Smart Headset featuring Adaptive Noise Filters for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
ZC-01 Automatic Washroom Cleaning Robot
Thick Glassy Carbon Manufacturing and Physical Property Adjustment through Heat Treatment
Impactful innovations from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) won a record-breaking number of accolades at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva (Geneva Inventions Expo), a widely recognised annual event devoted exclusively to invention.
The Department is pleased to have three innovations seized two Silver Medals and one Bronze Medal. This achievement underscores the commitment of the ME community, encompassing scholar, student and alumnus, to embracing research breakthroughs.
Smart Headset featuring Adaptive Noise Filters for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Principle Investigator:
Dr CHOY Yat Sze
Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Project description:
This innovative smart headset creates a personalised adaptive noise filter for users with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The noise filter is based on the unique aural perception response of each user, reducing irritating noise without interfering with normal everyday sounds such as speech. This makes the sound perceived by the user more comfortable, helping alleviate negative behaviour triggered by intolerable sound stimuli.
The smart headset works with a mobile application that quickly assesses the aural perception response of each user and creates a unique noise filter. The smart headset is a significant technological breakthrough that could transform the lives of individuals with ASD by making their daily experiences more manageable and enjoyable. It also enhances their communication, education, and social lives. It benefits both the users and their families by improving their quality of life.
ZC-01 Automatic Washroom Cleaning Robot
Principle Investigator:
Mr LEE Tsz Chung Curry
MSc in ME Graduate, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Founder, ZeeqClean Technology Limited (a PolyU start-up)
Project description:
The ZC-01™ is a commercial toilet cleaning robot that operates either manually or automatically. It uses non-visual LiDAR and infrared sensors for adaptive cruise, and can clean toilets and urinals in a contactless way, with drying and UV sterilisation functions. Before cleaning, the ZC-01™ can detect and open the toilet lid. The ZC-01™ can reduce the cost of commercial cleaning and help industry become more environmentally-friendly by recording energy and chemical consumption. Most importantly, ZC-01™ can reduce work aversion in commercial washroom cleaning.
The target market of the ZC-01™ is Hong Kong's commercial buildings, government buildings, large public toilets, international airport, and its international conference venue AsiaWorld-Expo, as well as large highway rest areas in the Mainland – all places that require a large amount of cleaning.
Thick Glassy Carbon Manufacturing and Physical Property Adjustment through Heat Treatment
Principle Investigator:
Mr YANG Yi, PhD Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Founder, Discarbonery Technology Limited (a PolyU start-up)
Project description:
Glassy carbon is a carbon material that does not form graphite crystals, and has excellent physical and chemical properties. It can be used in various applications such as glass moulding and the semiconductor industry. However, this material has a number of challenges – such as size limitations, high preparation costs, and high hardness – that make it difficult to process directly.
To overcome these challenges, we have developed a way to produce large, cost-effective, shape-controlled glassy carbon products, and a way to use heat treatment to subsequently adjust their physical properties. These strategies enable us to fine-tune the properties of glassy carbon to suit different applications and extend product lifespan.
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