News

RILS scholar co-authored study reveals summer meltwater storage in Greenland ice sheet

Prof. CHEN Jianli, Core Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Professor in the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, and an international group of researchers published a study in Nature that unveils a substantial amount of meltwater being temporarily stored within the Greenland ice sheet during summer. The study was led by Dr RAN Jiangjun, Associate Professor at the Southern University of Science and Technology. For the first time, the team quantified meltwater storage using positioning data. The researchers employed data from the Greenland GPS Network (GNET), a network comprising dozens of stations in Greenland, to continuously monitor the vertical displacements of bedrock at different stages of the melt season. The mass of meltwater is a factor that causes the bedrock to shift downwards. The team developed an innovative method for explaining the detected vertical shifts based on the meltwater mass. The Greenland ice sheet is currently the largest contributor to global sea level rise. If it completely melts, it can potentially raise the mean sea level by seven meters. The study provides a new perspective on the movement and storage of meltwater within the ice sheet during the summer months, bringing important discoveries for addressing pressing environmental challenges on Earth.   Read more: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08096-3

Prof. George LIU Zhizhao appointed as Chief Scientist of Meteorological Observation Center of China Meteorological Administration

Congratulations to Prof. George LIU Zhizhao, Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), and Associate Head (Partnership) of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, for being appointed as the Chief Scientist of the Meteorological Observation Center, China Meteorological Administration (CMA). Prof. Liu is an internationally renowned scholar in geomatics research and application. Over the years, his laboratory, the Micro-Laboratory of Atmospheric Research and Geomatics Engineering (Micro-LARGE), has conducted academic research in the field of geomatics and developed related technologies that significantly contribute to important aspects of society. These include precise positioning algorithms and data quality analysis for Global Positioning System (GPS)/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), ionosphere scintillation monitoring and 3D Total Electron Content (TEC) modelling, impact of space weather on satellite navigation and flight operation, monitoring of atmospheric water vapor and 3D modelling, retrieval and calibration of satellite remote sensing water vapor data, and assimilation of atmospheric water vapor into Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models, etc. 

Prof. Daniel LAU shares electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction system on RTHK radio programmes

Prof. Daniel LAU, Associate Director of the Photonics Research Institute (PRI), Key Member of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), Head of the Department of Applied Physics and Chair Professor of Nanomaterials, was featured in the RTHK radio programmes, including “Under the Sun” on 20 and 27 October 2024, and “Infinite Future” on 26 October 2024.  In the programmes, Prof. Lau introduced the novel electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction system developed by his team. This system can efficiently convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into ethylene, a raw material for plastics, thus achieving a carbon-negative effect. Prof. Lau is currently collaborating with the industry to conduct research on improving this device and enhancing its stability, hoping to apply this technology to overseas petrochemical plants or waste-to-energy devices in the near future.  Prof. Lau also hopes to collaborate with relevant government departments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, such as the Environment and Ecology Bureau, to apply this technology to local waste-to-energy facilities to convert the carbon dioxide emitted from incinerators into ethylene. Prof. Lau also shared that this “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.   Online coverage: RTHK Under the Sun (27 October 2024) - https://www.rthk.hk/radio/radio1/programme/underthesun/episode/984300 RTHK Under the Sun (20 October 2024) - https://www.rthk.hk/radio/radio1/programme/underthesun/episode/982843 RTHK Infinite Future - https://www.rthk.hk/radio/radio1/programme/infinitefuture/episode/984158

PAIR scholars to showcase research impact at InnoCarnival 2024

InnoCarnival 2024, organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, will be held from 26 October to 3 November 2024 at the Hong Kong Science Park. This year’s theme “Let’s Sail with Innovation and Technology”, aligns with the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.   Seven projects led by PAIR members will showcase their research achievement at the event.  These projects span various application areas, including space explorations, life sciences and healthcare, artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) and sensing technology, civil engineering and vision and eye health. Come and see how our PolyU researchers translate their research outcomes into solutions with socio-economic impact! Reard more: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/kteo/news-and-events/events/2024/10/innocarnival-2024/?sc_lang=en

PolyU-developed In-orbit Material Experiment Testbed carried to space

The In-orbit Material Experiment Testbed developed by an interdisciplinary research team of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE) was launched to low Earth orbit along with the Shijian-19 Satellite on 27 September 2024, and was successfully retrieved on 11 October 2024. The testbed aims to test the effects of catalysts on materials under the extreme conditions in space.  Prof. WANG Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation), said PolyU is honoured to have the device developed by the University to be carried to the space along with the SJ-19 Satellite. From Chang’e lunar missions to Tianwen Mars missions, PolyU research teams have been active at the forefront of the Nation’s space industry development, working with experts in the Mainland to develop a number of space instruments to provide support for the Nation’s lunar and Mars missions.   Press release: English - https://polyu.me/48uGio6   Online coverage: (Chinese only) Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/3YARv2R; https://polyu.me/4hl9lyo; https://polyu.me/48naYrb Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3UhDDIb; https://polyu.me/48yVErG Lion Rock Daily - https://polyu.me/48nujZ7 Dot Dot News - https://polyu.me/3Yja62i; https://polyu.me/3C4xiKd Mirage News - https://polyu.me/3C4jQWz Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/3AlwAro (subscription required) Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/4fpzCtq (subscription required) Sohu - https://polyu.me/3YwK3ou Nanfang Daily - https://polyu.me/4fqWRUb

“PAIR Research Impact 2024” video is now online

The PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) is pleased to present the “PAIR Research Impact 2024” video which was premiered at the Opening Ceremony of the “PolyU InnoTech Open Day x Alumni Homecoming 2024” held last Saturday (19 October 2024)! The video introduces PAIR and its 19 constituent research units, as well as PAIR’s latest research achievements and solutions in three major research themes including “Advanced Technologies and Manufacturing“, “Good Health and Well-being”, and “Smart and Sustainable Cities”. Watch the video now and learn how PAIR brings impactful solutions for the greater good of society and for the benefit of mankind. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nak7IeJp4WE&t=9s

Prof. WU Bo to serve as associate director of new InnoHK R&D centre and participate in Chang’e-8 lunar robot development

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region announced in the 2024 Policy Address that it will establish a research centre under the InnoHK research cluster to participate in the Nation’s Chang’e-8 mission. According to sources, the centre will develop multi-functional robots for operations on the lunar surface and mobile charging piles for supporting different devices.  The centre will be joined by scholars from HKUST, PolyU, HKU, CUHK and CityU, and will involve collaborations with mainland and overseas institutions including the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, for inter-institutional, interdisciplinary projects to contribute to national aerospace development. The research centre is expected to be officially launched and commence operations within this year. The director of the centre will be Prof. SUN Qingping, Professor of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at HKUST, while Prof. YU Hongyu, Associate Professor of the same department will be the co-director. Prof. WU Bo, Associate Director of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE) of PolyU, will be the associate director of the new centre.   Online coverage: Ming Pao Daily News - https://polyu.me/4f39Db9 / https://polyu.me/3BS3WP2 Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/3zQSLFP /  https://polyu.me/3C3WYGw Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3NuaAgX / https://polyu.me/3Y9rCWF HK01 - https://polyu.me/4dP4DWt

PAIR InnoTech Forum successfully held

The PAIR InnoTech Forum was successfully held on 19 October 2024, as one of the highlights of the PolyU InnoTech Open Day x Alumni Homecoming 2024. At the Forum, representatives of 18 PAIR constituents research units, including directors and associate directors of research institutes and research centres, introduced their units and research achievements. The Forum attracted over 200 in-person participants and captured an online viewing audience of over 28,800 from various countries and regions, who watched the live broadcast on multiple social media platforms, including Bilibili, WeChat, Weibo, and YouTube. The first session “Driving Innovation in Good Health and Well-being“ was moderated by Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PAIR. Representatives of seven PAIR constituent units shared their innovative technologies and solutions to health challenges. They included Prof. ZHENG Yongping, Director of the Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA); Dr Amber CHIOU, Associate Director of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood); Prof. ZHANG Ming, Director of the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports); Prof. Sylvia CHAN, Interim Director of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC); Prof. WONG Man-sau, Director of the Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI); Prof. HE Mingguang, Director of the Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV); and Prof. SONG Haiyan, Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT). The second session “Technologies in AI and Modern Era” was moderated by Prof. MAN Hau-chung, Founding Director of the Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM). Representatives of seven other research units presented their latest research achievements and explained how artificial intelligence was used in their research solutions to bring positive benefits to the society. They included Prof. George HUANG, Director of RIAM; Prof. CAO Jiannong, Director of the Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT); Prof. TAO Xiaoming, Director of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR); Prof. LU Chao, Director of the Photonics Research Institute (PRI); Prof. LIU Aiqun, Director of the Research Institute for Quantum Technology (RIQT); Prof. WU Bo, Associate Director of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE); and Dr Tracy MOK, Associate Director of the Research Centre of Textile for Future Fashion (RCTFF). The third session “Resilient Urban Infrastructure under Climate Change” was moderated by Prof. LI Xiangdong, Director of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD). He kickstarted the session by welcoming and introducing the honourable guest Ir Dr Otto POON Lok-to, BBS, OBE. The generous donation from the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation supported the establishment of two PAIR constituent research units. Next, representatives of four PAIR constituent units shared their research solutions that support sustainable urban development. They included Prof. NIU Jianlei, Associate Director of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI); Prof. WANG Shengwei, Director of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE); Prof. DING Xiaoli, Director of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS); and Prof. POON Chi-sun, Director of the Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE). A moderated question-and-answer session was held after each session. The audience engaged in a productive discussion with the speakers and enjoyed an inspiring afternoon with PAIR.   Please click here for an online review.    

【An overwhelming success! PolyU InnoTech Open Day x Alumni Homecoming 2024】

What a great success for our flagship event “PolyU InnoTech Open Day x Alumni Homecoming 2024”, and thank you all for your tremendous support. The event was graced by the presence of the Hon. Duncan Chiu, Legislative Council Member (Technology and Innovation Constituency) of HKSAR, and Ms Wu Cheng, Deputy Director General of Education and Technology Department in the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, as the officiating guests. This year’s InnoTech Open Day, themed “Vision through Innovation, Connecting Intelligence”, showcased PolyU’s achievements in interdisciplinary research, knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship, which contribute to the development of Hong Kong into an international I&T hub. Among the many exciting activities, our innovation showcases highlighted the power of PolyU-industry collaboration in driving cutting-edge innovations to accelerate new quality productive forces, as well as outcomes of research led by award-winning young and outstanding PolyU scholars. The showcased innovations spanned advanced manufacturing, AI and data sciences, life sciences and healthcare, new energy and materials, sustainability, and novel EV charging technologies, deeply impressing participants. Meanwhile, the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) showcased inspiring inventions of its constituent research units. Visitors marvelled at the food waste-derived 3D-printed materials, smart companion doll, cutting-edge foot scanner, novel 3D model depicting the topography and landscape of the lunar south pole, and low-carbon construction materials. Directors of PAIR’s research units also presented groundbreaking technologies in health and well-being, AI, and resilient urban infrastructure at the PAIR InnoTech Forum, which gave us a glimpse into the future. To further drive entrepreneurship development, PolyU penned strategic partnership agreements with companies and organisations from Hong Kong and Mainland China at the event. In addition, 3 collaborating incubation and investment platforms in Mainland China and 18 start-ups nurtured in the PolyVentures ecosystem were featured. Participants got the chance to experience advanced technologies developed by some of these start-ups. Moreover, outstanding alumnus Dr Shen Peng, founder and CEO of Waterdrop Inc., shared his entrepreneurial journey, providing valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs. The InnoTech Day brought together PolyU academics, students, alumni, I&T entrepreneurs, industry partners, researchers, students, and technology enthusiasts to explore and experience the benefits of innovation and technology. PolyU will continue to strive to contribute to I&T development for Hong Kong, the Nation, and the world!

PAIR research projects featured in the latest issue of PolyU’s magazine “Excel X Impact”

Edge AI: The Smart Way to Build Smarter Cities (RIAIoT) https://polyu.hk/UIgTb   Travelling with AI (RCTFF) https://polyu.hk/KoaWq   Uncovering Mysteries of the Moon (RCDSE) https://polyu.hk/zvNfL   Combating Corrosion (RISUD) https://polyu.hk/estpx   Cooling Hot Cities (RILS and RISUD) https://polyu.hk/WsTxp   From Lab to Life-saving Screening: PolyU Startup’s Battle Against Liver Disease (RISA) https://polyu.hk/wXMJE