Staying true to the University’s core values for KT, PAIR endeavours to promote the transfer of its interdisciplinary, practical research solutions so that they can be readily adopted by community stakeholders and applied to real-world problems, such as climate change, the energy crisis and population aging. Prof. Li has been leading and contributing to several major KT-related initiatives. One of these is the brand-new “PAIR SALON” series, which just started in 2023.
“PAIR SALON is an exchange platform comprising a series of events that promote industry cooperation and streamline the transfer of knowledge. We had the very first session in February 2023. The participants were top management of the China Resources Group and PAIR scholars who shared the progress of their research on liquid cell conversion, wearable energy harvesters, denim dyeing and 3D printed insoles for foot support, and so on,” Prof. Li recalled. “In research, networking and partnerships are really about establishing and nurturing long-term and mutually beneficial relationships with industry and professional organisations. These efforts are important for achieving effective KT and attracting new collaboration and sponsorship opportunities,” Prof. Li continued.
Knowledge transfer recognises the value of collaboration for positive growth. KT activities are not confined to scholars and industrial partners, but also involve the wider university community. Prof. Li has been actively engaging PolyU talents in the Academy’s external marketing activities. “The mementos of the PAIR Conference held in May 2023 were created by our design students. This opportunity develops students. It empowers their strengths, enriches their practical work experience, and fosters their ability to work independently,” said Prof. Li.
Another major item on PAIR’s KT development agenda is to increase public participation. “Interaction with the general public enables academics and businesses to understand society’s demands and needs so that they can produce ‘user-centred’ and ‘socially responsible’ solutions (e.g., products, technologies, services),” Prof. Li explained. “These outputs can increase public trust in the importance of research and innovation, and drive new support and policies for innovation development.”
Pursuing interdisciplinarity for a sustainable textile industry
“Fashion and textiles” is an interdisciplinary field involving disciplines such as design, engineering, craftsmanship, manufacturing and sustainability. Prof. Li has been actively undertaking research projects on textile technologies that enable the economical and eco-friendly manufacturing of novel fabrics. She is currently a member of two PAIR constituent units, namely, the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), where she focuses on IWEAR System Applications, and the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports), where she focuses on Sports Product Design, Materials and Manufacturing and Sports Measurement, Feedback and Instrumentation. She has been awarded several large interdisciplinary projects funded by The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) recently. The projects involve collaboration with industries and organisations in Hong Kong and mainland China, and bring new textile technologies with high potential for commercialisation and mass production.
“The project Textile Cycling Creative Economy: Sustainable Design of an Innovative Nonwoven-Yarn Spinning System will build a new spinning system that enables the production of yarns without restrictions to fibre length or raw material, avoids the breakage of ultra-short fibres in the traditional yarn spinning method, and converts recycled textile waste into yarn,” Prof. Li said. She described the new technology as a “win-win solution for the industry and green community”. The invention will better utilise fibres and produce functional textiles with acceptable comfort and appearance in an easy-to-implement and cost-effective manner. The spinning technology will also open up new avenues for applications in healthcare and many more fields.
“In another project, Design-thinking Creation of a Swelling-controllable Composite Tubular Fabric for Regenerative Agriculture, a new technology will be developed to produce a swelling-controllable composite tubular fabric with irrigation and weeding capabilities for regenerative agriculture. The new fabric is made from natural fibres with no chemical coating or finishing. The novel tubular fabric will be used as a tool for irrigation and weeding in a way that enables high water-saving efficiency and strong terrain adaptability. Hence, it supports sustainability,” said Prof. Li.
Prof. Li will explore the application of this technology in a new project that aims to improve bio-functional chitosan-based textiles. The textiles will be used in the development of an antibacterial, comfortable, and convenient rehabilitation training device for elderly patients.
Injecting creativity into societal development
Prof. Li’s high value for creativity and her determination to break the status quo have driven her relentless efforts in research. Over the years, she has worked on 70 projects worth more than HK$100 million in total, published over 100 research articles and 27 patents, and received 38 international awards. She won the Golden Award for two consecutive years in the 46th and 47th Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions.
To Prof. Li, creativity is something that can be applied not only in the field of fashion and textiles, but also in societal development. She sees both ample potentials and challenges in Hong Kong’s innovation development. “There have been major projects and financing schemes for artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, fintech, smart city development, etc., in recent years, as well as research units and start-up incubators that help turn ideas into businesses,” she explained. “The shortage of resources and expertise in certain sectors like AI, the relatively small local market, as well as the region’s high cost of living, mean that start-ups may struggle to maintain their business during the early stages; they need to focus on innovations that address global and regional demands.”
Still, staying creative—using resources creatively, collaborating creatively, embracing creativity—brings solutions. “Enterprises can collaborate with other regions, like cites in the Greater Bay Area, and leverage the expertise and resources there. This enhances local businesses’ capacity to compete and succeed. Of course, we also need more engagement with the public and private sectors, so that society at large can better embrace a creative culture,” said Prof. Li.
A designer-turned-professor
Prior to joining PolyU in 2010, Prof. Li was a senior designer and designer director, and a sudden awakening to her true value spurred her to take a different route. “I encountered a bottleneck, continually asking myself what creativity is and how to be more creative and contribute to society. I then returned to university for doctorate study, during which I realised that research is for the future and that a single individual’s strength is limited,” Prof. Li reflected. At PolyU, Prof. Li is able to contribute her expertise in collaborative projects that solve societal problems, towards a more sustainable future.