News

RCDTT Associate Director Dr Dan WANG shares research insights on ESG development of hotels in China

Dr WANG Dan, Associate Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT) and Associate Professor in the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, was interviewed by CCTV on the green development of China’s hospitality industry. She mentioned that the PolyU team has developed the “China hospitality industry green development index”, a comprehensive evaluation system with 9 dimensions and over 80 indicators to assess the green development level of hotels in areas such as energy use, water resource management and waste management. Data shows that energy conservation and emission reduction are currently the major highlights of the hotel industry, with many hotels adopting smart solutions to reduce operational costs and carbon emissions. However, many hotels need to enhance their environmental management systems. In addition, the gaps in environmental awareness between regions in China have created resistance to the implementation of some environmental protection measures. Dr Wang added that capital investment is the biggest challenge in driving green transition in the hospitality industry, especially for small and medium-sized hotels. She suggested the government to provide targeted support such as subsidies and tax incentives, and establish green awards to enhance the public recognition of green hotels. Industry associations can also help the sector in adopting green technologies and management method through training and experience sharing. She believes that consumer participation needs to be promoted in tandem with the overall enhancement of public environmental awareness, and that the government, businesses and consumers should work together to gradually promote sustainable development.   Online coverage: CCTV - https://polyu.me/4ifzJdt (Chinese only)

Symposium on Sports Science and Technology 2024 successfully held

The Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) organised the Symposium on Sports Science and Technology 2024 from 30 November to 2 December 2024 on PolyU campus, attracting more than 200 students, researchers and industry professionals. The three-day Symposium was co-organised with the Department of Biomedical Engineering of PolyU, AquaBloom International Sports Technology Group and the Samaranch Foundation, and brought together former Olympic and world champion athletes, scholars and industry leaders to share experiences and the latest research outcomes in sports technology. On the first day of the Symposium, six former Olympic or world champion athletes from the Hong Kong, China team and national teams shared their experiences with sports technology applications and their personal development and career after retirement. In the following two days, scholars and industry experts shared the latest research outcomes and products in sports science and technology, discussing how to integrate innovative technologies, such as sports biomechanics, intelligent wearable systems and artificial intelligence, to enhance training effectiveness. Additionally, representatives from the national swimming team shared the training regimes for elite swimmers. At the Symposium, Prof. ZHANG Ming, Director of RISports announced the establishment of the International Society of Sports Science and Technology, which aims to promote international exchange and collaboration between academic and industry institutions in sports science and technology. Moreover, PolyU will launch a new programme “Master of Science in Sports Technology and Management” in the coming year, to cultivate talents in sports technology. Press release: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/en/media/media-releases/2024/1205_-polyu-risports-hosts-2024-symposium-on-sports-science-and-technology/   Online coverage: Hong Kong China News Agency - https://www.hkcna.hk/docDetail.jsp?id=100856007&channel=4372

Eleven PAIR members recognised amongst world’s most highly cited researchers 2024

Eleven scholars from PAIR have been named in the list of “Highly Cited Researchers 2024” by Clarivate Analytics. This recognition is a testament to PolyU’s research and academic excellence, and its dedication to making broad positive societal impact. This annual list recognises researchers who have demonstrated significant impact in their respective research fields. Each researcher selected has authored multiple highly-cited papers that have ranked in the top 1% by citations for their fields and publication year in the Web of Science over the past 11 years. This year, a total of 6,636 researchers from 59 countries and regions from diverse fields have been named as Highly Cited Researchers. PAIR researchers named in the Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researchers 2024 list (in alphabetical order): Name and Title PAIR Constituent Research Unit(s) Cross-Field Prof. CHAIYang Associate Dean (Research), Faculty of Science Professor, Department of Applied Physics Management Committee Member of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) Member of Photonics Research Institute (PRI), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) and Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT) Prof. HUANG Haitao Professor, Department of Applied Physics Member of Photonics Research Institute (PRI), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM) and Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE) Prof. LI Gang Sir Sze-yuen Chung Endowed Professor in Renewable Energy Chair Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Management Committee Member of Photonics Research Institute (PRI) Associate Director of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) Member of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) Prof. Kian Ping LOH# Chair Professor, Department of Applied Physics Member of Photonics Research Institute (PRI) Prof. Geoffrey Q. P. SHEN Associate Vice President (Global Partnerships) Chair Professor, Department of Building and Real Estate Management Committee Member of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) Member of Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI) Prof. WANG Zuankai Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) Kuok Group Professor in Nature-Inspired Engineering Chair Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering Member of Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) and Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) Prof. Tom Tao WU Chair Professor, Department of Applied Physics Member of Photonics Research Institute (PRI) and Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) Prof. YAN Feng Chair Professor, Department of Applied Physics Associate Director of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) Member of Photonics Research Institute (PRI), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) and Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) Dr ZHANG Xiao Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering Member of Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) and Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE) Engineering   Prof. YAN Jinyue Jerry Chair Professor, Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering Management Committee Member of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) Member of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) Chemistry   Dr HUANG Bolong Associate Professor, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Member of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) and Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) #Primary affiliation is with National University of Singapore

PolyU start-up offers free liver disease screening for grassroots

The development and launch of Liverscan® by Eieling Technology Limited, a PolyU start-up led by 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, has revolutionised screening technologies for liver diseases and given more hope for early diagnosis and treatment to patients, particularly in disadvantaged areas. Liverscan® introduces PolyU-patented real-time image guiding technique into transient elastography (TE) measurement of the propagation speed of ultrasound in liver tissues for the accurate and rapid assessment of liver fibrosis and fatty liver non-invasively. Liverscan® shortens the assessment time to just one minute, and its wireless palm-sized probe design further enhances the operation efficiency and convenience, making it easily acceptable by patients and operators, particularly for the early diagnosis and frequent assessment during treatment of liver diseases. In addition, the price of Liverscan® is only around one-third of traditional equipment for similar functions, making it affordable for primary care providers. In response to the healthcare resource shortages in poverty-stricken areas, Eieling Technology collaborates proactively with local governments and district health centres in conducting charity activities and providing free screening for fatty liver disease and liver fibrosis in neighbourhoods. Liverscan® has already obtained registration approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA510K) and NMPA medical device registration in Mainland China in 2024. Currently, around 30 sets of Liverscan® have been installed for clinical use in Hong Kong, Macao, and different cities in Mainland China. The company plans to install 100,000 devices worldwide in the next five years, especially in developing countries and poor areas, and this will significantly promote the adoption of liver disease screening to reduce severe liver problems, such as cirrhosis or liver cancer. In addition, Eieling Technology also launched its five-year “LiverCare – Hong Kong 10 Million Liver Scans Program” at the Asia Summit on Global Health in May 2024, together with PolyU and a number of local partners. PolyU has formally launched its screening program for liver health for all full-time staff in December 2024.   Read more: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/en/media/media-releases/2024/0517_polyu-nurtured-startup-takes-lead-in-implementing-liver-disease-screening-programme/   Online coverage: ifeng.com - https://polyu.me/3ZeNMHq (Chinese only)

Ir Prof. ZHENG Yongping introduces Liverscan® on 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 on i-Cable’s programme “InnoAction”, introducing Liverscan®, a palm-sized real-time ultrasound medical device developed by his team. The device can perform non-invasive liver assessment in ten minutes by measuring the stiffness of liver issue and assessing the status of liver fibrosis. This technology marks a major step in promoting the early and precise prevention and effective diagnosis of liver diseases. Online coverage: i-Cable - https://polyu.me/4ihiNTZ (18:36 - 22:09) (Chinese only)

Prof. ZHANG Ming shares “Taichi-Run” in Sing Tao Daily

Prof. ZHANG Ming, Director of the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports), was featured in Sing Tao Daily, introducing a study on “Taichi-Run” by his team.  Taichi-Run is an adaptive jogging style, with exercise load starting from a lower speed and heart rate (“Yin” state), followed by a gradual increase to a higher speed and heart rate (“Yang” state), and then returning to the “Yin” state, allowing joggers to maintain a comfortable target heart rate. Prof. Zhang mentioned that RISports hopes to establish a database of human body data in the long term, using quick scan technology to obtain human characteristics and identify potential health issues for further follow-up.  He further stated that the idea of “exercise prescription”, which aims at addressing heath issues through exercise rather than medication, has already been implemented in mainland China and overseas.  RISports is now studying the effects of different exercises on human, investigating if appropriate exercise can alleviate chronic diseases, and identifying exercises suitable for prescription.   Online coverage: Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/4i8GFsI Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/3CKOS65

Prof. Raymond WONG discusses enhancing organic solar cells for carbon reduction on RTHK Programme Infinite Future

Prof. Raymond WONG Wai-yeung, Executive Committee Member of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), Associate Director of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), Member of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports), and Dean of the Faculty of Science, was featured in the RTHK programme Infinite Future, sharing how enhancing the photovoltaic (PV) efficiency of organic solar cells can help reduce carbon emissions. Prof. Wong’s current research focus is on the design and preparation of novel high-performance photofunctional materials, and optoelectronic applications, particularly the luminescence and stability of these materials. His team has developed high-performance organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with various colour emissions. Through molecular design, the team has developed a type of novel high-performance deep‐blue thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials. OLEDs made with this deep-blue material have achieved an external quantum efficiency of over 35%, which is one of the highest in the world. The team has also achieved a PV conversion efficiency of over 19% in organic solar cells using transition metal complexes. The ultra-thin and highly flexible characteristics of organic solar cells can be integrated with wearable electronic devices, enabling these wearable electronics to be self-powered using sunlight. Prof. Wong also mentioned that the future research directions for these two types of optoelectronic devices are mainly further improving energy conversion efficiency through the molecular design of high-performance active materials and the structural design of devices; enhancing their stability and lifespan; and developing organic semiconductor electronic technologies and applications. He believes that achieving low-toxicity or non-toxic active materials in the future can help reduce environmental pollution and achieve sustainable development.   Online coverage: RTHK - https://polyu.me/3Z2YSza (Chinese only)

Prof. WENG Qihao co-authors study on spatiotemporal analysis of urban transformations in Austin, Texas

Prof. WENG Qihao, Associate Director of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), Director of the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics, Member of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI) and Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence, and his team published a paper titled “Spatiotemporal analysis of underlying factors in urban transformations: Quantifying the importance of urban plan intentions in the Austin Metropolitan Area, Texas” in Science Direct. Urban planning has widely become a key policy tool for managing urban growth. However, understanding the role of urban planning in shaping land development and directing urbanization is still contentious across various socioeconomic and geographical contexts. The research team conducted an in-depth analysis of urban spatial transformation in Austin, Texas across three distinct periods: the pre-planning period (1992–2001), the Envision Central Texas (ECT) period (2001–2011), and the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan (IACP) period (2011–2019). The findings reveal a marked decline in urban sprawl and the construction of new low-intensity development zones after 2001. Simultaneously, there was a noticeable increase in the percentage of newly transitioned high-intensity developed land.  Employing Geographically Weighted Logistic Regression (GWLR) modelling, the study provides a nuanced understanding of how spatially varying planning intentions guided spatial planning practices since the mid-2000s. The results indicate a diminishing influence of traditional factors on urban transformation while the role of planning intentions saw increasing prominence over time. Amongst the different planning intentions, those related to 'development centers' had less impact compared to those tied to protected areas and transport systems. The study establishes that IACP had a profound influence on Austin's urban spatial transformation, primarily due to its more clearly defined and explicit planning intentions compared to ECT.  The research contributes to a deeper understanding of urban spatial transformation dynamics, which is vital for future planning initiatives aimed at sustainable urban development.   Read the full paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264837724003685

Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences shares reflections on interdisciplinary innovative research at PAIR distinguished lecture

Prof. ZHENG Quanshui, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Founding Principal of X-Institute and Professor of Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, China, delivered the 31st PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Reflections and suggestions from 20 years’ interdisciplinary innovative research” on 21 November 2024 on the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted about 100 participants to join in person and captivated an online viewing audience of over 11,800 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 a brief introduction of the speaker by Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PAIR. Prof. Zheng kickstarted his presentation by outlining the key driving forces of innovation and technologies. He shared that achieving success in the “from zero to one” and the subsequent “from one to N” innovation stages often come with the inevitable “valley of death” period, which spans over a decade. He then elaborated on how he and his team have spent 20 years of relentless effort overcoming the “valleys of death” in studying structural superlubricity, building a model for talent development, and entering into the next “one-to-N” development phase. Prof. Zheng also shared the key turning points in his academic and research journey and outlined how the X-Institute nurtures interdisciplinary research talents. Following the presentation, Prof. Chen moderated a lively and insightful question-and-answer session. The audience engaged in a productive discussion with Prof. Zheng.  Please click here for an online review.

Prof. Sylvia Xiaohua CHEN elected as Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)

Prof. Sylvia Xiaohua CHEN, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Chair Professor of the Department of Applied Social Sciences, Interim Director of the Mental Health Research Centre, and Director of the Yan Oi Tong Au Suet Ming Child Development Centre at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has been elected as a Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). Prof. Chen is the only elected fellow in Hong Kong, and the only Chinese scholar elected in the field of Social & Economic Sciences this year. TWAS is a global science academy based in Trieste, Italy, dedicated to promoting scientific capacity and excellence for sustainable development in developing countries. Elected TWAS fellows represent the world’s distinguished scientists in various disciplines, including some Nobel laureates. This year, a total of 74 new fellows from 28 countries and regions worldwide have been elected for 2025, and 10 are from Chinese institutions. Prof. Chen is a Chartered Psychologist of the British Psychological Society, a Registered Psychologist of the Hong Kong Psychological Society, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, the flagship journal of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology, and General Editor of Cambridge University Press Culture and Psychology Series. Her research focuses on personality and social psychology, cross-cultural psychology, as well as the psychosocial and cultural aspects of mental health. She investigates the social psychology of bilingualism and biculturalism, globalization and multiculturalism, personality and social behavior in cultural contexts, as well as cultural diversity and mental health. Her research team established the framework of immigration-based acculturation and globalisation-based acculturation, and developed the theoretical construct of Global Orientations, which have been empirically extended to 35 countries and regions, significantly contributing to the study of social integration and post-COVID cooperation. She is a Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of the Humanities, the Association for Psychological Science, the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, and the Hong Kong Psychological Society, and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (now Advance HE), United Kingdom. She served as President of the Asian Association of Social Psychology, and received various academic awards, including the Outstanding International Psychologist Award conferred by the Division of International Psychology (Division 52) of the American Psychological Association, and the Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship Scheme awarded by the Research Grants Council (RGC).