News

Ir Prof. ZHANG Ming featured in Wen Wei Po on enhancing diving techniques through sports science and technologies research

Ir Prof. ZHANG Ming, Director of the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports), Chair Professor and Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, gave an exclusive interview to Wen Wei Po, sharing how research in sports science and technologies can be used to improve diving techniques, thereby enhancing the safety and success rate of diving. Prof. Zhang, along with his PhD student Ms WANG Xin, former member of the national diving team and the gold medallist in the women’s synchronised 10-metre platform at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is utilising waterproof, wireless, flexible body sensors, cameras, etc., to record data on the impact and pressure experienced by various body parts, including joints and muscles, during the take-off, aerial phase, and entry of a dive, with the aim of determining whether the force can cause injuries, so as to find methods for preventing injuries, and enhancing the difficulty and performance of the divers’ moves. Prof. Zhang candidly stated that this research is still in its preliminary stage, and the team needs to conduct further follow-up basic research to ensure its accuracy. He hopes to eventually establish a digital model of the human body, which can be used to analyse the pressure on various body parts of athletes during the diving process. Online coverage: Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3BDp63N; https://polyu.me/3ZV2GTt; https://polyu.me/4gSfMYE; https://polyu.me/4gVlTLW

Prof. ZHENG Yongping features in The 21st Century Business Herald on his research journey

Ir Prof. ZHENG Yongping, Director of the Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA), Director of the Jockey Club Smart Ageing Hub, Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering, was interviewed by The 21st Century Business Herald on his journey of research into ultrasound as well as Scolioscan®, the world’s first radiation-free 3D ultrasound scoliosis assessment system developed by his team. Online coverage: The 21st Century Business Herald - https://polyu.me/41NUZRP Sina - https://polyu.me/3BLX2uW NetEase - https://polyu.me/3PffI9s

PolyU awarded Green Tech Fund to develop low-carbon marine self-healing concrete for achieving carbon neutrality

The project titled “Marine self-healing concrete with biomineralization-enhanced construction waste for long-term decarbonization” led by Prof. LI Xiangdong, Director of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment (FCE), Chair Professor of Environmental Science and Technology, and Ko Jan Ming Professor in Sustainable Urban Development, has been awarded approximately HK$ 6.03 million from the Green Tech Fund for a duration of 24 months. This project focuses on designing and developing low-carbon marine self-healing concrete by incorporating biomineralization-enhanced recycled aggregates (RAs). Marine carbon-capturing bacteria will utilise carbon dioxide (CO2) to accelerate carbonisation and improve RAs, thereby addressing the issue of scarce natural aggregates, reducing CO2 emissions, and achieving the recycling of construction waste. In addition, this microbial concrete structure possesses self-healing properties that enhance its durability, providing a significant advantage in achieving long-term decarbonization and sustainability objectives. Press release: https://polyu.me/3CctkQ2 Online coverage: Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/4iMpJbR Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/3Wh2vBd Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3PDcYTy  

Dr LI Ming on blockchain standardisation and development in China

Dr LI Ming, Associate Researcher of the Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things, Chairman of the IEEE Computer Society Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Standards Committee, and Executive Chairman of the Hong Kong Web 3.0 Standardization Association, was recently interviewed by China Times, discussing the current state of blockchain standardisation and the development of blockchain technology in China. Dr Li stated that in recent years, blockchain technology has undergone rapid development, and when it comes to technological innovation, major mainstream institutions around the world have made breakthroughs in scalability and interoperability. At the same time, the integration of blockchain with artificial intelligence, edge computing and other technologies has accelerated the construction of distributed infrastructure, providing support for broader applications based on blockchain. With the development of blockchain technology, new applications and business models are continuously emerging. Through the application of smart contracts, traditional business processes have been optimised, and data sharing and supply chain management capabilities have been significantly enhanced. Dr Li believes that the focus of blockchain technology standardisation will shift from promoting industry consensus and summarising best practices, to providing quality assurance. In the early stage of the industry, blockchain technology needs to be understood by more people, and so it is necessary to gather more practitioners to build a consensus on the technology through standardisation, lowering the entry barriers for the industry. During the process of applying innovations, standards can be used to summarise the exemplary practices in applying innovations, reducing the cost of innovation in the industry. As the industry matures, it is necessary to improve the quality of services provided based on blockchain technology through standards, ensuring the standardised development of the industry. Dr Li further stated that in the face of the rapid development of blockchain development, the biggest challenge today is how to ensure the security and scalability of the technology. To address these challenges, innovating several key areas is needed in the future. For example, in terms of performance optimisation, the consensus mechanism should be improved, and on-chain scaling technologies and layer 2 networks should be developed. In terms of privacy protection, advanced encryption technologies should be applied, privacy protection models should be designed, and a balance between privacy and performance should be achieved. In terms of cross-chain interoperability, cross-chain standards should be established, cross-chain infrastructure should be built, and cross-chain security technologies should be strengthened to promote the development of blockchain technology and to expand its application.   Online coverage: China Times - https://polyu.me/4fAbO5Z East Money - https://polyu.me/4iMHO9J NetEase - https://polyu.me/3PgSWOp Sina - https://polyu.me/41JiX0v Sohu - https://polyu.me/3DEinH8

PolyU-developed High-Definition Corneal Topographer to be showcased at Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas

Prof. KEE Chea-su, Associate Director of the Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV), Head and Professor of the School of Optometry and Co-founder of GOOD Vision Technologies Co., Ltd, introduced the world’s first portable High-Definition Corneal Topographer “K-Shape” developed by his team in an interview with TVB. The innovation leverages AI-driven algorithms to accurately measure corneal power, provide early diagnosis of vision problems such as corneal astigmatism and corneal ectasia, and simplify the diagnosis process, enabling it to be completed in as little as one minute. The device will be showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show 2025 to be held in Las Vegas, USA, in January 2025. Online coverage: TVB - https://polyu.me/3ZHECU4 (00:44 - 01:13) Wha Tech - https://polyu.me/3ZAY8BG

Explorations on the fascinating realm of multifunctional carbon fiber

Prof. Deborah D.L. CHUNG of The State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo delivered the 33rd PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Carbon Fiber Multifunctionality Enabled by Conductivity, Dielectricity and Inductance” on 17 December 2024 on the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted about 100 participants to join in person and captivated an online viewing audience of over 12,800 from different countries and regions who watched the live broadcast on multiple social media platforms, including Bilibili, WeChat, Weibo and YouTube. The lecture commenced with a warm welcome by Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PAIR, and a brief introduction of the speaker by Prof. MAI Yiu-wing, Distinguished Chair Professor of Composites Science and Engineering. Prof. Chung kickstarted her presentation with a brief introduction to carbon fiber and its mechanical, electrical, thermal and chemical properties. She then explained how the high modulus, high strength, high conductivity, high permittivity, high inductance and low density of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) enables it to bring new applications related to sensing, electronics, energy and electric machines, all of which utilise high-performance lightweight multifunctional structures.  At the end of her presentation, Prof. Chung dedicated the lecture to her father, Mr Leslie Wah-Leung CHUNG (1917–2009), former Head of the Department of Commerce and Management Studies of the Hong Kong Technical College (the forerunner of PolyU) until his retirement in 1972. He was instrumental in establishing accounting education in Hong Kong. Mr Chung served as the President of the Hong Kong Chinese Civil Servants’ Association in the late 1960s, and was wounded in action as a Gunner in the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps in the Battle of Hong Kong (World War II) in 1941. Following the presentation, Prof. Man moderated a lively and insightful question-and-answer session. The audience engaged in a productive discussion with Prof. Chung.  Please click here for an online review.

Prof. WU Bo gives public lecture on lunar exploration and base construction

Prof. WU Bo, Associate Director of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), Fiona Cheung Professor in Spatial Science and Associate Head (Research) of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, delivered a public lecture on 7 December 2024, to give secondary school students an in-depth overview of lunar exploration achievements and potential strategies for lunar base development. The lecture attracted students from 94 secondary schools and international schools in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. The students participated enthusiastically in the interactive question-and-answer session, demonstrating their keen interest in space exploration. The lecture is one of the activities under the PolyU space-themed programme “Pioneering the Moon: From Exploration to Base Construction”, which includes thematic lectures and a Lunar Base Design Competition. Launched in the 2024/25 academic year, the programme is organised by PolyU and sponsored by the Bank of China (Hong Kong), with the support of the Chinese Society of Astronautics and the Hong Kong Society of Astronautics. Two more online lectures will be held in mid-January 2025. Dr ZHAO Qi, RCDSE Management Committee Member and Assistant Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Mr Eno LAM, Engineer of RCDSE and Space Systems Engineer of the Industrial Centre, will speak on “Lunar Base Construction” and “Our Nation’s Space Aspirations, Impacts, and Local Involvements” respectively, introducing students with deeper knowledge of aerospace. Press release: https://polyu.me/4gjIcLe   Online coverage: Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3DstOSa Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/49I4T9f

RiFood co-organises scientific meeting on turning “Healthy China 2030” vision into action

The Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), in collaboration with Department of Food Science and Nutrition (FSN) and the Hong Kong Nutrition Association (HKNA), co-organised the HKNA 45th Anniversary Scientific Meeting at PolyU campus on 14 December 2024, attracting over 120 participants including students, researchers, industry experts and medical professionals from Hong Kong, Macao and Mainland China. The meeting, themed on “Healthy China 2030—From vision to action”, featured presentations by three distinguished scholars from the Chinese Nutrition Society, providing an in-depth overview of the developments in the nutrition profession and the national nutrition plan in Mainland China, and explaining how the plan contributes to the realisation of the “Healthy China 2030” vision. Prof. YANG Yuexin, President of the Chinese Nutrition Society, explained in detail the registration system for dietitians and its current status in Mainland China, and encouraged medical professionals in Hong Kong to equip themselves by applying to become registered dietitians in China and embracing lifelong learning in the field of nutrition. During the event, Dr CHIOU Jiachi, Associate Director of RiFood and Associate Head of FSN, highlighted the achievements of the Institute and the Department in nutrition research and professional education. She looks forward to further collaboration between PolyU and HKNA for a new chapter in healthcare development.  

Ir Prof. ZHENG Yongping introduces Liverscan® in HOY TV programme

Ir Prof. ZHENG Yongping, Director of the Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA), Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering, was featured in HOY TV programme “Health Concern Group”, introducing Liverscan® developed by his research team. Liverscan® is used for the early diagnosis of liver diseases and frequent assessment during treatment of liver diseases, through measuring the propagation speed of ultrasound in liver tissues for the accurate and rapid assessment of liver fibrosis and fatty liver non-invasively. Online coverage: HOY TV - https://polyu.me/3DbYDKZ (6:30 - 10:43) (Chinese only)

PolyU research unveils critical role of humidity and indoor conditions in heatwave severity assessments

A research study led by Prof. WENG Qihao, Associate Director of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, Director of the PolyU Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG), and Director of the Jockey Club STEM Lab of Earth Observations, together with Postdoctoral Fellow Dr Pir MOHAMMAD, revealed that some existing heatwave indices are unable to accurately capture heatwave severity across diverse geographical regions and varying climate conditions. They study suggests that incorporating humidity and indoor environmental conditions is essential for accurately identifying a dangerous heatwave. It recommends the development of a comprehensive global heat risk framework and early warning systems to mitigate the adverse impact of heatwaves on human health. The research findings have been published in the international journal Nexus. The research team examined the effectiveness of six commonly used heatwave indices in identifying dangerous heatwave conditions, including maximum daily air temperature, humidity index, humidex, wet bulb globe temperature, lethal heat stress index and universal thermal climate index. The team conducted case studies on recent heatwave events observed in Spain and the United States in 2022, as well as in India in 2023. The results revealed that the lethal heat stress index, which combines temperature and humidity, is more effective in identifying dangerous heatwave days in a low-humidity environment compared to other indices. It can also differentiate between areas that are affected by extreme heat stress and those that are not. In contrast, the other five heatwave indices demonstrated limited efficacy in accurately detecting hazardous heatwave conditions across diverse climatic, geographical, and meteorological contexts. Heatwave lethality depends not only on the maximum air temperature, but also on relative humidity, particularly in sub-tropical regions like Hong Kong. The study showed that, in humid conditions, even if the ambient temperature is only 28 °C, the saturated air moisture makes effective sweat evaporation and heat dissipation difficult and causes body temperature to rise faster, potentially leading to fatigue, dehydration or heat stroke. The team suggested that evaluating heat stress in humid conditions is crucial for better understanding the impact of heatwaves on human health, particularly for construction workers and agricultural labourers who spend substantial time outdoors. In addition, the existing heatwave indices, such as the Hong Kong Heat Index, which is based on outdoor environment conditions, rely on outdoor heat mapping data provided by climate services. However, most heat-related mortalities occur indoors. In Hong Kong’s densely populated environment with many high-rise buildings, residents of rooftop houses and subdivided flats are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat. With rapid global warming, the researchers emphasised that building morphology and material, overheating conditions, and air-conditioning are essential in calculating indoor heat stress. They also suggested revisiting thresholds to establish new global criteria for defining dangerous heatwave limits, considering varied climatic conditions and human adaptability based on age, gender and household conditions. The research team also discussed enhancing heatwave predictions to mitigate their impacts. They emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among climate scientists, health professionals, policy makers and communities to safeguard public health in a changing climate.   Read the article: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ynexs.2024.100027     Online coverage: Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/49rBjVF (subscription required) Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/3D8JeuO (subscription required) Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/3D7DAJz Hong Kong China News Agency - https://polyu.me/41lNXn5