Prof. Tao WANG, Chair Professor of Atmospheric Environment in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at PolyU
Scientific research on air quality conducted by researchers of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has received the Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Award (Science and Technology) 2022.
Led by Prof. Tao WANG, Chair Professor of Atmospheric Environment in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at PolyU, the project entitled “Atmospheric Chemistry of Reactive Nitrogen Oxides and its Impacts on Regional Atmospheric Environment” has been bestowed the Second-Class Award in Natural Science. The Awards from the Ministry of Education aim to recognize outstanding contributions made by researchers towards advancing scientific and technological development.
Prof. WANG, said, “This achievement inspires us to strive for outstanding research and efforts towards enhancing air quality in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and China.” The research started 20 years ago with systemic study on nitrogen oxides in Hong Kong and other places in China.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx), comprising nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), are mainly produced through high-temperature combustion in road vehicles, ships, and fossil-fuel-powered electricity generation facilities. NOx undergoes chemical reactions to form the so-called secondary pollutants such as ozone and PM2.5. Therefore, understanding the atmospheric dynamics of NOx is crucial to developing strategies for mitigating NO2, ozone and PM2.5 pollution.
By employing field observations, laboratory experiments and computer simulations in the research, Prof. WANG’s team discovered important chemical processes of NOx and their roles in photochemical and haze pollution. The findings have enhanced the knowledge on atmospheric chemistry and also improved an extensively used air quality model for global air quality forecasting and research.
Prof. WANG has made significant contributions to scientific research on sustainable development, with research focus on the origin, transformation and destiny of air pollutants, and their implications on air quality management. The awarded project is Prof. WANG’s core research area, and it is conducted in collaboration with Shandong University, Nanjing University and Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences.
