News

PAIR scholar awarded National Excellence Young Scientists Fund

Congratulations to Dr Tommy Wei Minchen, Management Committee Member of the Photonics Research Institute, Member of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development and the Research Centre for SHARP Vision , for receiving RMB2 million from the National Excellent Young Scientists Fund (Hong Kong and Macau) 2022.   The awarded project, “Colour Appearance Model and Colour Space”, aims to investigate colour appearance and difference under complicated conditions. The research findings can be used for various imaging systems, such as cameras, smartphones, drones and metaverse-related systems, which will be of great scientific and practical importance for colour science and industry. Under the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Fund is granted annually to support young scholars who have attained achievements in research. Twenty-five projects in total were funded across Hong Kong and Macau this year. Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/3AGJJZe Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/3Cnrppq Ta Kung Pao- https://polyu.me/3KkObQU Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3Kbetox Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/3T8d5XI

Breakthrough in 2D Ferroelectric Materials Development

Prof. Daniel Lau, Head of the Department of Applied Physics, Associate Director of the Photonic Research Institute and Management Committee Member of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy, and his research team have achieved a significant breakthrough in the research on 2D ferroelectric materials. The study has been published in a prestigious international journal, Science. The team has shown that non-ferroelectric nanomaterials—molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and tungsten disulfide (WS2)—can be stacked to form a new heterogeneous crystal with ferroelectric properties. This new ferroelectric film is formed from the interaction between atoms of the two materials. The team also developed a simple method to prepare the new ferroelectric layers. The final product has only two molecular layers and is at the very limit of nanosized layer. This discovery is an important step to making ultra-thin electronics in a low-cost and replicable way, opening up the potential of new 2D ferroelectric materials. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gHxNxUpM

PolyU space experiment competition seeds future generation of innovation and technology talents

PolyU successfully held a Science Experiment Competition for secondary school students on 4 August as part of the “Science World: Exploring Space to Benefit Mankind” science education programme. Teams from the Diocesan Boys’ School (DBS), Diocesan Girls’ School and St. Paul’s Convent School were awarded the championship, first runners-up and second runners-up prizes respectively. Prof. Ben Young, VP(SGA), said he hoped the competition could encourage contestants' future participation in various areas of scientific research.   The winning proposal by DBS students aims to study how lizards adapt to the microgravity environment and cosmic radiation in by comparing the volume and density of the lizards’ cells on Earth and in space. The proposed project can potentially help probe into the factors that affect cell metabolism. Prof. Yung Kai-leung, Director of Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (#RCDSE), Chairman of the judging panel, encouraged the students to improve their proposals to meet the stringent requirements on the space station. He also encouraged PolyU students to visit the Mainland and expand their horizons, understanding the R&D potential and opportunities in our nation.

Member of the MHRC conferred the title of “Presidential Young Scholar"

We are pleased to announce that Dr Georg Kranz, Member of the Mental Health Research Centre (#MHRC), has been conferred the title of “Presidential Young Scholar” for a period of three years from 1 July 2022. Dr Kranz will be awarded a start-up grant in support of his career development. The Presidential Young Scholars Scheme was recently established by the University to support outstanding Assistant Professors and Associate Professors aged 45 and under who have conducted/ led world-leading research that is commensurate with the stage of their academic career. Selected Assistant Professors should have published a significant amount of world-leading research as a main author.

PAIR members receive the InnoStars Award 2021 from Our Hong Kong Foundation

Congratulations to Prof. To Chi-ho, Director of the Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV) and Member of the Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI), and Mr Ling Kar-kan, Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space and Research Institute for Smart Ageing, for receiving the InnoStars Award 2021 from Our Hong Kong Foundation. Online coverage: SCMP - https://polyu.me/3oFAmSV (subscription required) Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/3BnjQP6 Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/3bfWwrK Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3JjZQ1U Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/3Q12AmO Sina - https://polyu.me/3OKZZwh

Industry Visit: Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. (SPH) on 5 August 2022

PolyU researchers actively collaborate with industry to translate their research outcomes and innovations into solutions that respond to the needs of society. A delegation comprising 18 senior management members of the Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. (SPH), including Mr Cho Man, Executive Director and President, visited the University last Friday and were greeted by Dr Miranda Lou, PolyU Executive Vice President and Prof. Kwok-yin Wong, PolyU Vice President (Education). Prof. Tao Xiaoming, Acting Director of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research and the research team from the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology presented the University's latest research and technology developments in #medical fields. They also explored plans to deepen cooperation between the University and SPH. SPH’s business covers industrial and commercial sectors, and the company is a leader in the areas of #medicine research and development, manufacturing, distribution and retail. SPH has been ranked a Global Top 500 company by US “Fortune” magazine since 2020; and has also been ranked as a 2022 Global Top 50 pharma company by “Pharmaceutical Executive” magazine.

RiFood member honoured with Faculty Award for Outstanding Achievement 2022

Congratulations to Prof. Terence Lee Kin-wah, Core Member of the Research Institute for Future Food (#RiFood), for being honoured with the Individual Award in “Research and Scholarly Activities: Outstanding Researcher” under the Faculty of Science Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2022.

Management committee member of RILS received JSCE International Outstanding Collaboration Award

Ir Prof. Jian-Guo Dai, Management Committee Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Professor of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at PolyU, received the FY2021 JSCE International Outstanding Collaboration Award from the Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE). This award recognised the awardees’ continuous efforts and significant contribution to the development of concrete science and technology, the leadership and achievements in fostering the relationship among civil engineering researchers, as well as the commitment to strengthening the friendship between Japan and China through technical and cultural exchanges.

Inauguration Ceremony of PAIR

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) celebrated the inauguration of PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) at the Opening Ceremony of PolyU InnoTech Open Day on 16 July 2022.  The Academy was jointly inaugurated by officiating guests, Prof. Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, Ms Rebecca Pun, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government, Dr Lam Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman, Prof. Teng Jin-guang, President of PolyU, Prof. Wong Wing-tak, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, Prof. Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, Prof. Tao Xiaoming, Acting Director of PAIR, and leaders of PAIR’s 16 constituent research units. At the ceremony, Prof. Christopher Chao shed light on the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals and highlighted the contributory role of PolyU to help realise so, “Interdisciplinary research provides solutions to many complex global challenges.  We need to leverage PolyU’s research competitiveness to conduct interdisciplinary research, which helps break barriers, enables greater flexibility, and encourages talent diversity in the generation of new outcome solutions.” PAIR envisions to be the largest interdisciplinary research platform in providing interdisciplinary solutions for major societal challenges through advanced research, partnership with world-renowned scholars and knowledge transfer activities in the Greater Bay Area. Comprising 16 research institutes and centres with over 400 experienced PolyU senior researchers from all over the world, PAIR focuses on various research disciplines in frontier areas with major objectives to boost new technologies and innovation, expedite infrastructural connectivity, move forward ecological conservation, develop good quality living circle, and make contributions to the SDGs set by the UN.

Member of RiFood gives tips on choosing cooking oil for Choice Magazine

In the latest issue of the Choice Magazine, Prof. Yao Zhongping, Member of Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), explained why the smoke point of cookingoil is an essential factor for choosing the oil. He also reminded us not to reuse the oil when frying if it’s darkened, it has some “off” flavour or there are white bubbles that don’t break up easily.  (Hong Kong Economic Times A15)   Online coverage: Ming Pao Daily News - https://polyu.me/3PfSgaI Sky Post - https://polyu.me/3AUL4MD HK01 - https://polyu.me/3yQLZv6