News

Clarification on remarks regarding the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire

I wish to address and clarify several points arising from my recent media interviews regarding the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po, which have drawn significant attention from both media and the public. In the interview, I stated that bamboo is a combustible material and can contribute to fire spread, referencing the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) Foundation Report 2025, which confirms that “bamboo, like wood, is combustible, and undergoes a similar combustion process.” I also mentioned that other materials present, such as plastic nets and foam plates, may have played a role in the rapid development of the fire. However, I acknowledge that my comments may have given the impression that bamboo scaffolding was the major factor in the fire’s spread. This was not my intention. The actual contribution of bamboo, relative to other materials, is a complex scientific question that requires systematic investigation and fire experiments. At present, there is no comprehensive research on this issue in Hong Kong or elsewhere. My intention was to highlight the need for further study and caution in the use of combustible materials, especially in buildings occupied by vulnerable residents. I also wish to clarify that my statement suggesting the fire spread “in one or two minutes” to approximately 30 floors was not based on detailed investigation, but rather an observation of the rapid vertical fire spread. I regret any misunderstanding and will refrain from making further public comments until thorough scientific research has been conducted. During the interview, I mistakenly stated that fire engines from Chinese Mainland had arrived in Hong Kong to assist with firefighting efforts. This was incorrect. My comment was based on social media footage, but I have since learned from official sources that no such deployment occurred. I sincerely apologise for this error and any confusion it may have caused. Regarding the question of aerial ladder trucks, I stated that no city has ladder trucks capable of reaching 100 or 200 meters. While such equipment does exist in some places, including Shenzhen, their use is limited by practical constraints such as the width of access roads. I acknowledge that my statement may have oversimplified the issue and appreciate the opportunity to clarify. This interview has underscored the need for rigor and prudence in public commentary on matters of community significance. As an academic, I recognise that my statements carry responsibilities to factual accuracy and professional integrity. Moving forward, I will uphold our academic mission’s core principles: verifying information thoroughly, basing remarks on evidence and expertise, and exercising greater caution. This experience reinforces my commitment to responsible engagement on public safety and community issues. Thank you.   Xinyan Huang Associate Professor, Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering 30 November 2025      

BEEE PhD Student Team Awarded in the Hong Kong ICT Startup Award 2025

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is proud to announce that our PhD student, Mr. Wong Ho Yin, supervised by BEEE Associate Professor Prof. Huang Xinyan, has won the Silver Award in the “Smart Living (Smart Home and Community)” category at the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2025.   Mr. Wong’s team project, “GABES AlphaNexus System”, initiated in the PolyU Maker Fund Programme 2021 and thus established a start-up, GABES Limited, which received the Silver Award. The project is an Internet of Things (IoT) system comprising a wireless detector mesh network and dynamic exit signs. The fire detector system, which utilizes artificial intelligence technology, can significantly reduce the number of false alarms and provide an early warning, while the dynamic exit sign system guides evacuees towards the safest evacuation paths, reducing evacuation time.   This project is crucial to the novel smart firefighting technology developed at PolyU (the SureFire Project). This technology will be applied to the next generation of smart and resilient buildings, helping Hong Kong become the world's leading smart city.   The Hong Kong ICT Awards were established in 2006. It is the most recognised and longest-standing information technology award in Hong Kong. It aims at recognising and promoting outstanding local information and communications technology (ICT) inventions and applications, thereby promoting constant innovation and pursuit of excellence in the entire ICT industry.   The Department of BEEE congratulates Mr. Wong Ho Yin and his team on their outstanding achievements and wishes them continued success.  

BEEE Team Wins CES 2026 Best of Innovation Award for AI Firefighting Robot

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University congratulates the project team led by Prof. Huang Xinyan on winning the Best of Innovation Award at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 for their AI-powered firefighting robot.   The Consumer Electronics Show is one of the world’s largest technology events, and its annual CES Innovation Awards recognize outstanding achievements in design and engineering. This year, more than 3,600 entries competed across 36 categories. A total of 338 products received Innovation Awards, and only 30 (less than 1%) earned the top distinction, Best of Innovation—among them, the BEEE team’s smart firefighting robot in the “Products in Support of Human Security for All” category. The award is presented by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) and judged by an expert panel on criteria including engineering functionality, aesthetic design, innovation, and safety. Other recipients this year include leading international brands such as Qualcomm, Samsung, HP, and LG.   The award-winning robot was developed by Widemount Dynamics Tech Limited, a BEEE-affiliated startup jointly led by: Prof. Huang Xinyan, Associate Professor – Co-founder and Chief Scientist Mr. Wang Meng, PhD candidate – Founder and CEO Dr Zhang Yuxin, Research Assistant Professor – Co-founder and Director of Development   After three years of development, the team launched an autonomous, AI-driven firefighting solution that: Uses mm-wave radar SLAM to navigate smoke-filled environments without GPS or vision Employs deep-learning modules to identify burning materials in real time and select the optimal extinguishing agent Measures flame power with onboard sensors and streams live data to command centers for rapid decision-making Integrates a closed-loop vision–actuation system to lock onto and suppress fires without human intervention Retrofits existing inspection robots with instant fire detection and suppression capabilities to contain incipient fires, reducing human risk and asset loss   The team’s innovation has also earned major accolades, including: 2025 Greater Bay Area Innovation Awards – Technology Invention Award (Gold) 2025 Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions – Gold Medal with Jury Congratulations 2023 China International College Students’ Innovation Competition – Gold Medal   BEEE extends its warmest congratulations to Prof. Huang, Mr. Wang, Dr Zhang, and the Widemount Dynamics team on this world-class achievement that advances human safety and demonstrates PolyU’s leadership in engineering innovation.   URLs: https://www.ces.tech/ces-innovation-awards/innovation-awards/ https://www.ces.tech/press-releases/cta-announces-ces-innovation-awards-2026-honorees https://www.ces.tech/ces-innovation-awards/2026/smart-firefighting-robot/ www.en.widemount.com  

BEEE Celebrates Two Chair Professors Named Highly Cited Researchers 2025

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is delighted to announce that two of our distinguished scholars have been named on the “Highly Cited Researchers 2025” list by Clarivate Analytics. This prestigious recognition underscores the department’s unwavering commitment to research excellence and its significant impact on global academic and technological advancement.   This year, Prof. NI Meng, Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Construction and Environment, Head of BEEE and Chair Professor of Energy Science and Technology, and Prof. YAN Jinyue, BEEE Chair Professor of Energy and Buildings, have both been recognised for their outstanding research contributions. Prof. NI Meng is listed in the Cross-Field category, while Prof. YAN Jinyue is recognised in the Engineering category.   The Highly Cited Researchers list by Clarivate Analytics honours academics who have demonstrated substantial and broad influence in their fields, with multiple highly cited papers ranking in the top 1% by citations for their subject area and publication year over the past 11 years. In 2025, 6,868 scholars from 60 countries and regions have been named, representing just 1 in 1,000 of the world’s scientists and social scientists.   BEEE’s strong research capabilities are further reflected in Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists 2025 list, where 19 BEEE scholars are recognised for their career-long or single-year citation impact.   The achievements of Prof. NI Meng and Prof. YAN Jinyue highlight BEEE’s dedication to advancing world-class research and innovation for the benefit of Hong Kong, the Nation, and the world. Their work in building environment and energy engineering not only advances academic knowledge but also contributes to sustainable development and technological progress.   BEEE warmly congratulates Prof. NI and Prof. Yan on this remarkable achievement and looks forward to their continued contributions to the field and to PolyU’s mission of driving positive societal change.   For the full list of Highly Cited Researchers 2025, please visit: https://clarivate.com/highly-cited-researchers/  

BEEE Career Night 2025 Inspires Students to Explore Future Opportunities

The BEEE Career Night: Explore Your Future was successfully held on 4 November 2025. The event brought together students and industry professionals for an evening of insightful sharing and networking.   The Career Night began with a warm welcome speech by Dr Cheung Hiu Dan Hilda, Undergraduate Programme Leader and Lecturer, setting an inspiring tone for the evening. Representatives from a diverse range of sectors—including government bodies, contractors, consultancy firms, facility management, and developers—shared their experiences and provided valuable career advice.   The event featured presentations from: Electrical and Mechanical Services Department J. Roger Preston Limited Jardine Engineering Corporation Jones Lang LaSalle Swire Properties Limited   Each representative offered unique insights into their respective fields, helping students better understand the career paths available in the industry.   The evening concluded with a lively Q&A session and a 30-minute networking opportunity, where students engaged directly with industry professionals, explored potential career opportunities, and expanded their professional networks.   We would like to thank all speakers, guests, and students for their enthusiastic participation, making the BEEE Career Night a memorable and meaningful event.   The photo gallery can be found here.  

The 4th International Symposium on Lithium Battery Fire Safety was successfully held on 30 October - 2 November 2025

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is delighted to share with you that the 4th International Symposium on Lithium Battery Fire Safety (ISLBFS 2025) was successfully held on 30 October - 2 November 2025!    This year, Hong Kong, which is a vibrant Asia's world city, was selected to organize the ISLBFS 2025! The symposium was hosted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and organized by the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) and the Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE). The conference was chaired by BEEE Associate Professor Xinyan Huang.   The symposium received strong support from numerous prestigious organizations including the International Association of Fire Safety Science (IAFSS), University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), China University of Petroleum (East China), National Institute of Guangdong Advanced Energy Storage, International Association of Disaster Reduction and Emergency Management(IADREM), Society of Fire Protection Engineers Foundation (SFPE), City University of Hong Kong, China Energy Storage Alliance (CNESA), National Fire Protection Association Foundation (NFPA), and the Fire Division of Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE).    It is our honour to have Prof. Christopher Chao, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Prof. Meng Ni, Associate Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment and Head of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, and Prof. Qingsong Wang, the symposium founding chairman from University of Science and Technology of China, to deliver welcome speeches at the opening ceremony.   In the Symposium, more than 300 delegates from over 20 different countries and regions, including China, United States, United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Italy, France, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, India, New Zealand, and others, shared their valuable insights towards the recent developments in lithium battery safety, fire dynamics, risk assessment, safety technologies, fire impact assessment, simulation methods, and industrial applications.   The first day of the symposium includes 10 plenary lectures by the world’s leading experts, including Prof. Jennifer Wen, REng from University of Surrey and Prof. Li Wang from Tsinghua University. A special highlight of the first day was the Roundtable Discussion session moderated by Prof. Wojciech Węgrzyński from the Building Research Institute of Poland, where Prof. Michael G.Pecht, Dr Anil Kapahi, Dr Li Wang, and Dr Francesco Restuccia engaged in thought-provoking discussions about the future pathways, technologies, standards, and industrialization of lithium battery fire safety. Topics included the application of artificial intelligence in battery fire prevention, safety challenges in battery recycling and reuse, and international standards coordination, generating lively interaction and debate among participants.   From Day 2, the symposium presented 6 Keynote Lectures, along with 120 oral presentations in 6 parallel sessions focusing on the topic of "Battery Fire Dynamics", "Battery Fire Risk", "Battery Safety Technology", "Battery Fire Impact", "Battery Fire Simulation Methods", and "Battery Industry Forum". The symposium also featured 40 poster presentations showcasing cutting-edge research from emerging scholars.   In the closing ceremony, we had an award presentation session where outstanding contributions were recognized. A total of 13 Best Paper Awards, 6 Best Poster Awards, and 15 Best Oral Presentation Awards were presented by Prof. Qingsong Wang and Prof. Jinhua Sun from USTC. Congratulations to all of the awardees! These awards not only recognize the exceptional work of young scholars in academic research and innovative practice but also point towards the future direction of lithium battery safety - from "passive prevention" to "proactive warning" and from "single technology" to "interdisciplinary integration".   Selected high-quality papers from the symposium have been invited for submission to three journal special issues, ensuring the dissemination of cutting-edge research findings to the broader scientific community.   Undoubtedly, this symposium provides an excellent platform for scientists, engineers, industrial practitioners, and governmental policy makers to exchange ideas and seek collaborations on the development and applications of lithium battery safety technologies. As the new energy industry continues its rapid advancement, lithium battery safety will become crucial for ensuring supply chain stability.   We'd like to thank all participants for joining our Symposium and contributing to its success, looking forward to the next conference!   Conference website: https://batteryfire2025.com/  

BEEE Students Win Top Honours at BSOMES Research Prize 2025

Two undergraduate students from the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have been recognised for their outstanding research in building services operation and maintenance, winning the top prizes at the prestigious BSOMES Research Prize 2025.   Mr. Chan Kin Wai, Harry, supervised by Prof. Hou Cynthia, was awarded the 1st prize, while Ms. Rachel Cherry Ng, supervised by Ir Prof. Lai Hung Kit Joseph, received the 2nd prize. Their submissions were selected from a pool of high-quality research entries after rigorous evaluation by independent assessors.   The winners were honoured at the BSOMES annual dinner, themed “25 Years of Building Services Operation and Maintenance: Green Innovation for the Future.” The event featured Mr. Tai Sheung Shing, Victor JP, Under Secretary for Housing of the HKSAR Government, as Guest of Honour. Head of BEEE, Prof. Ni Meng, and Associate Head, Prof. Lai, also attended to share in the joy of our students’ achievements.   BEEE congratulates Harry and Rachel on their remarkable accomplishments and thanks BSOMES for recognising the excellence of our students. The department also extends its appreciation to all faculty members who supported the students’ participation in this competition.  

New Assistant Professor – Prof. Xie Yongxin

BEEE is delighted to announce the appointment of Prof. Xie Yongxin as an Assistant Professor, effective from 27th October 2025. Prof. Xie has been an integral part of our community, and we look forward to her continued contributions in her new role.   Prof. Xie received her PhD in 2020 from the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University; her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees are from the South China University of Technology (SCUT) and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), respectively. Upon completing her Ph.D. degree, she continued as a postdoctoral researcher (Shuimu Scholar, 2020) at Tsinghua University, and returned to PolyU in 2022 as a Research Assistant Professor.    Since her joining PolyU in 2022, she has secured several competitive external grants as PI, including two General Research Funds from RGC and one Young Scientist Fund from NSFC.    Prof. Xie’s research focuses on thermal comfort, heat–health assessment, human thermoregulation modeling, urban microclimate, and human–built thermal environment interactions. She has published more than 30 peer-reviewed journal articles, with over 1,000 citations and an h-index of 17 on Google Scholar. She also serves on the Young Editorial Boards of Building and Environment, Building Simulation, and Architecture Intelligence.  

BEEE Mentorship Programme 2025/26 Kicks Off with Inspiring Face-to-Face Meeting

The BEEE Mentorship Programme 2025/26 officially launched with a successful kick-off meeting held on 15 October 2025 at PolyU Campus. The event brought together mentors and mentees for an evening of introductions, networking, and the start of what promises to be a rewarding mentorship journey.   The meeting began with a warm welcome from Dr Cheung Hiu Dan Hilda, Undergraduate Programme Leader and Lecturer, who emphasized the importance of mentorship in supporting students’ personal and professional growth. This was followed by an insightful introduction to the Mentorship Programme by Ir Professor Mak Cheuk Ming, who outlined the objectives and expectations for the year ahead.   A highlight of the evening was the certificate presentation to mentors, recognizing their commitment and invaluable contribution to the development of future professionals. The ceremony was officiated by Ir Professor Mak Cheuk Ming, Ir Professor Wong Ling Tim (Associate Head, Partnership), and Dr Cheung Hiu Dan Hilda.   The event also provided an excellent opportunity for mentors and mentees to meet in person, exchange contact information, and begin building supportive relationships.    Participants enjoyed light refreshments and engaged in lively discussions during the networking session, setting a positive tone for the mentorship journey ahead. The evening concluded with a group photo, capturing the spirit of collaboration and enthusiasm shared by all.    The BEEE Mentorship Programme team encourages all participants to maintain regular communication and make the most of this valuable opportunity. We look forward to witnessing the growth and achievements of our mentors and mentees.   The photo gallery can be found here.  

BEEE Hosts Successful Non-local Student Gathering 2025/26

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is delighted to announce the successful completion of the BEEE Non-local Student Gathering 2025/26, held on 9 October 2025 at Z204. The event brought together non-local students from Mainland China and overseas, fostering a warm and inclusive environment for new connections and engagement. The gathering began with a welcome speech by Associate Head (Partnership), Ir Professor Wong Ling Tim. Programme Leader Dr. Cheung Hiu Dan Hilda then introduced upcoming departmental events. Professor You Ruoyu and Ir Professor Yuen Anthony Chun Yin, Deputy Programme Leader, along with Professor Jiang Liming, Academic Advisor, also joined the event to greet students and share information about future activities. Students had the opportunity to introduce themselves, sharing their backgrounds, hobbies, and aspirations in a relaxed and friendly setting. This was followed by a staff-student sharing session over a light lunch, encouraging meaningful conversations and allowing students to interact closely with their academic advisors and peers. The event concluded with a lively mass game and a memorable group photo session, capturing the spirit of camaraderie and community. BEEE extends its heartfelt thanks to all participants for their enthusiasm and active involvement, which contributed to the event’s vibrant and supportive atmosphere. We look forward to welcoming everyone to future gatherings and activities! The photo gallery can be found here.