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PolyU and Hangzhou government to establish joint technology and innovation research institute

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Hangzhou Gongshu District People’s Government have reached an agreement to promote industry-academia-research collaboration and complementarity between Hong Kong and Hangzhou. At the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong & Macao - Zhejiang Week & Zhejiang and Hong Kong Cooperation Theme Forum 2023 on 26 June, Mr John LEE Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr YI Lianhong, Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, and Mr LU Shan, Vice Governor of Zhejiang People's Government witnessed the signing of co-operation agreements between Zhejiang and Hong Kong. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Mr SHEN Jianli, Vice District Mayor of Gongshu District, signed a framework agreement to promote the establishment of the PolyU-Hangzhou Technology and Innovation Research Institute to carry out in-depth and effective industry-academia-research collaboration. The Research Institute will set up three research centers in the initial stage, tentatively named the “Rail Transit Intelligent Center,” “Grand Canal Culture and Tourism Research Center,” and “Digital Medical Beauty Research Center”. The research centers will focus on three key aspects: technology research and development, entrepreneurial incubation, and talent cultivation. They aim to promote complementary advantages and coordinated development between Hangzhou and Hong Kong, which will work together to develop innovative solutions, with the development of a first-class technology innovation base to achieve mutual benefit. During the same event, Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU and Mr YU Zhihong, Chairman of Zhejiang Transportation Investment Group Co., Ltd. (Zhejiang Transportation Investment Group), signed a Zhejiang-Hong Kong cooperation agreement in scientific research. PolyU’s rail transit research team and Zhejiang Transportation Investment Group will cooperate in various aspects, such as research and development of new products and technologies, global promotion of innovative achievements, talent cultivation, and scientific research collaboration. On 27 June, Mr SONG Xinjian, Second-Level Inspector from the Hangzhou Science and Technology Bureau, led a delegation from several major administrative regions of Hangzhou (Qiantang District, Gongshu District, Yuhang District, and High-tech Industry Development Zone) and executives from several companies to PolyU campus and visited the Chinese National Rail Transit Electrification and Automation Engineering Technology Research Centre (Hong Kong Branch) (CNERC-Rail) and the Biomaterials Laboratory, so as to gain a deeper understanding of PolyU’s scientific research talent advantages and innovative research technology. Both parties will further explore the working plan of the Research Institute and jointly seek future cooperation opportunities. Moving forward, PolyU will continue to focus on cooperation with enterprises and closely connect with the Mainland, in order to carry out influential scientific research in various cutting-edge technology fields, promote the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, integrate with national development, and fully support Hong Kong in building an international innovation and technology center.

PolyU and Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo (tentative) to establish Technology and Innovation Research Institute

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo (“EIT”, tentative) have reached an agreement to establish the PolyU-Ningbo Technology and Innovation Research Institute, aiming to strengthen and facilitate research collaboration among industry, academia and research organisations in Hong Kong and Ningbo. PolyU and EIT will collaborate in multiple fields, including advanced manufacturing, chemical energy and low-carbon sustainability development, with the overall aim of advancing innovative research technology and transforming core technologies. The operational objective is to promote complementary advantages and coordinated development between the two universities, and together develop innovative solutions to establish leading innovation hubs. PolyU envisions effective collaboration between the two universities in industry, academia and research, leveraging the advantages of PolyU's scientific talents and innovative research technologies, and attracting more high-quality Hong Kong enterprises and researchers. The collaboration will involve PolyU faculty members, students and alumni engaging in scientific research, exchanging ideas and starting businesses in Ningbo. The framework agreement was signed on the PolyU campus on 25 June 2023 by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Prof. ZHANG Dongxiao, Executive VP and Provost of EIT. The signing was witnessed by Mr. PENG Jiaxue, Zhejiang Provincial Committee Standing Committee member and Ningbo Municipal Party Secretary, Mrs Carrie LAM, Former Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, and Prof. CHEN Shiyi, President of EIT.

PolyU scientist honoured with prestigious European research award and Academy membership

Prof. Xiao Lin ZHAO, Chair Professor of Civil Infrastructure at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has been bestowed with the Humboldt Research Award 2023 and elected a Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, in recognition of his achievements in civil engineering. The Humboldt Research Award is granted by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany for up to 100 leading international researchers whose discoveries, findings or insights have made significant impact in their disciplines and beyond with cutting-edge achievements. While the Award is open to researchers in all disciplines, Prof. Zhao’s Award is for research excellence in civil and structural engineering. Prof. Zhao has also been elected a Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts in the field of technical and environmental sciences. An esteemed non-governmental association, the Academy’s 2,000 members comprise leading scientists, artists and practitioners of governance, and among their members are 37 Nobel Prize winners. As a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at PolyU, and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, Prof. Zhao’s research focuses on improving the resilience and safety of engineered structures, developing innovative and environmental-friendly construction materials, and the strengthening of ageing metallic infrastructure. He said, “These two achievements are encouraging for me in my endeavours to achieve impactful research and translational innovation. In collaboration with researchers in various PolyU research institutes, I am now undertaking initiatives to develop floating structure technology for innovative land creation as well as floating farms for food sustainability in Hong Kong. These aim to increase Hong Kong’s capacity for sustainable growth and liveability with reduced environmental impact and construction costs.”

PolyU research discovers pathogenic mechanism and novel treatment for superbug “Klebsiella pneumoniae” to reduce mortality

Two novel approaches for the treatment of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant superbugs have shown efficacy and good clinical application potential in studies performed by a team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). Their findings have recently been published in two prestigious journals, namely Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy under Nature and Journal of Infection. The World Health Organization has repeatedly warned that the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant microbes, commonly known as "superbugs," could lead to the next wave of public health disasters. Many of the known superbugs actually evolved from normal flora, or bacteria that commonly exist in our body, and may cause a wide range of infections, especially when our immune system is weakened; hence they may readily spread in the hospital and the community, and potentially pose a threat which is more serious and long-lasting than the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, a number of bacterial strains have been classified as superbugs, among which the hyper-resistant and hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae is arguably the one which poses the greatest threat to human health. In 2017, a research team led by Prof. CHEN Sheng, Chair Professor of Microbiology, Member of State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, and Head of Department of Food Science and Nutrition at PolyU, discovered a newly emerged genetic variant of Klebsiella pneumoniae, namely the hyper-resistant and hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-hvKP), which can cause untreatable and fatal infections even in healthy individuals. As the name implies, this superbug is not only multidrug-resistant, but also highly invasive. Various studies in China showed that the mortality rate of CR-hvKP infection ranged from 25-45%. To date, CR-hvKP has been regarded as an ‘urgent threat to human health’ by many medical experts worldwide. After several years of intensive research, the research team has recently made major breakthroughs in their efforts to delineate the pathogenic mechanism of CR-hvKP and devise effective intervention strategies. The team also identified the key factors involved in interaction with the host and the nature of the host immune response triggered during the process of infection. Specifically, they discovered the signal pathways through which the pathogen triggers the onset of a cytokine storm, in which the signal molecules can induce uncontrolled activation of immune cells of the host that can eventually develop into septic shock, an extremely dangerous and potentially fatal condition. Subsequent experiments revealed that inhibiting the onset of a cytokine storm could significantly reduce mortality among infected patients. The research team studied the therapeutic value of immunosuppressants such as Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), and found that ASA can suppress the onset of a cytokine storm in infected mice. ASA, commonly known as Aspirin, is widely used to relieve mild to moderate pain and inflammation. ASA treatment can effectively suppress the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the lungs and drastically reduce cytokine production, decreasing the likelihood of septic shock in the host. This is the first time it has been discovered that immunosuppressants can be used in the treatment of CR-hvKP infection. The new findings provide important insights into the development of new approaches for clinical management of diseases caused by this important pathogen. However, although ASA can protect patients against septic shock during CR-hvKP infection, this compound is unable to eradicate the pathogen. The research team therefore explored the use of a combination of ASA and other antibiotics in the treatment process and found that the therapeutic effect of ASA can be further enhanced by including an effective antimicrobial agent during treatment. However, since CR-hvKP exhibits resistance to almost all known antimicrobial agents and searching for new antimicrobial compounds is not a practical way to address the problem, Prof. Chen’s team adopted a ‘drug repurposing’ approach in a separate but related study, in which they searched for over-the-counter drugs that exhibit antimicrobial effect or can act synergistically with currently used antibiotics and enhance their activity. The team successfully identified a drug called zidovudine, which is an anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) agent, which can act synergistically with the antibiotic rifampicin to eradicate CR-hvKP. The advantage of identifying new antimicrobial compounds through drug-repurposing is that the drugs do not have to go through a lengthy drug development and approval process. It is expected that the zidovudine / rifampicin combination can be used alongside immunosuppressants to treat life-threatening CR-hvKP infections. In summarising the new research findings, Prof. Chen said, “We are glad that our studies were able to identify two promising therapeutic options that may be used alone or in combination to combat the growing threat of Klebsiella pneumoniae, only five years after we discovered the CR-hvKP strain. It should be noted that prompt treatment will reduce mortality and the spread of the pathogen.” He also added, “We plan to validate our findings in clinical trials in the near future and we believe our research efforts will eventually benefit patients and significantly reduce the mortality rate of CR-hvKP infected patients.” The studies that generated the research findings described in the two publications were funded by the Theme-Based Research Scheme and the Research Impact Fund from the Research Grant Council. The studies were also supported by the State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery of PolyU. Furthermore, part of the research was conducted at the City University of Hong Kong (CityU), and one of the studies was conducted in collaboration with Dr Guan YANG of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health at CityU.

PolyU researcher excels on soft and permeable electronics for promising applications

Intelligent wearable technology is transforming electronic devices to be more compatible with human body. Scientist from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed high-performance soft and permeable electronics to enhance applications.  Prof. Zijian ZHENG, Chair Professor of Soft Materials and Devices and Professor of Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology at PolyU, is bestowed with the inaugural Hong Kong Engineering Science and Technology (HKEST) Award by the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences (HKAES). The honour is awarded to Prof. ZHENG’s excellence and contribution in the field of soft and permeable electronics.  Prof. ZHENG, said, “We believe our recent development of permeable electronics will make a huge impact on electronic skins and implantable bioelectronics, especially on chronic biocompatibility and serviceability of the electronics.”  Advancing soft electronics that are wearable, skin-attachable and implantable provides unprecedented opportunities for health monitoring, rehabilitation and biomedical engineering. The soft and high-permeability electronics, which fare well for human comfortability, are reshaping personal healthcare devices, equipped with the capability of recording physiological signals and delivering appropriate therapeutics in real time.  Implantable devices A recent research led by Prof. ZHENG has innovated a wafer-scale patternable strategy for the high-resolution fabrication of super-soft, stretchable and permeable liquid metal microelectrodes (μLMEs). The high porosity of the fibre mat makes μLMEs have excellent permeability to air, moisture and liquid. On account of advantages on permeability, biocompatibility, conductivity and stretchability, μLMEs are suitable for implantable bioelectronics, for which high device density and chronic comfortability are critically essential.  The research, titled, “Wafer-patterned, permeable, and stretchable liquid metal microelectrodes for implantable bioelectronics with chronic biocompatibility” is published in Science Advances in May 2023. Notably, the successful preparation of μLMEs over a large-size, permeable, and stretchable fiber mat paves the way toward high-density, integrated, implantable, and chronically biocompatible liquid metal (LM) electronics. The innovation solves the issues on thermal and physiological discomforts such as clamminess, dampness and skin inflammation due to long-term attachment of thin-film devices on skin and tissue surfaces.  The research on soft materials and devices is multi-disciplinary in nature, with working collaboration of experts and researchers from different backgrounds. “The inspiration comes from constant reading, discussion and imagination of what we need in the future,” said Prof. ZHENG. Permeable superelastic conductor Previous innovation on a new type of superelastic and high permeability conductor demonstrated importance of multi-disciplinary collaborations from various disciplines such as physics and biomedical engineering. Led by Prof. ZHENG, the research developed a novel conductor, named liquid metal fibre mat (LMFM), which enables the fabrication of biocompatible and multifunctional monolithic stretchable electronics.  The research, titled, “Permeable superelastic liquid-metal fibre mat enables biocompatible and monolithic stretchable electronics” was published in Nature Materials in February 2021. By coating or printing liquid metal onto an elastic electrospun fibre mat, the resulting LMFM becomes stretchable and highly permeable.  This research also highlights Prof. ZHENG’s contributions on the field of biomedical engineering and material sciences as reflected by the HKEST Award. This novel innovation on LMFMs becomes a versatile and user-friendly platform to fabricate monolithic stretchable electronics that provide high integration density, multifunctionality and long-term wearability.  Applying these stretchable conductors as electrodes and current collectors of devices, or as interconnects bridging different active components, has enabled a wide variety of stretchable electronics for health monitoring, medical diagnostic and treatment, smart actuation, energy conversion and storage and Internet of Things.   

PolyU Highly Cited Researchers Featured in Nature Portfolio

Two Highly Cited Researchers from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University are featured in Nature Portfolio for their impactful research on materials science.  Prof. Gang LI, Chair Professor of Energy Conversion Technology and Professor in the Department of Electronic and Information Engineering and Prof. Feng YAN, Chair Professor of Organic Electronics and Professor in the Department of Applied Physics are among the Highly Cited Researchers 2022 by Clarivate Analytics.  In the Nature Portfolio feature, Prof. LI and Prof. YAN shared their research on advanced materials with breakthrough results and major global impacts. They are both leading global advancements in organic solar cells, perovskites and organic transistor-based sensors. Their global leadership in advanced materials epitomises the focus of researchers at PolyU on science that contributed to society.  Silicone-based solar cells have become ubiquitous, but their high production cost, and lack of flexibility, present limitations. Prof. Li’s research on “plastic” photovoltaics based on organic polymers — or organic photovoltaics (OPV) — are a promising alternative with potential for cheap fabrication as thin flexible films. Prof. YAN’s novel research on advanced materials, including organic semiconductors and perovskite materials, has greatly advanced biosensors, optoelectronic devices such as photodetectors and solar cells, and other technologies. The inclusion of PolyU academics in the Highly Cited Researchers 2022 list is a testament to the University’s pursuit of research excellence and commitment to positive societal impact on various fronts.  For more: https://www.nature.com/articles/d42473-023-00143-3

Two PolyU innovations in energy and new materials awarded TechConnect 2023 Innovation Awards

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has won two prestigious TechConnect World Innovation Conference and Expo 2023 (TechConnect) Global Innovation Awards in the areas of energy and new materials. TechConnect is the world’s largest multi-sector event for fostering translational innovations and technology commercialization. This year, marking the seventh consecutive year that the University has received such recognition, PolyU is the only higher education institution in Hong Kong to have snatched awards. PolyU’s winning innovation in the area of “energy, efficiency and environmental” is the world’s first ammonia-powered electric vehicle that can achieve zero-carbon emission while delivering higher efficiency and ensuring safer energy storage than conventional electric vehicles, thereby providing a more sustainable solution to long-term transportation issues. The other award-winning PolyU project, in the area of “medical devices and materials”, has developed novel Photocrosslinkable nanocomposite materials for bone graft applications, providing a highly efficient solution for bone healing. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU congratulated the winning teams and said, “PolyU strives to nurture global scholars through excellence in teaching and learning, research and knowledge transfer. The award-winning technologies showcased at TechConnect will continue to inspire PolyU to develop impactful research and innovations. We are committed to addressing global challenges facing mankind through interdisciplinary research and international collaboration.” Details of the two PolyU award-winning innovations are below: 1. Ammonia Powered Fuel Cell-based Electric Vehicle project, led by Prof. Eric CHENG Ka-Wai, Professor of the Department of Electrical Engineering The ammonia-powered fuel cell based electric vehicle adopted ammonia-to-wheel energy conversion where liquid ammonia stored inside a cylinder is broken down into nitrogen and hydrogen by catalysts to generate electricity, and achieves zero carbon emission. In this project, hydrogen is produced from ammonia on the vehicle for feeding fuel cells. A large storage of hydrogen is not needed as the hydrogen is consumed immediately. There are no hazardous issues from the hydrogen. Hence, it is safer and can be managed more easily. 2. Biomimicking Photocrosslinkable Nanocomposite Bone Grafts project, led by Dr Xin ZHAO, Associate Professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering Biomimicking Photocrosslinkable Nanocomposite Bone Grafts mirror the structure of natural bone. They can load and release bioactive molecules and activate cell-signaling pathways to simultaneously promote osteogenesis and angiogenesis while providing optimal mechanical support to the injured area in order to expedite the bone healing process. The product can compete in the growing market and serve a huge number of patients who are receiving orthopedic surgeries. The TechConnect conference will be held in Washington, D.C. from 19 to 21 June, 2023. PolyU’s delegation will showcase various innovative projects and meet with technology prospectors with a view to potential collaboration. For details of TechConnect 2023 Innovation Awardees, please visit: https://www.techconnectworld.com/World2023/participate/innovation/awards.html

PolyU and Red Date Technology Sign MoU to Foster Blockchain Development

On 14 June 2023, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)  and Red Date Technology Limited (Red Date Technology) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore opportunities for collaboration in the field of blockchain.  Integrating the strengths of two innovative and forward-thinking organisations, the MoU serves as a framework for further cooperation on blockchain research, application and education, addressing practical needs and popularisation of blockchain. This collaboration will be led by Department of Computing (COMP) and Research Centre for Blockchain Technology at PolyU. Prof. LI Qing, Chair Professor and Head of COMP, and Mr Tim BAILEY, Vice President of Global Sales of Red Date Technology, signed the MoU at the ceremony, witnessed by Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President of PolyU; Ir Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU; Mr Yifan HE, CEO of Red Date Technology and Dr David Chung, founder of ImpactD.  Prof CHAO said in the welcome remark, “PolyU and Red Date share a commitment to advancing blockchain technology and its applications. This MoU is an excellent opportunity for us to explore potential cooperation between academia and the industry.” In Mr HE’s congratulatory speech, he stated, “Red Date is proud to collaborate with a leading institution such as PolyU to advance important technologies like blockchain and help develop future talent for Hong Kong.”  Prof. LI pointed out in his speech that this partnership would undoubtedly leverage the strengths and expertise of both parties to drive innovation and progress in this field. The MoU signing ceremony concluded with a panel discussion on the BSN (Blockchain-based Service Network) Spartan experience sharing, moderated by Dr Henry CHAN, Associate Professor and Associate Head (Partnership & Collaboration) of COMP. Other panel speakers included Prof. Allen AU, Professor of COMP, Mr Tim BAILEY, and representatives from Prenetics and Fujifilm.  By integrating knowledge and expertise of PolyU and Red Date Technology, this MoU aims to foster the development of blockchain and make a significant contribution to the field.  

PolyU collaborates with Tianjin Medical University to establish scientific collaborative research platform to identify causes of eye disease and construct screening system

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has joined with Tianjin Medical University (TMU) to nurture talents, build research teams, conduct scientific research and develop a scientific collaborative research platform in the next five years. The two universities will combine their research strengths to identify causes of eye disease and the possible solutions. They will also adopt artificial intelligence technology and leverage extensive clinical data databases to construct a screening system for eye disease. The partnership brings together the complementary strengths of the world-leading research capability of PolyU’s School of Optometry (with its research impact ranking first in Asia according to Clinical and Experimental Optometry) and TMU’s excellent research and teaching capability, which has enabled it to rank sixth among the 85 medical schools in the country. A signing ceremony was held on the PolyU campus. Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, and Prof. YAN Hua, Party Secretary of TMU, signed the memorandum of understanding. Prof. David SHUM, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of PolyU and Prof. YU Ying, Vice President of TMU, signed the strategic cooperation agreement. Prof. Wong said, “TMU is a well-known medical university in China. Its teaching achievements and research projects have won many awards and national support. PolyU is glad to be able to promote strategic cooperation with TMU with a view to enhancing scientific research and academic talent training and jointly contribute to the development of optometry and vision science in the country and the world.” Prof. Yan remarked, “I am very pleased that TMU and PolyU have reached another level of cooperation in academic exchange and research. In line with the principle of “complementary advantages, coordinated development and mutual benefit”, we will enable advanced cooperation in the fields of optometry and vision science, and cultivate first-class students. We aim to produce top-level scientific research outputs and jointly develop an innovative teaching and scientific collaborative research platform.” The PolyU School of Optometry has collaborated with institutions worldwide to build interdisciplinary research teams and promote high-impact vision science research. With strategic cooperation with TMU, both institutions will have increase their competitiveness. Prof. Shum noted, “PolyU’s School of Optometry and TMU jointly establishing a scientific collaborative research platform will help to solicit increased research funding, develop clinical application systems and contribute to enhancing eye-care services in Hong Kong and the country.” The two institutions have carried out academic and research cooperation since 2004. In 2019, the two universities jointly established the “TMU-PolyU Optometry and Vision Science Joint Laboratory”, contributing to basic scientific research and facilitating knowledge transfer outcomes.

PolyU Scholar honoured with National Award for Excellence in Innovation

Prof. K. F. CHUNG, Director of the Chinese National Engineering Research Centre for Steel Construction (Hong Kong Branch) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has been bestowed a Certificate of Merit at the 3rd National Award for Excellence in Innovation. Prof. Chung is the only recipient from Hong Kong this year. Prof. Chung is professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at PolyU. As an expert in structural steel engineering, he has contributed to research and application of principal theories in structural steel engineering. This award not only demonstrates PolyU's strength in research and technology development, but also supports Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation hub. Prof. Chung specialises in research into the performance and cost challenges for large steel structures, along with the environmental issue of the high carbon footprint of construction. He has conducted cross-disciplinary research in various areas such as materials, welding, as well as the mechanical properties and structural performance of high-strength steel structures, providing solutions for the Nation’s development of a “dual carbon” strategy in engineering construction. In the field of steel structures internationally, Prof. Chung has made substantial impacts with his development of a series of fundamental theories and key technologies for application in domestic high-strength steel structures. His studies have been the focus of a number of high-level academic papers. Practically, his research outputs have been applied in several major construction projects such as the double-arch steel bridge of the Cross Bay Link in Tseung Kwan O in Hong Kong and the Quarta Ponte Marítima Macau-Taipa. These innovations generate significant economic and social benefits, with significant cost saving in construction. Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), said, “The award is highly encouraging and affirms PolyU’s strong scientific research capabilities. PolyU strives to be an innovative world-class university and will continue to promote research in a wide range of areas, with the goal of playing a significant role in the national scientific research development for supporting innovation and technology applications in China and the world.” The National Award for Excellence in Innovation was jointly organised by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, China Association for Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, and State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. The Award aims at recognising outstanding technology scientists and teams who have made significant contributions to frontier research, construction and engineering technology, innovative technology and knowledge transfer, technology entrepreneurship, innovation and social services. The Award is organised every three years, with honours awarded to no more than 300 science and technology talents.