilities for 3D Printing (U3DP), which provides the most up-to-date 3D printing machines and technical support, enabling academics to carry out additive manufacturing research and students to innovate in their product designs. It also promotes collaborative knowledge transfer with industry. U3DP has helped many academics and students to win international awards. During the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when Hong Kong hospitals were experiencing a face shield shortage, Professor Man and his U3DP team swiftly designed a new face shield. They 3D printed over a thousand shields in a short time and coordinated with local industrial partners to mass-produce face shields for local hospitals.
With the support of the Innovation and Technology Development Committee, Professor Man established the first laser materials processing centre in Hong Kong, introducing advanced manufacturing technologies to the local industry. In recent years, leveraging his experience in high-power laser processing, he has turned his research attention to laser additive manufacturing, widely known as laser 3D printing. In recognition of his research publications and contributions to the laser industry, he was awarded a Fellowship by the Laser Institute of America.
In addition to laser materials processing, Professor Man carries out research on metal corrosion, alloy wear resistance, and the biocompatibility of metallic implants. Recently he has taken up the challenge of 3D printing Magnesium alloys. Magnesium alloy is known to be difficult to 3D print due to its unique thermal and physical properties. His aim is to fabricate Magnesium biomedical implants by laser additive manufacturing. Last but not least, Professor Man serves as Director of the Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing.