PolyU Science in the News

PolyU-nurtured biopharmaceutical start-up ABRAM accepted by Roche Accelerator

The Faculty celebrates the acceptance of ABRAM Therapeutics Limited (ABRAM), a start-up co-founded by a PolyU Science scholar, into the Roche Accelerator. This marks the first time a Hong Kong-based start-up being welcomed by this prestigious innovation hub. Co-founded by Prof. Thomas Leung Yun-chung, Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Lo Ka Chung Charitable Foundation Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Director of University Research Facility in Life Sciences, ABRAM focuses on its ground-breaking drug candidate, ABarginase, for treating obesity and related metabolic disorders such as diabetes and fatty liver disease. This milestone will significantly advance the development of the drug, paving the way for its clinical application to benefit patients worldwide. Press Release: English | 中文 Online coverage: Hong Kong China News Agency 港理大培育生物醫藥初創ABRAM 為首家初創企業入選羅氏中國加速器 1 Arpil 2025 Zhihu 破解肥胖困局！理大新药获罗氏加速器支持 1 Arpil 2025  

Prof. Wong Ka-hing appointed as the Chairman of Advisory Panel on the Safety Assessment of Cultured Meat

Prof. Wong Ka-hing, Professor of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Director of the Research Institute for Future Food, was recently appointed as the Chairman of Advisory Panel on the Safety Assessment of Cultured Meat, under the Expert Committee on Food Safety, by the Government of HKSAR, for a term of four years with effect from 14 February 2025. The panel is responsible for providing advice to the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene on matters relating to the criteria for the safety assessment and the safety for human consumption of the cultured meat and its derived products.

PolyU Science unveils comprehensive zeolite structures, advancing development of catalysts for petrochemical and renewable energy

A PolyU research team led by Prof. Edman Tsang, Chair Professor of Catalysis and Materials, in collaboration with the University of Oxford and the Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has revealed the precise location of aluminium atoms in the zeolite framework. This discovery could facilitate the design of more efficient and stable catalysts, aimed at increasing the yield of petrochemical products, achieving efficient renewable energy storage, and controlling air pollution. This advancement will further promote the application of zeolites in relevant fields. Press Release: English | 中文 Online coverage: Mirage News PolyU Reveals Zeolite Structures, Boosts Catalyst Tech 10 March 2025 Hong Kong Economic Journal 理大研沸石助石化產品增產 (subscription required) 10 March 2025 Hong Kong Commercial Daily 理大研究揭沸石可促進石油化工和再生能源應用 10 March 2025  

PolyU’s collaboration with Correctional Services Department for food waste upcycle

PolyU and the Correctional Services Department (CSD) signed an MoU on 7 February to jointly promote the upcycling of food waste and the development of environmentally friendly products. The first phase of the collaboration involves the application of PolyU’s patented technology for making 3D printing material with spent coffee grounds to the industrial production work performed by persons in custody. PolyU will also provide vocational training in product design for persons in custody to develop more environmentally friendly spent coffee grounds products. Online coverage: Oriental Daily News 孖理大搞環保 咖啡渣3D打印產品 20 February 2025 Ming Pao Daily News 懲教署推網上平台賣在囚者製造產品　收益將捐贈本地慈善機構 20 February 2025 Sing Tao Daily 2024懲教署年結｜日均還押人數創24年新高 黃國興：擬調撥個別院所收容額紓緩 20 February 2025 Ta Kung Pao 「懲」味好淡　不停轉型的在囚人士職業培訓 20 February 2025 Wen Wei Po 「懲」味好淡　不停轉型的在囚人士職業培訓 20 February 2025 Dot Dot News 「懲」味好淡　不停轉型的在囚人士職業培訓 20 February 2025 Line Today 咖啡渣變3D打印物料　懲教與理大合作推動環保與更生 20 February 2025  

PolyU Science researchers make breakthrough discovery in structure and synthesis of 2D ferroelectrics, advancing technological development in microelectronics, artificial intelligence and quantum information

A research team led by Prof. Zhao Jiong, Associate Professor of the Department of Applied Physics, has conducted research on the structure and potential of 2D van der Waals materials, and has unveiled a pioneering approach for large-scale synthesis of 2D ferroelectrics. Their findings significantly boost technological advancements in microelectronics, artificial intelligence and quantum information, and will subsequently foster the development of diverse applications including high-density memory devices, energy conversion systems, sensing technologies and catalysis technologies. Press Release: English | 中文 Online coverage: Mirage News 2D Ferroelectrics Discovery Boosts Tech, AI, Quantum 18 February 2025 Wen Wei Po 理大二維鐵電體研究突破 推動微電子AI領域發展 18 February 2025 China Review News 理大二維鐵電體研究突破　推動微電子AI發展 19 February 2025  

PolyU and CSD sign MoU to promote upcycling of food waste and development of eco-friendly products

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Correctional Services Department (CSD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 7 February 2025 to jointly promote the upcycling of food waste and the development of environmentally friendly products, injecting new impetus into the sustainable development of the correctional industry. The MoU sets out a framework for collaboration between PolyU and CSD to jointly promote innovative development initiatives over the next five years, including the application of Research Institute for Future Food scientific research results on food waste upcycling to industrial production in correctional institutions; and the provision of vocational training to persons in custody (PICs) in the design and production of environmentally friendly products by PolyU to enhance their employability. The collaboration not only promotes environmental protection but also assists in the rehabilitation of PICs. Press Release: English | 中文 Online coverage: Bastille Post CSD and PolyU Collaborate to Upcycle Food Waste for Sustainable Correctional Development 7 February 2025 Sing Tao Daily 懲教署與理大簽訂合作備忘錄　推動食物廢料升級及發展環保產品 (subscription required) 7 February 2025 Wen Wei Po 懲教署與理大簽訂合作備忘錄　推動食物廢料升級及發展環保產品 7 February 2025 Sina HK 懲教署與香港理工大學簽訂合作備忘錄推動食物廢料升級及發展環保產品 7 February 2025  

PolyU signs MoU with Pok Oi Hospital to provide internship opportunities for students

PolyU signed an MoU with Pok Oi Hospital on 15 January to explore opportunities for students from the School of Nursing and Departments of Food Science and Nutrition, and Rehabilitation Sciences to undertake internship, research and services at the hospital’s subsidiaries, with an aim of nurturing more nursing and other allied healthcare professionals together. The two parties will also further deepen their collaboration in addressing industry’s needs, fostering talents and planning and developing nursing and rehabilitation programmes. Press Release: 中文 Online coverage: Ta Kung Pao 理大與博愛醫院簽署合作備忘錄　提供護理及康復治療等專業實習 15 January 2025 Hong Kong Commercial Daily 博愛醫院與理大簽署合作備忘錄 擴大專職醫療人才庫 15 January 2025 Dot Dot News 理大與博愛醫院簽署合作備忘錄　提供護理及康復治療等專業實習 15 January 2025  

PolyU project develops library of polarised vdW heterobilayers for exploring novel 2D materials

A research team led by Prof. Daniel Lau Shu Ping, Chair Professor of Nanomaterials and Head of the Department of Applied Physics, has proposed generating a library of van der Waals (vdW) heterobilayers with specific properties to screen for materials that have significant development potential. Prof. Lau said the results of their work may provide new insights into building high-density and energy-efficient next-generation non-volatile memory and in-memory computing devices. The project has received support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Research Grants Council Collaborative Research Scheme 2024/25. Press release: English | Chinese Online coverage: Hong Kong Commercial Daily 理大研究創建極化vdW異質雙層數據庫 獲國家自然科學基金及研資局合作研究重點項目計劃支持 17 December 2024 Hong Kong China News Agency 港理大研究創建數據庫 助探索嶄新二維材料 17 December 2024  

Dr Kenneth Lo interviewed by Now TV’s programme “Medicine Online”

Dr Kenneth Lo Ka-hei, Assistant Professor of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, was interviewed by Now TV’s programme “Medicine Online” to reveal the truth about gluten-free diet. Online coverage: Now TV 【杏林在線】無麩質飲食 (00:15 - 10:30) 2 December 2024  

Prof. Raymond Wong interviewed by RTHK’s radio programme “Infinite Future” on his research of high-performance OLED

Prof. Raymond Wai-Yeung Wong, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Chair Professor of Chemical Technology was interviewed by RTHK’s radio programme “Infinite Future”, covering his research focus in developing high-performance OLED and organic solar cell materials, with future trends focusing on material stability, flexibility and environmental impact. In the interview, Prof. Wong’s team made significant progress in the development of deep blue light-emitting materials, achieving high external quantum efficiency. He also highlighted recent achievements, such as using novel transition metal complexes to boost photovoltaic conversion efficiency to over 19%. He also discussed the potential of these technologies in wearable devices, providing autonomous power solutions. Looking ahead, Prof. Wong stressed the importance of developing low-toxicity materials and enhancing the stability and lifespan of OLEDs. His research aims to contribute significantly to sustainable energy solutions and address the global energy crisis. Online coverage: RTHK 提升有機太陽能電池光電轉換效率助減碳 23 November 2024