The 2nd Carbon-Strategic Catalysis International Conference Successfully Complete with Frontier Scientists Gathered at PolyU

The 2nd Carbon-Strategic Catalysis International Conference was successfully completed on 30th-31st March 2024 at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). During the conference, frontier scientists from Australia, Mainland China, and Hong Kong gathered at the PolyU to give inspiring talks and sharings. This two-day conference brought together more than 400 attendees and had active communications and discussions with all the invited speakers. During the two-day meeting, all the invited speakers shared their cutting-edge research in the fields of energy and catalysis under the Carbon-Strategic framework. They have also proposed novel strategies to further promote the goal of carbon neutrality, providing many valuable insights and suggestions for the development of carbon neutrality in the future.  This conference was hosted by Dr. Huang Bolong, Director of the Research Center for Carbon-Strategic Catalysis (RC-CSC) and Associate Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology of PolyU. The conference has invited nearly 30 plenary/keynote speakers including Prof. Li Yuliang (Member of CAS), Prof. Yan Chun-Hua (Member of CAS), Prof. Chen Xiao-Ming (Member of CAS), Prof. Wang Zhonglin (Foreign Member of CAS), Prof.  Cheng Huiming (Member of CAS) and Prof. Guo Zaiping (Australian Laureate Fellow). Mr. Chen Yulin, Director of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, and Mr. Chen Youlin, General of the Science and Technology Innovation Department of the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre were also invited to attend the opening ceremony. The conference topics have covered cutting-edge research fields including energy, catalysis, and materials, which received enthusiastic responses from the on-site and online audiences. This international conference not only provided the most cutting-edge scientific research progress but also supplied valuable suggestions and support to guide the further development of RC-CSC. In addition, through this meeting, a comprehensive cross-disciplinary research platform has been established, supplying new opportunities and possibilities for achieving the goal of carbon neutrality in Hong Kong in the near future. As the first research center among Hong Kong academic institutions focusing on carbon-strategic catalysis research, RC-CSC will seize this opportunity to further improve our research level and practical application prospects. This will also enhance communications and collaborations between PolyU and frontier international scientists. This conference will make unremitting efforts to achieve sustainable energy development under the Carbon-Strategic framework, contributing to the carbon neutrality goal of Hong Kong.   第二屆碳策略催化國際會議於2024年3月30日至31日在理大主校園圓滿舉辦。 會議期間，來自澳大利亞，內地及香港本地的頂尖學者齊聚理大校園，進行了精彩的報告與分享。延續去年第一屆會議的成功，本次為期兩天的會議匯集了超過400名聽眾和學者參與，並與主講嘉賓們進行了熱烈的交流和探討。在兩天會議過程中，主講嘉賓們基於碳戰略框架分享了他們各自在能源催化相關領域的前沿成果，並且共同暢談進一步推動實現碳中和目標的策略，為未來碳中和的發展提供了許多寶貴的建議與暢想。 本次會議由理大的碳戰略催化研究中心（RC-CSC）主任、應用生物及化學科技學系副教授黃勃龍博士主辦，邀請了包括李玉良院士、嚴純華院士、陳小明院士、王中林院士、成會明院士、 郭再萍院士在內的近30位主講嘉賓，並邀請到了中聯辦教科部創高處的陳玉林處長與自京港交流中心科技創新部的陳宥霖副經理參與會議開幕式。本次會議內容涵蓋了能源、催化與材料等前沿領域，現場和線上的大量聽眾反應熱烈。 這次國際會議不僅提供了最前沿的科學進展，也為指導RC-CSC的進一步發展和未來工作提供了重要的建議和支持。此外，透過這次會議也建立起一個複合型多學科交叉的研究平台，為早日在香港實現碳中和目標提供了更多的契機與可能性。 RC-CSC作為香港大專院校中首個專注於碳戰略催化研究的中心，也會抓住這樣的契機，進一步提升自身研究水平和實際應用前景，增強理大與國際頂尖學者間的交流與合作，為實現碳戰略框架下的可持續能源發展和香港碳中和的發展做出不懈努力。  

PolyU Outstanding Student Award and Presidential Student Leadership Award 2023

We are thrilled to announce that two of our exceptional students from the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology at PolyU have been honoured with prestigious awards in recognition of their remarkable accomplishments. Zhu Yunxin has been honoured with the Outstanding Student Award of the Department 2023, and Ge Yufei has received the esteemed Presidential Student Leadership Award of the Department 2023.   The PolyU Outstanding Student Award Scheme is an annual celebration of excellence, acknowledging full-time final-year students who have demonstrated superior performance in both academic and extracurricular activities.   The Presidential Student Leadership Award, introduced in the 2022/23 academic year, is designed to recognize students who have shown exceptional leadership qualities and have made significant contributions to the community. The award not only celebrates these leaders but also supports them in their ongoing efforts to make a positive impact on society and the world at large.   The award ceremony took place on March 26, 2024, at the Jockey Club Auditorium. PolyU President Professor Jin-Guang TENG presented the awards to the distinguished students, commending them for their dedication and hard work.   We are incredibly proud of Zhu Yunxin and Ge Yufei for their achievements. Their awards are a testament to their commitment, leadership, and the bright future that lies ahead for them.   Please join us in congratulating Zhu Yunxin and Ge Yufei on their well-deserved accolades.

Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award 2024 for the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology

The nomination period for the Outstanding Alumni Award of the PolyU Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology 2024 has commenced. This prestigious award seeks to acknowledge exceptional graduates for their noteworthy professional accomplishments and substantial contributions to the community and their alma mater.   Eligibility The nominated candidate must be a graduate who has successfully completed a full-time or part-time program offered by PolyU (or its forerunners: Hong Kong Government Trade School, Hong Kong Technical College, and Hong Kong Polytechnic) that led to an academic award accredited by the respective institution. The proposer can be a PolyU graduate, Honorary Graduate, University Fellow, PolyU staff, current PolyU Council and Court member, or current Advisory Committee member. There is no limit to the number of nominations that each proposer can submit. However, the proposer cannot be the candidate themselves or a direct relative of the candidate.   Award Categories and Selection Criteria In addition to honoring distinguished graduates for their excellence in their chosen fields, the Award recognizes the active support of the alumni towards their alma mater. Support and Contribution to PolyU are key selection criteria at all levels. Four specific areas of achievement will be recognized: Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurial Achievement, Scholarly Achievement, and Community Service Achievement. Alumni who are aged at or under 40 will be eligible for the Outstanding Young Alumni Award.   Award Category Professional Achievement: This category recognizes alumni who have attained distinguished achievements, demonstrated exemplary leadership, and made a strong impact on their profession, industry, or society. Entrepreneurial Achievement: This category recognizes alumni who have demonstrated outstanding innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as founded or advanced business or technology ventures with impact. Scholarly Achievement: This category recognizes alumni scholars who have made notable scholarly or research contributions in their disciplines, with a proven track record and excellent reputation in the field. Community Service Achievement: This category recognizes alumni who have made impactful contributions to communities or demonstrated an extraordinary level of commitment, volunteerism, and/or philanthropy for promoting the well-being of communities.   Deadline The proposer can submit their nomination(s) to the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology via email at ho-yin-edith.ma@polyu.edu.hk, along with their nomination form by 22nd April 2024.   Download Nomination Form   We are excitedly awaiting your nomination to honor our esteemed alumni.  

Congratulations to Prof. Thomas Leung for Receiving the Faculty Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2023

We are thrilled to announce that Prof. Thomas Leung, Professor at Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has been honoured with the Faculty Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2023 – Knowledge Transfer: Industry. His dedication and commitment to advancing knowledge and making a positive impact have truly set him apart.   To recognise and reward staff members’ KT endeavours which are underpinned by research and innovation and have created significant impact on industry and society, the Faculty Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Knowledge Transfer (KT) has been set up. The “Faculty Awards for Outstanding Achievement in KT: Industry” recognises KT impact cases which can demonstrate contributions in advancing the technological or industry standards, addressing the needs of the industry, or enhancing its competitiveness through application of PolyU’s research and innovations in the form of products, methodologies, systems and/or solutions.   Prof. Thomas Leung is a renowned researcher in the field of anti-cancer drug development and cancer prevention. His work focuses on the development of amino acid-depleting enzymes for the treatment of difficult-to-treat diseases such as cancer and metabolic diseases. His research includes studying the molecular mechanisms underlying amino acid depletion in cancer treatment and prevention, preclinical drug development projects, and the rational design of ultra-sensitive rapid biosensors for antibiotics, amino acids, and metabolites. Prof. Leung has received numerous awards and achievements for his groundbreaking work, including the PolyU Distinguished Knowledge Transfer Award, the Lo Ka Chung Charitable Foundation Endowed Professorship in Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the Second Class Prize in Natural Science Award of the Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards. His pioneering work has led to the invention of three different drugs currently in clinical trial stages, and he continues to make significant contributions to the field of cancer research.   We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Thomas Leung for this well-deserved honour, and we look forward to seeing his continued success and impact in the years to come.

Professor Zijian Zheng Honoured with The President's Award for Outstanding Achievement 2023 - Research and Scholarly Activities (Outstanding Young Researcher)

We would like to extend our congratulations to Prof. Zheng, Chair Professor of Soft Materials and Devices at the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) for receiving The President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement 2023 – Research and Scholarly Activities (Outstanding Young Researcher). PolyU acknowledges the exceptional accomplishments and contributions of staff members through the awards. After a thorough evaluation process, Prof. Zheng, along with three other staff members, was chosen for the Individual Award.   Prof. Zheng joined PolyU as Assistant Professor in 2009, and was promoted to tenured Associate Professor in 2013, Professor in 2017 and Chair Professor in 2023. He has published around 240 papers in journals including Science, Nat. Mater., Nat. Commun., Adv. Mater., JACS, Angew. Chem. Prof. Zheng has also filed over 40 patents and is the recipient of more than 15 academic awards. Prof. Zheng serves as Guest Editor of Advanced Materials and Small, and Editor-in-Chief of EcoMat, a flagship open-access journal in green energy and environment published by Wiley. He was elected Founding Member of The Young Academy of Sciences of Hong Kong (2018), Chang Jiang Chair Professor by the Ministry of Education of China (2020), Senior Research Fellow of the University Grant Committee of Hong Kong (2021), and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2022).   We offer our warmest congratulations to Prof. Zheng for this outstanding accomplishment.

Dr Zhao Xin Honored with Prestigious 2024 Biomaterials Award for Young Investigator

We are thrilled to announce that Dr Zhao Xin, Associate Professor at the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Biomaterials Award for Young Investigator.   The award ceremony will be held during the 12th World Biomaterials Congress, scheduled from 26-31 May, 2024 in Daegu, Korea. Dr. Zhao is invited to attend the event in person to receive the award and share insights from her recent research.   Dr. Zhao's groundbreaking work integrates multi-disciplinary approaches, including material science, cell biology, engineering, and medicine, to modulate cell microenvironments, control cell behaviors, and generate tissue-engineered organs. Her research aims to address pressing clinical issues.   With over 100 articles published in prestigious journals, Dr. Zhao's significant research impact has been recognized globally. She has been listed as a "Highly Cited Researcher 2022" by Clarivate Analytics and among "The World’s Top 2% Scientists 2023" by Stanford University.   Dr. Zhao's research product, "Biomimicking Photocrosslinkable Nanocomposite Bone Grafts," has won multiple awards, including the Silver Medal at the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva 2021, the 2023 TechConnect Global Innovation Award, and the Gold Medal at the 6th China (Shanghai) International Exhibition of Inventions 2023.

PolYneer, the iGEM team 2023 from our department, will be featured in the biannual Intouch magazine of the Hong Kong Cancer Fund (HKCF)

Our iGEM team, PolYneer, is thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with the Hong Kong Cancer Fund (HKCF) as part of their human practices component for their research project on developing a novel bispecific antibody to overcome osimertinib resistance in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The team has designed and launched a T-shirt selling campaign, which raised over 20,000 HKD and was donated to HKCF on January 10, 2024. Because of their outstanding performance in terms of both scientific merit and social contribution, a team from the HKCF visited our department to interview our IGEM team on January 16, 2024. The team’s efforts were recognized as a feature in the biannual Intouch magazine of the HKCF in mid-2024. The department is proud of the team's achievements and looks forward to continuing to collaborate with the HKCF in the future.

Prof. Wong Wai-yeung, Raymond, Elected as the Foreign Member of the European Academy of Sciences

We are thrilled to announce that Prof. Wong Wai-yeung, Raymond, Dean of Faculty of Science, ADoRISE & Chair Professor of Chemical Technology has recently been elected as the Foreign Member of the European Academy of Sciences (EurASc) in the Chemistry Division. This distinguished honor serves as a powerful acknowledgment of Prof. Wong's substantial contributions to the realm of Chemistry and his unwavering dedication to the progression of scientific understanding.   The European Academy of Sciences (EurASc) is a fully independent international association of distinguished scholars. Its mission is to recognise and elect the best European scientists with a vision for Europe as a whole, transcending national borders both in elections and in actions. The Academy aims to strengthen European science and scientific cooperation and to utilise the expertise of its members in advising other European bodies in the betterment of European research, technological application, and social development.   Being elected as a Foreign Member of EurASc is a significant achievement that underscores Prof. Wong's exceptional scientific acumen and his dedication to fostering international scientific collaboration. This recognition also highlights his role as a leading figure in the global scientific community.   We extend our heartiest congratulations to Prof. Wong on this remarkable achievement.

From Spent Lithium-ion Battery Cathode to Fuel Cells Atomic-Scale Catalyst

Dr. Lawrence Yoon Suk LEE, from the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, led the research "From Spent Lithium-ion Battery Cathode to Fuel Cells Atomic-Scale Catalyst," showcased at the BIP Asia Forum. The research introduces an innovative process that upcycles end-of-life lithium-ion battery (LIB) cathodes into a single-atom electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This process uses a simple partial etching strategy to convert LiFePO4-based cathodes into Fe single atom-embedded hollow carbon spheres, containing minor FeOx nanoclusters and FePO4 nanoparticles. (A) Upcycling Process of Spent 18650 LiFePO4 LIBs Cell: Mechanical Dismantling, Physical Separation, Post thermal Treatment, and Partial Etching and (B) Partial Etching Process of the Spent Cathode to Atomic-Scale Catalysts. Membrane Electrode Fabricated from Single Atom-based Catalyst (left) and Zinc-Air Battery Test Platform (right).   The resulting material demonstrates excellent ORR activity and stability in an alkaline medium, making it a valuable resource for energy conversion devices such as ammonia fuel cells and Zn-air batteries. The membrane electrode has shown great potential in practical energy conversion devices, delivering a maximum power density of 51 mW cm−2 in ammonia fuel cells and a peak power density of 185 mW cm−2 in Zn-air batteries, significantly higher than commercial Pd/C or Pt/C catalysts. This innovative research not only addresses the issue of LIB waste management but also provides a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for energy conversion devices. The upcycling process also holds great potential for cross-device LIB upcycling, further contributing to environmental protection. The research represents a significant step forward in sustainable energy solutions and environmental protection.   Learn more: https://polyu.hk/pzTSP

Asian Core Programme Lectureship Awards from Singapore and Malaysia

We are delighted to announce that Dr So Chau-ming, Associate Professor of Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has received two Asian Core Programme Lectureship Awards from Singapore and Malaysia in the 16th International Conference on Cutting-Edge Organic Chemistry in Asia (ICCEOCA-16), held in Singapore from 1 to 5 December 2023.   This conference brings together outstanding researchers in the field of organic chemistry in Asia and serves as a major annual forum to showcase high-quality scientific achievements. It offers an excellent opportunity for the exchange of the most up-to-date science knowledge, as well as to nurture close relationships and collaborations between top organic chemists in the Asia region.   Dr So Chau-ming has gained the recognition from the Singapore and Malaysia representatives with his presentation entitled “Design of Alkyl-Heteroaryl-Based Phosphine Ligands and Their Application in Chemoselective Coupling Reactions of Polyhalogenated Aryl Triflates”. Dr So will be invited to deliver a series of lectures during their one-week visits to Singapore and Malaysia in 2024.   Please join us in congratulating Dr So on receiving these esteemed awards!