News

Visit by Delegation of Fujian government

A delegation led by Mr. LIN Ruiliang, Vice Governor of Fujian Provincial People’s Government visited PolyU on 18 December to exchange views on deepening collaboration between Hong Kong and Fujian on technology and innovation development. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU; Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU and Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU welcomed the delegation, comprised of Mr. LIN Ruiliang, Vice Governor of Fujian Provincial People’s Government, Mr. CHENG Qiang, Director of Civil Affairs Department of Fujian Province; Mr. SHI Huicai, Chief Engineer of Industry and Information Technology of Fujian Province; Mr. ZHANG Dingfeng, Deputy Mayor of Fuzhou Municipal Government, and other senior officials. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG highlighted PolyU’s latest development in his speech including the university ranking, leading research areas and new remarkable achievement. He expressed PolyU’s dedication to promoting innovative technology and its societal application in conjunction with industrial development for the benefit of society. The University looks forward to collaborating with the Fujian Provincial Government in expanding the scope of partnership from Jinjiang to various regions within the Fujian Province. Mr LIN Ruiliang stated that Fujian has strong private enterprises in the traditional garment, footwear, electrical, and chemical industries. In the future, the Fujian Government will accelerate the development of the digital economy, maritime economy, sustainable economy and cultural and tourism economy. Through this meeting, both sides have deepened mutual understanding and established a solid foundation for future cooperation. During the meeting, the two parties reviewed the progress of the PolyU-Jinjiang Technology and Innovation Research Institute (Research Institute) and exchanged views on laboratory management, collaboration with leading enterprises, and the recruitment of global professionals to contribute to Fujian’s development. Prof. YU Changyuan, Professor of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering of PolyU, who has been appointed as the Dean of the Research Institute, also gave a brief introduction to the delegation. Members from the Research Institute also joined the discussion and devised future collaboration plans between Jinjiang and Hong Kong.

PolyU received a delegation from Hubei Government

A delegation led by Ms ZHANG Xiaomei, the Director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Hubei Provincial People's Government visited PolyU on 18 December. The delegates were received by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) and members of PolyU. Discussions were held to review the major collaboration projects including the establishment of the PolyU-Wuhan Technology and Innovation Research Institute (Research Institute) and the joint laboratory between PolyU and Wuhan University of Technology. Both sides expected that the Research Institute will serve as a platform to further facilitate the technology innovation, technology transfer and talent development to a new level with national and international vision, and contribute to the Nation's high-quality development with breakthrough research results. The delegation also visited the University Library to learn about its modern facilities and systematic user services. In October, PolyU and Wuhan Municipal Government had signed a framework agreement to establish PolyU - Wuhan Technology and Innovation Research Institute, marking the official launch of the significant industry-academic-research cooperation between PolyU and Hubei Province.

Nature’s inspiration spurs breakthrough on advanced materials for a sustainable living

Scientific researchers draw inspiration from nature’s brilliance as they seek to develop transformative solutions to unresolved challenges. Prof. WANG Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Chair Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has meticulously explored the intricacies of nature and made remarkable findings with very significant real-world applications. His recently published research on cooling ceramic successfully translates novel discovery into sustainable applications. Findings from his research project “Hierarchically structured passive radiative cooling ceramic with high solar reflectivity” were published in the journal Science. Together with Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation), Chair Professor of Thermal and Environmental Engineering of PolyU and co-author of the paper, Prof. Wang collaborated with a research team from the City University of Hong Kong on this innovation.   With unwavering commitment to transformative research, the research team led by Prof. Chao and Prof. Wang has developed a passive radiative cooling ceramic (cooling ceramic) that can achieve highly efficient light scattering and a near-perfect solar reflectivity of 99.6%. This passive radiative cooling material demonstrates promising energy-saving potential with weather resistance and high mechanic strength, reducing the cooling demand of an indoor environment.  “Our work on cooling ceramic exemplifies the power of learning from nature. It addresses a significant research gap in passive radiative cooling, specifically high solar reflectivity. Taking inspiration from the bio-whiteness observed in the whitest beetle, the researchers optimised the design of the scattering system, leading to a significant increase in solar reflectivity,” said Prof. Wang.  Beetle-inspired material to achieve 99.6% solar reflectivity This innovation was derived from the intricate biological structure of Cyphochilus, the whitest known beetle. Based on investigation of the scattering system found in the beetle's scales, the cooling ceramic was engineered with a hierarchically porous structure. This nature-inspired system is easily fabricated and boasts excellent daytime cooling performance, thus reducing energy consumption for indoor cooling.  “Nature offers us an abundance of intricate designs, efficient systems and sustainable solutions that have evolved over millions of years. Through careful study of these natural phenomena, we can uncover innovative ideas and principles that can be translated into practical applications,” said Prof. Wang.  This cooling ceramic also exemplifies Prof. Wang’s pioneering structured thermal amour (STA), which has the potential to enable efficient water cooling at ultra-high solid temperatures - an uncharted property. His previous research project, “Inhibiting the Leidenfrost effect above 1,000°C for sustained thermal cooling”, tackled the longstanding challenges posed by the Leidenfrost effect.  When the temperature surpasses the Leidenfrost point, a continuous vapour layer forms between a solid and a liquid, resulting in a decrease in heat transfer due to increased thermal resistance. Prof. Wang’s innovative STA holds the potential to implement efficient liquid cooling at extremely high temperatures.  First-time investigation into the Leidenfrost effect In applications involving evaporative cooling, the interaction between water and surfaces at high temperatures is a critical yet frequently overlooked phenomenon. Therefore, the suppression of the Leidenfrost effect is a major milestone in the successful development of this cooling ceramic, in addition to the bio-inspired whiteness and high solar reflectivity. The cooling ceramic exhibits super-hydrophilicity, enabling immediate droplet spreading and facilitating rapid impregnation of the droplets through its interconnected porous structure. As a result, the cooling ceramic inhibits the Leidenfrost effect at temperatures above 800°C during the evaporative cooling process.  “One of the key factors contributing to the success of the cooling ceramic is its hierarchical porous structure, akin to the porous membrane used in the STA design. It is this intricate structure that enables the ceramic to effectively draw in and evaporate liquid, thereby efficiently inhibiting the Leidenfrost effect,” said Prof. Wang.  It is the first time that the Leidenfrost effect has been investigated within the realm of passive radiative cooling materials. This novel exploration broadens the horizons of passive radiative cooling material design and also provides new insights for STA development and application. The cooling ceramic’s ingenuity lies in its ability to achieve multiple functionalities through simple fabrication and manipulation. Its key features, including high weather resistance, mechanical robustness, the ability to depress the Leidenfrost effect, favorable recyclability and its colour, contribute to its practical applications in diverse scenarios and building constructions. With its suitability for commercialisation and long-term outdoor applications, it also possesses advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness, durability and versatility.    Nature inspires scientific discovery and drives the development of impactful solutions through new materials, devices and systems. This is also the vision of the Research Centre for Nature-Inspired Science and Engineering at PolyU, led by Prof. Wang. The Centre is envisioned as a dynamic hub for innovation and collaboration, leveraging nature’s brilliance to create transformative solutions for societal and environmental challenges.   “This cooling ceramic research breakthrough illustrates the practicality and versatility of our approach. The cooling ceramic not only exhibits exceptional cooling performance through its bio-inspired structure from the white beetle but also possess valuable features such as self-cleaning properties, robust mechanical strength and Leidenfrost effect depression. All these characteristics make it ready for real-world applications,” said Prof. Wang.   

HOYA Vision Care Offers HK$3.8M glasses and instrument to the School of Optometry at PolyU

A six-year follow-up clinical study published in 2022 on MiYOSMART, the myopia control spectacle lens co-developed by HOYA Vision Care and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has shown that the patented Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (D.I.M.S.) technology is a simple, safe, effective and non-invasive way to slow the progression of short-sightedness in children. The myopia management effect among children aged 8-13 after cessation of MiYOSMART is also proven to be continuously sustained over time with no rebound effect. Following the success of the collaboration, HOYA Vision Care has, this year, provided HK$3.8 million of in-kind support to the School of Optometry at PolyU to fund a new research project entitled “Effectiveness of the Defocus Incorporated Spectacle Lenses on Fast Progressing Myope: A Randomised Control Trial”, with an aim of enhancing the myopia management solution and help children with rapid myopia progression. A New Study to Develop a More Effective Evidence-based Myopia Management Solution Prevalence of myopia in Asia prompted the aforementioned new study to closely examine children in Hong Kong aged between 4-12, whose cumulative myopia progression had drastically increased by more than -0.5/D in a year, or whose axial length had increased significantly by 0.27mm in a year. This kind of fast progressor is associated with greater risk of sight-threatening complications and poor quality of future vision, even when corrected. Timely treatment for this group of young patients is crucial, because myopia is best treated early to avoid vision complications in the long run. George KWAN, Managing Director of HOYA Lens Hong Kong Limited and HOYA Lens Taiwan Limited says, “Myopia has become a global concern. An estimated five billion people, that is half the global population, could be affected by myopia by 2050. HOYA Vision Care has always been committed to ensuring that evidence-based myopia treatment is available to meet the growing needs of the public, the younger generation in particular. Since its launch in 2018, the MiYOSMART spectacle lens has gained the trust of parents of over 2 million children across the world.” In the new two-year clinical study, HOYA Vision Care is offering about 700 pairs of glasses to participating children. “The children have to get a new pair of glasses about every six months during the two-year assessment. We hope our in-kind donation will encourage participation and strengthen the validity of the study, while helping more children in need,” Mr Kwan added. Dr Dennis TSE, Associate Professor of the School of Optometry at PolyU shared his view that, “Although, in Asia, myopia is most common among young children due to hereditary, lifestyle and environmental factors, prolonged reading, screen time, the lack of outdoor activities and insufficient lighting at work are also considered to be factors that contribute to the rapid progression of myopia.” Dr Tse also explained that, “The purpose of the current research is to examine the effectiveness and performance of Defocus Incorporated Spectacle lenses on controlling myopia progression in fast-progressing myopic children. We are grateful for the collaboration with HOYA Vision Care, especially for the in-kind donation of spectacle lenses and professional advice that are critical to the discovery of a more effective treatment for myopia.” Promoting axial length monitoring for myopia progression management The LENSTAR Myopia by HOYA and MiYOSMART spectacle lenses will be mutually complementary for the promotion of the accuracy of data collection in related research studies and efficient myopia management. LENSTAR Myopia by HOYA helps monitor and manage the results of myopia management cases through biometrics and analytical visualizations. Furthermore, its new Age-Match Myopia Control (AMMC) module provides the eye care professional with a tool which gives a clear treatment goal: keeping axial length growth at a physiological emmetropic rate. Axial length is found to be a key driver for the development of myopia and the measurement of axial length is an excellent way to predict the onset and progression of myopia. To encourage axial length monitoring, one set of LENSTAR Myopia has been donated to the School of Optometry of PolyU by HOYA Lens HK Limited. The set was also introduced to Hong Kong optical stores, enabling access to easy and fast axial length measurement to ensure the wider public's myopia progression is better predicted and controlled with tested and trusted solutions.

PolyU and National Eye Institute of NIH co-hosted global ophthalmology workshop, focusing on the standardisation of AI clinical practices

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) recently co-hosted a US-Asia Pacific panel workshop with the National Eye Institute (NEI) of National Institutes of Health (NIH) from the United States. This marked  NEI ‘s first global effort to organise a workshop on standardising methodology for integrating artificial intelligence into clinical practice in ophthalmology. The workshop aimed to establish a standardised approach in defining diseases, generating ground truths, and developing AI models, taking intoconsideration the unique healthcare systems across the Asia Pacific region and beyond.  With the theme on “Standardisation of Methodology in Ophthalmology : From Disease Definition to Ground Truth and Artifical Intelligence,” the workshop was chaired by Prof Mingguang HE, Chair Professor of Experimental Ophthalmology and Director of Research Centre for SHARP Vision at PolyU and Dr John Prakash, Director of International Program of NEI/NIH.  The panel workshop also hosted esteemed speakers and panelists, including Dr Michael Chiang, the Director of NEI/NIH, along with numerous highly accomplished clinician scientists from China, the United States, Singapore, the United Kingdom, India and other countries. Together, we addressed challenges, explored innovative solutions, and set best practices in this rapidly evolving field. The discussions yielded valuable insights, and we eagerly look forward to fostering further collaborations with our international partners.  

Smart Traffic Fund supports two PolyU projects on long-span bridge health monitoring and parking management

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has secured funding support for two innovative projects from the Smart Traffic Fund. Total funding of around HK$17.36 million has been granted for these projects which aim to enhance health monitoring of long-span bridges and optimise urban parking management respectively. Details of the two PolyU projects: Digital Twin-based Long-span Bridge Health Monitoring  Led by Prof. Yong XIA, Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the project has secured funding of approximately HK$13.4 million for a duration of 24 months. The project aims to develop a digital twin-based long-span bridge health monitoring platform. The Tsing Ma Bridge will serve as the testbed for this project, focusing on the development of an automatic traffic monitoring system, a bridge fatigue damage assessment and prediction system, a vehicle-barrier collision monitoring system and a vehicle safety assessment system in high winds. Sensors on the bridges, cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, finite element analysis and Bridge Information Modelling will be integrated into the monitoring platform to enhance the efficiency of the road network and road space, as well as to improve driving safety. Blockchain-enabled Cyber Physical System for City-wide Parking Management  Led by Dr Yung Po TSANG, Research Assistant Professor of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, the project has received funding support of approximately HK$3.95 million for a duration of 24 months. The project utilises Web 3.0 and blockchain technology to establish decentralised identity for drivers, enabling intelligent access control to car parks. Additionally, an AI-powered spatiotemporal clustering analysis system will be developed to evaluate the supply of and demand for parking spaces.   Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, said, “PolyU researchers have been contributing to smart traffic development projects, receiving robust support for their ongoing endeavours. We are dedicated to accelerating our research efforts, aiming to improve road and infrastructure safety while enhancing traffic commuting efficiency within our communities. This funding support reaffirms our commitment to advancing technology and conducting innovative research for the betterment of society.” PolyU has long been committed to the research and application of vehicle-related innovation and technology, with a total of 17 projects receiving grants from the Smart Traffic Fund to-date. More information on other approved projects is available at https://stf.hkpc.org/list-of-approved-projects/

PolyU outstanding scholar Dr Kathy K. Leng receives Croucher Tak Wah Mak Innovation Award 2023

Dr Kathy K. LENG, Assistant Professor of the Department of Applied Physics of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has been honoured at the “Croucher Tak Wah Mak Innovation Awards 2023” in recognition of her outstanding achievements in material physics. Each Award provides funding of HK$5 million towards the winner’s research expenses. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, congratulated Dr Leng and said, “PolyU’s young scholars are dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in scientific research and intellectual expertise, and they have a strong international presence in diverse research areas. We are delighted to nurture a group of rising stars committed to scientific research and we will provide them with a full array of research resources to support their innovative endeavours.” Dr Leng’s current research examines 2D van der Waals (vdW) epitaxy, a process whereby a thin film of crystalline material is grown on a crystalline substrate without the constraints of lattice matching. The challenge is that growth on important semiconductor substrates often produces polycrystalline films, hindering 2D electronics development. Specifically, Dr Leng’s research examines large area, single crystalline 2D hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (HOIPs) to be grown on semiconductors such as SiO2/Si substrate, as well as on a wide range of other substrates. Dr Leng is also exploring the growth of various 2D HOIPs with ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties on 3D and 2D substrates, targeting nanometer-thick single crystalline HOIP films for large-scale electronic and spintronic device applications. Honoured to receive the Award, Dr Leng said, “I am grateful to the Croucher Foundation for recognising my research efforts in material physics. This award will drive me and my team to further explore the potential applications of 2D materials in different fields to benefit society.” Dr Leng is currently a tenure-track Assistant Professor and Presidential Young Scholar at PolyU. Her research focuses on hybrid organic-inorganic materials that can be made as thin as graphene and she is enthusiastic about the promise such materials show in smart devices and spintronics. Her recent accolades include the TR35 Award for Asia Pacific in 2023 from MIT Technology Review, the Excellent Young Scientist Fund 2023 (Hong Kong and Macau) from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award for 2023. She was the recipient of an Early Career Award from the University Grants Committee of Hong Kong in 2022. She obtained her PhD degree in physical chemistry from the National University of Singapore in 2018. In the same year, she won a Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Student Abroad, followed by a Professor Lee Soo Ying Early Career Gold Award from the Singapore National Institute of Chemistry in 2020. Dr Leng pursued her postdoctoral studies at the University of Cambridge before joining PolyU in October 2020.

Visit by delegation from Futian District People’s Government

A delegation from Futian District People’s Government, led by Mr. ZHU Jiang, Deputy District Mayor of the Futian District People’s Government of Shenzhen, visited PolyU on 6 December. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU welcomed the delegation and introduced the University's research accomplishments and latest development. Prof. DONG Cheng, Associate Vice President (Mainland Research Advancement), Prof. SHI Wenzhong, Director of PolyU-Shenzhen Technology and Innovation Research Institute (Futian), Prof. NI Yiqing, Director of the National Rail Transit Electrification and Automation Engineering Technology Research Centre (Hong Kong Branch), Prof. YUNG Kai-leung, Director of Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations, Prof. Benny C. F. CHEUNG, Director of State Key Laboratory of Ultra-precision Machining Technology (PolyU) and Prof. WU Bo, Director of Planetary Remote Sensing Laboratory introduced several research projects planned to be implemented in Futian District. Mr. ZHU Jiang introduced the new look and progress of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, and discussed the potential collaboration opportunities. PolyU actively keeps pace with the country's development, striving to make substantial contributions to promoting the Greater Bay Area as a world-class innovation and technology centre. Through this meeting, we hope to explore new opportunities, expand broader cooperation, and jointly promote regional development.

Centre for Eye and Vision Research and DEFTA Partners join forces to drive translation of advanced eye and vision research into real-world solutions

The Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR) and DEFTA Partners (DEFTA) are delighted to announce their strategic collaboration. With mutual and complementary benefits, CEVR and DEFTA will work closely to promote technology transfer and commercialisation of advanced eye and vision health research. Leveraging DEFTA’s extensive and diverse business network, as well as its track record in identifying and nurturing innovative, technology-based startups, this collaboration can help advance the development of cutting-edge research in eye and vision health. Combing with the outstanding research achievements of CEVR, CEVR can promote the commercialisation of university-originated research through strategic business alliance with Japanese companies through DEFTA introduction and contribution. Such collaboration will empower the translation and commercialisation of new research outcomes into products, and help CEVR promote research solutions worldwide. A signing ceremony was held yesterday on The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) campus. Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Chairman of the CEVR Board of Directors cum Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, and Dr Abby GAO, Director of Investment Research, Deputy Head of DEFTA, signed the formal collaboration agreement. The Ceremony was witnessed by Prof. Jin-guang TENG, PolyU President, Ambassador OKADA Kenichi, Consul-General of Japan in Hong Kong and Ambassador George HARA, Group Chairman and CEO, DEFTA Partners. Prof. Wing-tak Wong said, “This collaboration with DEFTA Partners presents significant opportunities and resources for the Centre for Eye and Vision Research. DEFTA's business network and investment experience will help drive the commercialisation of our research projects and enable global expansion. We look forward to working closely with the DEFTA team to achieve our goals and bring more innovation, commercialise the translational research outcomes into real products and improve eye health worldwide.” Dr Abby Gao stated, “With the synergy between The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the University of Waterloo in Canada, as well as the strong support from the Hong Kong SAR Government, the Centre for Eye and Vision Research has assembled top research talents, and its projects have significant potential for practical applications and commercialisation. DEFTA's robust network with industrial corporates and experience can secure more collaboration opportunities and resources to CEVR’s projects, fostering innovation and opportunities in the field of eye and vision research.” The collaboration between CEVR and DEFTA will provide significant opportunities for CEVR, allowing the research centre to extend its partner network and undertake more innovative and cutting-edge research projects to address urgent needs and challenges in global eye and vision health.

PolyU researchers’ innovative Music Therapy System for older adults wins CES 2024 Innovation Award for impactful aging technology

A ground-breaking therapeutic music-with-movement system invented by researchers of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has won a prestigious global consumer product award in the ‘Accessibility & Aging Tech’ category at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 Innovation Awards. Being the only Hong Kong educational institution honoured with this award serves as a testament to the exceptional impact of this music-with-movement intervention on older adults and their caregivers. An integral part of the CES, the annual CES® Innovation Award recognizes outstanding innovation in design, evaluating products based on engineering quality, aesthetics and design, practical value, uniqueness and their impact on quality of life. Dr Daphne CHEUNG, Associate Professor of the PolyU School of Nursing, led the project that developed the “Music-with-Movement System for Older Adults.” The research team merged an existing therapeutic music intervention system with advances in medical research and engineering technology for the ageing population. This ground-breaking system empowers caregivers and staff working in the elderly care sector to effectively and efficiently engage older adults in music intervention. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU congratulated the team and said “The research team is well-deserving of this award for their trailblazing work in social technology innovation for interactive music intervention for older adults. This recognition serves as a testament to our commitment to multidisciplinary research with the aim of bringing healing and fostering meaningful connections within the elderly population. PolyU’s academic and research expertise in transformative knowledge and technology remains at the forefront of innovation, providing impactful solutions for the betterment of human well-being.” The music-with movement system combines many elements including songs, Augmented Reality (AR) interactive games and motion sensors in a tablet, a game engineer and a cloud-based management platform. Integrating oldies music with motion sensors and AR makes it the first of its kind in music interventions. The interactive, cognitively stimulating musical games aim to maintain the cognitive and social stimulation levels of older adults. The user-friendly design of this therapeutic programme also helps alleviate issues caused by social isolation. Dr Cheung said “It’s my greatest honour to receive this award in recognition of the application of our research into aging technology, a key focus in our work related to the increasingly aging population. The music-with-movement programme reinforces sustainable adoption among old adults for their consistent engagement and facilitates effective intervention and communication.” While the music-with-movement programme was developed for people in Hong Kong with dementia, it later came to involve family caregivers as a dyadic intervention. Integrating current information and communication technology as implementation strategies for music intervention builds effective communication and collaboration and more effective bonding among old adults, caregivers, staff working in elderly centres and health professionals. (Learn more about Dr CHEUNG’s impactful research story by clicking here) The upcoming CES will be held in Las Vegas, the United States from 9th to 12th January 2024. The PolyU delegation will showcase a number of innovative projects, aiming to connect with technology prospectors for potential collaborations. CES is one of the world's largest consumer technology trade fairs, bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs and thought leaders from around the world. It provides a platform to showcase cutting-edge technologies and breakthrough research.