FruitsCoatex won the Special Prize Winner of Techstyle for Social Good 2022

The Mills Fabrica hosts the 'Techstyle For Social Good' International Student Competition annually since 2019 to drive social impact and sustainable development through awarding techstyle and agrifood prizes to game changing technology ideas from young innovators. Grand Rise Technology Limited is a Bio-Tech start-up company founded by PolyU ABCT Prof. Pei Li and Dr. Tenny Lam. FruitsCoatex is the innovation which is a biobased coating that could extend the shelf life of fruits, reducing food loss and infection risk in delivery. Through recycling naturally bio-safe materials, the biopolymers are transformed into functional nanomaterials, creating a protective layer that prevents germ growth on fruits. The technology based on patented core-shell technology platform InnoCoatex, enables a new class of amphiphilic core-shell nanoparticles for a wide range of applications such as bio-based antimicrobial coating, masks and textiles, bio-based food touching protective coating, fruits shelf-life extension edible coating and drugs nanocarrier. InnoCoatex is harmless to the human body and environmentally friendly, and it can be used for disinfection, pollution control and epidemic prevention. “InnoCoatex” won awards in the many competitions include “Environmental Impact Award” in the Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund/HSBC JUMPSTARTER 2022 and focuses on recycling bio-based materials and applications to provide greener and safer materials for a sustainable environment.  For more details, please visit https://www.themillsfabrica.com/winner/fruitscoatex/

ABCT Alumni Prof Tsang Shik chi Edman has been conferred the Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award 2022

We are pleased to announce that Prof. Tsang Shik-chi, Edman, the alumni of Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology has been selected as the PolyU Outstanding Alumni 2022 in recognition of his remarkable achievements. Prof. Tsang obtained the Higher Diploma in Chemical Technology in 1987. He is currently a Professor of Inorganic Chemistry and the Head of Wolfson Catalysis Laboratory at the University of Oxford. With his world-leading expertise in materials chemistry and green catalysis, Prof. Tsang has won a number of international awards and has published more than 450 referred publications including Science, Nature and Nature sister journals with h-index of 75 and citations exceeding 24,500 times (Google Scholar). Also, as an alumnus of PolyU, Prof. Tsang has been proactive in working with PolyU scientists and students in related areas.

6 researchers of PolyU ABCT are listed as Top 2 Percent Scientists Worldwide by Stanford University

PolyU has achieved an encouraging milestone of having more than 200 PolyU scholars ranked among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists in the newly released metrics compiled by Stanford University. There are 18 scholars from the Faculty of Science who are listed as the top 2% scientists in a global list compiled by Stanford University, reflecting our faculty’s excellent research performance. For our department (ABCT), we have 6 researchers are ranked as the most top 2% scientists globally including Prof. Wong, Wai-yeung, Prof. Wong, Wing-tak, Prof. Wong, Man-sau, Prof. Wu, Jianyong, Dr Huang Bolong and Dr Lai Wing-fu. This year’s data is based on the 1 September 2022 snapshot from Scopus, and it provides standardised information on citations, h-index, co-authorship-adjusted hm-index, citations to papers in different authorship positions, and a composite indicator.

ABCT PhD Graduate Achieved the FS Outstanding PhD Thesis Award 2021-22

We are delighted to announce that Dr. MOK Ho Kit, ABCT PhD graduate under the supervision of Prof. Terence LEE, has received the FS Outstanding PhD Thesis Award 2021/22.  The FS Outstanding PhD Thesis Awards Scheme aims to recognize the outstanding PhD students in the Faculty of Science for the high quality of their theses produced during their studies at PolyU.  Dr. MOK’s research focuses on the understanding of the molecular mechanism for the development of acquired resistance to multiple-kinase inhibitors in liver cancer. His winning thesis, entitled “Cholesterol biosynthesis: A critical determinant of cancer stemness and drug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma?” covered the original work on the identification of the potential therapeutic approaches for improving cancer treatment via targeting cholesterol biosynthesis in liver cancer cells.  Dr. MOK’s thesis has demonstrated novelty, originality and significance in treatment of liver cancer, which ranks the fifth most common cancer in Hong Kong. The results and findings from this research work have directly contributed to three high-impact factor journals as first author as well as two presentation awards in research symposia both locally and internationally.    Let’s us take this opportunity to congratulate Dr. MOK for his achievement and honor. 

Dr WONG Ka Hing admitted as a Fellow of the International Association of Advanced Materials

Congratulations to Dr WONG Ka-hing for being admitted as a Fellow of the International Association of Advanced Materials (IAAM) and received the IAAM Scientist Award for his contribution to Applications of Nanotechnology.Invited by IAAM, Dr Wong has delivered a lecture entitled “Selenium nanoparticles functionalized by mushroom polysaccharide-protein complex: A novel nano-mineral for managing postmenopausal osteoporosis” at the European Assembly of Advanced Materials Congress on 28 -31 August 2022.  The IAAM is a non-profit international organisation established to promote scientific research in the field of advanced materials. Researchers around the globe are united to share their insights and advancements in material science - to find solutions to critical problems through applying advanced materials.

Winning the First Prize in Greater Bay Area Sustainability Innovation Challenge 2022: Grand Rise Technology Limited

【Winning the First Prize in Greater Bay Area Sustainability Innovation Challenge 2022: Grand Rise Technology Limited】   The Grand Rise Technology Limited, a PolyU academic-led start-up, was co-founded in 2019 by Prof. Li Pei, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology of PolyU, and Dr. Tenny Lam, a PolyU DBA graduate and an industrialist, had won the first prize of Greater Bay Area Sustainability Innovation Challenge (GBASIC) 2022.    Their invention of core-shell nanospheres using natural biomaterial as an antibacterial and antiviral coating, demonstrated a highly innovative way that can facilitate sustainable development and make an impact on society. Congratulations to Prof. Li Pei and Dr. Tenny Lam on their remarkable accomplishment! For details, please visit the website.   【首屆大灣區可持續發展創新挑戰賽團隊組一等獎: 佳昇科技有限公司】   「首屆大灣區可持續發展創新挑戰賽」的決賽成功在八月二十七至二十八日於香港理工大學深圳基地舉辦。本次大賽以「關注推動可持續發展的創新」為核心，聚焦新能源及節能環保、循環再造與資源高效利用、智慧城市、低碳交通、綠色建築、綠色金融、社區及社會環境發展等領域，倡導並推動可持續發展理念在大灣區的傳播和踐行。   本次的挑戰賽成功共吸引了10余所高校、近40個項目參賽，共有27支隊伍晉級決賽，其中團隊組18個、企業組9個。而李蓓教授的研究團隊 -「佳昇科技有限公司」的天然生物材料核 - 殼納米球聚護芯抗菌抗病毒塗料」在團隊組決賽脫穎而出，獲得了團隊組的一等獎。他們在挑戰賽中充分地展現了新技術可以為各領域可持續發展帶來的機遇。   我們衷心恭喜李蓓教授的研究團隊獲得首屆大灣區可持續發展創新挑戰賽一等獎。   請到以下網址瀏覽更多資訊。  

PolyU start-ups get listed in Forbes Asia 100 to Watch 2022

Grand Rise Technology, a start-up nurtured by PolyU and co-founded by Prof. Li Pei of PolyU’s Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology (ABCT) and Mr. Tenny Lam, a PolyU DBS student, has been selected to be the Forbes Asia 100 To Watch 2022 company, a list of small companies and startups across the Asia-Pacific region that are addressing real-world challenges with fresh thinking and innovative products and services. Grand Rise Technology has developed a biomaterial-based antimicrobial coating with the application of the proprietary nanotechnology. They produced the health and safety products derived from biodegradable materials including crustacean shells and thyme. The antimicrobial coating is applied to textiles like masks and wipes. It also makes an edible coating that can protect foods from germs and extend the shelf life of fruits. It can be a perfect solution for creating a safer and long-lasting antimicrobial coating. Our warmest congratulations again to Prof. Li and Mr. Lam for their remarkable achievement! For details, please visit https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesasiateam/2022/08/29/forbes-asia-100-to-watch-2022/?sh=7e6edb8fdf33

President's Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Knowledge Transfer

Congratulations to Prof. Pei LI on receiving the President’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Knowledge Transfer.   Prof. Pei LI was honored with the Individual Award in the Industry category for her research on the Nano-based Technology for Indelible Printing. Prof. Li’s research focuses on the Anti-Erasing (ATE) Ink for Anti-counterfeit of Consumer Products that can be applied to food packaging to help combat tampering and ensure food security.  Prof. Li’s finding has demonstrated high creativity and significance in human health. The results from her research work are being used on over 30 billion food and drink packages annually. Our warmest congratulations again to Prof. Li for her remarkable accomplishment!   YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/hJr1C2NhxeM

Faculty Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2022

Congratulations to Dr Terence LEE Kin-wah and Dr Amber CHIOU on receiving the Faculty Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2022. Dr Terence LEE was honored with the Individual Award in “Research and Scholarly Activities: Outstanding Researcher”; whist the interdisciplinary team formed by ITC colleagues and Dr Amber CHIOU has received the Team Award in “Knowledge Transfer: Industry” with their research project on the world’s first anti-virus 3D printing material.  The Faculty Award Presentation Ceremony will be held in June 2022. Our warmest congratulations again to Dr Lee and Dr Chiou for their remarkable accomplishment!

PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award 2022

Dr Franco LEUNG King-chi and Dr Benedict LO Tsz-woon, Assistant Professors of ABCT, have received the PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award (YIRA) 2022 with their research focus on “Photo responsive amphiphiles for supramolecular robotic system” and “Design of multinuclear solid atomic catalysts for energy and sustainability applications” respectively. The Young Innovative Researcher Award (YIRA) aims to honor young PolyU researchers under the age of 35 who have demonstrated novelty, contributed to technology advancement, and propelled transformational innovation into solutions for addressing problems in society with a vision for a positive change to the future. The YIRA assessment panel, composed of Prof. Jin-Guang Teng (P), Prof. Wing-tak Wong (DP), Dr Miranda Lou (EVP), Prof. Christopher Chao (VPRI) and Prof. Larry Chow (DoRI), has reviewed over 59 submissions across 22 departments and selected 6 YIRA awardees this year. Each YIRA awardee will receive research funding support of HK$500,000 and personal cash prize of HK$20,000 as the encouragement for their research novelty and impact.   Details of the Gala Ceremony of Young Innovative Researcher Award will be announced by the Research and Innovation Office later. Let us congratulate Dr Franco Leung and Dr Benedict Lo for their achievements!