News

Sharing of Research and Application on Photonic Crystal Fiber Waves by Prof. Philip Russell

Prof. Philip RUSSELL, Scientific Director of the Russell Centre for Advanced Lightwave Science (RCALS), Hangzhou, China, delivered the 30th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Three decades riding the photonic crystal fibre wave” on 5 November 2024 on the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted over 80 participants to join in person and captivated an online viewing audience of over 12,500 from different countries and regions to watch the live broadcast on multiple social media platforms, including Bilibili, WeChat, Weibo and YouTube.   The lecture commenced with a warm welcome and brief speaker introduction by Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PAIR. Prof. Russell kickstarted his presentation by giving a brief overview of the historical development of photonic crystal fibre (PCF), highlighting how advancements in optical fibres, Bragg scattering, photonic bandgaps and drawing towers laid the foundation for PCF breakthroughs. Prof. Russell shared that he proposed in 1991 a glass fibre with a periodic array of microscopic hollow channels running along its length might guide light in novel ways, and many PCFs emerged from drawing towers at universities in subsequent years. Next, he elaborated on the advantages of PCF, explaining how it offers enhanced control over the propagation light, and how this property has enabled valuable applications. He shared his research in light-guiding PCF, hollow core PCF filled with gas, and twisted PCF, reviewing how some of the scientific discoveries made possible by PCF have evolved into real-world applications.   Following the presentation was a lively and insightful question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. LU Chao, Director of the Photonics Research Institute (PRI) and Chair Professor of Fiber Optics. The audience engaged in a productive discussion with Prof. Russell. 

22 PRI scholars ranked among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists for career-long citation impact

According to new metrics from Stanford University 2024, 22 scholars from the Photonics Research Institute (PRI) are ranked among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists for career-long citation impact, and 25 PRI scholars are ranked among the top 2% for single-year citation impact. This recognition reflects the significant influence and research excellence of the scientists. Congratulations to PRI scholars!

Prof. CHAI Yang named 2024 Falling Walls Winner

Prof. CHAI Yang, Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Science, Professor of the Department of Applied Physics and Member of the Photonics Research Institute (PRI), has made significant advancements in sensory artificial intelligence (AI), paving the way for more energy-efficient, low-latency and memory-optimised AI systems. His advancements significantly enhance diverse applications such as mobile devices, IoT sensors and edge computing.   For his exceptional innovation, Prof. Chai has been honoured as a 2024 Falling Walls Winner in the Engineering & Technology category for “Breaking the Wall of Efficient Sensory AI Systems”. The Falling Walls Foundation, based in Berlin, recognized his work among over 1,000 global entries. Professor Chai's research has been published in top journals and is widely cited, highlighting its impact and potential for future technological advancements.

Prof. CHUNG Chi-yung and Prof. HUANG Haitao have been selected as supervisors of the Hong Kong Scholars Program 2024

Prof. CHUNG Chi-yung and Prof. HUANG Haitao have been selected as supervisors of the Hong Kong Scholars Program 2024. They will initiate a cross-border program to nurture postdoctoral fellows from mainland China, enabling them to conduct high-level research under the supervision of Hong Kong scholars.   The program is jointly launched by the Society of Hong Kong Scholars and the China National Postdoctoral Council under the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. Its objective is to effectively consolidate the talent and research resources of Hong Kong and the Mainland in order to train outstanding postdoctoral fellows. Selected Hong Kong supervisors are required to have experience in major research projects, be at an advanced international level, have certain research facilities, and possess a high level of research team.

Prof. Zabih GHASSEMLOOY shared insights during PRI Research Seminar on 29 August 2024

The “Photonics Research Institute (PRI) Research Seminar Series: Optical Wireless Communications for IoT Applications” was successfully held on 29 August 2024 (Thursday).   Prof. Zabih GHASSEMLOOY, Professor and Head of Photonics Technology Laboratory at Northumbria University, United Kingdom, delivered an enlightening speech and shared his valuable insights to PolyU Staff, Students and PRI scholars.   We would like to express our gratitude to Prof. GHASSEMLOOY and all the participants, ensuring that the success of the seminar.

Dr Zhou Xinyu’s team won first place in the High-Efficiency Power Amplifier Student Design Competition

A team of three PolyU undergraduate students, under the guidance of Dr ZHOU Xinyu, a member of the Photonics Research Institute (PRI) and Head of the RF Microelectronics Circuit (RFMC) Laboratory in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering of PolyU, has won First Place in the High-Efficiency Power Amplifier Student Design Competition at the 2024 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium held in Washington, D.C., USA. The three team members are WANG Yanze, BI Jingyu, and YUAN Ye, all of whom are studying for the Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Degree in Internet-of-Things with a secondary major in Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics.   The competition aims to seek innovative topologies for high-efficiency power amplifiers for the next generation of wireless communications. This year, 42 teams of doctoral students from around the world (including the United States, Germany, Canada, Italy, Ireland, South Korea, and Mexico) participated in the event. The PolyU team won the honour for the first time in this international competition, and it was the only team composed of undergraduate students to stand out successfully.

Prof. CHAI Yang and Prof. Tommy WEI Minchen elected as new members of the Young Member Section at HKAES in 2024

Congratulations to Prof. CHAI Yang, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Science (Research) and Professor in the Department of Applied Physics, and Prof. Tommy WEI Minchen, Professor in the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, on being one of the 7 new members of the Young Member Section (YMS) of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences (HKAES) in 2024.   The HKAES Young Member Section, comprising engineering professionals at or under the age of 45 at the time of admission, serves as a platform for members to connect, collaborate, and contribute to the development of engineering and science in Hong Kong.

Prof Zhang Xuming and Dr Tsoi Chi Chung won the Young Techpreneur Project 2023-2024

The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG), with the sponsorship of the Lo Kwee Seong Foundation, launched the “Young Techpreneur Project”. In 2023-2024, BioFlow Innovation Ltd., founded by Dr Tsoi Chi Chung and Prof. Zhang Xuming, was awarded as one of the six winners out of 87 teams.   The project aims to help the outstanding young candidates develop and expand their products by offering financial aid, business consultation, mentorship programmes, ample facilities and networks that potentially secure them further funding.   Congratulations to Prof. Zhang and Dr Choi!   Online coverage: Hong Kong Economic Journal (Chinese version only)

Prof. Kebin Shi delivered a speech during the PRI Research Seminar Series

The PRI Research Seminar was successfully held today, covering the topic of” High Resolution Optical Imaging Enabled by Field Engineering - from Physics to Engineering”. The PRI Research Seminar was graced by the presence of Prof. Kebin Shi, Professor of Institute of Modern Optics, School of Physics, Peking University National Bioimaging Center at Peking University, shared his valuable experience and insight with the participants.   Prof. Shi’s research focuses on developing high resolution photonic systems and devices based on ultrafast/nonlinear optical principles for spectroscopy, imaging and applications.   We would like to extend our gratitude to Prof. Shi for his invaluable contribution to the seminar and our sincere appreciation to all the participants who attended the seminar.

Congratulations to Dr HUANG Dongmei on being awarded the PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award (YIRA) 2024

Dr HUANG Dongmei, one of the PRI members, has been selected as one of the Awardees of the PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award (YIRA) 2024.   The YIRA assessment panel has reviewed the submissions, interviewed shortlisted applicants and selected 6 YIRA awardees out of 53 submissions.   The PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award (YIRA) aims to honor our young PolyU researchers under the age of 35 who have demonstrated novelty, contributed to technology advancement, and propelled transformational innovation into solutions for addressing problems in society with a vision for a positive change to the future.   We take this opportunity to congratulate Dr Huang for her achievements.   Awardee Department  Title Research Focus  Dr HUANG Dongmei Electrical and Electronic Engineering Assistant Professor High performance swept laser and its applications