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PolyU researchers unveil liquid metal microelectrodes with soft, stretchable and permeable properties to be used for implantable bioelectronic devices

Electronic devices that can be attached to the skin or even implanted in the body will become more and more prevalent in near-future technology. Such “implantable bioelectronics” are envisaged as having a wide range of uses from medical technology to the emerging field of augmented reality, and a research team led by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed a type of microelectrode that is uniquely suited to devices of this kind. A pioneering study entitled “Wafer-patterned, permeable, and stretchable liquid metal microelectrodes for implantable bioelectronics with chronic biocompatibility”, was recently published in Science Advances. Compared with conventional electronics, materials used for wearable or implantable bio-electronic technology require specific properties that are difficult to bring together. They must be stretchable, soft and permeable enough to survive in the human body without causing discomfort or harm to the user. Meanwhile, like everyday household devices, bioelectronics still depend on electrodes that are highly electrically conductive and can be patterned into microscale circuitry. Led by Prof. Zijian ZHENG, Chair Professor of Soft Materials and Devices and Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, the interdisciplinary research team comprises members from PolyU’s School of Fashion and Textiles, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), as well as from City University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Centre for Cerebro-Cardiovascular Health Engineering. The team have overcome several technical limitations to advance the field of wearable technology and invented a method of producing unprecedentedly soft, stretchable and permeable electrodes for implantable bioelectronics. The key step in the fabrication process is the electrospinning of a fibrous polymer onto silver (Ag) micropatterns, resulting in an array of liquid metal microelectrodes (μLMEs) that can be patterned at ultrahigh density – up to 75,500 electrodes per square centimetre, thousands of times higher than previously achieved – and that have long-term biocompatibility. The μLMEs can be comfortably worn on human skin, while a specific application in animal brain monitoring has also been demonstrated. Previously, biocompatible electronics were fabricated on porous elastomers, but the porosity and roughness of these substrates limit the patterning resolution and hence the electrode density. By depositing electronic circuitry onto fibrous polymer substrates through the technique of photolithography, the team successfully overcame this obstacle, achieving μLMEs with tissue-like softness, high conductance under severe strain and long-term biocompatibility. A liquid metal alloy known as eutectic gallium indium (EGaIn) was used as the conductive component of the μLMEs, as it has a low melting temperature and retains its conductivity under extreme strain, while being soft and highly biocompatible. The fabrication process involves depositing circuitry patterns comprising EGaIn onto an electrospun, a permeable “fibre mat” of the polymer poly (styrene-block-butadiene-block-styrene). This created soft, stretchable electronics that can be comfortably worn and implanted. The concept of a super-elastic fibre mat was first developed by Prof. Zheng’s team in 2021, and is now adopted in the newly developed μLMEs to guarantee a complete photolithographic transfer of the electrode micropatterns from the Ag template, in contrast to the partial transfer achieved when using impermeable substrates. Apart from being soft, liquid-permeable and air-permeable, μLMEs are also highly stretchable, and their electrical resistance increases only slightly after repeated cycles of stretching and release under high strain. When attached to human skin, an electronic patch fabricated from μLMEs leaves only trace or even no residues after being subjected to pressure. This is a promising property for wearable electronics, for which there is expected to be a huge market with applications in physiological monitoring, medical diagnosis and interactive technology. Most notably, the softness and stretchability of the μLMEs also make them ideal for implantation at the neural interface for brain monitoring. The team synthesised an array of μLMEs with a small electrode diameter and high channel density to serve as an electrocorticography signal receiver in a rat brain. With similar mechanical properties to brain tissue, the μLMEs attached closely to the cortical surface and accurately recorded neural signals in vivo. When the sleeping rat sent out discernible brain waves typical of non-REM sleep, the μLME array reliably detected somatosensory evoked potentials in response to electrical stimuli applied to different parts of its body. As Associate Director of RI-IWEAR and Lead Investigator at RISE, Prof. Zheng stated, “Thanks to the combination of photolithography and soft, permeable SBS fibre mats, microelectrodes with unprecedented resolution and biocompatibility are realised. The technological advancement in medical and augmented reality fields can be pushed forward by these μLMEs, which overcome previous technical limitations to the fabrication of bioelectronics.” Receiving funding from the Research Grants Council’s Senior Research Fellow Scheme, PolyU, City University of Hong Kong, the National Natural Science Foundation of China and InnoHK, the research team intends to build on their accomplishments by increasing the patterning resolution of μLMEs.

PolyU showcased innovations, signed collaborative agreement at the Jiangsu Industry-University-Research exchange conference

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) participated in the 2nd Jiangsu Conference for Industry-University-Research Cooperation and Exchange held in Nanjing, where it showcased its innovations and engaged in valuable exchange activities.  Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU led a delegation of PolyU scholars to attend the event and other exchange programmes in Nanjing. The conference, organised by the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Science and Technology and co-organized by the Productivity Centre of Jiangsu Province, aimed to foster research, technology transfer and entrepreneurship promotion.  PolyU has entered into a cooperative agreement with the Productivity Centre of Jiangsu Province to enhance research and technology collaborations between the University and industries in Jiangsu. By fostering increased exchange and cooperation, the university endeavors to apply its impactful research to address the needs of industries and society at large.  Prof. CHAO, said, “PolyU recognises the significant value of research applications. Our efforts have been focused on fostering collaboration between our university researchers and industries, with the development of joint research projects, technology transfer and laboratories.”  The University’s active engagement in this cooperation and exchange conference demonstrated the strengthening the channels of collaboration between PolyU and Jiangsu province. The agreement itself stands as a key development for enhancing cooperation between academia and industries.  The Jiangsu-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance (JHMUA) was jointly established by Nanjing University, PolyU and the University of Macau in 2021. The JHMUA aimed to leverage the advantages of institutions in Jiangsu Province, Hong Kong and Macau to strengthen exchange and collaboration in areas such as talent cultivation and research in innovation and technology.

20 Postdoc Fellows Admitted to PolyU under Hong Kong Scholars Program 2023 – the Most Among Local Universities

In the 2023 Hong Kong Scholars Program, 60 high-quality postdoctoral fellows were selected from leading universities in Mainland China. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has admitted 20 of them, representing the largest share of recruitment among the participating Hong Kong universities in the programme. PolyU has been the top choice for fellows for the thirteenth consecutive year since the programme’s inception in 2011. This 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, particularly in experimental science and engineering disciplines. The selected fellows are required to be present in Hong Kong on or before 28 February 2024 to commence their research work with their supervisors. 20 academics of PolyU will serve as supervisors to nurture the selected fellows throughout a  twoyear period, facilitating their high-level research endeavors. The research projects cover various areas, including applied mathematics, physics, biomedical engineering, industrial and systems engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, building and real estate, civil and environmental engineering, fashion and textiles, etc. Please click here to access the list of PolyU scholars and their respective projects. 

PolyU-Jinjiang Technology and Innovation Research Institute officially unveilied First research institute established by PolyU beyond the Greater Bay Area

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Jinjiang Municipal People’s Government held a signing cum unveiling ceremony on 2 September at which the jointly established PolyU-Jinjiang Technology and Innovation Research Institute (Research Institute), based in Jinjiang, was officially inaugurated. This marks a significant achievement in promoting deeper cooperation between Fujian and Hong Kong, as well as a key step by both the University and the City towards creating a better future together. Over 200 guests attended the event, including Dr LAM Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU; Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President of PolyU; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU; Mr LIN Ruiliang, Vice Governor of Fujian Province; Mr ZHANG Yigong, Communist Party Secretary of Quanzhou City; Mr LIU Lianghui, Secretary of the Party Group of the Federation of Taiwan Compatriots of Fujian Province; Mr WU Weiping, Deputy Director of Fujian Provincial Education Bureau; Mr HUANG Shu, Deputy Director of Fujian Provincial Science and Technology Bureau; Mr ZHOU Xiaohua, Secretary General of Quanzhou Municipal Party Committee; Mr ZHANG Wenxian, Member of the Standing Committee of Quanzhou Communist Party Committee and Communist Party Secretary of Jinjiang City; Mr SU Gengchong, Vice Mayor of Quanzhou Municipal People’s Government; Mr WANG Mingyuan, Mayor of Jinjiang Municipal People’s Government; together with representatives from PolyU, leaders from various levels in Quanzhou and Jinjiang, and representatives from leading local enterprises. As the first research institute established by PolyU beyond the Greater Bay Area, the PolyU-Jinjiang Technology and Innovation Research Institute serves to integrate various forms of collaboration including collaborative research, academic exchange, joint training and technology transfer. It will leverage innovative local and international resources, mainly focusing on textile technology, future food, microelectronics, and innovation and technology policy. The Research Institute aims to nurture outstanding engineers and high-quality innovative entrepreneurial talents who are technology application-oriented, and strives to become a hub of technology innovation and attract a cluster of emerging industries helping to shape the future and foster global connections. Dr Lam Tai-fai in his speech stated that technology and innovation are the key forces to drive the development of a society. Jinjiang is a city renowned for its famous Chinese brands and remarkable advancements in technology, economy, culture and art. As a world-class research university, PolyU will take Jinjiang as a starting point to support its technological innovation and strengthen technical cooperation in the areas of textiles, smart manufacturing, integrated circuits and sustainable technology. The University will also promote the transformation and application of technological achievement, contributing to the “Jinjiang Experience” of innovation and development in Jinjiang, Quanzhou and Fujian. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng stated that it was his first visit to Jinjiang and he had the opportunity to visit numerous enterprises, leaving him impressed by their “high quality and brand creation”, which are prominent features of Jinjiang's economic and social development. With a strength in basic research and innovation entrepreneurship, PolyU is dedicated not only to producing world-class scientific research, but also to making a positive impact on socio-economic development. Jinjiang's solid and robust industrial foundation provides an excellent platform for PolyU and he believes that the University can become a strong driving force in promoting the development of Jinjiang's science and technology industry, leading to mutual benefits. Mr Zhang Wenxian shared his view that education, technology and talent provide foundational and strategic support for building a modern socialist country, and are also crucial for the high-quality development of the private sector economy. He sincerely hopes that through the platform of the Research Institute the University and the City can deepen their collaboration in the integration of government, industry, academia and research. This will promote deep integration of innovation, industrial, financial and talent chains, and co-create a new paradigm of cooperation between Fujian Province and Hong Kong. The Jinjiang Municipal Party Committee and Government are committed to seizing this opportunity to collaborate, concentrate efforts, aggregate resources and integrate policies. They will join hands with PolyU to focus on industry and strive for innovation and for developing the “Jinjiang Experience”, with the PolyU spirit of “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind” shining brightly in Jinjiang’s new era. Apart from the signing and unveiling ceremony, key representatives from the Research Institute introduced research developments and work plans related to textile technology, future food, microelectronics, innovation and technology policy, to local government representatives, research institutions and enterprises. Officials from the Jinjiang Municipal People's Government visited PolyU for the first time after the resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland early this year. Since then, the two parties have maintained close contact and had frequent interactions, reaching consensus and establishing the Research Institute in six months, demonstrating their strong commitment and a high level of efficiency. PolyU hopes to deepen cooperation with local enterprises in Jinjiang through the Research Institute, promote research and help to transform core technologies, in time expanding from Jinjiang to Quanzhou and the entire province. The University also aims to strengthen industry-academia-research collaboration between Fujian and Hong Kong, build a new paradigm of cooperation between Fujian Province and Hong Kong, and cultivate innovative and entrepreneurial talents with advanced technological knowledge and global vision.

Drawing inspiration from nature to advance established scientific knowledge

Conducting research is a prolonged voyage that demands a constant source of motivation and a discerning attitude towards novel perspectives.   Having a sharp eye for new knowledge is crucial to overcoming the limits and challenges of scientific research. Through a small droplet, Prof. Zuankai WANG, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation), Chair Professor of Nature-Inspired Engineering in Department of Mechanical Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has made groundbreaking discoveries for the world. The remarkable discovery has enabled the development of new materials that reduce the contact time between drops and surfaces, leading to revolutionary advancements in scientific knowledge and practical applications. His highly cited research has been instrumental in driving these changes.   Highly cited in surface and interface science Prof. WANG’s research has addressed a number of scientific problems that remained unsolved for centuries. Nature is a major source of research inspiration. Many biological systems coordinate different principles to process and manage information, materials and energy while utilising minimal resources with high efficiency.  “Nature never ceases to enlighten and inspire me,” said Prof. WANG. His primary motivation is to challenge the century-old conventional perceptions and explore their limits with curiosity.  “Many nature’s phenomena, ranging from the self-assembly of natural materials and their response to external stimuli to the intriguing directional flow of liquids on materials, can be explained by sophisticated surface topographical mechanisms,” he said.  Prof. WANG’s research interests focus on seeking, unravelling, and conceptualising the power of evolved surface topographical mechanisms. He then applies these insights to design nature-inspired surfaces that dynamically change their interfacial and transport properties, such as wetting, adhesion, and thermal-fluid transport, for water-energy nexus and healthcare applications.    Pioneering novel directions  According to classical studies, droplets that hit the surface of a lotus leaf surface would spread out, recoil, and then bounce up. Breaking the physical limit that governs the contact time was very challenging. The development of lotus-leaf-inspired materials by Prof. WANG and his team has led to the discovery of the intriguing “pancake bouncing” phenomenon.  The research, “Pancake bouncing on superhydrophobic surfaces,” was published in Nature Physics in 2014. The study demonstrated that the pancake bouncing results from the rectification of capillary energy stored in the penetrated liquid into an upward motion adequate to lift the drop.1 Significantly, the finding is characterised by droplets bouncing off the materials in a pancake shape with a remarkably shortest contact time, resulting in up to an 80% reduction. This outstanding achievement was also officially recognised by Guinness World Records. These insights have contributed to the development of several cutting-edge applications, such as power generation, radiation cooling, thermal cooling, anti-icing and soft robotics.  Finding an efficient method for cooling hot surfaces has been a persistent challenge within thermal engineering and materials science. Prof. WANG’s research, “Inhibiting the Leidenfrost effect above 1,000°C for sustained thermal cooling,” published in Nature in 2022, uncovered the structured thermal armour (STA). The strategy holds the potential to implement efficient water cooling at ultra-high solid temperatures, which is an uncharted property.2 The study has constructed a multitextured material capable of resisting temperatures up to approximately 1,200°C, fundamentally addressing the challenges presented by the Leidenfrost effect since 1756. This breakthrough has opened up many promising applications, particularly in aero and space engines, data centres, and nuclear power plants. Seeing the big from the small  Prof. WANG shared the story of a groundbreaking discovery that originated from a leaf one of his students stumbled upon during a visit to Ocean Park. Although unimpressive at first glimpse, upon thorough and meticulous examination, they discovered that the phenomenon observed in the leaf could potentially challenge a two-century-old scientific understanding. This led to the publication of their novel findings in Science in 2021 under the title “Three-dimensional capillary ratchet-induced liquid directional steering.”   The team’s research uncovered that the spreading direction of liquids with different surface tensions could be tailored by designing 3D capillary ratchets that create an asymmetric and 3D spreading profile both in and out of the surface plane.3 Prof. WANG said, “I always encourage my students to be proactive, passionate and persistent. Sometimes, a small idea and experiment can be a life-changing turning point that opens up a vast world of possibilities.” With his micro-insights into the world, Prof. WANG’s research has made significant breakthroughs in various disciplines by addressing critical scientific questions and overcoming long-standing technological challenges. Prof. WANG shared his research journey and wondered, “Who would have thought that these impactful scientific achievements would emerge from a 9.6 square meter lab with just a single desk?” Prof. WANG considers the worldwide recognition of his research as a testament to his team’s and students’ dedication.  “Achieving such recognition is not easy, but it serves as a source of motivation for us to push beyond boundaries and achieve more breakthroughs. Challenges are always there, and the path to success is full of ups and downs. However, precisely because of these difficulties, the light of reaching the destination shines even brighter.” Like one of his translational research projects, in which one impacting droplet could instantly illuminate a light bulb4, Prof. WANG is convinced that microscopic discoveries could make a powerful impact on the macroscopic level.  Prof. WANG expressed his optimism about the future, “We are fortunate to have the opportunity to bridge the gap between fundamental research and large-scale applications. We will continue on this path by not only answering important scientific questions but also addressing grand challenges that lie ahead.”   Research Interests: Nature-inspired Surfaces and Materials, Additive Manufacturing, Energy Harvesting, Fluid Dynamics, Soft Matter Highly Cited Researcher: 2022 (Clarivate Analytics) Selected Highly Cited Publications: Z. Wang, Y. Liu, L. Moevius, X. Xu, et.al., Pancake bouncing on superhydrophobic surfaces, Nature Physics, vol 10, Jul 2014 Z. Wang, M. Jiang, Y. Wang, F. Liu, et.al., Inhibiting the Leidenfrost effect above 1,000 °C for sustained thermal cooling, Nature, vol 601, Jan 2022 Z. Wang, S. Feng, P. Zhu, H. Zheng, et.al., Three-dimensional capillary ratchet-induced liquid directional steering, Science, vol 373, Sep 2021 Z. Wang, W. Xu, H. Zheng, Y. Liu et.al., A droplet-based electricity generator with high instantaneous power density, Nature, vol 578, Feb 2020 Download Version

PolyU and Guangming District Government to establish joint industrial technology and innovation research institute

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Guangming District Government, Shenzhen have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly establish the PolyU-Shenzhen Industrial Technology and Innovation Research Institute (the Research Institute), aimed at strengthening and facilitating the exchange of pedagogy, technology and talent between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. PolyU is the first Hong Kong higher education institution to achieve a strategic partnership with Guangming District Government. The University envisions effective collaboration in industry, academia and research, leveraging the advantages of PolyU's scientific talents and innovative research technologies, and attracting more high-quality Hong Kong enterprises and researchers to the region. The collaboration will involve PolyU faculty members, students and alumni engaging in scientific research, exchanging ideas and starting businesses in Shenzhen. The MoU was signed on 28 August at the Guangming Science City in Shenzhen. Witnessed by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President, Prof. Kwok-Yin WONG, Vice President (Education), and Prof. CHOW Ming-cheung, Head of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, as well as Ms CAI Ying, Guangming District Party Secretary, Mr QIU Haohang, District Mayor, and Ms Yang LI, Head of the United Front Work Department, the MoU was signed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Mr YAO Gaoke, Deputy District Mayor of Guangming District. In his speech, Prof. Jin-Guang TENG explained that PolyU is an innovative and research-oriented university with unique strengths in fundamental research and innovation entrepreneurship. The Research Institute will closely integrate with the development characteristics and planning of Shenzhen and Guangming District. The Research Institute will leverage the University’s strengths in scientific research, target cutting-edge scientific issues, focus on innovation, and make producing significant scientific research outcomes a core objective. Alongside the construction and operation of major technological infrastructure in Guangming Science City, the Research Institute will actively promote the transfer and transformation of relevant technological achievements, contributing to the Nation's achievement of high-level technological self-reliance and strength. Representatives of Guangming District stated that through this collaboration with PolyU, they will fully utilise PolyU’s advantage as a “super connector”, who plays a leading role in supporting technological innovation and industrial development through its strong disciplinary strengths and national key laboratories. By integrating the resource advantages of both parties, the aim is to build an internationally leading high-end research platform in the fields of life sciences and high-end manufacturing, creating an innovative community that brings together scientists, entrepreneurs, investors and innovators. According to the MoU, the collaboration encourages and assists young faculty and alumnus from PolyU to start businesses in Guangming District, while establishing a sustainable development base for technological innovation and entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, it also aims to cultivate future industry leaders with innovative drive and advanced experience in scientific and technological research and development, making substantive contributions to the construction of a high-level talent aggregation area in the Greater Bay Area. Through the platform of the Research Institute, both parties will further promote the deep integration of innovation, industry, funding and talent, deepening technological innovation cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong and advancing the goal of high-quality development in the Greater Bay Area.

PolyU receives staunch support from HKATG to advance satellite technologies for navigation and communication

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group (HKATG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding last month to explore opportunities for collaboration in satellite navigation and communication, satellite remote sensing, payload development and strengthening exchanges among industry, academia and research sectors. Under this collaborative framework, and to promote the development of advanced concepts and technologies such as smart cities and urban air mobility, HKATG will provide PolyU with conventional optical remote sensing and synthetic aperture radar observation data in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. It will also provide low-Earth orbit satellite payload space, payload testing, and low-Earth orbit satellite measurement and control services for research and education purposes. In addition, HKATG has generously donated to PolyU the naming rights of a multispectral optical remote sensing satellite, which is expected to launch in 2024. The total estimated value of this in-kind donation is HK$20 million (including data and equipment). To express its sincere gratitude for HKATG’s generous support, PolyU held an appreciation ceremony yesterday (23 August), attended by Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost; Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation); Prof. DONG Cheng, Associate Vice President (Mainland Research Advancement); Dr Daniel YIP, Non-executive Director, HKATG; Dr Michael HU, Vice President and Technology Strategy Director, HKATG; and interdisciplinary experts from PolyU’s Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics and Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering. These experts specialise in areas relating to satellite applications, control, analysis of remote sensing data, big data and artificial intelligence analysis. Dr Miranda Lou, Executive Vice President said, “As the only university in Hong Kong that has taken part in the Nation’s space missions, PolyU has extensive experience in technological research and development in aerospace technology and satellite navigation. Today’s Ceremony demonstrates the robust partnership between PolyU and HKATG, driven by our shared commitment to making a positive impact on society. HKATG’s generosity will undoubtedly empower our faculty members to further strive for excellence in education and research, nurture future aerospace-related professionals, address societal needs through research innovation, and contribute to the Nation.” Dr Daniel Yip said, “HKATG is pleased to partner with PolyU. Our collaboration will help nurture future talent for the development of new industries and the advancement of aerospace technology in Hong Kong. The Group looks forward to long-standing cooperation with PolyU. Leveraging the University’s extensive pool of research experts and training resources, we will continue to strengthen the talent supply chain and improve product design and quality. This will help power the transformation and upgrading of Hong Kong’s future industries.” To promote the development of smart cities, PolyU has been committed to remote sensing-related research for many years. High-resolution optical satellites can assist remote sensing research projects related to multispectral features including carbon neutrality research, tree health monitoring, land cover classification, marine water quality monitoring and research on urban surface characteristics. The multispectral optical satellite, expected to be launched next year, will be able to provide more frequent and higher resolution satellite data, promoting research and environment-related applications. PolyU researchers will explore using the Golden Bauhinia Constellation low-orbit satellites to enhance navigation services and carry developed navigation payloads in future low-orbit satellites.

PolyU chemistry scholar receives Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Award from the Ministry of Education

Prof. Raymond Wai-yeung WONG, Dean of Faculty of Science, Chair Professor of Chemical Technology and Clarea Au Professor in Energy at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has received the Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Award (Science and Technology) 2022 for his research in organic  photovoltaic materials.  Prof. WONG has been bestowed the Second-Class Award in Natural Science for a collaborative research project titled “Alkylthio Side-Chain Engineering of High-Performance Organic Photovoltaic Materials.” The project was jointly conducted by researchers from Soochow  University, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Hong Kong Baptist University.  Organic solar cells, particularly polymer solar cells, have garnered wide recognition as a promising photovoltaic (solar panel) technology due to their unique advantages of low cost, lightweight, flexibility and semi-transparency. Nevertheless, the most critical issue in research lies in enhancing the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells. The rational manipulation of energy levels of organic photovoltaic materials to enhance the open-circuit voltage of devices is one of the effective strategies for improving device efficiency. However, there is a lack of a universal and simple molecular design strategy to achieve it.  The research team  has developed an alkylthio side-chain engineering strategy, which functionalises the flexible side-chains as the energy level regulator for organic photovoltaic materials. This strategy can effectively regulate the energy levels of organic photovoltaic materials, leading to an improvement in their open-circuit voltage and, consequently, enhancing power conversion efficiency.  While flexible side-chain is an essential component of organic photovoltaic materials to ensure their solution processability, the alkylthio side-chain engineering strategy demonstrates its universal and unique feature. The strategy has been widely recognised as an important molecular design strategy for high-performance organic photovoltaic materials.  Prof. WONG said, “This award is an important affirmation of our research achievements. It inspires us to keep working hard on our research journey and striving to innovate with research that makes a great contribution to the community.”  Prof. WONG’s research focuses on  the design and synthesis of molecular functional materials and metallopolymers with photofunctional properties and energy functions. The research team aims to develop sustainable energy sources and improve technologies for energy conversion, contributing to sustainable development.  The Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Science and Technology) were set up by the MOE to recognise outstanding research projects at tertiary institutions nationwide. The award is presented to individuals or units who have made remarkable contributions in science and technology advancement, translational research and talent cultivation.  

PolyU start-up in antibiotic drug discovery wins the Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year 2023

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s drug research start-up company has been honoured as one of the winners of the Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year 2023 under the category of Science Start-ups (Falling Walls Venture) for its development of new antibiotic drug candidates.  Led by Dr Cong MA, Associate Professor of Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology at PolyU, Ynno Med Ltd., a PolyU spin-off company, is among the 25 global winners of the Falling Walls Science Start-ups.  The Falling Walls awards aim to foster research and innovation across all disciplines by celebrating cutting-edge discoveries. The Falling Walls Foundation, based in Berlin, established the awards to acknowledge the most recent breakthroughs in science and society worldwide.  Dr MA’s awarded start-up is dedicated to the discovery and development of first-in-class antimicrobial drugs, using the in-house developed AI-assisted technology. The key objective is to combat the ever-present situation of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.  Through the utilisation of AI drug design methods, the research team apply these technologies to invent new antibiotic drug candidates capable of eradicating multidrug-resistant bacteria and suppressing generation of new resistance.  Dr Ma said, “Being the only winner from Hong Kong for this Science Start-ups award, we consider this is an encouragement and recognition of Hong Kong’s prowess on the international platform. Through this opportunity, we aim to demonstrate our dedication to knowledge transfer from the university and make impactful contribution to the society.” Dr Ma’s research work focuses on drug design and discovery. New antibiotic drug candidates are under preclinical development in Ynno Med, with plans to proceed to clinical trials in the future. Dr Ma said, “The award bestowed great recognition to our achievements to date.”   

PolyU scholar’s transformative work on the Leidenfrost effect wins the Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year 2023

Prof. Zuankai WANG, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Chair Professor of Nature-Inspired Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has been bestowed one of the 10 winners of the Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year 2023 in Engineering and Technology category for his groundbreaking work on resolving the Leidenfrost effect. The Award aims to foster research and innovation across all disciplines by celebrating cutting-edge discoveries. The Falling Walls Foundation, based in Berlin, established the Award to acknowledge the most recent breakthroughs in science and society worldwide. Prof. WANG’s innovation on structured thermal amour (STA) is recognised with the accolade of “Breaking the Wall to the Leidenfrost Effect.” His research “Inhibiting the Leidenfrost effect above 1,000°C for sustained thermal cooling,” published in Nature in 2022 tackles the longstanding challenges posed by the Leidenfrost effect since 1756.