News

Prof. YANG Guang develops high-performance WBG perovskite solar cells, opening new path for scalable fabrication

A joint research team led by Prof. YANG Guang, Member of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) and Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), and Prof. HUANG Jinsong of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA, innovatively incorporated a reductive methylhydrazinium cation (Mhy+) into wide-bandgap (WBG) perovskite materials, opening a new path for the scalable fabrication of solar cells in ambient conditions.  The ground-breaking research, titled “Reductive cation for scalable wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells in ambient air”, has been published in Nature Sustainability. The team has achieved major progress in terms of material improvement, performance breakthrough and stability enhancement.  The researchers found that Mhy+ additive significantly reduces defect density while suppressing iodide oxidation and halide demixing, enabling scalable fabrication of efficient and stable WBG solar cells and modules in ambient air.  The WBG solar cells developed by the team achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23%, an open-circuit voltage of 1.28V, and a voltage loss of just 0.37V, setting new benchmarks for the field.  The researchers also successfully fabricated 25 cm² mini-modules with a stabilised efficiency of 19.8%.  These mini-modules, under accelerated aging conditions at 55±5°C, retained 94% of their initial efficiency after 700 hours of continuous light exposure, demonstrating exceptional long-term stability. This research addresses the technical challenges of scalable fabrication of solar cells in ambient conditions, making a significant step forward in the advancement of solar energy harvesting. Read the full paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-025-01529-5  

Prof. ZHANG Weixiong identifies “cancer keeper genes”

A research team led by Prof. ZHANG Weixiong, Associate Director of PAIR and Chair Professor of Systems Biology and Artificial Intelligence, has identified “cancer-keeper genes” (CKGs), genes that maintain cancerous cell states and are critical for cellular homeostasis and survival. CKGs can be used as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for diagnosing and treating cancer. Interventions targeting CKGs may terminate or prevent abnormal cell differentiation and proliferation. The research, titled “Cancer-keeper genes as therapeutic targets”, has been published in iScience. Read the full paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37520717/ Online coverage: Medical Xpress - https://polyu.me/4c41YsN

DoRiFood featured in “Carbon Revolution in China” on food waste-derived 3D printing material

Prof. WONG Ka-hing, Director of Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), was featured in the short film “Carbon Revolution in China” produced by the Hong Kong Coalition, introducing the food waste-derived 3D printing material developed by his team. The material is made by combining spent coffee grounds with polylactic acid (PLA). This innovation not only helps reduce carbon footprint but also demonstrates the vast potential for upcycling food waste. Online coverage: Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/4iqRjei (06:00 - 07:22) Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4bJX0Bs (06:00 - 07:22) Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/4bLYBXm (06:00 - 07:22)

PolyU and Amway (China) establish Joint Laboratory for Phytonutrients and Aging Research

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Amway (China) signed a strategic cooperation memorandum for the establishment of the Joint Laboratory for Phytonutrients and Ageing Research on 17 March 2025. Over the next three years, both parties will allocate dedicated research funding, co-train postdoctoral researchers, and establish a phytonutrient database alongside functional assessment models to support the advancement of the Greater Bay Area’s health sector. In his address, Prof. WONG Wing-tak, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, highlighted the growing demand for phytonutrients products and emphasised the significant potential of this partnership, seizing research innovation and commercialisation opportunities in the field to bring forth new solutions that benefit human health, science and technology and economy. Mr Johnson HAN, General Manager of Innovation and Science of Amway (China), highlighted the company’s decades of research and market experience in phytonutrients. The memorandum was signed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, and Mr Johnson HAN, under the witness of Prof. WONG Wing-tak; Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR); Dr Eric Du, Principal Scientist of the Research and Development Centre of Amway (China) and Dr Clark Chen, Senior Scientist of the Research and Development Centre of Amway (China). The inauguration ceremony for the joint laboratory followed, led by Prof. WONG Wing-tak; Prof. Christopher CHAO; Prof. Raymond WONG, Dean of Faculty of Science of PolyU; Mr Johnson Han; Dr Eric Du; and Dr Clark Chen. The gift exchange between the two sides brought the ceremony to a fruitful close. Prof. CHEN Qingyan presented Amway (China) with a commemorative plaque, and in return, Dr DU Jun gifted the Nutrilite N90 Tree of Life, an artistic decor piece symbolising holistic health. Over 20 experts, including Prof. WONG Man-sau, Director of Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI) and Prof. Lee Ming-yuen of Department of Food Science and Nutrition, joined this momentous occasion.  

Notable scholar Prof. Jesse ZHU advises graduate students on research career preparation at PAIR Distinguished Lecture

Prof. Jesse ZHU, Senior Advisor to the President, Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo, China, delivered the 36th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Research Strategy and Planning: How to Prepare a Research Career?” on 12 March 2025 on the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted over 110 participants to join in person and captivated an online audience of over 13,300 from different countries and regions who watched the live broadcast on multiple social media platforms, including Bilibili, WeChat, Weibo and YouTube. Prof. Zhu kickstarted his presentation by sharing his personal anecdotes from his journey through academia and industry, emphasising that innovation, curiosity and a commitment to societal impact have guided his research trajectory. He stressed the importance of identifying meaningful research themes to ensure both academic rigor and real-world relevance, noting, “True scientific breakthroughs emerge when we chase fundamental truths, not just external accolades.” Prof. Zhu illustrated these principles with examples from his cross-disciplinary work, including (i) healthcare innovation, the development of a rotating fluidiser which is a device that enable uniform particle suspension to optimise drug delivery systems; (ii) sustainable manufacturing, the application of nanoparticles in paint production to enhance flow efficiency and reduce environmental waste; and (iii) urban sustainability, pioneering compact wastewater treatment technologies for space-constrained urban environments. In conclusion, Prof. Zhu underscored the transformative role of research in advancing global well-being, advocating for a balance between theoretical exploration and applied solutions. He urged students to cultivate resilience, collaborate across disciplines, and align their work with societal needs, that is, “persistence and purpose are the bedrock of a fulfilling research career.” The event concluded with a lively question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. Chen, where attendees explored topics ranging from funding strategies to various considerations in technology development with Prof. Zhu. Please click here for an online review.

PolyU scholars discuss the latest developments in AI, demonstrating the University’s leadership in AI education and research

(11 March 2025) The PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today hosted its inaugural Public Forum for Research and Innovation. Titled “DeepSeek and Beyond”, the keynote speech was delivered by Prof. YANG Hongxia, Associate Dean (Global Engagement) of the PolyU Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences and Professor of the Department of Computing, who highlighted the latest developments in artificial intelligence (AI). The event attracted over a thousand participants, including faculty members, students, alumni, and leaders from the innovation and technology sector, as well as academics and the public. Additionally, over 390,000 viewers tuned in through the live streaming platforms. The Forum began with a welcoming speech delivered by Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PAIR and Chair Professor of Building Thermal Science of the PolyU Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering. This was followed by Prof. ZHANG Chenqi, Chair Professor of Artificial Intelligence of the PolyU Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and Director of the PolyU Shenzhen Research Institute introducing the speaker. Prof. Zhang said, “The development of large models is at the core of competition in the AI wave. DeepSeek has demonstrated that high-performance AI models can be achieved using fewer and less advanced graphics processing units (GPUs), demonstrating that cutting-edge AI technology can be realised through the optimisation of algorithms.” The large AI model developed by the mainland Chinese startup DeepSeek has garnered wide acclaim around the world for its low-cost, high-performance, and open-source framework, disrupting the traditional “computing power-first” logic of AI model training. At the Forum, Prof. Yang highlighted the potential of generative AI (GenAI), adding that it presents abundant opportunities for various sectors, including healthcare, finance, manufacturing, retail, media and fashion, and for applications in medical imaging analysis, fraud detection, predictive maintenance, retail inventory management, content creation, and design and marketing. Prof. Yang also recounted the evolution of AI and shared her professional milestones with the audience, notably the development of the M6 large model, which trained a 10-trillion-parameters model using just 512 GPUs. Prof. Yang further elaborated on how her GenAI project, Co-GenAI, improves the accessibility of AI technology while minimising dependence on large-scale centralised computing resources, thereby transforming the trajectory of AI progress. This ground-breaking effort has positioned Hong Kong and the Mainland at the forefront of global advancement in GenAI. Moderated by Prof. Zhang Chenqi, a panel discussion was also held, featuring esteemed panellists Prof. Yang Hongxia and Prof. LI Qing, Head and Chair Professor of Data Science of the PolyU Department of Computing, and Co-Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism. The scholars discussed the opportunities and challenges that advancements in AI present for higher education and research. They also engaged in fruitful discussion with participants during the question-and-answer session. The topics included the application of AI in industry, the regulation of information, its impact on the employment environment and economic development, and the integration of AI technologies. PolyU is committed to advancing AI education and research. In January 2025, the University established the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences with a vision to lead global advancements in digital transformation and AI through distinguished education, research, and knowledge transfer. Please click here for an online review. Online coverage: Oriental Daily News - https://polyu.me/43FLmp5 Ming Pao Daily News - https://polyu.me/3FySxVZ am730 - https://polyu.me/43C3j7S Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/3R2ZMrK Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4hvZnJg; https://polyu.me/41DYdp5 Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/4kIe7aE Lion Rock Daily - https://polyu.me/3Fxs4Il Dot Dot News - https://polyu.me/41IXa7o; https://polyu.me/3FkPJfe Yahoo HK - https://polyu.me/3DAA2Qy Line Today - https://polyu.me/4bH1x7w Hong Kong China News Agency - https://polyu.me/3XHWfCS The 21st Century Business Herald - https://polyu.me/3FnRHLR Southern Finance - https://polyu.me/3XGtd6K NetEase - https://polyu.me/4hsnAQC HK01 - https://polyu.me/4bM62xy Feng Show - https://polyu.me/3FlcVK9 SCMP - https://polyu.me/4bZmJ8Q (subscription required)  

PAIR Research Impact Video Series | Episode 3 | Electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction: Transforming greenhouse gas into raw material for plastics

The PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) is excited to present the third episode of the PAIR Research ImpactVideo Series. The Series invites PAIR researchers to share their latest research achievements and solutions to major challenges in the society. The third episode titled “Electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction: Transforming greenhouse gas into raw material for plastics” features Prof. Daniel LAU, Associate Director of Photonics Research Institute (PRI), Member of Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), Head of Department of Applied Physics and Chair Professor of Nanomaterials. In the episode, Prof. Lau introduced the novel electrocatalytic carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction system developed by his team. This system can efficiently convert CO2 into ethylene, a key raw material for plastics, contributing to carbon neutrality. The “catalyst material test device” has been carried into space along with the aerospace programme of the China National Space Administration to test for its stability in space. The team is collaborating with industry partners to enhance the device’s stability and explore its application in overseas petrochemical plants and waste-to-energy facilities. Watch the video now to discover how this chemical process works! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrzF8HsMGq8

Issue 2 of Innovation Digest is now available

We are pleased to share that the second issue of the PolyU research newsletter Innovation Digest in now available online! This issue of Innovation Digest centres around the theme "lntegrating Innovation: Advances in Materials and Manufacturing". At the forefront of technology, advanced materials and manufacturing drive a sustainable and efficient future. Rising energy demand and the urgency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions underscore the need for research into sustainable energy solutions. These two interconnected elements – materials and manufacturing – fuel innovation and energy solutions, enhancing performance while reducing resource consumption and waste. Ten research highlight articles featuring studies by PAIR researchers: Flexible Electronics: Permeable 3D Integrated Electronic Skin in Liquid Metal Circuits and Fibrous Substrate by Prof. ZHENG Zijian https://polyu.hk/PGcUL Advancements in Ferroelectric Untwisted Heterobilayers: A Novel Approach by Prof. Daniel LAU Shu Ping https://polyu.hk/fVNje Fabrication of Ultrathin Black Phosphorus Films on Silicon Substrates using Wet Transfer Technique by Prof. HAO Jianhua https://polyu.hk/IgsZJ Synthesis of Low-Cost Metalated Graphyne for Efficient Photocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Reduction by Prof. WONG Raymond Wai-Yeung https://polyu.hk/PIizC Novel Strategy in Enhancing the Performance of Tin-based Perovskite Solar Cells by Prof. YAN Feng https://polyu.hk/ZmmLH Harnessing Polymer Carbon Dots: A New Era of Free Cooling Solutions for Urban Environments by Prof. Vivien LU Lin https://polyu.hk/oZyFy Advanced Fluidic Fabrics: Pioneering Material Innovations for Enhanced Thermal Therapy by Prof. TAO Xiaoming https://polyu.hk/iKKyV Innovative Air Electrode Material Boosting Efficiency and Durability of Reversible Protonic Ceramic Electrochemical Cells for Green Energy Application by Prof. NI Meng https://polyu.hk/kOPbc Innovative Spring-structured Elastic Surface for Spontaneous Ejection of Freezing Droplets by Prof. WANG Zuankai and Prof. YAO Haimin https://polyu.hk/iASdF A Novel Deep-learning Generative Model for Surface Quality Analysis and Optimisation in Additive Manufacturing Processes by Prof. Benny CHEUNG Chi Fai and his research team https://polyu.hk/gpAnN Check out full e-version: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/publications/innovationdigest/  

PAIR Newsletter · Issue 13 · March 2025 is now available online

We are excited to release the latest issue of the PAIR Newsletter! Issue 13 of the PAIR Newsletter newly includes the PAIR Three Year Report, a special report on PAIR’s operations from 2021/22 to 2023/24, summarising the major developments and achievements at the Academy in the first three-year operating cycle.  PAIR has finished the first cycle with great achievements.  The summary report provides a glimpse into the fruitful outcomes in scientific research, funding schemes, knowledge transfer and collaborations at the Academy. The Feature Story section of this Issue covers the insights from PAIR Senior Fellow Prof. Philip RUSSELL on the development and application of “photonic crystal fibre” (PCF), a hollow-core fibre which he proposed in 1991 and revolutionised the way how light travels in glass fibre; as well as the research works by Prof. WENG Qihao, Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence, which integrate geospatial artificial intelligence to give important insights about urbanisation and develop solutions to mitigate its impacts. The Research Achievements section includes some of the latest discoveries at PAIR, including evidence that signifies the presence of ocean on Mars billion ago.  The People section highlights PAIR scholars who have recently been recognised for their research excellence and elected to prestigious academies.  The News & Events section provides a brief review of the many scholarly exchange activities at PAIR over the last few months, media coverages of the works by PAIR scholars, and new partnerships in conducting research and setting up new laboratories. Read on to find out the exciting updates at PAIR! PAIR Newsletter · Issue 13: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/en/pair/publications/issue-13/

Four PAIR members appointed leadership positions at new Mainland Translational Research Institutes

Four members of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) have been appointed to lead two newly established technology and innovation translational research institutes in Mainland China, reinforcing the PolyU’s commitment to advancing its mission in translational research and industry-academia research collaboration. Prof. FAN Jintu, Director of Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF), and Prof. SHOU Dahua, Member of RCTFF, have taken on leadership roles as Director and Associate Director of the PolyU-Xingguo Technology and Innovation Research Institute, respectively. Established on 11 February 2025, the Institute is dedicated to advancing cutting-edge innovation in textile and fashion technology, intelligent wearable systems, smart manufacturing and sustainability. By leveraging PolyU’s strengths in technology transfer and incubation, the Institute aims to support elevating Xingguo’s position as a regional and national hub for manufacturing and innovation for Mainland China’s textile and fashion industries. Prof. CHEN Wu, Associate Director of Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT), and Prof. YAN Feng, Associate Director of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), have been appointed as Director and Associate Director of the PolyU-Hefei Technology and Innovation Research Institute, respectively. Incorporated on 13 February 2025, the Institute focuses on pioneering research in deep space exploration, low-altitude economy and sensing technology. Committed to sustainable development, it will drive technological research and development, entrepreneurial incubation and talent cultivation, and integrate Hefei’s robust resources and PolyU’s research excellence in accelerating the translation of scientific innovations and facilitating their practical applications in the industry. The new institutes underscore the important role of PolyU in advancing regional innovation networks and strengthening industry-academia research partnerships to address global challenges, further demonstrating PolyU’s contributions to and impacts on China’s strengths in strategic science and technology.