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PolyU researchers and academic-led startups seize prestigious awards at HICOOL Global Entrepreneur Summit and Entrepreneurship Competition

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) researchers and academic-led startup teams participated for the first time at the HICOOL 2024 Global Entrepreneur Summit and Entrepreneurship Competition, showcasing seven groundbreaking research projects that highlight the University’s exceptional capabilities in research and knowledge transfer. As the only tertiary institution in Hong Kong involved in multiple national space missions, the “Surface Sampling and Packing System” developed and manufactured by the PolyU research team was publicly exhibited outside Hong Kong for the first time. Meanwhile, other PolyU researchers presented innovations and inventions in quantum technology and biomedical engineering which received international recognition and garnered awards. In support of the Nation’s first lunar sample return mission, Chang’e 5, and the world’s first lunar far-side sampling for the Chang’e-6 lunar exploration mission, a PolyU research team, led by Prof. YUNG Kai-leung, Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor in Precision Engineering, Director of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations, and Chair Professor of Precision Engineering and Associate Head of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, developed and manufactured the “Surface Sampling and Packing System” in collaboration with the China Academy of Space Technology. Designed by PolyU and manufactured in Hong Kong, the System includes two samplers for collecting loose and sticky forms of lunar regolith, two high temperature near-field cameras, as well as a primary packaging and sealing system for sealing the samples in a container. The System is a testament to the University’s significant contribution to the Nation’s efforts to establish leadership in space exploration and technology. The entrepreneurship project “Quantum Chip-based Key Distribution System”, led by Prof. LIU Ai-Qun, Chair Professor of Quantum Engineering and Science of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Director of the Research Institute for Quantum Technology and Global STEM Professor, was awarded a second prize along with a cash award of one million yuan. The System harnesses the principles of quantum mechanics to provide users with an information-theoretically secure solution to key exchange, ensuring the long-term security of communication. By utilising advanced photonic chips, it achieves the miniaturisation and integration of quantum communication hardware, significantly reducing the cost of quantum communication equipment while enhancing the flexibility and broad application of quantum encryption. Scolioscan®, the world’s first radiation-free 3D ultrasound scoliosis assessment system, was developed by a research team led by Prof. ZHENG Yongping, Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering at PolyU and Co-founder of Telefield Medical Imaging Limited (under Aitrasound group). The innovation secured a third prize and a cash award of half a million yuan. Scolioscan® addresses the drawback of frequent X-ray exposure by offering a radiation-free and accurate spine evaluation that allows individuals to undergo frequent safe spine check-ups. This innovation allows doctors to continuously monitor the progression of scoliosis in their patients and develop personalised treatment plans. The System has successfully completed clinical trials and obtained medical device certification in mainland China, Europe, Australia and Thailand. It is currently in use in hospitals and clinics in more than 20 countries and regions, including Australia, Bosnia, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Malaysia, Romania, mainland China and Hong Kong. Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice-President (Research and Innovation) who led the delegation to participate in the Summit, stated, “Innovations from PolyU research and startup teams stand out among thousands of global competitors. Their achievements reaffirm the effective impact of the University’s PolyImpact philosophy. Through education, research, knowledge transfer and innovative inventions, the University is dedicated to translating research outcomes into impactful applications that deliver lasting and substantial benefits to society. We are committed to strengthening Hong Kong’s overall competitiveness by nurturing research talent, enhancing the local I&T ecosystem and fostering the development of new quality productive forces, all aimed at developing Hong Kong into an international I&T hub.” Through the PolyVentures ecosystem, the University provides comprehensive entrepreneurial support to its academic- and student-led startups. Five PolyU academic-led startup teams were invited to take part in roadshows during the Summit to showcase their innovations to prospective investors. Scolioscan®: A Radiation-free 3D Ultrasound Scoliosis Assessment System (Prof. Zheng Yongping) K-Shape: The world’s first portable high-definition corneal topographer (Prof. KEE Chea-su, Head and Professor of the School of Optometry, and Co-founder of GOOD Vision Technologies Company Limited/Wellsees Technologies Company Limited) Mutual Cognitive Human-Robot Collaborative Manufacturing System (Dr ZHENG Pai, Associate Professor of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and Co-founder of CobotAI Limited) Virtual MRI Contrast Enhancement System for Precise Tumour Detection and Treatment (Prof. CAI Jing, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Professor of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics, and Technical Advisor to MedVision Limited) Quantitative User Experience Evaluation for Spatial Computing: Enhance Delightful User Experiences in XR and Metaverse (Prof. Tommy Minchen WEI, Professor of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, and Co-founder of Guardian Glow Limited) Furthermore, the research project on the extraction of a novel bioactive molecule, Oxyphylla A, for the treatment of mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease led by Prof. LEE Ming-yuen, Chair Professor of Biomedical Sciences of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition and Founder of AIM International Pharmaceutical Limited, was also showcased at the Summit. This year, the HICOOL 2024 Global Entrepreneur Summit and Entrepreneurship Competition was held in Beijing from 23 to 25 August. The event attracted over 500 I&T companies and more than a thousand investors from around the world. This year’s entrepreneurship competition received 7,406 project submissions from 124 countries and regions, with nearly 10,000 entrepreneurs vying for 200 winning spots. Outstanding projects were awarded first, second and third prizes, along with the prestigious Bole Prize. In addition to cash prizes, the winning teams will receive entrepreneurial guidance and support. The competition spans seven technology verticals, including Artificial Intelligence/Virtual Reality/Fintech, Medicine and Healthcare, New Generation Information Technology, High-end Equipment, and more.

PolyU and Tencent jointly organised "Tanyuan Initiative Info Session”

The “Tanyuan Initiative” is an innovative project by Tencent, that aims to promote culture and technology through cutting-edge digital solutions. The initiative was launched with an engaging info session at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) on 26 August, attracting over 190 participants from research institutions, cultural associations, and technology companies. Attendees eagerly exchanged insights on the latest trends and future directions in culture and technology. The event featured esteemed speakers from renowned organisations such as Tencent, Hong Kong Palace Museum, Sino United Electronic Publishing Ltd., Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), and PolyU. They led discussions and roundtable forums, providing valuable perspectives on the initiative's goals. Prof. Wang Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, highlighted the university's strengths in data science, art and design. He mentioned the importance of nurturing traditional culture through the PolyU Chinese Culture Festival, which enhances the appreciation of Chinese culture among younger generations. In addition, Prof. Henry DUH, Centre Director of PolyU-NVIDIA Joint Research Centre of PolyU, also shared impactful research results in cultural technology. During a themed roundtable, Dr NG Hiu Fung Peter, Assistant Professor of the Department of Computing at PolyU, engaged in insightful discussions with guests regarding cultural digitalisation, offering inspiring ideas for collaboration among academia, industry, and research.

PolyU scientists harness quantum microprocessor chips for revolutionary molecular spectroscopy simulation

Quantum simulation enables scientists to simulate and study complex systems that are challenging or even impossible using classical computers across various fields, including financial modelling, cybersecurity, pharmaceutical discoveries, AI and machine learning. For instance, exploring molecular vibronic spectra is critical in understanding the molecular properties in molecular design and analysis. However, it remains a long-standing computationally difficult problem that cannot be efficiently solved using traditional super-computers. Researchers are diligently working on quantum computers and algorithms to simulate molecular vibronic spectra. However, they are limited to simple molecule structures, as they struggle with low accuracy and inherent noise. Engineering researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have successfully developed a quantum microprocessor chip for molecular spectroscopy simulation of actual large-structured and complex molecules, a world-first achievement. Capturing these quantum effects accurately requires meticulously developed simulations that account for quantum superposition and entanglement, which are computationally intensive to model classically. The research is published in Nature Communications, in a paper titled “Large-scale photonic network with squeezed vacuum states for molecular vibronic spectroscopy.” This cutting-edge technology paves the way to solving complicated quantum chemistry problems, including quantum computational applications which are beyond the capabilities of classical computers. The research team is led by Professor LIU Ai-Qun, a Chair Professor of Quantum Engineering and Science and Director of the Institute for Quantum Technology (IQT), a Global STEM Scholar and Fellow of Singapore Academy Engineering, together with the main project driver, Dr ZHU Hui Hui, Postdoctoral Research Fellow of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and the first author of the research paper. Other collaborators are from Nanyang Technological University, City University of Hong Kong, Beijing Institute of Technology, Southern University of Science and Technology, the Institute of Microelectronics and Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. Dr Zhu’s team have experimentally demonstrated a large-scale quantum microprocessor chip and introduced a nontrivial theoretical model employing a linear photonic network and squeezed vacuum quantum light sources to simulate molecular vibronic spectra. The 16-qubit quantum microprocessor chip is fabricated and integrated into a single chip. A complete system has been developed, including the hardware integration of optical–electrical–thermal packaging for the quantum photonic microprocessor chip and electrical control module, software development for device drivers, user interface and underlying quantum algorithms which are fully programmable. The quantum computer system developed provides a fundamental building block for further applications. The quantum microprocessor can be applied to solving complex tasks, such as simulating large protein structures or optimising molecular reactions with significantly improved speed and accuracy. Dr Zhu said, “Our approach could yield an early class of practical molecular simulations that operate beyond classical limits and hold promise for achieving quantum speed-ups in relevant quantum chemistry applications.” Quantum technologies are crucial in scientific fields, including material science, chemistry and condensed matter physics. As an attractive hardware platform, the quantum microprocessor chips present a promising technological alternative for quantum information processing. The research findings and the resulting integrated quantum microprocessor chip developed open significant new avenues for numerous practical applications. These applications include solving molecular docking problems and leveraging quantum machine learning techniques like graph classification. Professor Liu said, “Our research is inspired by the potential real-world impact of quantum simulation technologies. In the next phase of our work, we aim to scale up the microprocessor and tackle more intricate applications that could benefit society and industry.” The team has introduced a groundbreaking development in quantum technology, which can be considered “a game changer.” They have successfully tackled the highly challenging task of molecular spectroscope simulation using a quantum computing microprocessor. Their research marks a significant advancement in quantum technology and its potential quantum computing applications.

PolyU innovates firefighting technology with smart solutions to enhance urban resilience

The increase in high-rise and densely populated urban development has heightened the demand for safety and resilience solutions against emergencies, such as fires. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has created advanced technological solutions to enhance firefighting and urban resilience. Prof. Asif USMANI, Chair Professor of Building Sciences and Fire Safety Engineering, and Dr HUANG Xinyan, Associate Professor of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering at PolyU, hosted the 2nd International Smart Firefighting Workshop (SureFire 2024) in PolyU, which aimed to tackle future urban fire threats and enhance smart firefighting capabilities. This workshop is a component of the “SureFire: Smart Urban Resilience and Firefighting” project, which is funded by the Research Grants Council’s Theme-based Research Scheme. Under the research of Prof. USMANI and Dr HUANG, the SureFire System adopts complex data-generating networks to enable real-time monitoring of urban environments and hazards. Proper AI-based analysis of the data can provide information that continuously assesses the state and evolution of systems, diagnoses emerging pathologies, and supports decision-making. The increasing occurrence of fires in high-rise buildings globally demonstrates how the evolution of the built environment has altered the nature of fire threats. At the workshop, over 70 international research experts and scholars presented emerging topics in fire safety, covering areas in fire safety design, thermal safety management for battery systems, and artificial intelligence (AI) fire forecasting. Dr HUANG said, “Together with a multidisciplinary research team, we are uncovering answers to fundamental research questions necessary for developing the foundational technology of a smart firefighting system. This system leverages the rapidly evolving landscape of cyber-physical technologies.” To improve fire safety management during emergencies, Dr HUANG and his research team have recently introduced an intelligent digital twin system. This system couples an Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) system and a computer vision model to enable real-time fire risk assessment. Prior to a fire event, this digital twin can map the distribution of vehicles with different fire risks inside the building in real-time. In the event of a fire incident, the AI engine not only assesses the current fire scene but also forecasts the future fire progression to support fire fighting, evacuation and rescue efforts. To demonstrate the system’s performance, the SureFire team has conducted multiple large-scale fire tests in tunnels in Sichuan and multi-storey buildings in the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy (FASA) of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department. Leveraging advanced computational fire modelling techniques, the SureFire system can forecast the fire scene 1-3 minutes in advance with an accuracy exceeding 90%. Dr HUANG said, “This developed SureFire system has the potential to be installed in all future buildings and infrastructures, enhancing public safety, providing early disaster warnings, and optimising emergency evacuations.” This research is a great leap towards achieving true intelligent public safety and emergency response. The PolyU SureFire team has dedicated the past five years to developing intelligent solutions for fire safety. The latest research progresses for tunnel safety include “AIoT-enabled digital twin system for smart tunnel fire safety management” published in Developments in the Built Environment, and “Smart real-time evaluation of tunnel fire risk and evacuation safety via computer vision” published in Safety Science. The latest system provides an intelligent emergency management system framework for public fire emergencies. Also, the team is currently collaborating with multiple property management companies in China and overseas to implement the SureFire system in metro stations, tunnels, and high-rise buildings.  Powered by the groundbreaking SureFire system, a Smart Dynamic Exit sign system can be implemented into the building to guide people during fire evacuations. This system has been developed and communalised by the PolyU start-up, GABES. Not only does the SureFire system reduce fire casualties by facilitating fire evacuation, but it also holds great potential to empower firefighting robots, leading to fully automated and causality-free firefighting operation. Currently, Dr HUANG and his team are developing the next generation of autonomous firefighting robots to support firefighters and minimise fire causalities. The integration of this new technology will position Hong Kong as the world's leading smart city.

PolyU joins forces with Peking University Third Hospital to foster collaboration on physiotherapy

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Peking University Third Hospital (PUTH) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier this month, deepening their collaboration in the field of physiotherapy. The MoU was signed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, and Prof. LI Rong, Vice President of PUTH and Director of the Reproductive Medicine Department. The MoU aims to establish a strategic partnership between PolyU and PUTH, focused on developing physiotherapy research, cultivating talent and building research platforms to enhance industry development and meet the growing global demand for healthcare. Prof. Christopher Chao said, “PolyU is committed to conducting world-leading research and innovation, while encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration to provide societal solutions. As a top-tier comprehensive hospital in China, with clinically orientation, PUTH promotes the innovative development of medical technologies through research and technology transfer. By joining hands, both parties will leverage their respective strengths to jointly advance physiotherapy treatment technologies, achieving mutual benefits and translating cutting-edge research into practical applications to create a positive impact globally.” Prof. Li Rong said, “PolyU's Department of Rehabilitation Sciences has a distinguished international reputation. This collaboration with PolyU marks a new chapter, whereby both parties will elevate the standard of education and research in physiotherapy, ultimately enhancing physiotherapy services for patients.” The collaboration will enhance regional medical technology capabilities and benefit more patients in need. Looking forward, PolyU and PUTH will deepen their cooperation in areas such as clinical treatment, technological innovation, and talent cultivation, striving to set new benchmarks in the field of physiotherapy services in the Asia-Pacific region and globally.

PolyU young scholar awarded Asian Young Scientist Fellowship 2024 for breakthroughs in materials physics

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has always been committed to nurturing young researchers to drive new quality productive forces in science and technology. Dr Kathy LENG Kai, Assistant Professor of the Department of Applied Physics, has been awarded a prestigious 2024 Asian Young Scientist Fellowship (AYSF), in recognition of her outstanding achievements in physical science. The AYSF aims to encourage and support talented young scientists in Asia to carry out creative and transformative research in three fields: “Life Science,” “Physical Science,” and “Mathematics and Computer Science.” The Fellowship is awarded annually to 12 recipients selected from Asia after a rigorous selection process. A total grant of USD100,000 is disbursed to each Fellow’s home institution over two consecutive years to support their research endeavors. This new Fellowship, specifically targeting young Asian scientists, has been established by the founders of the Future Science Prize. Dr Leng stood out from a large pool of talented and highly-qualified candidates from across Asia. The AYSF Committee acknowledged her groundbreaking work in molecularly thin two-dimensional hybrid perovskites and have shown they are willing to support her further exploration in this cutting-edge field. She said, “I am honoured and encouraged to have been awarded this fellowship following an intensive selection process. I look forward to engaging with forward-thinking young scientists from across Asia and expanding opportunities for collaboration. My team and I will continue to strive for breakthroughs and explore innovationsthat pave the way to versatile applications in flexible microelectronics and spintronics.” Dr Leng is the first scholar to isolate the 2D hybrid perovskite monolayers and uncover their novel physical properties. She is also dedicated to establishing accurate atomic structure-property relationships and pushing the boundaries of their novel device applications, particularly in the field of opto-microelectronics and spintronics. Currently, her team is focused on the scalable growth of hybrid perovskite single-crystalline thin films and their large-scale device integration. Dr Leng has been recognised with several prestigious awards, including the PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award, the Asia Pacific TR35 Award from MIT Technology Review, the Croucher Tak Wah Mak Innovation Award, the Early Career Research Gold Award from the Singapore National Institute of Chemistry and the China Excellent Young Scientist award.

Media Interview: PolyU SFT research team tests the safety of sandals and slippers

To understand how the design of sandals and slippers impacts plantar pressure and gait stability, a research team led by Prof. Joanne Yip, Associate Dean and Professor of the School of Fashion and Textiles of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), collaborated with the Ming Pao Daily News to conduct tests on a variety of sandal and slipper models, assessing their influence on plantar pressure and gait stability. The results showed that overly soft soles fail to adequately support the ankle joints and plantar muscles, reducing stability and dynamic balance. This increases the risk of ankle sprains and falls. Furthermore, the leg muscles become tired as they exert more force to maintain balance. On the contrary, if the soles are excessively hard or thick, the forefoot forces an unnatural walking pattern that can cause leg muscle fatigue and joint pain. Prof. Kit Yick, Professor of the School of Fashion and Textiles of PolyU, suggested that when choosing sandals, it is important to select the optimal level of hardness and softness. The sole design should balance softness and comfort with appropriate support and cushioning. Based on the foot shape and activity needs, individuals can choose the appropriate shoe type to ensure both "comfort" and "safety".

PolyU researchers invent intelligent soft robotic clothing for automatic thermal adaptation in extreme heat

As global warming intensifies, people increasingly suffer from extreme heat. For those working in a high-temperature environment indoors or outdoors, keeping thermally comfortable becomes particularly crucial. A team led by Dr Dahua SHOU, Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies and Associate Professor of the School of Fashion and Textiles of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed first-of-its-kind thermally-insulated and breathable soft robotic clothing that can automatically adapt to changing ambient temperatures, thereby helping to ensure worker safety in hot environments. Their research findings have been published in the international interdisciplinary journal Advanced Science. Maintaining a constant body temperature is one of the most critical requirements for living and working. High-temperature environments elevate energy consumption, leading to increased heat stress, thus exacerbating chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health issues and asthma, while also increasing the risk of infectious disease transmission. According to the World Health Organisation, globally, there were approximately 489,000 heat-related deaths annually between 2000 and 2019, with 45% occurring in Asia and 36% in Europe. Thermal protective clothing is essential to safeguard individuals in extreme high-temperature environments, such as firefighters who need to be present at fires scenes and construction workers who work outdoors for extended periods. However, traditional gear has been limited by statically fixed thermal resistance, which can lead to overheating and discomfort in moderate conditions, while its heat insulation may not offer sufficient protection in extreme fire events and other high-temperature environments. To address this issue, Dr Shou and his team have developed intelligent soft robotic clothing for automatic temperature adaptation and thermal insulation in hot environments, offering superior personal protection and thermal comfort across a range of temperatures. Their research was inspired by biomimicry in nature, like the adaptive thermal regulation mechanism in pigeons, which is mainly based on structural changes. Pigeons use their feathers to trap a layer of air surrounding their skin to reduce heat loss to the environment. When the temperature drops, they fluff up their feathers to trap a significant amount of still air, thereby increasing thermal resistance and retaining warmth. The protective clothing developed by the team uses soft robotic textile for dynamic adaptive thermal management. Soft actuators, designed like a human network-patterned exoskeleton and encapsulating a non-toxic, non-flammable, low-boiling-point fluid, were strategically embedded within the clothing. This thermo-stimulated system turns the fluid from a liquid into a gas when the ambient temperature rises, causing expansion of soft actuators and thickening the textile matrix, thereby enhancing the gap of still air and doubling the thermal resistance from 0.23 to 0.48 Km²/W. The protective clothing can also keep the inner surface temperatures at least 10°C cooler than conventional heat-resistant clothing, even when the outer surface reaches 120°C. This unique soft robotic textile, made by thermoplastic polyurethane, is soft, resilient and durable. Notably, it is far more skin-friendly and conformable than temperature-responsive clothing embedded with shape-memory alloys and is adjustable for a wide range of protective clothing. The soft actuators have exhibited no signs of leakage after undergoing rigorous standard washing tests. The porous, spaced knitting structure of the material can also significantly reduce convective heat transfer while maintaining high moisture breathability. Not relying on thermoelectric chips or circulatory liquid cooling systems for cooling or heat conduction, the light-weighted, soft robotic clothing can effectively regulate temperature itself without any energy consumption. Dr Shou said, “Wearing heavy firefighting gear can feel extremely stifling. When firefighters exit a fire scene and remove their gear, they are sometimes drained nearly a pound of sweat from their boots. This has motivated me to develop a novel suit capable of adapting to various environmental temperatures while maintaining excellent breathability. Our soft robotic clothing can seamlessly adapt to different seasons and climates, multiple working and living conditions, and transitions between indoor and outdoor environments to help users experience constant thermal comfort under intense heat.” Looking forward, Dr Shou finds the innovation to have a wide range of potential applications, from activewear, winter jackets, healthcare apparel and outdoor gear, to sustainable textile-based insulation for construction and buildings, contributing to energy-saving efforts. Supported by the Innovation and Technology Commission and the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel, Dr Shou and his team have also extended the thermo-adaptive concept to develop inflatable, breathable jackets and warm clothing. This soft robotic clothing is suitable for low-temperature environments or sudden temperature drops to aid those who are stranded in the wilderness to maintain normal body temperature.

Media Interview: PolyU RiFood study finds lactating women eating not enough fruit and vegetable

A recent study conducted by the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has found that while the fruit and vegetable intake of lactating women has increased significantly in the past decade, it is still below the recommended level by the Department of Health. The PolyU research team examined the eating habits of over 80 lactating women from 2022 to 2024 and compared the results to a similar survey done in 2014. It found that the women's vegetable intake increased by 34% compared to 2014 and their dietary fibre and vitamin A intake also rose by 19% and 20.4% respectively. However, their overall intake is still below the Department of Health's recommendations, lower from 22% to 103% of the daily goals. Only 10% of women meet the recommendation of 2 servings of fruit and 3 servings of vegetables per day. The research team also revealed that more than half of breastfeeding women consume too much fat, saturated fat and sugar, and nearly half have bad cholesterol and weight levels outside the normal range. Dr Kenneth LO Ka-hei, Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition and member of RiFood of PolyU, suggests that lactating women should focus on a balanced diet. Fruits and vegetables contain different vitamins and minerals, which increase the absorption of protein, calcium and iron, helping alleviate postpartum problems such as constipation. 

Media Interview: PolyU’s outstanding innovative research shines on the international stage

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has been actively showcasing its latest scientific research and innovative achievements on the international stage. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-French diplomatic relations and the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games. PolyU organised the “Flying High” exhibition in Paris to highlight two main themes, “Style in Motion” and “Sustainability in Innovation”, featuring 10 projects that highlight a diverse array of research and innovations across disciplines, from fashion to technology and sustainable materials. In addition, two research projects led by PolyU have recently won over HK$100 million in funding from the Research Grants Council’s (RGC) Theme-based Research Scheme 2024/25 to advance emerging research and innovations. Prof. Christina WONG, Professor of the School of Fashion and Textiles and Director of Research and Innovation of PolyU has also been awarded by the RGC’s Senior Research Fellow Scheme with a total grant of approximately HK$8 million in funding to promote research related to circular economy and sustainable development. PolyU will participate in the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Milan, Italy, in October this year. Prof. Wong said PolyU is committed to promoting the university's scientific and technological development. Moving forward, PolyU continues to expand innovative and cutting-edge research that enhances well-being and leads to a brighter future.