News

Successful International SureFire Workshop 2024 Explores Future Smart Firefighting Solutions

 The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) successfully held the 2nd International Smart Firefighting Workshop (SureFire Workshop 2024) in Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) on July 9, 2024. As an essential academic platform for smart urban resilience and firefighting, this workshop aims to address future urban fire threats and enhance smart firefighting capabilities. See event website on https://www.firelabxy.com/surefire2024   The workshop was co-chaired by Professor Asif Sohail Usmani and Dr. Huang Xinyan from the BEEE Research Centre for Smart Urban Resilience and Firefighting (SureFire) of PolyU. This workshop is part of the major project “SureFire: Smart Urban Resilience and Firefighting” funded by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council Theme-based Research Scheme (9th Round) (HK$ 33.33 million). The first SureFire workshop was held jointly by PolyU and Tsinghua University in Beijing in May 2023.   Over 70 research experts and scholars from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and overseas countries attended this one-day workshop. The opening ceremony was hosted by Prof. Fu XIAO, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Environment. Prof. XIAO delivered a speech on behalf of the organizers, introducing the faculty background and the SureFire project. Prof. Asif USMANI expressed his heartfelt wishes for further communication among the participants. The workshop featured seven keynote presentations. The keynote speakers were Dr. Xinyan Huang from PolyU, Dr. Andy TAM from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Prof. Xinzheng LU from Tsinghua University, Dr. Ruggiero LOVREGLIO from Massey University, Ir. Dr. Young WONG and Celsius CHUNG from Arup Hong Kong, Prof. Qingsong WANG from University of Science and Technology of China, and Dr. Maryam GHODRAT from the University of New South Wales.   Speakers presented various emerging topics in fire safety, ranging from fire safety design, thermal safety management for battery systems, AI-driven smart, etc. By focusing on the latest research advancements and technological trends, fifteen oral speakers are invited to share their latest research progress in two parallel sessions, themed “Fire Safety and Resilience” and “Firefighting and Emergency Response”, together with 20+ poster presentations. At the end of the workshop, research-sharing and brainstorming activities further promote opportunities for future collaboration between different institutes. In addition, the laboratory tours to PolyU Fire Lab and campus were organized for visitors during the workshop.   The successful holding of the International SureFire Workshop 2024 not only reinforces the leading role of PolyU in the research field of smart city and smart firefighting but also provides a unique academic platform for scholars to share inspiring ideas and tackle hot research topics and challenges. Moreover, this workshop promoted interaction and networking among scholars from various industries, laying the solid foundation for interdisciplinary integration and in-depth collaboration between PolyU and the world.  

BEEE Team Awarded at the 2024 International Symposium of the Society for Information Display

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is proud to announce that a research paper co-authored by PhD student Ms Jiamin Guo and Professor Wei Minchen Tommy has been awarded the Distinguished Paper Award at the 2024 International Symposium of the Society for Information Display (SID), the premier global conference on display technology.   The paper, titled "Adaptive Display White Point under Various Ambient Conditions", proposes a groundbreaking algorithm that dynamically adjusts the white point of smartphone displays to optimize visual comfort and color accuracy under different ambient lighting conditions. This innovative technology has already been implemented in flagship mobile devices through successful knowledge transfer activities.   The SID International Symposium is the premier global forum for displaying the latest advancements in display technology. The Distinguished Paper Award is given to the most impactful research papers presented at the conference, selected by a panel of industry experts. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and creativity of BEEE research team, led by Ms Guo and Professor Wei, in developing solutions that enhance the user experience of digital displays.   The award-winning research was supported by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council and PolyU's internal research funding schemes. The Department will continue to invest in groundbreaking research and foster collaborations to drive progress in the field of display technology.  

BEEE Celebrates Remarkable Student Achievements at BEEE Industry Day 2024

On June 15th, 2024, the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) celebrated a momentous occasion with its inaugural BEEE Industry Day. This event, a testament to our dedication to academic excellence and fostering industry collaboration, was a platform to showcase our students' exceptional academic and research work.   The event, held at the 2/F Podium in Block Z on PolyU's campus, was attended by students, faculty, industry partners, and distinguished alums. The day's highlight was the Poster Exhibition, where BEEE students presented their capstone projects and research in Building Sciences and Engineering.   The event commenced with a warm welcome from the Acting Head, Ir Professor Mui Kwok Wai Horace, followed by the presentation of the highly esteemed PolyU BEEE 2023 Outstanding Alumni Award. This prestigious accolade was a tribute to the remarkable achievements and significant contributions of our BEEE alumni, who have left an indelible mark on the industry.   The ceremony continued with an inspiring speech from the Associate Head, Ir Dr Wong Ling Tim, who detailed the Industry Day Awards. These awards, a reflection of our department's focus areas, recognized students for their outstanding work in the fields of Building Energy, Building Environment, and Building Safety and Resilience. Their exceptional performance and the quality of their research exhibitions underscored the potential for significant advancements in these fields.   The Grand, Merit, and Pioneer awards were presented to students who demonstrated exceptional innovation, technical excellence, and commitment to Building Sciences and Engineering.   After the ceremony, guests were invited to the Poster Exhibition to engage with the students, learn about their projects, and network with industry professionals. A tea reception was held outside Z209, providing a platform for further discussions and collaborations.   The BEEE Industry Day 2024 was a resounding success. It showcased the talent and dedication of PolyU's BEEE students and served as a testament to the university's commitment to producing industry-ready graduates who are poised to shape the future of the building environment and energy engineering sector.   Photos of the event can be viewed here.

Empowering Communities through Sustainable Water Solutions: PolyU Students Make a Difference in Cambodia

In May 20 to 28, 2024, the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) organized an impactful Service-Learning project in Cambodia. A team of 15 PolyU students from BSE3S03E Living Environment for Low-income Communities, accompanied by 2 BEEE staff members, collaborated with the Cambodian Children's Advocacy Foundation Organization (CCAFO) to install water filtration systems in a learning centre serving over 300 children in remote villages.   The project addressed the pressing need for improved water quality and sustainable water access in the community. By working alongside local youths, the PolyU team installed the filtration systems and focused on knowledge transfer and capacity building.   "This Service-Learning project exemplifies our department's commitment to practical education and global citizenship," said Dr LT Wong, BSE3S03E subject teacher. "Our students had the opportunity to apply their technical skills to make a tangible difference in the lives of those in need while also learning valuable lessons about community development and cross-cultural collaboration."   During the project, the BSE3S03E team worked closely with local staff to ensure the long-term sustainability of the water filtration systems. They provided hands-on training on the maintenance and operation of the equipment, empowering the community to take ownership of this vital resource.   The influence of the project transcends immediate necessities, as it paves the way for improved public health, enhanced daily practices, and overall community welfare. By enabling access to clean water, the project has the potential to revolutionize the lives of hundreds of children and their families, promising a healthier and more prosperous future.   The BSE3S03E Service-Learning project in Cambodia is a testament to the university's unwavering dedication to practical education and its role as a global frontrunner in tackling urgent societal issues. Through collaborative endeavors and knowledge exchange, PolyU students have left an indelible mark on the lives of those in need, fostering a brighter and more sustainable future for the community.   Photos of the event can be viewed here.  

BEEE PhD Student Teams Awarded in the 10th Hong Kong University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is proud to announce that two teams of our PhD students, each team led by WONG Ho Yin and ZHANG Xiaoning, both supervised by BEEE Associate Professor Dr HUANG Xinyan, have won the Second and Third Prize in the 10th Hong Kong University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (HKUSIEC).   Ho Yin’s project, “Generation Alpha Building Emergency System”, initiated in the PolyU Maker Fund Programme 2021 and thus established a start-up, GABES Limited, received the Second Prize in the Start-up Category in the 10th HKUSIEC. The project is an Internet of Things (IoT) system comprising a wireless detectors mesh network and dynamic exit signs. The fire detector system, which utilizes artificial intelligence technology, can significantly reduce the number of false alarms and provide an early warning, while the dynamic exit sign system guides evacuees towards the safest evacuation paths, reducing evacuation time.   Xiaoning's project, “Smart Firefighting Robot”, began with the support of the 2023 PolyU Micro Fund (led PhD student WANG Meng) and received the Third Prize in the Entrepreneurship Proposal Category at the 10th HKUSIEC. Various artificial intelligence technologies are utilized to enable autonomous actions and support firefighters. Unlike other firefighting robots, this smart robot boasts high levels of autonomy and intelligence, making it user-friendly and efficient in improving the effectiveness of fire rescue and firefighting. By reducing casualties and property damage caused by fires, this invention provides vital support to firefighters and ushers in a new era of smart firefighting aimed at saving more lives.   Both projects are crucial to the novel smart firefighting technology developed at PolyU (the SureFire Project). This technology will be applied to the next generation of smart and resilient buildings, helping Hong Kong become the world's leading smart city.   HKUSIEC, which began in 2015, is the largest, most representative, and most authoritative innovation and entrepreneurship competition for university students in Hong Kong. The competition focuses on innovation and entrepreneurship, with categories in "Innovation" and "Entrepreneurship." To enhance the competition's credibility and acceptance, judges are invited from various fields, including the innovation and technology sector (academicians, university professors, experts, and scholars), as well as representatives and well-known individuals from the entrepreneurial and investment communities. Exceptional innovation and entrepreneurship projects will be selected to form the "Hong Kong SAR Delegation" to participate in the China International College Students' "Internet+" Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, known as the "world's largest and best roadshow platform," and the "Challenge Cup," which is praised as the "Olympic event for contemporary Chinese university students in science and technology innovation."   The Department of BEEE congratulates Ho Yin, Xiaoning, and their teams on their outstanding achievements and wishes them continued success.  

Result Announcement - Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU BEEE 2024

The Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Department aims to give public recognition to outstanding graduates of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) for their significant contributions to their profession and community, as well as to their alma mater. The Award was first presented in 2010, and this year marks the 8th round of the selection process. We are pleased to announce the two distinguished awardees for 2024: Outstanding Alumni Award in Community Service Achievement of PolyU BEEE 2024 Ir Dr CHAN Chi Wing Dr Chan is a Hong Kong Registered Professional Engineer and UK Chartered Engineer, a practising professional project manager taking up a senior management level in a leading property development enterprise in Hong Kong.   Dr Chan is an expert in built environment and urban sustainability. He has been involved in the development of a number of award-winning green building projects at both international and regional levels over the past two decades across Hong Kong, Mainland China, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.  In recent years, Dr Chan has been promoting smart green buildings and healthy green buildings in the sustainable built environment context, delivering presentations and talks in Hong Kong, Mainland China and the USA, namely the annual China Green Building Council’s International Green Building Conference, US Green Building Council’s Greenbuild International Conference, BODW and other relevant events in Hong Kong. Apart from his professional responsibilities, Dr Chan has been actively offering pro bono services and leadership to charitable organizations, as well as in various public posts. The impact of his services for the social good reaches the communities in Hong Kong, Mainland China and overseas. Since 2017, Dr Chan has been serving Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Hong Kong in the position of Chairman. This Hongkong-based international organization is an IRD-approved charitable organization in Hong Kong and a member organization of Hong Kong Council of Social Services. EWB is serving the communities for the purposes of accelerating the betterment in life of disadvantaged communities and promoting sustainable development through the empowerment of engineering means, and, enhancing the capacity of Hong Kong’s professionals and the generations to come to contribute to the communities in need. Through his leadership, EWB Hong Kong has established a wider connection with overseas EWBs and other overseas charitable organisations in Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, UK, etc.  The EWB Global Citizenship Programme (GCP), initiated by Dr Chan and established in 2018, is now EWB Hong Kong’s flagship programme bringing university and tertiary-level local and overseas students studying in Hong Kong together. GCP provides a platform for future engineering leaders and Change Makers to explore global challenges, to serve the society proactively with a global vision, and hence to contribute to the sustainable development goals as global citizens. Dr Chan was one of the speakers at the Asia Pacific Humanitarian Leadership Conference 2019 in Australia; and, in 2020, represented EWB Hong Kong attending the United Nations UN-Habitat World Urban Forum 10 in UAE. Since 2020, Dr Chan has been serving Wu Zhi Qiao (Bridge to China) Charitable Foundation at the position of Vice Chairman. This Hong Kong based organization is an IRD-approved charitable organization in Hong Kong. Wu Zhi Qiao is serving the communities for the purposes of encouraging the youth in Hong Kong and mainland China to participate in countryside conservation or rural revitalization on a voluntary basis with the application of the concept of sustainable development - to build hearts bridge between HK-Mainland youth, and, to improve villagers’ quality of life.  Besides, Dr Chan is also a member of the Advisory Committee of Recycling Fund of the HKSAR Government since 2015.   Outstanding Young Alumni Award in Scholarly Achievement of PolyU BEEE 2024 Professor SONG Mengjie Prof. Song Mengjie is the Head of Frost Laboratory, at Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT), China, a Visiting Professor at Hanyang University, South Korea, and a Guest Professor at Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Czech Republic. He got Ph.D. degrees from Building Services Engineering of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2014. Before coming to BIT, he worked as a Research Fellow, JSPS Research Fellow, and DECRA Research Fellow at the Nanyang Technological University, University of Tokyo, and University of Wollongong, respectively. He also has work experience in the engineering field, such as Engineer at the Central-South Architectural Design Institute Co., Ltd., President Assistant at Beijing District Heating Group Co., Ltd. and Beijing Energy Research Institute, Beijing, China. Prof. Song has focused on the mechanism study of heat and mass transfer coupled with the flow for more than 16 years. Currently, he has published 196 journal articles, of which 105 SCI ones as first/corresponding author, 8 ESI ones, and 30 IF＞10 ones. He published 3 books and 4 chapters for Elsevier and Wiley and applied for 20 Chinese patents. He holds 28 projects from China, Japan, and Australia, with a total amount of more than 40 million RMB. Around Frosting and Defrosting topics, he was the world’s No. 1 scholar in 2016-2023 in the FindReviewer database of Elsevier. He was selected into the World’s Top 2% Scientists list (Career & Singleyr) in 2020-2023, the National Youth Talent Project in 2021, the China-South Korea Young Scientists Exchange Program in 2023, and Chinese Highly Cited Scholars in 2024. Prof. Song is an active scholar, serving as the Editor-in-Chief of Recent Patents on Mechanical Engineering (EI, Scopus), Young Editorial Board of Applied Energy (SCI, IF=11.2), and Guest Editors of Applied Thermal Engineering (SCI, IF=6.4), Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments (SCI, IF=8), Energy and Buildings (SCI, IF=6.7) and Micromachines (SCI, IF=3.523), etc. He works as a Member of the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR, B1), the Chinese Association of Refrigeration (CAR), the Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics (CSAA), and Japan Society of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (JSRAE), etc. He is also the corresponding expert of the National Nature Science Foundation of China, the National Science Foundation of the United States, the Domain Applied and Engineering Sciences (AES) of the Dutch Research Council (NWO), the Australian Research Council (ARC), and The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). The Department is proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of these two awardees in the building services engineering industry and their contributions to the community and PolyU. We extend our gratitude to all the Selection Panel members for their excellent volunteer work in the selection process.  

BEEE URIS project won Best URIS Project Award

We are pleased to share the news that our undergraduate student project conducted by BEEE undergraduate student LAM Ying Tung and supervised by Dr JIANG Liming was honoured as the Best URIS Project Student Award this year for the outstanding performance of URIS project in the cohort of 2021/2022. The project was titled “Study of Fire Impact on Glass Panels” and supported by Undergraduate Research and Innovation Scheme (URIS). The funding support (30K HKD for research and 10K HKD scholarship) was highly competitive among the applications submitted within the whole university. The project completed by Miss Lam and advised by Dr Jiang was evaluated as “very satisfactory/excellent” and then eligible to compete for the Best URIS Project award. Through application and interview, this project and the achievement of Miss Lam were highly recognized with the Best URIS Research Project Award (Merit Award) as announced by PolyU Graduate School (link). Besides this award, this URIS project and Miss Lam have been honoured by FSICA award, The HKIE Outstanding Paper Award for Young Engineers/Researchers, and the HKIE (Fire Division) Scholarship. We would like to congratulate Miss LAM Ying Tung for her outstanding achievements during her study and research in BEEE and extend our best wishes for her future career successes.  

BEEE Academic Staff Received the prestigious “Uichi Inouye - Asia International Award”

Professor Jianlei Niu, Chair Professor of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering and Associate Director of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute, won the prestigious “Uichi Inouye - Asia International Award”. The award certificate and award medal was presented to Professor Niu by Professor Kurabuchi, President of The Society of Heating, Air-Conditioning and Sanitary Engineers of Japan(SHASE), at the Award Ceremony  held at the historic Constitution Memorial Hall in Tokyo, on 10 May 2024. In his appreciation speech, Professor Niu expressed his gratitude to his alma mater Tsinghua University, and the continuous support he received from his mentors and the brightest mind of the younger generations from his alma mater, his international collaborators, his colleagues, former and current PhD graduates he has been working at PolyU. He also shared the motto of PolyU, which is “to learn and to apply, for benefit of mankind” to society members. Prior to the award ceremony, Professor Niu was invited to give a public lecture titled “Urban microclimate engineering – a multi-physics approach for multi-profession practice” at the University of Tokyo. The Uichi Inouye Memorial Awards were launched by The Society of Heating, Air-Conditioning and Sanitary Engineers of Japan Since 2010 in memory of the late Professor Uichi Inouye, which have been given to engineers and researchers who make significant contributions to the development, design, research and education associated with the field of air conditioning, heating and environmental engineering.   Professor Inouye (1918 – 2009) is a graduate from the University of Tokyo, and was regarded leading expert and pioneer in building services design in Japan.  According to the regulations on commendation of the Society of Heating, Air-conditioning and Sanitary Engineers of Japan (SHASE), Uichi Inouye Memorial Awards consist of “Uichi Inouye Award”  and “Asia International Award”. Asia International Award shall be made for the notable achievements associated with the field of air conditioning, heating and environmental engineering. Each year, Asia International Award is given at most to 1 person, and if no one deserves to be honored, the award may not be given. Professor Niu has made technology contributions in a broad area linking thermal and fluid sciences with building environment, and his current research topics include indoor environmental quality, thermal comfort, thermal energy storage, HVAC and urban microclimate. He is currently leading a RGC Theme-based-research-scheme(TRS) project "Healthy and Resilient Cities with Pervasive LoCHs', aiming to develop a simulation-based-optimisation(SBO) method to create localised outdoor thermal-comfort hubs(LoCHs) by design in the urban and estate planning stage.  

BEEE Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition 2024 Results Announcement

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is thrilled to announce the results of the BEEE 3MT Competition 2024 which was successfully held on 6 May 2024.   The Graduate School (GS) and the English Learning Centre (ELC) have jointly organised the PolyU 3MT Competition. Originally developed by The University of Queensland, Australia, the 3MT competition challenges students to capture the essence of their theses and present a compelling explanation within three minutes to a non-specialist audience, using only three minutes of speech and a single static PowerPoint slide.   This year, PolyU 3MT is run as a tiered competition. BEEE hosted the Department-level competition on 6 May 2024. 12 research postgraduate students challenged themselves in this live competition. The selection panel comprised Professor Mui Kwok Wai Horace (DRC Chair), Dr Cao Sunliang, Dr Hou Cynthia and Dr Jiang Liming, has selected two winners, Ms SHEN Yongting (Winner) and Ms ZHANG Jing (1st Runner-up), to compete in the Faculty-level competition. We look forward to their continued success!   Photos of the event can be viewed here.  

BEEE Master of Facility Management Teams Shine at 2024 IFMAHK Inter-Institutional Competition

In a proud moment for the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), two student teams from the Master of Facility Management programmeprogramme, led by Programme Leader Dr Hou Cynthia, secured silver awards at the prestigious 2024 IFMAHK Chapter Inter-Institutional Competition (IIC).   The competition, organized by the International Facility Management Association Hong Kong Chapter, challenged participants to present innovative facility management projects before a panel of industry experts. The BEEE teams demonstrated their mastery of facility management concepts and their ability to deliver impactful solutions.   The first silver award-winning team consisted of Yuen Shuk Ling, Wong Chak Hei, Au Yeung Tik Long, Loo Chun Yeung, and Lui Hiu Chuen. The second silver award went to Tong Kin Ho Kevin, Kong Christy, and Lee Ching Kai James.   This achievement further strengthens BEEE's reputation as a leading institution in the education and training of facility management professionals. The department's commitment to providing cutting-edge, industry-relevant programmes continues to produce graduates who are well-equipped to excel in the dynamic and ever-evolving facility management landscape.