Three PolyU projects receive top NSFC/RGC Collaborative Research Scheme funding and four projects supported by Joint Research Scheme

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has secured funding support for three projects under the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Research Grants Council (NSFC/RGC)’s Collaborative Research Scheme (CRS) 2023/24 Exercise. This accomplishment demonstrates the University’s research excellence in larger-scale scientific and technological projects.

The three CRS projects received total funding of HK$10.5 million, leading the way among local education institutions in terms of the number of funded projects and the amount of funding granted.

The research projects, all with a duration of four years, aim to promote interdisciplinary collaboration between universities in Mainland China and Hong Kong. They propose ground-breaking solutions for advancing information technology, management and environmental science.

Led by Prof. Jiannong CAO, Dean of the Graduate School, Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Professor in Data Science, and Chair Professor of Distributed and Mobile Computing, the project “Efficient Scheduling of Integrated Cloud-Edge-End Computing Power for AI-enabled Applications” has received funding of HK$3.6 million. It proposes a systematic framework for the management and scheduling of integrated-cloud-edge-end computing power to support resource-hungry and latency-sensitive AI-empowered applications, contributing to the construction of the national computer power network.

Prof. Geoffrey Q.P. SHEN, Associate Vice President (Global Partnerships), Director of Global Engagement and Chair Professor of Construction Management, leads the project “The Mechanism and Policy Optimisation of Multi-stakeholder Cross-regional Collaboration in the Construction Industry of the GBA”, also with a grant of HK$3.6 million. It aims to investigate mechanisms of cross-regional collaboration among stakeholders under ‘One Country, Two Systems’ and the influence mechanisms of collaboration behaviour on the performance of collaboration in the construction industry of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) so as to simulate and provide proposals for facilitating the development of relevant cooperation policies.

Led by Prof. Songye ZHU, Associate Head and Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the project “Develop Next-generation Typhoon-resistant Deep-sea Offshore Floating Hybrid Wind-wave Energy Converters: From Coupling Load Mechanism to Vibration Migration Technology” has been granted HK$3.3 million. It proposes systematic investigations to advance the development of typhoon-resistant floating hybrid offshore wind-wave energy converters, which hold great promise as a renewable energy source.

Professor Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), said, “We are delighted and proud to have secured funding support from NSFC and RGC for promoting multidisciplinary collaborations with universities in Mainland China and Hong Kong. PolyU has received the largest number of approved projects and the highest level of funding among institutions in Hong Kong. This significant achievement reflects our research excellence in the fields of information technology, management and environmental science. It also reaffirms our position as a research powerhouse and a leading institution dedicated to driving scientific and technological advancements. PolyU will continue to champion innovation, collaboration and excellence in research, aiming to make a signature impact on the global stage.”

Under the Joint Research Scheme (JRS) of the NSFC/RGC, four PolyU projects have received total funding support of HK$4.8 million for a duration of four years. The projects cover topics in life science, new materials science and sustainable city development.

The four funded projects are “Novel SNARE Complexes of Autophagosome-lysosome Fusion: Mechanistic Study and Strategy for Modulation” led Prof. Yanxiang ZHAO, Associate Head and Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology; “A New Paradigm for Designing and Manufacturing of 4D Printed Reconfigurable Lattice Structures for Tunable Broadband Vibration Suppression” led by Prof. Li CHENG, Associate Dean of Research (ENG) and Chair Professor of Mechanical Engineering; “Mastering the Synergy Between High-voltage Cathode and Electrolyte to Build Robust Interfaces for Advanced Potassium-ion Battery” led by Dr Biao ZHANG, Associate Professor of the Department of Applied Physics; and “Recycling Construction Waste in Highway Embankments towards Sustainable Development of City Clusters: Geotechnical Assessment Considering Multi-physics Coupling Effects” led by Dr Chao ZHOU, Tsui Tack Kong Young Scholar in Civil Engineering and Associate Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

The NSFC/RGC supports research projects jointly proposed by Mainland China and Hong Kong researchers on the basis of their scientific merit. The CRS, which was newly introduced in 2022/23, 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. The grant for each Hong Kong applicant is limited to HK$3.6 million. The JRS promotes collaboration between researchers in the Mainland and Hong Kong for their complementary strengths. The amount of funding for Hong Kong applicants is limited to HK$1.25 million.

For further information of these PolyU funded projects, please refer to the appendix.

***END***