Shafayet Yaseen Wins Prestigious Erasmus Mundus Scholarship

It is pleased to announce that Shafayet Yaseen, a student from the Department of Applied Physics (AP) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has been awarded the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Scholarship. This scholarship, which accepts only up to 100 students worldwide each year with a highly selective acceptance rate of 3-5%, is a testament to Yaseen's academic and leadership excellence. The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship is on par with the selectivity of renowned institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and Oxford. Yaseen's passion, outstanding academic achievements and strategic submissions of two recommendation letters respectively from Prof Artur Erbe of Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden Rossendorf and a distinguished industrialist in Bangladesh played crucial roles in securing this scholarship. Throughout the application process, Yaseen demonstrated exceptional engagement and expertise, impressing the panel during a challenging interview on various complex topics ranging from Quantum Physics and Material Science to Nanotechnology, Chemistry, Thermodynamics, and Solid State Physics. Furthermore, Yaseen's leadership abilities were highlighted through their roles as the President of the International Student Association (ISA) at PolyU and the Vice President of the Hong Kong PolyU English Debate Club. These positions showcased Yaseen's inspiring and effective leadership qualities, which are highly valued by the Erasmus Mundus program. The Department of Applied Physics (AP) and PolyU played a significant role in Yaseen's achievement. Under the guidance of Dr Jiong Zhao and Professor Yuen Hong Tsang, Yaseen gained valuable research experience, contributed to multiple papers, and enhanced their data analysis skills. Yaseen's research internship at Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden Rossendorf in Germany, as well as an exchange program at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, further exemplified their academic excellence. Currently, Yaseen is actively involved in an innovative project under the Undergraduate Research and Innovation Scheme (URIS), focusing on AI and computer vision for commercial painting applications. The Department of Applied Physics acknowledges Yaseen's significant achievements, and eagerly anticipates the continued impact of his work in the scientific community and beyond.

Prof. Daniel LAU develops high-efficiency CO2 electroreduction system for reducing carbon footprint and progressing carbon neutrality goals

A team of researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has pioneered a carbon dioxide (CO2) electroreduction system capable of transforming CO2 into ethylene, a key component in the production of polymers like polyethylene. This groundbreaking system offers a greener alternative to conventional ethylene production methods, which rely heavily on petrochemicals and contribute significantly to carbon emissions. This innovation is a crucial stride towards achieving carbon neutrality and reducing CO2 emissions. The research team, led by Prof. Daniel LAU, Chair Professor of Nanomaterials and the Head of the Department of Applied Physics, employs the technique of electrocatalytic CO2 reduction. This method harnesses green electricity to convert CO2 into ethylene, offering a sustainable and stable approach to ethylene production. The team is dedicated to advancing this nascent technology and is working towards its mass production. A standout feature of this research is the use of pure water as a metal-free anolyte, which replaces the conventional alkali-metal electrolyte. This innovative approach prevents the formation of carbonates and salt deposits, common problems in existing systems. The team's design, dubbed the APMA system, demonstrated its efficiency by producing ethylene with a high specificity of 50% and operating for over 1,000 hours at an industrial-level current of 10A. This significant improvement in lifespan over current systems makes it a promising candidate for large-scale industrial applications. The research, recently featured in Nature Energy, was awarded a Gold Medal at the 48th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva in Switzerland. The project was a joint effort with researchers from the University of Oxford, the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Centre of Taiwan, and Jiangsu University. The team is committed to further enhancing the system and is actively seeking partnerships with the industry to promote the green production of ethylene and other valuable chemicals. Read the full research paper in Nature Energy. Press release: English | Chinese Online coverage: Tech Xplore A pure water-fed membrane-electrode-assembly system for electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide 22 January 2024 ETNet PolyU develops high-efficiency carbon dioxide electroreduction system for reducing carbon footprint and progressing carbon neutrality goals 22 January 2024 Ming Pao Daily News 理大研環保新法製乙烯 奪日內瓦國際發明展金獎 23 January 2024 Hong Kong Economic Journal 理大電催化還原系統 CO₂變乙烯製造塑膠 23 January 2024 Wen Wei Po 二氧化碳變乙烯 理大研究獲國際金獎 23 January 2024 Dot Dot News 理大研發高效能電催化二氧化碳還原系統 助減碳排放促進碳中和 22 January 2024 Global News 理大研发高效能电催化二氧化碳还原系统 助减碳排放 促进迈向碳中和 22 January 2024 NetEase 理大研发高效能电催化二氧化碳还原系统 助减碳排放 促进迈向碳中和 22 January 2024 Sina 理大研发高效能电催化二氧化碳还原系统 助减碳排放 促进迈向碳中和 22 January 2024 Sohu 理大研发高效能电催化二氧化碳还原系统 助减碳排放 促进迈向碳中和 22 January 2024 PR Newswire PolyU develops high-efficiency carbon dioxide electroreduction system for reducing carbon footprint and progressing carbon neutrality goals 22 January 2024 Asiaone PolyU develops high-efficiency carbon dioxide electroreduction system for reducing carbon footprint and progressing carbon neutrality goals 22 January 2024 Yahoo News US PolyU develops high-efficiency carbon dioxide electroreduction system for reducing carbon footprint and progressing carbon neutrality goals 22 January 2024 Yahoo Finance UK PolyU develops high-efficiency carbon dioxide electroreduction system for reducing carbon footprint and progressing carbon neutrality goals 22 January 2024 Sina HK PolyU develops high-efficiency carbon dioxide electroreduction system for reducing carbon footprint and progressing carbon neutrality goals 22 January 2024 WT News A Pure Water Fed Membrane-Electrode Assembly System for the Electrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide 23 January 2024 GBA Biz Tech Magazine 理大研發高效能電催化二氧化碳還原系統 助減碳排放 23 January 2024 China.com 理大研发高效能电催化二氧化碳还原系统 助减碳排放 促进迈向碳中和 23 January 2024 East Money 理大研发高效能电催化二氧化碳还原系统助减碳排放促进迈向碳中和 23 January 2024 HK01 理大研究團隊研究綠色電能 二氧化碳轉為乙烯 解決全球暖化問題 26 January 2024

Research on Ferroelectricity Published by Prof. Hao's Group in Nature Communications

In November 2023, a research titled "Direct Observation of Intrinsic Room-Temperature Ferroelectricity in 2D Layered CuCrP₂S₆" was published in Nature Communications. The research was conducted by Prof. Hao's group, with Weng Fu Io, a research student from Prof. Hao's group, as the first author and Prof. Hao as the corresponding author. Nature Communications is one of the world’s top journals which covers a variety of scientific topics from physical sciences to earth and environmental sciences. Its publications include a vast number of high-quality researches with high impact factor. Prof. Hao’s research studies the robust out-of-plane ferroelectricity in two-dimensional layered CuCrP₂S₆ at room temperature down to 2.6 nm, which is a potential candidate for realizing low-dimensional multiferroicity. Throughout this study, the origin of the robust ferroelectric behaviors at atomic perspective is revealed. Article in Nature Communication: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-43097-2

Dr. Kathy LENG receives Croucher Tak Wah Mak Innovation Award 2023

AP 11 Scholars ranked The World’s Top 2 Percent Scientists by Stanford University

11 PolyU Science Scholars are ranked as the World's Top 2% most-cited scientists for 2023 by Stanford University.   Using the Scopus author profiles as of 1 Oct 2023, Stanford University released the latest top 2% scientists in various scientific fields. The list was prepared by Prof. John Ioannidis and his team from Stanford University, the updated database (version 6) provides standardized information on citations, h-index, co-authorship-adjusted hm-index, citations to papers in different authorship positions, and a composite indicator.  Download the latest database (version 6):  https://elsevier.digitalcommonsdata.com/datasets/btchxktzyw/6 Congratulations to our top scientists!     Name of Researcher Subject Field  Prof. Lau Shuping  Applied Physics  Prof. Chai Yang  Nanoscience & Nanotechnology  Prof. Hao Jianhua  Nanoscience & Nanotechnology  Prof. Loh Kian Ping  Nanoscience & Nanotechnology  Prof. Wu Tao  Nanoscience & Nanotechnology  Prof. Yan Feng  Nanoscience & Nanotechnology  Prof. Huang Haitao  Nanoscience & Nanotechnology  Prof. Yu Siu Fung  Optoelectronics & Photonics  Prof. Tsang Yuen Hong  Nanoscience & Nanotechnology  Dr Zhang Biao  Nanoscience & Nanotechnology  Dr Yin Jun  Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

Shafayet Yaseen Interviewed By South China Morning Post

Shafayet Yaseen, a Bangladeshi student studying engineering physics in the Department of Applied Physics at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, received an interview from the South China Morning Post to share his remarkable learning journey as an international student in the department as well as Hong Kong. Yaseen expressed deep appreciation for the distinguished professors and the world-class learning environment here, being recommended by his professors to join international research laboratories in Germany. He passionately encourages fellow Bangladeshi students to explore the thriving education landscape here with an open mind to reach for abundant opportunities and valuable connections.   Shafayet Yaseen是來自孟加拉於本系就讀工程物理學士課程的三年級學生。他早前接受了《南華早報》的訪問，並分享了他作為國際學生於本系及在港的學習體驗。他曾獲得本系教授們的推薦，前往了德國的國際研究實驗室進行研究，並對此讚揚本系教授和本校世界級的學習環境。他勉勵孟加拉學生持開放態度探索這邊的蓬勃發展，以尋求大量機遇和具價值的人際網絡關係。   South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3244285/can-hong-kongs-top-universities-attract-overseas-students-scholars-security-law-deters-some-not-main

4 AP Academics were listed as the World’s Most Highly Cited Researchers

4 AP scholars have been recognized as the world’s most highly cited researchers in 2023 by Clarivate Analytics.  This honour certainly served as an acknowledgment of their significant research impact, which is demonstrated by their publication of multiple papers that have been frequently cited by fellow academics. With respect to the production of multiple highly-cited papers that rank in the top 1% by citations for field and year in the Web of Science citation index over the last 11 years, the list of “Highly Cited Researchers 2023” is a well-known indicator to identify the most influential scholars from around the world. Congratulations to Prof. Daniel S.P. LAU, Prof. Kian Ping LOH, Prof. Tom Tao WU and Prof. YAN Feng for their contributions to society and the world!

Dr. Kathy LENG lauded in MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 Asia Pacific 2023

AP graduating PhD students received the PolyU PhD Thesis Award for Merit

To recognize, honor, and promote the outstanding research accomplishments of graduating PhD students, the Graduate School establishes the PhD Thesis Award with two award classes: Outstanding and Merit.   Congratulations to Dr HOU Zhen on receiving the PolyU PhD Thesis Award for Merit. His thesis focuses on understanding Zn nucleation and growth towards stable Zn metal batteries.  Thesis Title: Boosting zinc metal anodes performance via interface engineering: reaction kinetics, morphology control and electrochemical reversibility Chief Supervisor: Dr ZHANG Biao The thesis is devoted to reversible Zn metal anodes through regulating the Zn nucleation and growth. We first demonstrate that the slow desolvation kinetics elevates the nucleation overpotential for improving the nucleation sites through introducing acetonitrile co-solvent into the electrolyte. The electrolyte recipe is further tailored to produce abundant Zn nucleation seeds and smooth Zn growth. The designed oligomer co-solvent enables preferential surface adsorption and the optimized solvation sheath. Furthermore, we propose a facile pulsed cycling protocol where an initial high current density (J) is leveraged to form sufficient nuclei for guiding even metal deposition at standard J in the subsequent process, realizing high-performance Zn, Li and K metal batteries. Besides modulating the Zn nucleation, we also control the Zn growth process by constructing a metallic tin-coated separator. Specifically, its decent electrical conductivity and zincophilicity can eliminate the inevitably formed Zn dendrites via face-to-face Zn growth, thus enabling improved cycle life even at high J and cycling capacity.    

AP student wins the Pixel of PolyU Photo Competition