PolyU achieved a remarkable feat at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva  (Geneva Inventions Expo), securing an impressive 36 accolades. They included two Special Prizes, ten Gold Medals with the Congratulations of the Jury, eight Gold Medals, eleven Silver Medals, four Bronze Medals and one Special Merit Award. The outstanding performance highlighted the University’s strong research capabilities and unwavering commitment to innovation on the global stage.

Among the award-winning projects, two were developed by the Centre for Eye and Vision Research, which is a partnership between PolyU and the University of Waterloo. Two other projects co-developed with the MTR Corporation and The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA), also received awards, reflecting PolyU’s commitment to industry collaboration.

First lunar far-side surface sampling system receives prestigious prizes

The “Surface Sampling and Packing System for the Chang’e-5 and -6 Lunar Sample Return Missions” captured the spotlight at the event. The first space-rated robotic sampling and automatic packaging system of its kind, this ground-breaking project received the Saudi Arabia Award for Excellence in Innovation – Ministry of Education Prize, and a Gold Medal with Jury Commendation. The project was led by Professor Yung Kai-leung, who is the Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor in Precision Engineering and Chair Professor of Precision Engineering at PolyU, in collaboration with the China Academy of Space Technology.

The lunar sampling and packing system was developed by a research team led by Prof. Yung Kai-leung (4th from left), in collaboration with the China Academy of Space Technology.

Hearing restoration project wins special prizes

Another prestigious project, the “Hearing Hope: A Smart Sensor for Enhanced Safety and Precision in Hearing Restoration Procedures”, received the Thailand Award for Best International Invention and Innovation and a Gold Medal with Jury Commendation. Developed by Professor Tam Haw-yaw, Chair Professor of Photonics, and his research team, this cutting-edge medical device enhances surgical precision and reduces trauma in cochlear implantation by incorporating an optical fibre sensor within its electrode array.

Prof. Tam Haw-yaw (4th from left) and his team received accolades for their innovative medical device which enhances surgical precision and reduces trauma in cochlear implantation.

Commitment to innovation

Professor Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, praised the winning teams for blending visionary thinking with cutting-edge technologies. “Their accomplishments reinforce our commitment to translating innovative knowledge into impactful solutions, and motivate us to pursue further breakthroughs for the betterment of society and humanity,” he remarked.

The award-winning projects span diverse fields, from life sciences and healthcare to engineering and green technology. The research, which covers areas such as smart medical devices, biomaterials, and rehabilitation technologies, illustrates PolyU’s solid foundation and strong potential to establish Hong Kong’s third medical school.

Interestingly, all 13 award-winning teams were PolyU-supported startups. They were nurtured through the University’s “PolyVentures” entrepreneurial ecosystem, which has already supported over 500 active startups. This underscores the important role PolyU is playing in Hong Kong’s development as an international innovation and technology hub.

Click here to learn more about the impactful PolyU innovations showcased in the Expo.