News

Professor Tao Xiaoming elected as 2025 HKAE Fellows

The Hong Kong Academy of Engineering (HKAE) announced the list of 2025 HKAE Fellows, with 11 outstanding professionals selected. Professor Tao Xiaoming, Director of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and Vincent and Lily Woo Professor in Textile Technology, was selected for her outstanding contributions and professional knowledge in the field of engineering. These fellows were elected at its 31st annual general meeting on 9 December 2024 and were formally inducted at a ceremony held on 20 January 2025 at Hotel ICON. Ir Dr Alex Siu-kun Chan, President of the HKAE, expressed hopes that the new fellows will combine knowledge and experience to strengthen HKAE’s mission to promote excellence and innovation in engineering. Established in 1994, HKAE is a prestigious organization dedicated to the promotion and advancement of the field of engineering in Hong Kong. It aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and excellence in engineering, contributing to the advancement of society and the development of Hong Kong and our Nation. It comprises a distinguished group of Fellows from various disciplines, recognized as leaders in their profession, with remarkable achievements in engineering sciences and applications.

PolyU and AUW sign MOU for educational collaboration

We are delighted to announce a new partnership with the Asian University for Women (AUW). This collaboration aims to enhance collaboration in education, research, and cultural exchange. On 7 January, Professor Erin Cho, Dean of SFT, and Dr Rubana Huq, Vice Chancellor at AUW, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This MOU represents a significant step in establishing a framework for ongoing discussions and initiatives focused on promoting academic collaboration. The partnership seeks to enrich educational experiences and foster innovation, benefiting both students and academic staff.

Professor Xu Bingang’s team publishes in Nature Communications

With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (AIoT), electromagnetic waves have become essential carriers for both energy and information exchange. AIoT devices require a stable supply of energy and robust ability to adapt to different environments to ensure continuous operation and reliable connectivity in complex settings. Therefore, developing a smart, sustainable, and seamlessly integrated wireless energy interaction system that facilitates contactless reception, conversion, and transmission of energy and signals is critical. Recently, Professor Xu Bingang and his team made a fundamental breakthrough in this field by carrying out an innovative study on the wireless, chipless coupled interaction between electromagnetic and air moisture by controlling the ionic diode effect. Using a coupled wireless energy interactive system, a bilayer polymer ionic diode can synergistically harvest electromagnetic and moist energies. Impressively, the electromagnetic-electricity conversion efficiency reaches 25.74% under 100 Hz wave frequency. This groundbreaking work paves the way for future intelligent systems, including self-powered monitoring, wireless charging, and information encryption, with broad application potential. This work makes a vital step towards enabling smart interactivities for wirelessly driven wearable flexible electronics. The findings are published in Nature Communications (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-55030-2). The first author is Dr Gao Zhenguo, a postdoctoral fellow at SFT under the supervision of Professor Xu.

LeTu: Revolutionising travel with AI-driven personalised experiences for the elderly

Led by Dr Aemika Zou, Assistant Professor, a group of MA students in Global Fashion Management, including Hua Wanning, Li Xiaofang, Wang Jing, and Zhao Yuxin, won second prize at the national AI innovation competition organised by the China Artificial Intelligence Association and the Next Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Research Center of the Ministry of Science and Technology. This award winning project, 'LeTu' （樂兔）, is an innovative AI-driven concept for the travel industry. Using their comprehensive market insights and innovative spirit, this team has developed a concept that aims to meet the travel needs of the elderly, thus enhancing their quality of life through personalised travel experiences.   The "LeTu" project was initiated to allow the elderly to pursue a higher quality of life after retirement, and fulfil their desire to enrich their life experience and maintain a positive attitude through travel. The team observed that existing travel services on the market do not fully consider the material and spiritual needs of the elderly. Using AI technology, the platform offers customised travel solutions for the elderly, with the aim to make each trip a delightful journey for both their body and mind. The team anticipates that the "LeTu" app will bridge the gap between the elderly and modern technology, thus allowing them to easily enjoy intelligent and personalised travel services. The team is confident that the application of AI technology in the tourism field has broad prospects. They will continue to explore and innovate, and apply AI technology to more travel scenarios, so that travellers will have access to richer and more personalised services.

SFT recipients of the Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award 2024

The Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award publicly recognises outstanding PolyU graduates for their professional achievements and significant contributions to the community and their alma mater.  We are delighted to announce that Dr Vien Cheung (BSc, 1999), Associate Professor of University of Leeds, UK; Mr Ray Lau (BA, 1989), Director of Jeanswest international (HK) Ltd. (Glorious Sun Group); General Manager, Jeanswest eCom Ltd. (Glorious Sun Group); and Dr Shou Dahua (PhD, 2013), Associate Professor of SFT and Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies, are the recipients of the PolyU Fashion Outstanding Alumni Award 2024 in the categories of entrepreneurial, professional and scholarly achievements, respectively. Both SFT and PolyU commend their invaluable contributions and entrepreneurial achievements. Dr Vien Cheung, Associate Professor of University of Leeds, UK Dr Cheung holds an academic post as Associate Professor at the University of Leeds. Her research specialises in the areas of colour vision, colour and imaging science and colour design. Her ethos on integrity and diversity has driven her to explore how colour and imaging technology can shift ‘black and white’ judgements into a wider perception of the world. Dr Cheung was the recipient of the Selwyn Award from The Royal Photographic Society (2008), Service Award from  the Society for Imaging Science and Technology (2016), and Silver (2011) and Gold (2023) Medals from the Society of Dyers and Colourists, for her significant contributions to colour and imaging research and education, and in the interests of the allied industries and communities over the years. Dr Cheung is Past President of the International Colour Association which has a global membership of 28 regional/territorial colour associations over five continents. She is active in charitable and educational organisations including the Colour Group of Great Britain in which she is the Chairman and the Society of Dyers and Colourists where she serves as Honorary Secretary. She is also a panellist for the Advance Higher Education’s Race Equality Charter. Mr Ray Lau, Director of Jeanswest international (HK) Ltd. (Glorious Sun Group); General Manager, Jeanswest eCom Ltd. (Glorious Sun Group) Mr Lau graduated with a Bachelor's degree (Honours) in Textiles and Apparel Marketing and a Master's degree in Information Systems at PolyU. Mr Lau recently served as the head of mainland China e-commerce business for the Hong Kong Glorious Group, and his leadership has resulted in the Jeanswest brand becoming a top brand in the apparel category on major mainland Chinese e-commerce platforms through digital transformation. In 2021, he was honoured with the title of "China Textile Industry Annual Innovator". His social positions include President of the T-shirt Branch of the China Knitting Industry Association, Executive Director of the Council of the China Textile Engineering Society, and Executive Deputy Director of the E-commerce Professional Committee of the China Garment Association. Dr Shou Dahua, SFT Associate Professor and Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies Dr Shou is Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies and Associate Professor at SFT, PolyU. He is the founding programme Leader of the MSc in Intelligent Wearable Technology. Dr Shou earned his Ph.D. from PolyU in 2013, followed by postdoctoral research at The University of Sydney and Cornell University. His research interests include personal thermal and moisture management, intelligent wearables, and soft robotics. Dr Shou received the Distinguished Achievement Award from The Fiber Society (only one recipient worldwide annually) in 2023 and was listed among the Top 2% Scientists Worldwide in 2022 and 2023. He has won Gold Medal at the Geneva Invention Exhibition and TechConnect Global Innovation Award twice. His work has been featured on Yahoo Tech and “InnoAction” on i-Cable. He serves as Associate Editor and an editorial board member for seven SCI journals (Q1/Q2) and is Deputy Director of the Expert Committee of the National Textile and Apparel Comfort Technology R&D Center, China Textile Engineering Society. Dr Shou has published nearly 100 SCI papers in leading journals and holds three U.S. patents and over ten Chinese patents. We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations again to all the alumni for their exceptional contributions and achievements!

Dr Zhang Hanchao recipient of 2023 Super Reviewer Award from Environmental Science & Technology

Congratulations to Dr Zhang Hanchao, Research Assistant Professor, who was one of the recipients of the 2023 Super Reviewer Award from Environmental Science & Technology, a top journal that publishes work on environmental, engineering, and sustainability topics (Q1, 7/81 in Engineering, Environmental, IF=10.9). He was also honoured with the Excellence in Review Award from the same journal in 2022. The peer-review system is the cornerstone of current academic journal publications, and the dedication of reviewers constitutes an important part of this system. The Environmental Science & Technology journal selects 12 reviewers for the Super Reviewer Award and 30 reviewers to honour for the Excellence in Review Award each year. All of these reviewers are from the top universities worldwide and have a good understanding of their related fields. After joining SFT in July 2024, Dr Zhang intends to further promote the development of textile engineering processes and materials that are environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Miss Hu Hongci and Dr Yan Yishu honoured at Red Dot Design Award 2024

We are delighted to announce that Ms Hu Hongci, a collaborative research student supervised by Professor Kinor Jiang; co-supervised by Professor Zheng Zijian of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology of PolyU; and Dr Bai Ziqian of the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), has been honoured with the prestigious Best of the Best Award in the Design Concept category of the Red Dot Design Award 2024 for their groundbreaking project, NexLoop. NexLoop is an interactive, seamless knitted glove specifically designed for medical and rehabilitation purposes. By integrating advanced electronic textile technology, the glove enables accurate detection of hand movements and tactile sensations, thus providing therapeutic support. Electrical stimulation patches are strategically positioned around the fingers and wrist joints to deliver tactile feedback to the fingertips. The seamless knitted design ensures that the glove is lightweight, flexible, and breathable, while the innovative fabrication technique ensures both wear comfort and functionality. In addition to this achievement, Dr Yan Yishu, a former research student under the supervision of Professor Kinor Jiang and Dr Zhou Jinyuan, now the Associate Professor of the School of Design at Nanjing University of the Arts, has been awarded Winner of the Red Dot Design Award 2024 for her innovative project, Aqualoop. Aqualoop’s distinctive aesthetic uses different digital knitting patterns to create a unique 3D texture that responds to the body’s contours, thus creating a dynamic interplay between clothing and the wearer. The transformative construction of this adaptive fabric provides opportunities for different styles and outfits with minor adjustments. The zero-waste manufacturing process utilises all of the fabric, and the streamlined production advances adaptable, eco-friendly fashion. These awards not only recognise the innovative design and potential of NexLoop and Aqualoop but also highlight their contributions to smart wearable and knitwear design trends and future developments, which align with sustainable design principles and intelligent manufacturing. About the Red Dot Design Award The Red Dot Design Award is one of the most prestigious international design competitions, and well-known for recognising exceptional creativity and innovation. The Design Concept category specifically celebrates groundbreaking ideas that are not yet in production to offer a platform for recognising visionary concepts. The award honours projects that demonstrate both originality and the potential for future realisation. Among the thousands of entries submitted annually, only about 15% receive the Winner award, while the top 1-2% designs receive the Best of the Best Award, which make them one the highest honours in the design world.

Fashion Forward: SFT unveils its first digital ambassadors

SFT is thrilled to introduce its first-ever digital avatars, which will bring our vision for fashion into the virtual world! Crafted by our talented alumnae, Miss Natalie Jim (BA, 2024) and Miss Catherine Hui (BA, 2024), these avatars won the “Avatar Design Contest” for their inspired blend of SFT’s core brand values, colours, and fresh, forward-thinking creativity. Their designs showcase the exceptional skills and innovation nurtured at SFT, which embody our commitment to advancing fashion through AI and the metaverse to thrive in the exciting Web 3.0 era. Dressed in stunning, digitally-rendered traditional Chinese attire, these avatars beautifully honour SFT’s dedication to celebrating Chinese fashion heritage, making it both vibrant and accessible for today’s digital generation. Looking ahead, these virtual ambassadors will light up future events, and spotlight SFT’s leadership in digital innovation and bringing Chinese fashion to audiences worldwide in a more engaging and interactive way. Some of the avatars have already been minted as NFTs and are available for sale on OpenSea. Through initiatives like this one, SFT will continue to proudly shape the fashion leaders of tomorrow!

SFT ranks 7th place among global top 50 in textile science and engineering

SFT has made a remarkable leap in the ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2024, advancing from 25th to 7th place among the Top 50 in the "Textile Science & Engineering" category. This significant achievement underscores SFT's exceptional growth and commitment to excellence on an international scale. The ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects is a highly regarded evaluation that assesses universities worldwide based on their academic performance and research impact in various disciplines. SFT's impressive rise in the rankings is a testament to its dedication to advancing research, fostering innovation, and nurturing talent in the fashion and textile industry. Professor Erin Cho, School Dean, expressed pride in the School's accomplishment, stating, "I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated faculty in this field for their hard work and commitment. Let us continue to excel in all aspects of our academic endeavours."   SFT has been at the forefront of cutting-edge research and development in textiles, focusing on sustainable practices, advanced materials, and innovative technologies. The School's collaborative approach with industry partners and its emphasis on real-world applications have further solidified its reputation as a leader in the field. This achievement not only enhances PolyU's global standing but also reinforces Hong Kong's position as a hub for academic excellence and innovation in textile science and engineering. As SFT continues to strive towards excellence, the School remains dedicated to shaping the future of the textile industry through groundbreaking research and education. For more information on ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2024, please visit: https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/gras/2024/RS0228.

Chau Ching-chi Gabriella awarded The Best Hat Award at Sa Sa Ladies' Purse Day

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the “Sa Sa Ladies' Purse Day”, six students studying BA (Hons) Scheme in Fashion and Textiles, including Chan Tsoi-ki, Chau Ching-chi Gabriella, Ip Wai-ting, Lee Yee-man, Sum Cheuk-lam and Yung Hiu-lam, were shortlisted in a headpiece design competition organised by Sa Sa International, a local beauty retail group. Six stunning works, inspired by the Ladies' Purse Day, were presented by Miss Hong Kong 2024 and celebrities on the race day on 3 November. A huge round of applause for Gabriella Chau, who emerged as The Best Hat Award with her design “Baby Blue Shell”. The certificate and gift coupon were presented by Professor Erin Cho, Dean of SFT; Dr Eleanor Kwok, BBS, JP, Vice-chairman of Sa Sa International; and renowned luxury headwear designer, Ms Emily Baxendale.