News

PolyU scholar elected IEEE Fellow 2025

Prof. Yang CHAI, Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Science and Professor of the Department of Applied Physics at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has been bestowed the prestigious Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Fellow Class of 2025 for his contributions to bioinspired in-sensor computing. Prof. CHAI’s research domain is mainly about microelectronic and nanoelectronics devices. His current research focuses on bioinspired vision sensors, which can not only capture images from the external environment but also execute computation functions to extract more abstract information. Inspired by natural bioinspired sensory systems, his research team is committed to exploring how to fuse sensing and processing function through new hardware design. By mimicking biological visual systems, the team has developed vision sensors that can improve image recognition accuracy, adapt to extremely dim/bright lighting and different wavelengths, and agilely perceive dynamic motion. For more: Advanced vision sensors that emulate human visual adaptability Optoelectronic graded neurons for perceiving dynamic motion Prof. CHAI is enthusiastic about advancing scientific knowledge and innovation. His work has been published in prestigious journals such as Nature, Nature Electronics, and Nature Nanotechnology. His research works were highlighted in Nature, IEEE Spectrum, etc. The research results are highly cited by research teams worldwide. He is in the list of “Highly Cited Researchers 2024” by Clarivate Analytics. The IEEE is the world's largest professional technical organisation, with 140 years of history. IEEE Fellow is a distinction reserved for select IEEE members whose extraordinary accomplishments in any of the IEEE fields of interest. The grade of Fellow recognises unusual distinction in the profession and who has contributed importantly to the advancement or application of engineering, science, and technology, bringing the realisation of significant value to society.

PolyU and Southern Medical University sign MOU to advance medical research and education

Aligning with the latest trends in global medical advancements, a delegation led by Mr ZHANG Yurun, Secretary of the Party Committee of Southern Medical University (SMU), visited The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). The two institutions held in-depth discussions to strengthen collaboration in joint research, medical education, and talent development. These discussions highlight  their shared commitment to shaping the future of medical care through innovation and collaboration to advance human health worldwide. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, extended a warm welcome to the SMU delegation. Following this, Prof. DONG Cheng, Associate Vice President (Mainland Research Advancement) of PolyU, provided an insightful overview of the university’s latest research advancements and future strategies in innovation and cross-border educational partnerships. Prof. LIU Shuwen, Vice President of SMU, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the institution’s development, notable achievements, and strategic vision, emphasising the importance of this exchange in advancing medical research, education, and talent cultivation. Under the witness of Prof. CHAO and Mr ZHANG, Prof. DONG and Prof. LIU represented both parties in signing a strategic cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), establishing a strong foundation for future collaboration. The collaboration between PolyU and SMU will harness the unique strengths of both institutions to advance innovative research in cutting-edge medical technologies, nurture interdisciplinary medical professionals, enhance the quality of medical education, and improve healthcare services in both regions. Together, the two institutions aim to shape the future of medical care through innovation, making significant contributions to the global healthcare industry and promoting human health and well-being. The delegation also toured PolyU's University Research Facility in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience and University Research Facility in 3D Printing, where they gained valuable insights into the university's advanced research facilities and cutting-edge experimental technologies. These innovations and advanced technologies highlight PolyU's exceptional capabilities in medical research, inspiring new ideas and laying a strong foundation for future collaborative research projects. The delegation members were impressed by PolyU's research expertise and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities.

PolyU multimodal robot for post-stroke ankle-foot rehabilitation wins CES 2025 Innovation Award

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is dedicated to pursuing pioneering research in frontier areas and to embracing a strong culture of knowledge transfer. By translating research excellence into impactful solutions, the University takes the lead in making a positive impact for societal benefits. The first-of-its-kind multimodal robot for ankle-foot rehabilitation, developed by PolyU, has been recognised as an Honouree in the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 Innovation Awards, reaffirming the effective impact of the University’s PolyImpact philosophy. For the second consecutive year, PolyU has been honoured in the Accessibility & Aging Tech category — the only university in Hong Kong to receive the recognition of this consumer technology award. Following triumph in winning a Gold Medal at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva in April, the “Mobile Ankle-foot Exoneuromusculoskeleton”, developed by a research team led by Dr Xiaoling HU, Associate Professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, has been named as a CES Innovation Awards 2025 Honouree. The innovation has once again been recognised for its effectiveness in helping stroke patients with hemiplegia to improve the motor function of their lower limb and walking ability. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, said, “Health technology is vital to the well-being of humanity. This award highlights PolyU's commitment to excellence in research, translating into innovative solutions that bring sustainable benefits to the community. We are thrilled by the achievements of PolyU's young researchers on the global research and consumer technology stage. The University will continue to support them in leveraging their strengths and expanding impactful research initiatives.” Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Stroke patients need intensive and long-term rehabilitation training to improve their physical mobility and quality of life. Powered by Internet of Things (IoT) technology, the “Mobile Ankle-foot Exoneuromusculoskeleton” is an innovative multimodal device that integrates the advantages of exoskeleton, soft pneumatic muscle, neuromuscular electrical stimulation and tactile sensory feedback in one system. The lightweight wearable design and a 9V rechargeable battery that can be used continuously for four hours, enables patients to pursue rehabilitation training anytime and anywhere. It can effectively correct post-stroke footdrop and foot-inversion and improve the gait and balance of stroke patients in self-help tele-rehabilitation. The IoT technology aligned with artificial intelligence (AI) enables automatic onsite coaching feedback to a stroke patient on their training performance via a mobile app. This allows remote supervision by healthcare professionals and longitudinal management of rehabilitative progress for optimised services, providing a cost-effective and easy-to-access solution for stroke patients’ rehabilitation treatment. Dr Xiaoling Hu said, “This technology and product can seamlessly integrate into routine rehabilitation services, enabling professionals to effectively assist more stroke patients. Through this flexible training approach, we hope to help stroke patients achieve more efficient rehabilitation progress and enhance their ability to perform daily activities, ultimately supporting their path towards greater independence in the long term.” Dr Hualso co-founded the startup Thecon Technology (HK) Limited in 2021 and plans to commercialise the Mobile Ankle-foot Exoneuromusculoskeleton next year. The annual CES is organised by the Consumer Technology Association and, as one of its representative awards, the CES Innovation Awards programme recognises and honours outstanding design and engineering in 33 consumer technology product categories. An elite panel of industry expert judges, including media professionals, designers and engineers, reviews submissions based on innovation, engineering and functionality, aesthetics, and design. The upcoming CES 2025 will be held in Las Vegas, the United States, from 7 to 10 January 2025. At the event, PolyU will showcase a range of innovative research projects in healthcare, smart cities, optometry, radiotherapy, AI and IoT sensing.

PolyU research unveils critical role of humidity and indoor conditions in heatwave severity assessments, introducing a new framework for standardised heatwave indices

Unprecedented extreme heat represents a critical climate challenge, resulting in approximately 490,000 heat-related deaths globally each year, with 45% of these fatalities occurring in Asia.A study by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has revealed that some existing heatwave indices are unable to accurately capture heatwave severity in diverse geographical regions and climate conditions. It is suggested to include humidity and indoor environmental conditions in identifying a dangerous heatwave. The development of a global heat risk framework and early warning systems are also recommended to alleviate the impact of heatwaves on human health. The research findings have been published in the international journal Nexus. Working outdoors in high temperatures for extended periods can lead to heat stress, dehydration and heat-related illnesses. Currently, there is no global standard for measuring the severity of heatwaves, and each index has different definition of  dangerous heat stress. A research team led by Prof. Qihao WENG, Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, Associate Director of the Research Institute for Land and Space, Director of the PolyU Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics, and Director of the Jockey Club STEM Lab of Earth Observations together with Postdoctoral Fellow Dr Pir MOHAMMAD, examined the effectiveness of six heatwave indices in identifying dangerous heatwave, including maximum daily air temperature, humidity index, humidex, wet bulb globe temperature, lethal heat stress index and universal thermal climate index. The research team conducted case studies on recent heatwave events observed in Spain and the United States in 2022, as well as in India in 2023. The results revealed that the lethal heat stress index, which combines temperature and humidity, is more effective in identifying dangerous heatwave days in a low-humidity environment compared to other indices. It can also differentiate between areas that are affected by extreme heat stress and those that are not. The other five heatwave indices failed to effectively identify dangerous heatwave conditions in diverse climate, geographic and meteorological conditions. Heatwave lethality depends not only on the maximum air temperature, but also on relative humidity, particularly in sub-tropical regions like Hong Kong. The study showed that, in humid conditions, even if the ambient temperature is only 28°C, the saturated air moisture makes effective sweat evaporation and heat dissipation difficult and causes body temperature to rise faster, potentially leading to fatigue, dehydration or heat stroke.The team suggested that evaluating heat stress in humid conditions is crucial for better understanding the impact of heatwaves on human health, particularly for construction workers and agricultural labourers who spend substantial time outdoors. In addition, the existing heatwave indices, such as the Hong Kong Heat Index, which is based on outdoor environment conditions, rely on outdoor heat mapping data provided by climate services. However, most heat-related mortalities occur indoors. In Hong Kong’s densely populated environment with many high-rise buildings, residents of rooftop houses and subdivided flats are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat.With rapid global warming, the researchersemphasised that building morphology and material, overheating conditions, and air-conditioning are essential in calculating indoor heat stress. They also suggested revisiting thresholds to establish new global criteria for defining dangerous heatwave limits, considering varied climatic conditions and human adaptability based on age, gender and household conditions. Prof. Qihao Weng said, “Understanding the relations between climate, heat stress and health is crucial for formulatingtargeted adaptation and mitigation strategies. The findings underscore the need for a global heat risk framework and early warning systems, as well as the adoption of more sophisticated heat stress mitigation and adaptation measures by local authorities in response to rapid global warming.” DrPir Mohammad said, “The study highlights the potential gap between reported outdoor heat data and often overlooked indoor heat impacts. Integrating these perspectives could provide a more comprehensive understanding of heat-related risks and their public health implications and thus help establish a more precise evaluation of dangerous heatwave conditions.” The research team also discussed enhancing heatwave predictions to mitigate their impacts. They emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among climate scientists, health professionals, policymakers and communities to safeguard public health in a changing climate.

Diversity and inclusion are intertwined essentials for tourism destination research

With her unique blend of cultural perspectives and academic rigour, Dr Dori Davari, Assistant Professor of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), is dedicated to utilising tourism for cultivating cross-cultural understanding, making her a valuable addition to a diverse academic community. An Iranian by heart and American by education, Dr Davari embraces her role as a global citizen in Hong Kong. Her diverse experiences include entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, and consultancy work with major global organisations like the World Bank. Drawn to PolyU by its dynamic environment and the hardworking spirit of its students, Dr Davari feels a strong connection to the university and Hong Kong.  As the architect of "Destination Curiosity," she sees travel as a means of exploration and intercultural learning, contributing to global understanding. Her other area of reach is “Hong Kong as a global education destination”. Dr Davari emphasises that while diversity is valuable, inclusion is crucial for a supportive academic environment. She believes fostering a sense of belonging enhances student experiences and leads to impactful research. At PolyU, she finds inspiration in the supportive community and opportunities for growth, reinforcing her belief in Hong Kong as a welcoming hub for education and research.

PolyU scholar receives ACM SIGMM 2024 Award for outstanding contributions to multimedia computing and applications

Prof. Changwen CHEN, Chair Professor of Visual Computing in the Department of Computing at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has received the ACM SIGMM 2024 Award for Outstanding Technical Contributions to Multimedia Computing, Communications and Applications, for his significant contributions to research, education, service and leadership in the multimedia community. The accolade is the highest award from the Special Interest Group on Multimedia (SIGMM) of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), honouring researchers who have created a lasting impact in multimedia computing, communications, and applications. It is one of the most prestigious awards in the international computing community. Professor Chen is an eminent scholar in the area of visual and multimedia communications. His research covers a wide range of impactful areas, including contemporary visual computing, multimedia communication and networking, mobile video streaming, computer vision, and multimodal generative AI.  He has pioneered research in mobile multimedia systems, including joint source and channel coding for mobile video communication, energy-efficient mobile video display systems, and cloud mobile media systems. Throughout his career, he has published six books, over 400 papers, and holds more than ten patents, earning ten best paper awards. His innovative work continues to advance technology and enhance our understanding of multimedia systems. Professor Chen is an Academician of PolyU, an IEEE Fellow, a SPIE Fellow, and a member of the Academia Europaea, in recognition of his significant contributions. Click the video to learn more about Prof. Chen’s research achievement: Meet PolyU Academician: Professor Changwen CHEN Source: Pulse @ PolyU

PolyU two projects supported by the Germany/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to promoting cutting-edge research and talent training through international research collaboration. Two PolyU projects have received grants under the Germany/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme to promote research collaboration between the two places through travel funding. The two PolyU projects are: Project Title High-order energy stable and convergent algorithms for mean curvature flow and related problems Hong Kong Principal Investigator Prof. LI Buyang, Professor of the Department of Applied Mathematics at PoylU German Principal Investigator Prof Balázs Kovács /University of Paderborn Funding Period 2 years Total Amount Awarded by RGC HK$85,800   Project Title Development and Validation of an Adaptive Neurofeedback Interface Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Modulate Cortical Excitability Hong Kong Principal Investigator Dr ZHANG Jiaqi, Research Assistant Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at PolyU German Principal Investigator Dr David MA Mehler /RWTH Aachen University Funding Period 2 years Total Amount Awarded by RGC HK$59,200 Hong Kong Principal Investigators could use the RGC grants to support justified research visits of research postgraduate students to partner institutions, in order to enhance the students’ training and opportunities for overseas experience.  The Germany/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme, launched in 1996 by the Research Grants Council (RGC) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), aims to promote research collaboration between Hong Kong and Germany by providing researchers in the two places with one-year or two-year travel grants.  

PolyU’s "China National Space Administration and China Academy of Space Technology Aerospace Seminar" attracted strong participation

The "China National Space Administration and China Academy of Space Technology Aerospace Seminar," jointly organised by the Research and Innovation Office and the Research Center for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), was held at the Chiang Chen Studio Theatre on 2 December. The event attracted a large audience of faculty and students and it received an enthusiastic response. The seminar featured two distinguished speakers who have played pivotal roles in multiple major national space projects: LIU Jizhong, Chief Designer of China Lunar Exploration and Space Science and Engineering Center and SUN Zezhou, Researcher of China Academy of Space Technology. They shared valuable insights into the development processes and core technologies behind the space missions. Focusing on the Tianwen series of missions, the seminar highlighted the remarkable success of Tianwen-1 in orbiting, landing, and conducting rover exploration on Mars, marking a significant milestone in China’s planetary exploration endeavours. The speakers reviewed the development history, mission execution, and key technologies of Tianwen-1. During the Q&A session, Prof. YUNG Kai-leung, Director of RCDSE and Chair Professor of Precision Engineering at PolyU, discussed the challenges and opportunities in the aerospace field with the two speakers and young scholars. They shared personal reflections on their careers in space exploration and encouraged the younger generation to explore the unknown realms of the universe boldly. Looking ahead, PolyU aims to consolidate its technological advantages and continue participating in national space missions, contributing to a shared future for humanity.

PolyU project develops a library of polarized vdW heterobilayers for advancing computing applications supported by NSFC / RGC Collaborative Research Scheme

Discovering emerging nanomaterials and their potential can drive innovation for advancing computing applications. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) scientist has proposed to generate a library of van der Waals (vdW) heterobilayers with specific properties, which are essential for the next generation of nanoelectronics, photonics, and spintronics. This project has received support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the Research Grants Council (RGC) Collaborative Research Scheme (CRS) 2024/25. Led by Prof. Daniel LAU Shu Ping, Chair Professor of Nanomaterials and Head of the Department of Applied Physics of PolyU, the project “A Library of Polarized Van Der Waals Heterobilayers: From Prediction to Realization” has received support from the NSFC / RGC CRS. It is awarded approximately HK$3.55 million for a duration of 48 months. This project is in collaboration with Prof. JI Wei of Renmin University of China. Two-dimensional (2D) vdW heterobilayers are fundamentally intriguing and practically appealing to explore novel physics and design next generation devices. It possesses rich physical and chemical properties unique to its constituent monolayers. Prof. LAU and the collaborative research team have demonstrated unexpected out-of-plane ferroelectricity and piezoelectricity in untwisted, commensurate, and epitaxial MoS2/WS2 heterobilayers synthesised by one-step chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The result has stimulated interest in exploring novel heterobilayers using CVD, and the subsequent development of a vdW heterobilayers library.  In the long term, developing multifunctional 2D polarized electronics is crucial for the next generation of low-power dissipation, high-density memory, and integrated circuits. However, the current exploration of vdW heterobilayers relies on a trial-and-error approach. For a groundbreaking advancement, this project aims to develop a simulation model to screen a large number of vdW 2D materials for polarized heterobilayers.  Significantly, the model will accelerate the screening of promising polarized vdW heterobilayers for further experimental evaluation. The model will then be reinforced for more precise prediction, contributing to the enrichment of the 2D family with multifunctional properties.  Prof. LAU said, “We anticipate that vdW heterobilayers could resolve the scalability and performance issues in current 2D ferroelectrics. Furthermore, the results of our work may provide new insights toward building high-density and energy-efficient next-generation nonvolatile memory (NVM) and in-memory computing devices.” The project is expected to demonstrate the full integration of vdW heterobilayers for high-density NVM, aiming to stimulate academic interest and attract attention to vdW heterobilayers for ferroelectricity. This effort also paves the way for realising the commercialisation of NVM and in-memory computing devices. The NSFC / RGC CRS aims to support larger-scale collaborative research across disciplines and/or across universities in the Mainland and Hong Kong, with a view to enhancing research output and impact on both sides. The six focus areas include Information Technology, Life Science, New Materials Science, Marine and Environmental Science, Medicine, and Management Science.  

Diversity sparks innovative fusion of traditional practices and science

Amid a global shift towards holistic well-being, Dr Dalinda Sanchez, Research Assistant Professor (Traditional Chinese Medicine) of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at PolyU, is pioneering innovative approaches that blend traditional practices with modern science. Originally from Mexico and the Netherlands, Dr Sanchez holds a Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Industrial Chemistry from Mexico and a Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences from the Netherlands. She earned her PhD at PolyU and then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Sweden. Dr Sanchez's research involves developing mindfulness-based interventions for disordered eating and exploring the molecular mechanisms of psychiatric disorders, aiming to enhance mental and physical health. ️She values the dynamic, collaborative environment at PolyU, where she believes that teamwork with diverse colleagues sparks invaluable insights, driving impactful healthcare solutions. Currently, her projects include addressing emotional and stress eating, as well as issues that can contribute to obesity and other health concerns.  Her research team uses Electroencephalography (EEG) technology to examine the intricate connections between emotions and eating behaviours, paving the way for more effective therapies. Dr Sanchez is also developing mindfulness programmes for chronic pain management, and conducting cooking interventions for children to promote mindful eating and improve emotional regulation. At PolyU, she finds that collaboration enhances the impact of research, transforming challenges into groundbreaking solutions.