News

PolyU scholar confirms maternal positive mental health correlated to children’s brain development

Pregnancy brings about profound changes, and nurturing positive mental health during this period is crucial for the long-term health and well-being of children. Through scientific investigations on young children, Prof. QIU Anqi, Professor of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics and Global Stem Scholar at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), along with her research group, has validated the impact of maternal positive emotions on children’s brain development and function. According to the research conducted by Prof. QIU, girls born to mothers who reported experiencing greater positive mental health during pregnancy showed larger bilateral hippocampi. Increased hippocampal volume is directly related with improvements in memory performance.  Significantly, children of mothers with higher levels of maternal positive mental health demonstrated altered functional connectivity within several neural networks, including the default mode, salience, executive control, amygdala and thalamo-hippocampal networks. These networks link to a wide range of cognitive, emotional, memory-related brain development and functions.  Maternal positive mental health has long-lasting impacts on the brain development of offspring. These impacts are especially pronounced in the brain structures such as the hippocampus and amygdala, as well as functional networks such as the visual, default mode and frontal networks, which are integral to emotion perception and regulation.  Prof. QIU said, “The research findings extend the study of maternal mental health beyond maternal psychopathology, suggesting the importance of promoting positive maternal mental health during pregnancy as a potential protective factor for children’s brain development.” The research provided new evidence that improved maternal positive emotion during pregnancy has the potential to promote the hippocampal development of children. Therefore, maternal positive emotion significantly influences the quality of parenting relationship after delivery, including greater material sensitivity, warmth and responsiveness to the child’s needs, as well as enhanced infant socioeconomical development.  The study used a longitudinal dataset to investigate how positive emotions experienced by mothers during pregnancy affect the brain structure and function of 7.5 years old children. Both structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used in the study involving 381 Asian participants in Singapore. The research titled “Maternal positive mental health during pregnancy impacts the hippocampus and functional brain networks in children” was published in Nature Mental Health.  A measure of positive maternal mental health, which includes positive affect and emotional well-being during pregnancy, was developed through confirmatory factor analysis of questionnaires administered at 26–28 weeks. The study findings highlight the importance of delving into a broader spectrum of mental health aspects beyond just illness, advocating for positive emotions among mothers.   “Our research further confirmed the importance of positive mental health and well-being during pregnancy, which is also a key determinant in child brain development,” said Prof. QIU.  Her research areas focus on brain development and the use of artificial intelligence to predict and analyse mental health issues in young people.   

PolyU and ADA SPACE signed a cooperation agreement

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and ADA SPACE Co. Ltd. (ADA SPACE) signed a cooperation framework agreement on 17 July during a signing ceremony on campus. The cooperation framework agreement was signed by Prof Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, and Dr. Wang Lei, CEO of ADA SPACE. The two parties will explore the possibility of establishing of a joint remote sensing satellite technology laboratory. This cooperation marks a solid step forward in the research and development collaboration between the two parties in the fields of satellite and space computing technology, jointly contributing to national development through scientific research. Representatives from PolyU's Faculty of Engineering, Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, Department of Computing, and the Office of Research and Innovation also attended the signing ceremony. ADA SPACE is a leading AI satellite internet technology company founded by leading talents from satellite internet research institutions and the internet industry. Since its establishment, ADA SPACE has successfully completed 13 space missions and has built a strong foundation in satellite technology and space computing.

PolyU and Institute of Advanced Science Facilities, Shenzhen signed a cooperation agreement

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Institute of Advanced Science Facilities, Shenzhen signed the Strategic Collaborative Framework Agreement on 11 July. This marked a solid step forward for both parties in the fields of technological and disruptive innovation. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, and Prof. HU Shuiming, Deputy General Manager of Engineering Department of the Institute of Advanced Science Facilities of Shenzhen, signed a cooperation agreement on behalf of the respective parties. The ceremony was witnessed by Ms CAI Ying, Guangming District Party Secretary, Ms YANG Li, Head of the United Front Work Department, Mr YAO Gaoke, Deputy District Mayor of Guangming District, Dr Lawrence LI Kwok-chang, Deputy Council Chairman of PolyU, Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU and Prof. Kwok-yin WONG, Vice President (Education) of PolyU. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG stated that by leveraging the facilities of the advanced photon sources in Guangming, it fosters collaborative technological innovation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and also facilitates the transformation of scientific and technological achievements and contribute to making PolyU a globally leading research university. This initiative also aims to inject vitality into the construction of high-level scientific facilities at the PolyU-Shenzhen Industrial Technology and Innovation Research Institute (the Research Institute). Prof. HU Shuiming highlighted that as a Comprehensive National Science Center of the Greater Bay Area, the joint partnership of experimental stations will enable ultrafast and ultrafine spatiotemporal resolution research in the fields of information materials, nano/quantum materials, and complex biomolecules. The Research Institute is in the stage of the construction of the free-electron laser facility in Shenzhen, aiming to attract more users to participate in its construction to better serve scientific research and industrial applications at large. The PolyU and the Guangming District of Shenzhen have a solid foundation for cooperation. A framework agreement was signed to jointly establish the Research Institute in August 2023. Successive joint efforts would bring new momentum to technological innovation, integrate their respective strengths and facilities, and foster continuous development of the Greater Bay Area on the global stage. Prof. Jianhua HAO, Director of Research Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology of PolyU, Prof. Benny CHEUNG, Director of State Key Laboratory of Ultra-precision Machining Technology of PolyU and many others attended the visit and conference. The delegation visited the State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, the State Key Laboratory of Ultra-precision Machining Technology and the PolyU Design Show.

PolyU collaborates with HKI Biotechnology to establish a joint laboratory for biotech innovation

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and HKI Biotechnology (HKI) have collaborated to establish the "PolyU–HuiKang Joint Laboratory for Biotech Innovation" with the signing ceremony held on July 16, 2024. The joint lab will leverage PolyU's expertise in life science and engineering, as well as HKI's strengths in peptide technology and drug development, to drive innovations in target discovery and drug development. Key focus areas for the joint lab include peptide drug discovery, high-throughput screening, and transforming "Human Lysozyme Eye Drops" research into new pharmaceuticals. Through collaborative projects, shared resources, and talent development, the joint lab aims to open up new frontiers in biotechnology, and transform research outcomes into tangible health and wellbeing benefits for the community.

Two PolyU projects awarded RGC Theme-based Research Scheme Funding for sustainable impacts

Two research projects led by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have won over HK$100 million funding from the Research Grants Council’s Theme-based Research Scheme 2024/25 to advance emerging research and innovations important to Hong Kong . PolyU has secured this substantial funding support for its impactful inter-disciplinary research, contributing to Hong Kong’s sustainable development. Prof. TAO, Xiaoming, Vincent and Lily Woo Professor in Textile Technology, Chair Professor of Textile Technology of the School of Fashion and Textiles and Director of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, leads the project “Mechanisms and Key Technologies of Multi-Sensory Emulation Wearable Devices,” which has been awarded funding of HK$62.37 million. Prof. Johan Hoorn, Professor of the School of Design and Department of Computing, leads the project “Social Robots with Embedded Large Language Models Releasing Stress among the Hong Kong Population,” which has received funding of HK$40.89 million. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, said, “Fully demonstrating the University's exceptional interdisciplinary research capabilities, these PolyU projects have wide-ranging application potential and bring tangible benefits to society. PolyU has consistently performed excellently in the Theme-based Research Scheme, supporting our efforts to make important contributions to Hong Kong's long-term development. We will continue to expand innovative and cutting-edge research that enhances wellbeing and leads to a brighter future.” Prof. TAO’s project aims to lead global research in multi-sensory emulation wearable devices, capitalising on PolyU’s exceptional multidisciplinary expertise and facilities in flexible materials, sensors and actuators for the Internet of Things (IoT), wearable and biomedical applications, electronic fabrics, mathematics for artificial intelligence, acoustics and signal processing. This research has far-reaching impacts that extend beyond the development of novel fibre-based multi-sensory emulation wearable devices. Ultimately, it also contributes to diverse social and industrial fields, encompassing healthcare, IoT, smart cities, art technology, robotics, education, sports, fashion and textiles, and personal protection. Prof. Hoorn’s project is undertaken to provide psychological support for Hong Kong people, of whom it is estimated 61% experience stress, anxiety, depression or negative moods. It utilises Embedded Large Language Models to train social robots, incorporating localised cultural and personal data. The research aims to bring personalised mental care to individuals who may otherwise be overlooked by the formal medical care system. In addition to the development of social robots and avatars for mobile applications connected to the new HK AI-hub, the project will also develop a new software architecture for distributed computing, scalability and privacy protection. The innovation will benefit the working population of Hong Kong, care professionals, social workers, and AI and robotics developers. It is also planned to establish an online platform for developers of robot and avatar solutions, with a focus on the care domain, as well as also catering to other fields including education, hospitality and entertainment.   PolyU projects funded by the Theme-based Research Scheme 2024/25 Project Coordinator Prof. Tao Xiaoming Vincent and Lily Woo Professor in Textile Technology Chair Professor of Textile Technology of the School of Fashion and Textiles Director of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems Project Title Mechanisms and Key Technologies of Multi-Sensory Emulation Wearable Devices (MSEWDs) Abstract This project aims to emulate the less enhanced yet urgently needed sensations of touch (tactile) and smell (olfactory) through a study of multi-sensory emulation wearable devices (MSEWDs) that reveals their operational mechanisms, and to develop relevant key technologies and applications. First-of-its-kind emulation mechanisms based on fibrous structures and their bionic actuation devices will be developed for delivering mixed scents and tactile sensations. Leveraging AI models to link measured signals obtained by biosensors and algorithms for controlling the bionic emulation devices will offer more immersive experiences.   The target of the MSEWDs include: A device that senses and simulates olfactory sensation by AI-controlled scent-making and dispersion of mixed scents; A fabric tactile emulator that senses and tunes reactive forces and temperature by changing its rigidity, dimension, surface morphology and thermoelectric properties; and A wearable fabric-based acoustic stethoscope that continuously detects the location and intensity of sound generated from human internal organs.   This project has great potential to fundamentally alter metaverse technology and influence industrial fields as diverse as healthcare, IoT, art technology, robotics, sports, fashion, textiles and beyond. Approved Budget* HKD 62.378 million   Project Coordinator Prof. Johan Hoorn Professor of the School of Design and Department of Computing Project Title Social Robots with Embedded Large Language Models Releasing Stress among the Hong Kong Population Abstract This project will develop human-like at-home social robots with embedded large language models, using localised cultural and personal data to provide customised mental health support for the mentally under-served population in Hong Kong. Complementary on-screen avatars for mobile applications will also be delivered. A new software architecture will enable distributed computing, scalability and privacy protection. Training protocols, logic-symbolic AI and design guidelines will be created for novel methods and functionality, evaluated in situ by local communities. This will inform a communication model capable of predicting and recognising signs of stress or low mood and intervening with empathetic dialogue, help-seeking information or professional care referrals.   The long-term goal is to reduce the burden on Hong Kong's formal mental health system while empowering citizens to better self-manage their well-being through accessible AI-driven social support.   The working population, especially care professionals and social workers, stand to benefit, alongside an established online platform for AI and robotics developers in the care domain and open to other fields including education, hospitality, and entertainment. Approved Budget* HKD 40.899 million *RGC provides 90% of the approved budget and the remaining 10% will be provided by the coordinating University.

PolyU scholar conferred as RGC Senior Research Fellow, spearheading circular economy for global sustainable goal

Rigorous research is crucial to drive the development of the circular economy (CE) for global sustainable production and consumption. In pursuit of this research goal to meet societal needs, Prof. Christina WONG, Professor of the School of Fashion and Textiles and Director of Research and Innovation of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has been awarded by the Research Grants Council’s (RGC) Senior Research Fellow Scheme (SFRS) with a total grant of approximately HK$8 million. Prof. Wong has been granted the title of “RGC Senior Research Fellow.” Her research project aims to enhance CE governance and promote its institutionalisation and performance impacts. The CE represents a model of production and consumption in which products and materials are cycled back into the economy until the end of their useful life, thereby reducing global material extraction. However, only 7.2% of global resources that enter the market are recovered and recycled annually, according to the Circularity Gap Report published at the World Economic Forum in 2023. Despite governments’ efforts in setting action plans and policies on the CE, collective industrial efforts are essential for monitoring and controlling waste and resource efficiency. Considering the knowledge gap on CE governance and its benefits, the research addresses this challenge by demonstrating how different business conditions affect CE governance performance and subsequently driving the establishment of CE governance. Prof. Wong said, “Receiving this funding award greatly encourages my research in sustainable goal concerning responsible consumption and production. The exceptional capacity, academic and research expertise, specialised facilities, and interdisciplinary resources at PolyU have extensively supported our research, empowering us to generate profound societal impacts.” The SRFS aims to provide sustained support to exceptionally outstanding researchers at the UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong. The supporting university receives a fellowship grant of around HK$8 million per award, over a period of 60 months. Research detail: Project Coordinator Prof. Christina Wong Professor of the School of Fashion and Textiles Director of Research and Innovation Office Project Title Beyond Regulatory Exertion: Circular Economy Governance, and its Institutionalization and Performance Impacts Abstract This project aims to deepen the understanding of Circular Economy (CE) governance and guidelines, promoting the adoption and production of recyclable material products among value chain partners. By demonstrating how various business environment conditions affect CE governance performance and the resulting business outcomes, this project will provide managerial and policy insights, encouraging corporates compliance with governance rules related to product design, production, and end-of-life treatment, ultimately practising environmental responsibility, reducing waste, and avoiding the use of virgin resources. In the long run, these efforts collectively contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12).  

PolyU unveils the PolyU-Nanjing Technology and Innovation Research Institute and establishes the PolyU Jiangsu Alumni Network

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Gulou District of Nanjing Municipal People’s Government held an unveiling ceremony on 6 July in Nanjing, to mark the official establishment of the PolyU-Nanjing Technology and Innovation Research Institute (the Research Institute). The Research Institute’s goal is to leverage PolyU’s research resources to promote bilateral exchanges in education, science and technology, and talent between Hong Kong and Nanjing. The aim is to create a top-quality, domestic and international strategic technology innovation platform. This platform will facilitate project implementation, incubation and industrialisation. Ms HAN Liming, Member of the Standing Committee of CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee and Secretary of CPC Nanjing Committee, has been deeply involved in this collaboration and has had in-depth discussions with Dr LAM Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU, regarding the Research Institute’s development. Ms Han Liming (right), Member of the Standing Committee of CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee and Secretary of CPC Nanjing Committee, has been deeply involved in this collaboration and has had in-depth discussions with Dr Lam Tai-fai (left), Council Chairman of PolyU. The unveiling ceremony, signifying the official establishment of the Research Institute in Nanjing, was witnessed by 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; Prof. ZHANG Dan, Director of the PolyU-Nanjing Technology and Innovation Research Institute; Mr CHEN Zhichang, Deputy Secretary of CPC Nanjing Committee and Mayor of Nanjing; Mr Xu Guanghui, Director of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Science and Technology; Mr WU Wei, Vice Mayor of Nanjing; Mr. HONG Lilai, Secretary-General of Nanjing; and Mr WANG Anwei, Secretary of the Gulou District Committee. In his speech, Dr Lam Tai-fai highlighted that PolyU has nurtured nearly 500,000 alumni over the past 87 years and is currently ranked 57th in the QS World University Rankings. The University will collaborate with enterprises and the government in the Nanjing region to fully leverage the strengths of both Nanjing and Hong Kong, promote technological innovation, and foster the deep integration of government, industry, academia and research, providing strong support for local economic and social development. PolyU hopes the Research Institute will become a globally influential technology innovation incubation base, injecting new momentum into Nanjing’s scientific research development and contributing to the Nation’s technological innovation. Mr Chen Zhichang, Deputy Secretary of the Nanjing Municipal Committee and Mayor, stated in his speech that the establishment of the Research Institute signifies the alignment of PolyU and the Nanjing Municipal People’s Government and their goals in pursuing technological innovation. With complementary research strengths, both parties aim to achieve mutual benefits and win-win results. Adhering to a spirit of innovative thinking, the Research Institute will explore strategic emerging industries and advances in fields such as the next generation of artificial intelligence. Mr Wang Anwei, Secretary of the Gulou District Committee, emphasised in his speech that General Secretary Xi Jinping highlighted at the National Science and Technology Conference and the National Science and Technology Awards Conference that technological innovation is crucial to implementing Chinese-style modernisation. The establishment of the Research Institute will help Jiangsu build new quality productive forces and implement the directions laid out in important speeches of General Secretary Xi Jinping. Gulou District will actively integrate the educational resources, research facilities of local universities, research institutions and enterprises to provide support for the Research Institute and offer various government services and talent services. Representatives of the Research Institute gave presentations focusing on research areas that included artificial intelligence, life and health, green construction and the environment, as well as introducing the Institute’s overall development direction and construction plans to government representatives, and guests from other research institutions and enterprises. The Institute will set up four research centres: “Intelligent Robotics and Mechatronics Research Centre”, “Artificial Intelligence of Things Innovation Research Centre”, “Intelligent Construction Research Centre”, and “Healthy Vision Innovation Research Centre”. These Centres will collaborate deeply with the Gulou District Government, providing cutting-edge technology innovation research and development services to enterprises and research institutions, and thus aiming to transform Nanjing into a world-class smart city and promote technological innovation in these fields. Additionally, to strengthen the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation, promote new industries, new business models, and explore new development opportunities, the Research Institute signed multiple framework agreements with 13 partners, including Nanjing Port Group Co., Ltd, the Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, and the Department of Computer Science and Technology at Nanjing University. Following the Research Centre unveiling ceremony and to celebrate the establishment of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Jiangsu Alumni Network, PolyU held an inaugural celebration and dinner. Over 300 guests gathered to share this joyous moment. The establishment of the Jiangsu Alumni Network reinforces the strength of the PolyU mainland alumni network and its aim of promoting mainland alumni activities and enabling the University to participate more actively in national development.  

Media Interview: PolyU scholar leads research in intelligent wearable technology

Prof. Xiaoming TAO, Director of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems and Chair Professor of Textile Technology of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, is internationally recognised for her leading research in innovative wearable technology. Her research encompasses intelligent fibrous materials, nanotechnology, photonic fibres and fabrics, flexible electronic and photonic devices, smart washable technology, yarn manufacturing and textile composites. Leading a group of talented researchers, Prof. TAO is dedicated to driving the transformative development of intelligent wearable technology. It is an emerging disruptive technology that demands a huge paradigm shift in traditional apparel and electronic products. Human-centric wearables have high levels of intelligence, with many additional functions enhancing our everyday lives on top of their conventional features. In the media interview, Prof TAO said smart fabrics have become a key component of intelligent wearable systems, endowed with unique characteristics such as 3D deformability, high fatigue resistance, adjustable permeability, high scalability, lightweight, and advanced manufacturing processes. More importantly, these fabrics possess additional new smart features, promising to offer a wide range of microelectronic, electric, photonic, acoustic, magnetic and pneumatic functionalities. These functions help continuously monitor the physical, physiological, and psychological conditions of individuals with special needs like the elderly and pregnant women. They can predict disorders and provide effective assistance, including smart assistive systems for cancer patients. PolyU aims to cultivate professional talents via an impactful interdisciplinary research programme, global academic and industrial collaboration, knowledge and technology transfer and human resource enhancement. It will significantly contribute to developing new technology industries in Hong Kong and beyond.

PolyU researchers develop intelligent activewear for a dry and comfortable experience

The Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games are just around the corner and a global sports frenzy is underway. However, intense summer workouts often lead to sportswear absorbing excessive sweat, becoming clingy and cumbersome, causing discomfort and potentially impacting performance. A research team from the School of Fashion and Textiles at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed the iActive™ sportswear range which features a root-like liquid transport system and a skin-like active perspiration dissipater and utilises nature-inspired, anti-heat textile fabrics to expedite sweat removal, effectively reducing the weight and stickiness of activewear caused by sweat accumulation during exercise. The human body has millions of sweat glands that are vital for regulating body temperature by dissipating sweat for evaporation to cool the skin’s surface. With unabating greenhouse gas emissions, the number of very hot days annually is expected to increase significantly. This will lead to elevated energy consumption and increased sweating during physical activity and outdoor labour. Even when wearing highly breathable clothes with good sweat-wicking properties, individuals may still experience discomfort due to excessive sweat accumulation. A research team led by Dr SHOU Dahua, Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies and Associate Professor of the School of Fashion and Textiles at PolyU, has invented the groundbreaking iActive™, intelligent, electrically activated sportswear with a nature-inspired active perspiration function. This pioneering innovation has garnered significant recognition, including a Gold Medal at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva this April. Its nature-inspired technologies, including low-voltage-driven artificial “sweat glands” created by skin-like anti-heat textile fabrics and a root-like branching liquid transport system that aligns with the body’s sweat map, can actively and programmably remove sweat to a perspiration dissipater at the lower region of the sportswear. The all-textile sweat dissipater is compact and operates at a safe output voltage of approximately 5-9V, and its battery is easy to detach from the clothing, making it convenient for users to repeatedly wash the clothing by hand or in a washing machine to maintain hygiene. When the human body’s sweat rate is low, iActive™ can still be used independently without the battery. Based on the optimised wettability pattern and gradient, the research team utilises a skin-like textile fabric to transport sweat one-way quickly and dissipate it from the inside to the outside. This feature reduces the stickiness and weight of clothing, improves breathability and ensures the garments remain dry and comfortable to wear. Experimental findings indicate that iActive™ creates a breathable and dry skin microclimate by dissipating sweat at a rate that is three times faster than the maximum human sweating rate. This innovation can also prevent discomfort from coldness and moisture after a workout. In comparison to traditional fabrics, the textile materials in iActive™ are 60% lighter and 50% less clingy when soaked, providing the wearer with all-round comfort and enabling sports enthusiasts and athletes to perform at their best. Furthermore, a mobile app further aids personalised sweat management by wirelessly adjusting the sweat level of iActive™. This innovation is versatile and can be seamlessly integrated into a variety of textile materials to facilitate sustainable mass production. Beyond sportswear, iActive™ is also well-suited to protective clothing and workwear for individuals engaged in prolonged, high-intensity physical labour and outdoor occupations, including healthcare professionals, construction workers, firefighters, law enforcement officers and others, thereby significantly enhancing their work performance. Dr Shou Dahua stated, “The extreme weather and high temperatures resulting from global warming have elevated the importance of heatstroke prevention and cooling measures on a global scale. Drawing on the vivid phenomena of thermal insulation and directed liquid flow in nature, we aim to foster innovation and sustainable advancement in garment manufacturing by inventing intelligent clothing and materials to address global challenges. We seek to harness the power of technology to infuse fresh perspectives into the traditional clothing industry, thereby enhancing its competitiveness.” His research team has also developed a premium fabric named Omni-Cool-Dry™, drawing inspiration from volcano dwelling beetles. This fabric not only provides ultra-fast sweat dissipation and ensures all-day comfort with its dry and breathable features under dynamic thermal conditions, but also reflects solar radiation and emits body heat into the cold universe, enabling passive cooling. The team is working hard to leverage the benefits of both inventions to further enhance the sweat-dissipating and cooling capability of iActive™ sportswear. Dr Shou Dahua, a core member of the PolyU Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems and the Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion, has recently been bestowed with the 2023 Distinguished Achievement Award by The Fiber Society for his outstanding contributions to the fields of personal thermal and moisture management, intelligent wearables and soft robotics. The accolade is presented annually to an individual researcher worldwide. He has also received international innovation awards, including consecutive TechConnect Global Innovation Awards in 2021 and 2022. Moreover, his research papers have been published in various internationally renowned academic journals including Science Advances, PNAS, Advanced Functional Materials, and Advanced Energy Materials. Dr Shou will be chairing The Fiber Society Spring 2025 Conference at PolyU.

PolyU researcher advances in rare-earth-based materials for biomedical imaging and therapy applications

In the realm of biomedical research, the development of advanced imaging agents stands as a cornerstone in modern healthcare. Prof Gary Ka-Leung WONG, Chair Professor of Chemistry of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University leads efforts to modify existing properties of rare-earth materials and forge new radiocontrast agents tailored for diverse medical applications. Comparatively, luminescent rare-earth materials offer distinct advantages over traditional organic fluorophores. Their sharper emission peaks and significantly longer luminescence lifetimes afford superior resolution and enable background noise reduction through time-resolved detection techniques. Furthermore, rare-earth-based materials hold promise in revolutionising healthcare practices, particularly in detecting diseases earlier and improving treatment efficacy. This is highlighted by their potential as theranostic platforms for brain diseases, leveraging unique properties to overcome challenges such as blood-brain barrier permeability and facilitating advanced imaging and therapeutic strategies. Prof Wong's research on the functional design of rare-earth-based materials for biomedical purposes emphasises several key aspects, elucidating the paramount importance of stability. This concern resonates deeply with researchers and end-users alike, driving the need not only to enhance material functionality but also to ensure safety through collaboration and the integration of diverse technologies. His research also focuses on structural control, a critical factor in enhancing the stability, biocompatibility and targeting capabilities of luminescent rare-earth materials. The research underscores the pivotal role of chelator structure in influencing biological performance, advocating for the use of more rigid chelators and specific peptides to enhance stability and imbue targeting capabilities into their products. In enhancing luminescent rare-earth materials, Prof Wong strategises to optimize luminescent quantum yield and brightness, emphasizing the importance of minimizing non-radiative processes and introducing structural modifications like conjugated rings. This facilitates clearer imaging and precise diagnosis, spanning applications in bioimaging, drug delivery, and disease detection, enabling enhanced diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes. Looking ahead, Prof Wong's research extends beyond pre-clinical efforts to develop novel radiocontrast agents with varied emission kinetics, catering to uses such as cancer therapy. Additionally, his team aims to develop agents capable of interfacing with different materials, expanding their utility across diverse medical contexts, including applications in gene therapy.