Dr YAO Haimin Named ASME Fellow

Dr YAO Haimin, Associate Head (Teaching & Learning) in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has been named a Fellow by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). This prestigious designation recognizes Dr Yao’s exceptional achievements in engineering practice, research, and education. The ASME Committee confers the Fellow grade of membership to honour candidates for their outstanding engineering accomplishments. Nominated by ASME Members and Fellows, candidates typically must have at least 10 years of active practice in mechanical engineering and have been ASME members for a minimum of five years. Founded in 1880, ASME aims to advance engineering for the benefit of society and currently boasts over 85,000 members across 140 countries. 

Prof. Wang Zuankai bestowed Nukiyama Memorial Award for exceptional thermal science and engineering research

Prof. WANG Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation), Kuok Group Professor in Nature-Inspired Engineering and Chair Professor of Nature-Inspired Engineering of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has been bestowed the 2024 Nukiyama Memorial Award by the Heat Transfer Society of Japan for his significant contributions to thermal science and engineering.  The Nukiyama Memorial Award is presented biennially to a distinguished scientist in the field of thermal science and engineering. Prof. WANG has received this honour for his groundbreaking discovery in heat transfer research, which addresses critical scientific questions and tackles enduring technological challenges related to boiling phenomena.  Prof. WANG said, “I am very honored to receive this prestigious award in 2024, after 90 years’ publication of Prof. Nukiyama’s epoch-making work on boiling phenomena. His beautiful boiling curve, known as the Nukiyama Curve, has clarified the physics of boiling phenomena and has become a landmark in heat transfer textbooks today. Our work has fundamentally inhibited the centuries-old Leidenfrost effect, enabling a shift in the Nukiyama Curve and facilitating more efficient boiling heat transfer. These advancements hold immense potential for unlocking a wide array of applications.”  Prof. WANG’s innovation on structured thermal amour (STA) tackled the longstanding challenges posed by the Leidenfrost effect since 1756. His research “Inhibiting the Leidenfrost effect above 1,000°C for sustained thermal cooling,” published in Nature in 2022.  When the temperature exceeds the Leidenfrost point, a continuous vapour layer forms between the solid and the liquid, leading to a reduction in heat transfer due to increased thermal resistance. Finding an efficient method to cool hot surface has been a persistent challenge in the fields of thermal engineering and materials science.  Prof. WANG’s innovated STA strategy holds the potential to enable efficient liquid cooling at extremely high temperature, particularly in fields like aero-engines, space-engines and next generation nuclear reactors. This breakthrough also applies to electronics cooling which suffers from increased heat flux due to device miniaturization. The invention pushes the boundaries of liquid cooling up to over 1,000°C, resulting in significant technological advancements that enhance thermal cooling in nuclear power plants, engines, microelectronic chips and electronics devices. The Nukiyama Memorial Award was established by the Heat Transfer Society of Japan to commemorate remarkable contributions of Prof. Shiro Nukiyama as an outstanding heat transfer scientist. The Society aims to foster scientific and technical communication among researchers from various disciplines including mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, and nuclear engineering, among others.    

ME PhD students clinch Top Awards in Faculty 3MT Competition

Congratulations to two research students representing the Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME), won the Champion, Second Runner-up and People’s Choice Award in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition 2024 organized by the PolyU Faculty of Engineering. 3MT® celebrates the exciting research conducted by research postgraduate students. Developed by the University of Queensland, Australia, the competition cultivates students’ academic presentation and research communication skills, and supports their capacity to effectively explain their research and its significance in three minutes, in a language appropriate to non-specialist audiences. 3MT® is now a globally recognized competition that has been held in over 900 universities across more than 80 countries worldwide. On 5 June 2024, the PolyU Faculty of Engineering held the 3MT Competition. Seven affiliated departments nominated their research students to participate in it. The participants each delivered a high-impact brief presentation within 3-minute. Most of them demonstrated good academic pitching skills. A panel of judges by representatives from the seven affiliated departments was formed and selected the best presenters. Winners of the 3MT Competition 2024 Champion: ZHANG Kouer Department of Mechanical Engineering  First Runner-up: LAI Huang Department of Biomedical Engineering Second Runner-up: ZHANG Wanglinhan Department of Mechanical Engineering  People’s Choice Award: (by audience ballot)  ZHANG Kouer Department of Mechanical Engineering We are very proud of the outstanding performance by the PolyU ME PhD students, ZHANG Kouer and ZHANG Wanglinhan, stood out from the rest, triumphed in the competition.  Kouer is currently a PhD student in ME under the supervision of Dr AN Liang. “Turning Air into Valuable Ammonia” is the title about her research project for this competition. Wanglinhan is a PhD student in ME supervised by Prof. SU Zhongqing. The title about his research project is “Monitor Blood Glucose Level through Ultrasound Images”. Learn more at PolyU Faculty of Engineering Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition   

MOU between PolyU and Qilu University of Technology for partnership in sustainable development of the lithium-based new energy

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Qilu University of Technology have signed a memorandum of understanding for a cooperative project titled “Critical Technologies for Comprehensive Recycling and Regeneration of Spent Power Lithium-ion Battery”. Led by Dr YU Xiaoliang, Department of Mechanical Engineering of PolyU, and Prof. ZHU Yunhai, High-Tech Industry (Pilot) Base of the Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), the collaboration aims to establish a joint research laboratory to conduct research and development on the critical technologies for comprehensive recycling and regeneration of spent power lithium-ion battery through a long-term and in-depth strategic partnership. It is expected to further contribute to the sustainable development of the lithium-based new energy industry. As the demand for electric vehicles continues to surge, the production of power lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has also seen a corresponding rapid increase. This phenomenon has led to an explosive rise in the number of spent power LIBs. Addressing this challenge, comprehensive recycling and regeneration, including the recovery and reuse of spent LIBs, emerges as a promising development direction to maximize resource utilization. The signing ceremony for the framework agreement was held on 28 May at the 2024 Shandong-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Conference in Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks. The document of cooperation was signed by Prof. DONG Cheng, Associate Vice President (Mainland Research Advancement) of PolyU and Prof. WU Yantao, Secretary of the Party Committee of Qilu University of Technology, and Mr LIN Wu, Secretary of the Shandong Provincial Party Committee, also attended this ceremony. Through such collaborative efforts, both parties will explore opportunities for research and technology transfer in the critical technologies for comprehensive recycling and regeneration of spent power lithium-ion batteries. The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding serves as a record of the current understanding of the potential scope of cooperation and reach a preliminary understanding of the framework for further discussion. This collaboration is believed that the efficacy of recycling technologies will be facilitated, thereby supporting the global transition towards a carbon-neutral future.

ME & AP Student Team Wins IMechE Best Student Design Award 2023/2024

The PolyU Undergraduate ME & AP Student Team won the Best Student Design Award 2023/2024 organized by the IMechE Hong Kong Branch. The team members are Gong Ziqi from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Zhu Wenjia from the Department of Applied Physics. The winning project is called the "Wave Pillow". Nowadays, with the increase in the number of people suffering from cervical spondylosis, the need for treatment and corrective ergonomics has raised awareness among people and the medical community. There is a strong relationship between the quality of sleep and the incidence of whiplash. A proper pillow plays a crucial role in improving sleep quality. Therefore, this project design incorporates flexible electronic devices and various physical sensors to create smart, wave-shaped pillows that can be applied to different sleeping postures and accommodate people of different genders and ages. The design project was developed from multiple perspectives: Background, Design Concept, Mechanical Element, Innovation Achievement, and Commercial Viability, which comprehensively demonstrated the innovative and implementable nature of the design. The IMechE Hong Kong Branch organizes the annual Best Student Design Award to recognize the contributions to the mechanical industry from student design projects and to appreciate the performance of outstanding mechanical engineering students. The award is given to the design project that has the potential to impact the mechanical engineering industry, exhibits technical excellence in the field of mechanical engineering, demonstrates innovation, and shows commercial viability.

ME Final Year Project wins Championship of HKIE Best Final-Year Environmental Project 2024

Congratulations to our team of three 2024 graduates of BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering for receiving the Champion of 2023/2024 Best Final-Year Environmental Project Award (Group Stream) hosted by the Environmental Division of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) for their final year project entitled “Design of a Desalination System Using Low-grade Waste Heat for Hong Kong”. The team, consisting of Chong Man Kuen, Ko Wai Kai, and Leung Wing Wai, was supervised by Dr LI Mengying. This award aims to recognize the efforts of final-year students in completing good quality final year projects and to encourage them to continue the effort in improving the environmental engineering practice in their future careers.

ME PhD Student shines in the 2024 Asian Rowing Cup

We are proud to share that Miss ZHANG Kouer, a PhD student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, has achieved a remarkable accomplishment by winning the Bronze Medal in the Women's Pair event at the prestigious Asian Rowing Cup competition, held on April 19-21, 2024 in Chungju, Korea. Kouer is an award-winning rower and an athlete of the Hong Kong Team. She has previously triumphed with a Silver Medal in the Women's Single Scull event at the 2023 U23 Asian Rowing Championships. Additionally, Kouer has been awarded the HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund - Talent Development Scholarship 2024, which recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding achievements or talent in non-academic areas and provides support for them to further develop their potential. In addition to her impressive athletic achievements, Kouer has also excelled academically. She is currently a PhD student in ME under the supervision of Dr AN Liang. She has recently clinched the Champion and People's Choice Awards in the Faculty 3MT (Three-Minute Thesis) Competition. Read More: ME PhD students clinch Top Awards in Faculty 3MT Competition

ME received 3 accolades at 49th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva

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.   Silver Medal .color-button { background-color: #C0c0c0; color: white; transition: background-color 0.3s; transform: skew(-30deg); } .text_format { display: inline-block; transform: skew(30deg); } .color-button2 { background-color: #CD7F32; color: white; transition: background-color 0.3s; transform: skew(-30deg); } 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. Silver Medal 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. Bronze Medal 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.

ME surges in Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject 2024

In the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject 2024 released on 10 April 2024, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has attained remarkable success, ranking within the top 20 globally for five subjects and the first in Hong Kong for four subjects. Several engineering and technology-related fields also placed in the top 100 worldwide. We are very pleased to see that PolyU’s Mechanical Engineering subject has surged from 120th to 73rd. The QS World University Rankings by Subject evaluated institutions across 54 subjects in five broad subject areas. The subject rankings are weighted based on academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations per paper, the H-index and international research network.  The Department will refer to the rankings and other assessments to strive for improvement and lead ME to a new horizon. Our Performance in Key Rank League Tables .color-button { background-color: #A02337; color: white; transition: background-color 0.3s; } .color-button:hover { background-color: white; color: #A02337; }  

ME Student Team won the 3rd Runner-up in ASMEHK-CityU Student Design Competition 2024

A team of Mechanical Engineering (ME) students won the 3rd Runner-up in the 2024 American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Hong Kong Section Student Design Competition, held on 23 March 2024. “Harvesting Energy from the Sun and Wind”, the theme of this year, is to challenge students to collect renewable solar and/or wind energy and move weights around a game surface. Each team was required to design and build a remotely controlled vehicle that could harvest renewable solar and/or wind energy for mechanical and transportation purposes. The ME team is comprised of five final-year undergraduate students, LIANG Jinchi, QIU Liuming, ZHANG Zhewei, ZHANG Ziqi and ZHAO Zhen, under the supervision of Dr Henry CHU of the ME. ASMEHK-CityU Student Design Competition 2024 was held in City University of Hong Kong, total six teams were participated, including two teams from CUHK, two teams from HKIVE, one team each from HKU and HKPolyU.