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PolyU secures funding for five projects in Germany/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme 2025/26

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to cultivating a world-class academic environment and enhancing international research collaboration. Demonstrating the University’s research excellence and global vision, five PolyU projects have been awarded funding under the Germany/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme 2025/26. Led by scholars from the Faculty of Business,  Faculty of Construction and Environment, and Faculty of Engineering, the awarded projects span diverse fields, reflecting PolyU’s strength in interdisciplinary research and its commitment to tackling global challenges.  The awarded projects include advancements in mechanism design for urban air mobility operators, exploration of cointercalation chemistry in next-generation energy storage technologies, reassessment of entrepreneurial narratives through podcasts, improvements in parking space efficiency in dense urban environments, and the development of solar-driven carbon‑neutral technologies to convert food waste into value‑added products.  The five PolyU-awarded projects: Principal Investigator Project Title Awarded Amount Prof. Ang LI Assistant Professor of the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering Mechanism Design and Resource Allocation under Strategic Behavior of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Operators HK$89,600 Prof. XU Zhenglong Associate Professor of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering Decipher cointercalation chemistry of graphite anodes in post-lithium ion batteries HK$89,600 Prof. Amy OU Yi Associate Professor of the Department of Management and Marketing The Humble Founder? Rethinking Entrepreneurial Narratives Through Podcasts HK$44,800 Prof. Sunghoon JANG Assistant Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (PACE) Parking Space Efficiency: Making the Most of Urban Space through Shared Use HK$82,400 Prof. Ren Jingzheng Associate Professor of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering Converting food waste into value-added products in Germany and Hong Kong: Solar-driven carbon-neutral technology development, feasibility analysis, and policy implications HK$89,600   Collectively, these initiatives highlight PolyU’s role as a bridge between Hong Kong and international partners in addressing sustainability, innovation, and societal transformation. The Research Grants Council (RGC) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) have collaborated since 1996 to promote research collaboration between Hong Kong and Germany by providing researchers in both locations with travel grants ranging from one to two years.

PolyU hosts Technology Transfer and Commercialisation Conference cum 1st Annual General Meeting of Mainland Translational Research Institutes

To deepen industry-academia-research integration and accelerate the translation of research outcomes, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), in collaboration with the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) of the People’s Government of Fujian Province, hosted the two-day “PolyU Technology Transfer and Commercialisation Conference cum 1st Annual General Meeting of Mainland Translational Research Institutes (2025)” in Jinjiang, Fujian Province. The event attracted over 3,500 participants from government, academia, the innovation and technology sector, the investment sector and the public. Through the Conference, roundtable forums, exhibition and project roadshows, the event showcased PolyU’s cutting-edge research achievements and built bridges between research and industry, supporting the Nation’s innovation-driven development strategy. The event was held at the Jinjiang International Convention and Exhibition Center. The opening was officiated by Dr LAM Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU; Mr LIN Ruiliang, Vice Governor of Fujian Province; Mr LI Zhizhong, Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Fujian Province; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU; Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU; Mr LI Lin, Director General of HKMAO of Fujian Province; Mr LEI Lianming, Vice Mayor of Quanzhou Municipal Government; Mr WANG Mingyuan, Mayor of Jinjiang; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU; and Prof. CAO Jiannong, Vice President (Education) of PolyU. In his address, Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said, “The PolyU Technology Transfer and Commercialisation Conference will become a significant annual event. The inaugural conference in Jinjiang further highlights Jinjiang’s pivotal role in the PolyU innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. Together, we will witness a series of PolyU research outcomes transitioning from ‘laboratory to production line’ and from ‘academic papers to products’, fostering a more advanced innovation ecosystem through pragmatic collaboration and achieving deeper synergistic development. Guided by our University motto ‘To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind’ and our mission ‘To pursue world-leading research and innovation for societal benefits’, PolyU has established 12 Translational Research Institutes in different Chinese Mainland cities, as well as two Research Institutes and a Disruptive Technology and Innovation Research Centre in Shenzhen. Until now, nine InnoHub centres have been launched to support research translation and entrepreneurial talent cultivation. Each Institute focuses on specific areas, aligning precisely with local industrial and societal development needs to facilitate the translation and application of PolyU research outcomes. We look forward to driving the implementation of further high-level research outcomes, achieving mutual benefit and coordinated development, and contributing to building a technologically advanced nation and promoting high-quality development.” During the event, PolyU and Anta (China) Co., Ltd signed a collaboration agreement. Meanwhile, the PolyU-Jinjiang Technology and Innovation Research Institute entered into partnerships with Fujian Panpan Food Co., Ltd, Quanzhou Normal University, Kaida Group, Jinjiang New Silk Road Health Industry Co. and Jinjiang Nursing Association. Additionally, agreements were signed with Fujian Jinjiang Industrial Development Investment Group Co., Ltd and AnLight Optoelectronic Technology Inc., further strengthening technological innovation cooperation and deepening industry integration. The event featured distinguished speakers: Prof. Jin-Guang Teng highlighted PolyU achievements in knowledge transfer and tech entrepreneurship; Mr FANG Bing, Co-founder of Hai Robotics in Shenzhen, shared insights on intelligent manufacturing collaboration; Mr MI Lei, Founding Partner of CASStar, discussed investment in future industries; and Mr WANG Jun, Deputy Executive President of Bank of China Group Investment Limited, shared practical experiences in technology investment. PolyU and the PolyU-Jinjiang Technology and Innovation Research Institute signed collaboration agreements with multiple local corporations, and higher education and professional institutions, strengthening technological innovation cooperation and deepening industry integration. Mr Fang Bing, Co-founder of Hai Robotics in Shenzhen, shared insights on intelligent manufacturing collaboration. Mr Mi Lei, Founding Partner of CASStar, discussed investment in future industries. Mr Wang Jun, Deputy Executive President at Bank of China Group Investment Limited, shared practical experiences in technology investment. Two roundtable forums explored key topics in innovation and technology: “Talent and Research”: Moderated by Prof. DONG Cheng, Associate Vice President (Mainland Research Advancement) of PolyU, with participation from Prof. WANG Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research) of PolyU; Prof. Yi-Qing NI, Director of the PolyU-Hangzhou Technology and Innovation Research Institute and Chair Professor of Smart Structures and Rail Transit of PolyU; Prof. LEE Ming-yuen, Chair Professor of Biomedical Sciences of the PolyU Department of Food Science and Nutrition; Prof. Hongxia YANG, Executive Director of the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence and Associate Dean (Global Engagement) of the PolyU Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences; and Prof. YU Hongyu, Professor of the PolyU Department of Mechanical Engineering “Incubation and Translation”: Moderated by Prof. Zijian ZHENG, Director of the PolyU-Daya Bay Technology and Innovation Research Institute and Chair Professor of Soft Materials and Devices of PolyU, with participation from Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU; Ms Yuxia ZHANG, Chairperson of the Zhongcai Financial New Media Fund; Prof. ZHENG Yongping, Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering of PolyU; and Prof. Tommy WEI, PolyU-Qianhai Technology and Innovation Research Centre and Professor of the PolyU Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering Prof. Dong Cheng, Associate Vice President (Mainland Research Advancement) of PolyU (1st from left), moderated a panel discussion on “Talent and Research” with Prof. Wang Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research) of PolyU (3rd from right); Prof. Yi-Qing Ni, Director of PolyU-Hangzhou Technology and Innovation Research Institute and Chair Professor of Smart Structures and Rail Transit of PolyU (3rd from left); Prof. Lee Ming-yuen, Chair Professor of Biomedical Sciences of the PolyU Department of Food Science and Nutrition (2nd from right); Prof. Hongxia Yang, Executive Director of the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence and Associate Dean (Global Engagement) of the PolyU Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences (2nd from left); and Prof. Yu Hongyu, Professor of the PolyU Department of Mechanical Engineering (1st from right). Prof. Zijian Zheng, Director of the PolyU-Daya Bay Technology and Innovation Research Institute and Chair Professor of Soft Materials and Devices of PolyU (1st from left), moderated a panel discussion on “Incubation and Translation” with Prof. Christopher Chao, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU (middle); Ms Yuxia Zhang, Chairperson of Zhongcai the Financial New Media Fund (2nd from right); Prof. Zheng Yongping, Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering of PolyU (2nd from left); and Prof. Tommy Wei of the PolyU-Qianhai Technology and Innovation Research Centre and Professor of the PolyU Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (1st from right). A concurrent exhibition showcased technological outcomes across five themed zones: Smart Manufacturing and Materials, Biomedicine and Medical Devices; Information and Artificial Intelligence; Smart City and Transportation; and Green, Low-Carbon and Energy. With over 140 booths, the exhibition featured nearly 250 outstanding research projects from PolyU, 15 research institutes and research centre in Chinese Mainland, startups, Future Challenge winners and alumni, attracting industry representatives for on-site engagement. The guests visited the technological outcomes exhibition which highlighted nearly 250 PolyU research projects. The technological outcomes exhibition featured five themed zones with over 140 booths, showcasing outstanding research projects from PolyU, 15 research institutes and research centre from Chinese Mainland, startups, winners from PolyU International Future Challenge, and alumni. The exhibition also featured PolyU postgraduate and undergraduate admission briefings. Among the speakers, Prof. HE Mingguang, Programme Director of the Master of Technology Entrepreneurship and Chair Professor of Experimental Ophthalmology of the PolyU School of Optometry, introduced the newly launched Master of Technology Entrepreneurship, which aims to cultivate the next generation of technological entrepreneurs. Students will primarily study at the PolyU main campus and subsequently undertake a practical immersion project at one of the Mainland Translational Research Institutes, equipping students with skills to transform innovative ideas and cutting-edge research into successful startups. The Exhibition also included PolyU postgraduate and undergraduate admission briefings, highlighting the newly launched Master of Technology Entrepreneurship. PolyU has long been committed to technological innovation and research translation, establishing 12 Translational Research Institutes in Jinjiang, Wuxi, Hangzhou, Wenzhou, Nanjing, Huizhou, Zhongshan, Wuhan, Shaoxing, Hefei, Ganzhou and Zibo, two Research Institutes in Shenzhen, and a Disruptive Technology and Innovation Research Centre in Qianhai. These form a robust network integrating industry, academia and research. This event marks a significant step in integrating innovation resources and deepening collaboration with Chinese Mainland. The PolyU Fujian Alumni Network and the PolyU Finance Industry Alumni Network were also officially established, further uniting alumni strength. Looking forward, PolyU will continue to leverage its research and talent advantages, deepen cooperation with governments and industry partners across Chinese Mainland, contributing to the Nation’s technological self-reliance and Hong Kong’s development as an international innovation and technology hub.

Media interview: PolyU’s HEROCARE eases anxiety and enhances care in paediatric cancer treatment

In the RTHK TV programme "MagaSenior," Prof. Helen Law Ka Wai, Associate Head and Associate Professor at the Department of Health Technology and Informatics (HTI), and Dr Vincent Leung Wan Shun, Associate Professor of Practice at HTI at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), shared insights about the HEROCARE programme, which improves the experiences of paediatric cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. The HEROCARE programme utilises the Hybrid Immersive Virtual Environment (HiVE) at PolyU to create positive experiences for both patients and caregivers, helping reduce fear and anxiety during treatment. Through personalised sessions and on-site hospital support, the programme enhances radiotherapy preparation and supports the physical and emotional well-being of its participants. Prof. Law highlighted that the success of the HEROCARE programme extends beyond reducing reliance on anaesthesia. It also combines compassionate learning with clinical service, providing valuable practical experience for future radiographers. The initiative aims to establish itself as the standard service model for paediatric radiotherapy in Hong Kong, garnering broad support from hospitals, experts, and the academic community. HEROCARE was developed during the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic when caregivers and social workers faced restriction in accessing hospital areas. By leveraging PolyU’s research facilities and expertise, the research team successfully developed this innovative initiative to support the clinical preparation for paediatric patients.  

PolyU establishes Academy for Artificial Intelligence to develop a world-class AI innovation hub

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today held the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence (PAAI) Inauguration, demonstrating its support to the Nation’s “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Plus” initiative under the 15th Five-Year Plan to support high-quality development across industries. Leveraging PolyU’s cross-disciplinary strengths in computer science, mathematics and data science, the PAAI strives to foster international collaboration and help position Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area as a globally influential AI innovation hub. On the same day, PolyU hosted a series of forums, bringing together experts from around the world to advance cutting-edge AI technologies and their innovative applications in healthcare. The Inauguration took place at the PolyU Chiang Chen Studio Theatre, officiated by Prof. SUN Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government of the People’s Republic of China, and Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU. Prof. Sun Dong remarked, “The country’s Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan reaffirm Hong Kong’s strategic position as the international innovation and technology centre. Our vision to become a global hub for AI development was underscored in the 2025 Policy Address delivered by our Chief Executive, with promotion of AI being top of our agenda, taken forward through multi-pronged measures on key enablers, including talent, data and industry applications.” “The inauguration of the PAAI marks not just a milestone, but a new chapter in our city’s united efforts to expedite the AI development. This Academy will inspire ideas, foster collaboration and fuel Hong Kong's AI ecosystem,” he added. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng elaborated: “Leveraging PolyU’s strong foundation in AI, computer science, mathematics, data science and other globally recognised disciplines, the PAAI will foster interdisciplinary and international collaboration to drive AI development, positioning Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area as a leading AI innovation hub. It will deliver sustainable, efficient and impactful solutions for key sectors – ranging from healthcare and finance to education and beyond. It will also cultivate a talent ecosystem that can drive future innovation by leveraging Hong Kong’s international research environment and its government-industry-academia-research network.” Prof. Qiang YANG, PAAI Director, and Prof. Hongxia YANG, PAAI Executive Director, delivered keynotes on “The AI Revolution: Challenges and Opportunities” and “Co-Generative AI (Co‑GenAI)” respectively, elaborating on the University’s key tasks in advancing AI and how related projects are being translated into real-world applications that benefit diverse industries. Addressing future AI challenges, Prof. Qiang Yang noted that the PAAI will continue to advance key technologies including Co‑GenAI, Federated Learning and Edge Foundation Models, while setting out robust technological roadmaps in the priority fields of healthcare, education, finance and robotics. He highlighted Hong Kong’s dual positioning as an international financial centre as well as an international innovation and technology hub. Together with the extensive clinical networks and strong industry demand in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the PAAI will seek to expand decentralised AI infrastructure, enabling more institutions to use advanced AI technologies under safe and controllable conditions. Prof. Hongxia Yang added that traditional AI training faces hurdles such as high thresholds for computing capacity and data privacy protection. By aggregating the strengths of hundreds of industry-specific models, Co‑GenAI can reduce reliance on centralised computing resources and build high-quality foundation models that better reflect real-world application scenarios. The PAAI is working with various medical institutions to implement the “Cancer GenAI” project, while also exploring the potential of AI in infectious disease prevention and control, robotic systems and finance. In the “International Forum on AI 2025”, moderated by Prof. Qiang Yang and the “Intelligent Oncology Forum” moderated by Prof. Jing CAI, Head of the PolyU Department of Health Technology and Informatics, convened leading experts from academia and clinical medicine. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the deep integration of AI and healthcare, innovative applications and cross-disciplinary technological breakthroughs, contributing insights to further propel AI technologies. The PAAI will contribute to building Hong Kong into a global testing ground that drives AI innovation in healthcare and smart city development, fostering world-class technologies and talent. It will also strengthen collaboration with industry, medical institutions, schools and government departments to apply AI solutions in public health and education systems. In ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects announced last month, PolyU ranked first in Hong Kong and 16th worldwide in the newly introduced “Artificial Intelligence” subject area, underscoring the University’s forward-looking strategy and achievements in facilitating AI in education. Officiating the PAAI Inauguration, Prof. Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government of the People's Republic of China, said that the PAAI marked not just a milestone, but a new chapter in the city’s united efforts to expedite the AI development. PolyU President Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said that the PAAI would cultivate a talent ecosystem to drive future innovation by leveraging Hong Kong’s international research environment and its government-industry-academia-research network. During the media interview session, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) Prof. Christopher Chao (2nd from left); PAAI Director Prof. Qiang Yang (2nd from right); PAAI Executive Director Prof. Hongxia YANG (1st from left); and Prof. Jing Cai, Head of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics (1st from right), outlined the PAAI’s strategy and the development and applications of AI across industries.

PolyU distinguished scholar Prof. Yang Chai receives Croucher Senior Research Fellowship 2026 for revolutionising AI computation

Prof. Yang CHAI, Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Science and Chair Professor of Semiconductor Physics at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has been awarded the prestigious Croucher Senior Research Fellowship 2026 in recognition of his outstanding achievements in revolutionising artificial intelligence (AI) computation at the sensor level. Each recipient of the Senior Research Fellowship receives funding up to HK$3 million to support their research. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, congratulated Prof. Chai on this prestigious honour, “PolyU scholars are dedicated to world-leading research and innovation. This award not only recognises Prof. Chai’s pioneering work but also highlights PolyU research excellence in the field of AI computing. As an innovative world-class university, PolyU will continue to pursue excellence in education, research and knowledge transfer for the benefit of Hong Kong, the Nation and the world.” Prof. Chai’s research focuses on bioinspired computing and semiconductor devices. He has pioneered a disruptive in-sensor computing paradigm that revolutionises AI computation at the sensor level and has actualised this paradigm through hardware implementation for vision sensors. His innovative research on sensory AI contributes to the advancement in machine visions with enhanced image recognition, visual adaptation in extremely dim or bright lighting, and agile perception of dynamic motion. Expressing his gratitude for the award, Prof. Chai said, “I am deeply grateful to the Croucher Foundation for recognising my research in bioinspired computing and semiconductor devices. This award is not only an encouragement for me personally, but also a recognition of the PolyU research team. We will continue to pursue innovative research to create a positive impact on society.” Prof. Chai is a distinguished academic in the field of nanoelectronic devices and emerging computation paradigms. He earned his Bachelor’s degree at Nanjing University and his Master’s at Peking University, completing his PhD at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. His research on in-sensor motion perception was selected as one of the “China Chip10 Sciences”. He also received the 2024 Falling Walls Science Breakthrough in Engineering & Technology, funding from the National Science Fund of China for Distinguished Young Scholars, as well as the BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize in the field of AI and Robotics.

A New Paradigm for Account-Based Blockchains

As financial technology matures and cryptocurrencies become increasingly popular, the security of blockchains used to process these transactions has emerged as a significant concern. Prof. Allen Men Ho AU, Associate Head (Research and Development) and Professor of the Department of Computing at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has introduced the Regulatable Privacy-Preserving Smart Contracts (RPSC), a smart contract system that effectively balances privacy with public transparency. RPSC’s compatibility has been demonstrated on Ethereum smart contract.  Smart contracts have become the backbone of decentralised finance, enabling automated transactions and the development of complex applications on blockchain platforms. As the technological foundation of Web3.0, smart contracts are increasingly relied upon to facilitate a wide range of financial and governance activities.    However, the transparency that makes blockchain technology so powerful also introduces significant privacy challenges. Every transaction and contract execution are recorded on a public ledger, exposing sensitive user data and transactional details to anyone with access to the network.    The tension between privacy and regulation has emerged as a central issue in blockchain research. Early privacy-preserving solutions, such as Zerocash and Hawk, leveraged advanced cryptographic techniques to anonymise transactions and user identities. These approaches, while effective in protecting privacy, often lacked the flexibility to selectively reveal private data when required for regulatory compliance or dispute resolution.    Ethereum, with its account-based structure, has become the dominant platform for smart contracts, hosting the majority of decentralised applications and managing billions in transaction value annually. Yet, the absence of robust privacy solutions tailored to account-based blockchains has left a critical gap in the ecosystem.   Led by Prof. AU, his research team has introduced RPSC system, a novel framework that combines fine-grained privacy controls, regulatory traceability and full compatibility with account-based blockchains, to address the above-mentioned problems.   The design of RPSC is rooted in a sophisticated system model that brings together three principal entities: users, regulators and the blockchain itself. Users are the primary participants, each equipped with a unique public-private key pair. Their public keys serve as identifiers within the system, while private keys enable the generation of privacy-preserving transactions. Depending on the application context, users may assume specialised roles, such as voters in an electronic voting system or bidders in an auction.  Regulators, typically government agencies or designated authorities, are granted the ability to view private data and trace transactions when necessary, using their own cryptographic key pairs. Importantly, regulators are restricted to observational and investigative functions. They cannot alter data on the blockchain. The blockchain, in turn, acts as a transparent, append-only ledger, hosting smart contracts that execute autonomously upon user interaction. Central to the RPSC system is the introduction of a multi-layer record commitment structure, which enables fine-grained privacy protection and flexible data state transitions. This multi-layer approach allows users to selectively disclose private data by replacing commitment values with actual data when necessary. For instance, in the event of a dispute or regulatory investigation, a user can reveal specific transaction details without compromising the privacy of unrelated data.   The construction of a transaction within RPSC is both rigorous and flexible. Each transaction consumes existing records and generates new ones, with the process governed by cryptographic protocols to ensure privacy and correctness.  To meet the regulatory traceability requirements, RPSC integrates public-key encryption and zero-knowledge proofs, specifically zk-SNARKs (Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Arguments of Knowledge). Users encrypt transaction details using the regulator's public key, ensuring that only authorised entities can decrypt and access sensitive information. Zero-knowledge proofs are employed to verify the correctness of transactions without revealing underlying data, thereby maintaining both confidentiality and integrity.  Transaction regulation in RPSC is achieved through a two-layer encryption mechanism. When a user initiates a transaction, a copy of the private transaction data is encrypted using the regulator's public key. This allows the regulator, and only the regulator, to decrypt and access the detailed data for oversight purposes.    The RPSC system represents a significant advancement in the design of privacy-preserving smart contracts for account-based blockchains. By combining multi-layer commitments, zero-knowledge proofs and regulatory traceability, RPSC offers a balanced solution that addresses the needs of privacy, programmability and accountability in decentralised applications. The system’s ability to reconcile the demands of privacy and regulation, without sacrificing efficiency or programmability, marks a new paradigm in the development of smart contracts and decentralised applications.    Source: Innovation Digest  

Inauguration of PolyU-Hefei Technology and Innovation Research Institute, advancing cross-regional research and technology transfer

Jointly established by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the People’s Government of Luyang District, Hefei, the PolyU-Hefei Technology and Innovation Research Institute (the Institute) was officially inaugurated on 4 December, alongside a plaque-unveiling ceremony for InnoHub@Hefei. This marks a new chapter in collaboration between PolyU and Hefei, further enhancing research exchange, technology transfer and the development of an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the region. The Inauguration Ceremony in Hefei was officiated by Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman; Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation); Ms ZHAO Ming, Director of the Anhui Provincial Department of Science and Technology; and Mr LUO Yunfeng, Deputy Secretary of the Hefei Municipal Party Committee and Mayor, who witnessed the official commencement of the Institute. Dr Lam Tai-fai remarked, “In response to the new landscape of national strategic development, PolyU will work hand in hand with Hefei to deepen collaborative innovation among government, industry, academia and research sectors. Together, we aim to drive the implementation of high-level technological advancements, achieve mutual benefits and shared growth, and contribute to promoting high-quality development and building a technologically advanced nation.” Mr Luo Yunfeng remarked, “This collaboration presents a significant opportunity for Hefei to further strengthen its close ties with PolyU, connect with international resources and expand practical cooperation across various fields. Hefei is committed to providing comprehensive support and services to facilitate the development of the Institute and PolyU, accelerating the implementation of collaborative initiatives thus achieving mutual empowerment and win-win cooperation.” The work of the Institute focuses on two cutting-edge research areas - aerospace information technology and biomedical precision sensors. It has established seven research and development (R&D) centres covering the fields of deep space exploration, the low-altitude economy, BeiDou navigation applications, biosensors and ultrasonic diagnostics. Prof. Christopher Chao noted that the Institute leveraged its role as an innovation platform to strengthen collaboration with government, industry and investors, transforming blueprints into reality and accelerating the commercialisation of research outcomes. The event also featured a plaque-unveiling ceremony for InnoHub@Hefei, officiated by Prof. Christopher Chao; Prof. DONG Cheng, PolyU Associate Vice President (Mainland Research Advancement); Prof. CHEN Wu, Director of the PolyU-Hefei Technology and Innovation Research Institute;  Mr. LUO Ping, Vice Chairman of the Hefei Municipal Committee and Secretary-General of the Hefei Municipal People’s Government; Mr FAN Jin, Director-general of the Science and Technology Bureau of Hefei; and Ms ZHANG Haoqi, Deputy Secretary of the Luyang District Party Committee. The InnoHub will serve as a key innovation incubation platform, bringing together diverse innovation resources. At the same event, the Institute signed framework agreements with several local enterprises in Hefei to promote collaboration in technological innovation and deepen industry integration. As PolyU’s key innovation hub in East China, the Institute leverages Hefei’s strong technological foundation and PolyU strengths in advanced technology and industrial applications to build a globally competitive innovation platform. Looking ahead, the Institute will accelerate R&D and talent development initiatives, nurture innovative talent and drive breakthroughs in smart manufacturing, the green economy and strategic emerging industries, injecting fresh momentum into regional and National innovation.

PolyU and HKUST inaugurate State Key Laboratory of Climate Resilience for Coastal Cities and gather global experts for Symposium to tackle challenges of climate change

Approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of the People’s Republic of China, the State Key Laboratory of Climate Resilience for Coastal Cities (SKL-CRCC) – jointly established by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) – was officially inaugurated today. Dedicated to addressing the challenges posed by climate change, the Laboratory aims to enhance infrastructure resilience in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and coastal cities worldwide. Its core missions include strengthening climate-risk early-warning systems and emergency response capabilities, and promoting sustainable development to address challenges posed by climate change. Concurrently, a two-day international symposium is being held, bringing together world-leading experts and scholars to discuss how climate resilience in coastal cities can be strengthened globally. The inauguration was held at PolyU’s Hotel ICON and officiated by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President; Prof. Nancy IP, HKUST President; Prof. Wing-tak WONG, PolyU Deputy President and Provost; Prof. Xiangdong LI, Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Environment, Director of SKL-CRCC and Director of the Otto Poon Research Institute for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure (RICRI) of PolyU; Prof. Charles NG Wang-Wai, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement of HKUST, Director of SKL-CRCC, and CLP Holdings Professor of Sustainability; and Prof. Qingrui YUE, Chairman of the Academic Committee of SKL-CRCC. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng emphasised, “The establishment of SKL-CRCC not only closely aligns with the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2035, but also supports the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s focus on climate-resilient urban development. Its significance is far-reaching: it reflects the nation’s commitment to technological self-reliance, scientific excellence and sustainable development, and exemplifies the synergy of Hong Kong’s world-class universities. By leveraging our complementary advantages, this strategic collaboration will drive national innovation and global scientific progress. PolyU sincerely thanks the Central Government and the HKSAR Government for their foresight and support. We will continue translating research into impactful solutions and make the laboratory a ‘core engine’ for resilient urban development, strengthening public safety, urban resilience and sustainable development.” Prof. Nancy Ip said, “We extend our profound gratitude to the Central Government and the HKSAR Government for their steadfast and visionary support in establishing this inaugural State Key Laboratory of Climate Resilience for Coastal Cities. This endeavour powerfully demonstrates Hong Kong’s capacity to unite world-class research expertise from leading institutions in a strategic collaboration to address one of our generation’s most urgent challenges. By pioneering solutions for urban disaster mitigation and infrastructure resilience, this laboratory represents a strategic national initiative. It will serve to enhance Hong Kong’s position as an international innovation and technology hub, contributing steady and meaningful momentum to our nation’s scientific advancement and long-term sustainable development.” Prof. Xiangdong Li and Prof. Charles Ng Wang-Wai, Directors of SKL-CRCC, stated that PolyU and HKUST teams leverage the advanced facilities of both universities to conduct research in multiple areas: Climate Change and Extreme Weather, Urban Infrastructure and Resilience, Urban Compound Disasters and Evolution, Extreme Rainstorm Disasters and Nature-based Solutions, Coastal Engineering and Technology, and Climate Change Risk Perception, Early Warning, and Response Policy Management. They pointed out that data collected through various research initiatives will significantly improve coastal cities’ future forecasting accuracy and response capabilities under severe weather conditions. Group photo of the officiating party and distinguished dignitaries. Group photo of the officiating party and key members of SKL-CRCC. The two-day international symposium features approximately 30 keynotes by experts from renowned universities in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, other parts of Asia, Europe, the Americas and Australia. Topics include marine heatwaves, earthquakes, urban water management and artificial intelligence applications. Through academic exchange and in-depth discussion, the Symposium aims to advance world-class knowledge to strengthen climate resilience in coastal cities globally. SKL-CRCC was officially accredited as the status of a State Key Laboratory by MOST in August 2025. To address climate change and disaster risks, it aims to deeply integrate its work into the national strategic frameworks and global development initiatives, focusing on resilience construction and disaster mitigation. It is committed to enhancing the resilience of coastal urban infrastructure to address the compound challenges posed by climate change. The Symposium brings together world-leading global experts and scholars to discuss how climate resilience in coastal cities can be strengthened globally.

PolyU organised first RISC-V Global Ecosystem Forum, charting a new chapter for open-source development

The inaugural RISC-V Global Ecosystem Forum, hosted by the Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and co-organized by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Institute of Software Chinese Academy of Sciences, was successfully held on 26 November. The forum covered cutting-edge topics, including compilers and foundational software, artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, open-source EDA, and community governance, attracting leading enterprises, research institutions, and open-source communities from around the world. The event featured keynote speeches by renowned scholars and industry leaders on the global RISC-V community development, AI computing ecosystems, and industrial-grade open-source core development, providing valuable insights for advancing RISC-V+AI integration and ecosystem growth. To foster research collaboration and talent development, PolyU signed a strategic agreement with the Beijing Institute of Open Source Chip, and the Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, to establish the “One Student One Chip” Hong Kong Base Co-construction Initiative, creating an international platform for industry-academia-research integration.   This initiative was jointly launched by the School of Computer Science and Technology at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Computing Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Beijing Institute of Open Source Chip. Upholding the core principle of “enabling students to graduate with a processor chip they designed themselves,” the program combines theoretical and practical teaching to lower barriers to chip design and nurture top-tier talent in computer systems, with over 15,000 students from over 1,000 schools worldwide already enrolled.  

PolyU develops an innovative multi-tier intelligent bridge inspection system to identify structural issues

With Hong Kong’s transport infrastructure facing immense pressure from some of the world’s highest densities of traffic, ensuring bridge safety is more critical than ever. A research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has unveiled a groundbreaking, intelligent bridge inspection system. This system can detect cracks and uncover hidden structural flaws invisible to the human eye. Deployed across 11 local bridges, this multi-tier system integrates PolyU’s proprietary non-destructive testing technologies (NDT) with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models. The result: inspection times slashed by a significant margin of 50% and overall accuracy rate dramatically improved to 80%, paving the way for Citywide adoption. Traditional infrastructure visual inspection (VI) methods in Hong Kong are labour-intensive, subjective and often miss subsurface defects like rebar corrosion, which necessitate road closures. Led by Prof. Tarek ZAYED, Professor of the PolyU Department of Building and Real Estate, the team’s innovation can replace these manual practices with a trio of cutting-edge tools: drones, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and infrared thermography (IRT). These technologies collect comprehensive data from both the surface and subsurface of bridges, while AI models automate analysis for unprecedented accuracy and efficiency. Surface crack identification is vital for structural health. Using drone-enabled VI and a self-developed deep convolutional neural network (CNN) model—Smart Bridge Deck Efficiency (SBDE)—the team has achieved superior crack detection, even in challenging conditions such as low light or shadows. SBDE outperformed other leading object detection models, reducing false positives and confusion with surface scratches. Surface cracks often signal deeper issues like rebar corrosion, i.e., subsurface defects. The team’s fully automated GPR data interpretation model locates rebars with over 98% precision and maps potential corrosion zones using advanced amplitude analysis and clustering. The newly developed tool significantly streamlines the GPR-based corrosion assessment process, making it both faster and more straightforward. Concrete deterioration, such as spalling and delamination, is another major concern. The team developed an optimum thermal gradient threshold (OTGT) system for IRT, adjusting thresholds based on environmental conditions for more accurate detection. Their smart OTGT-based model automatically generates delamination maps, further enhancing diagnostic capabilities. “This hybrid system— for surface and subsurface defects—enhances both the efficiency and accuracy of bridge inspection through an integrated, AI-powered approach,” said Prof. Tarek Zayed. “We have also standardised inspections with a five-point severity scale to facilitate diagnosis and prioritise repairs. The comprehensive SBDE tool thoroughly assesses bridge conditions based on data collected from various sensing devices.” He added, “We are currently exploring further collaboration with relevant government departments and industry partners to implement this system for regular bridge inspections in the City, marking a significant step towards smarter infrastructure management in Hong Kong. Our goal is to ensure that Hong Kong’s bridges remain safe and reliable for decades to come.” This two-year project was supported by the Smart Traffic Fund. With findings published in leading international journals including Construction and Building Materials, Automation in Construction and Advanced Engineering Informatics, Prof. Zayed’s team is exploring ways to advance related technologies and further promote smart bridge inspection in Hong Kong.