News

BEEE Research Team Develops Smart Window Film to Regulate Light and Humidity, Reducing Building Energy Consumption and Promoting Low-Carbon City Development

On behalf of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, we are delighted to share that a research team at the International Centre of Urban Energy Nexus (UEX) has developed an innovative smart window film that can automatically regulate indoor light and humidity in response to environmental changes. This breakthrough offers a promising solution for reducing building energy consumption and supporting the development of low-carbon cities.   As global warming intensifies, window technologies that can adapt to changing environmental conditions are increasingly important. The newly developed smart window film is designed to lower indoor temperatures during the day while absorbing moisture and reducing transparency at night, thereby enhancing energy efficiency, indoor comfort, and privacy. Antibacterial, durable, and cost-effective, the innovation is particularly suitable for humid regions such as Hong Kong and holds strong potential for green building applications.   Known as the “Moisture-responsive and Light-regulating” (MRLR) film, this PolyU innovation was led by Prof. YAN Jinyue Jerry, Chair Professor of Energy and Buildings, and Dr LIU Junwei, Research Assistant Professor of BEEE. The team has transformed traditional window film design by adopting a dual-layer structure composed of a hydrophilic polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber layer and a transparent polyacrylamide (PAAM) hydrogel with excellent water retention. By leveraging the water absorption and evaporation characteristics of these materials, the film is able to regulate light, heat, and humidity simultaneously.   This innovative development demonstrates the research excellence and commitment of BEEE and PolyU in advancing sustainable building technologies and contributing to a greener, more resilient urban future.   BEEE congratulates Prof. YAN, Dr LIU, and the entire research team on this outstanding achievement. For details, please refer to https://www.polyu.edu.hk/media/media-releases/2026/0610_polyu-develops-smart-window-film-to-regulate-light-and-humidity/  

Innovating for the future: Designing Climate‑Resilient and Livable Cities

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) is pleased to share this inspiring research initiative led by Ir Prof. Niu Jianlei. The project highlights how innovative urban design and advanced technologies can help address the growing challenges of heat, comfort, and sustainability in cities.   As global heatwaves become more frequent, the urban heat island effect is intensifying, making cities increasingly uncomfortable. Higher temperatures reduce outdoor activities while driving up reliance on air conditioning. To address these challenges, Ir Prof. Niu Jianlei, Associate Director of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute and Chair Professor of Building Environment and Energy at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has led the research project “A Healthy and Resilient City with Ubiquitous Outdoor Thermal Comfort Hubs.”   The team focuses on creating localised outdoor comfort hubs that enable pleasant outdoor environments even in hot, humid, and densely built cities. The research integrates big data analytics, artificial intelligence, Geographic Information Systems, and Building Information Modelling, supported by advanced modelling and simulation of wind, heat, and moisture. This approach enables self optimising urban design and building forms from the early planning stage, facilitating systematic creation of localised comfort environments.   This approach supports the creation of healthier, more resilient, and sustainable cities, where outdoor comfort and environmental performance are enhanced through intelligent design.   BEEE is proud to support and celebrate research efforts that contribute to building a more liveable and climate-resilient future for our cities.   Watch video   

BEEE Industry Day Celebrates Student Achievement, Alumni Contributions, and Innovation

The Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) Industry Day was successfully held on 6 June 2026 at PolyU’s Block Z, bringing together industry partners, alumni, staff, and students for a memorable morning of celebration, knowledge exchange, and academic achievement.   The event featured a poster exhibition and award ceremony highlighting the latest capstone projects and research achievements of BEEE research and degree students in the field of Building Sciences and Engineering. Guests were invited to explore the diverse and innovative work presented by students, reflecting the Department’s commitment to advancing excellence in building environment, safety, resilience, and energy.   The ceremony began with welcoming remarks from the Head of Department, Professor NI Meng, followed by speeches from Professor JIANG Liming and Ir Professor YUEN Chun Yin, Anthony, who commended the students for their dedication and accomplishments in research and project development. A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the PolyU BEEE 2025 Outstanding Alumni Award to Ir CHENG Wai Lung, Brian, as well as the Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Contribution to Ir Dr TSUI Suk Chong, Fiona, Ir CHENG Wai Lung, Brian, Ir Fong Chi Sum, Carmen, Ir KWAN Ho Sum, Chris, and Ir Prof. LO Chi Wah, Anthony, in recognition of their valuable contributions to the Department and the wider industry.   The event also celebrated outstanding student achievements through the Industry Day Presentation and Awards, where research students and degree students were recognized across multiple award categories, including Special Citation, Merit Award, Grand Award, and Pioneer Award. Ir Professor LU Lin Vivien also joined the award presentation alongside Professor Ni, Professor Jiang, and Professor Yuen. The award presentations showcased the breadth of talent and innovation within the BEEE community.   Following the ceremony, attendees gathered for a group photograph before visiting the poster exhibition and enjoying the tea reception, where students had the opportunity to introduce their projects and engage with guests in meaningful discussions.   The BEEE Industry Day once again demonstrated the Department’s strong ties with industry and its dedication to nurturing the next generation of building sciences and engineering professionals. The event provided an excellent platform for students to present their work, receive recognition, and connect with alumni and industry practitioners.   The photo gallery can be found here.  

Result Announcement - Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU BEEE 2026

The Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Department aims to give public recognition to outstanding graduates of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) for their significant contributions to their profession and community, as well as to their alma mater. The Award was first presented in 2010, and this year marks the 11th round of the selection process. We are pleased to announce the two distinguished awardees for 2026: Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU BEEE 2026 Ir Sr LEE Man Kwong Jonathan Ir Sr Jonathan Lee, a market leader in building services, green building, energy management, ESG, property and facility management, and building maintenance. With over 30 years of experience, Jonathan brings exceptional leadership to his current role as Deputy General Manager of Well Born Real Estate Management Limited, a member of the Henderson Land Group. He oversees housing, facility operations, sustainability, and engineering across more than 200 properties, including office towers, residential estates, luxury villas, and industrial buildings. Previously, as former Deputy Managing Director of Savills Property Management Limited and Assistant General Manager of Hutchison Property Management Limited, he was responsible for technical support, ESG, safety, project consultancy, engineering contract, value-added service sales, and property & facility management. He managed an impressive portfolio of 190 million square feet of GFA, 220,000 residential units, 2,100 blocks, and 80,000 parking spaces, leading 15,000 direct staff.   Jonathan holds three master’s degrees with outstanding performance in Building Services Engineering & Facility Management, and distinction in Construction & Real Estate. He is a Fellow of multiple professional bodies, including HKIE, HKIS, CIBSE, RICS, BSOMES, HKIFM, HKGBC, and BEAM Society. Actively contributing to public life, he serves as Chairperson of the EMSD Lift & Escalator Safety Advisory Committee, and as a member of the ICAC Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee, the Board of the Hong Kong Housing Authority, and the Hospital Authority Committee—supporting policy, design, and operational advancements. Over the past 20 years, he served over 30 appeal boards, disciplinary boards, technical committees, advisory committees and working committees in Government Departments, Professional Institutions and Universities.   In 2024, Jonathan received The Most Outstanding Green Achiever award from the Environment and Ecology Bureau. He has served as President of The Hong Kong Institute of Facility Management (2023–2025), President of the Building Services Operation and Management Executives Society (2013–2014), and Vice Chairman of the Property and Facility Management Division of The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (2021-2023).   A devoted PolyU alumnus for over 30 years, Jonathan earned five diplomas, degrees, and master's certificates from the University, then served as mentor, part-time lecturer, external examiner, and programme advisory board member. His extraordinary contributions to the University, the profession, and society is really a role model to the industry.   Outstanding Young Alumni Award of PolyU BEEE 2026 Professor MA Tao Prof. MA Tao obtained his PhD in Renewable Energy from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2015. He is now a Full Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) and serves concurrently as Associate Dean of the School of Engineering at Tibet University.   Prof. Ma leads the Laboratory for Advanced Photovoltaics and System Integration (LAPSI) at SJTU, with research focusing on the fundamental mechanisms and engineering applications of solar photovoltaic technologies. Particularly he pioneered innovative studies on colored photovoltaics for building-integrated photovoltaics, achieving aesthetically enhanced colored PV modules with efficiencies exceeding 21% and only 2–3% relative performance loss compared with conventional black modules, representing a breakthrough beyond previous state-of-the-art results. His core patented technology was successfully commercialized and has since been deployed in demonstration projects across Shanghai, Nanjing, and other cities.   Prof. Ma has served as Principal Investigator for over 20 projects funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and industry collaborations. He has published more than 150 papers in leading journals including Nature Communications, Joule, ACS Nano, ACS Energy Letters, and iScience, accumulating over 15,000 citations with an h-index of 67. His publications include 15 ESI Highly Cited Papers and 2 ESI Hot Papers, alongside two Chinese monographs and three English book chapters. He currently serves as the editorial board member of several journals including ‘Applied Energy (IF: 10.1)’, ‘Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells (IF: 6.3)’ and Photovoltaics.   Prof. Ma has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career, such as ‘Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers 2025 in Engineering’, ‘Most Cited Chinese Researcher by Elsevier (2021-2025)’, ‘World’s Top 2% most-cited Scientists (2020-2025)’, ‘Highly Ranked Scholar (Top 0.05%) in Photovoltaic & Energy’, ‘National Teaching Achievement Award (2nd Prize)’, ‘First Prize of China Construction Science and Technology Award’, ‘Young Scientist Award of Chinese Renewable Energy Society’, ‘Excellent Young Scientist Award in Energy and Built Environment’ etc..   The Department is proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of these two awardees in the building services engineering industry and their contributions to the community and PolyU. We extend our gratitude to all the Selection Panel members for their excellent volunteer work in the selection process.  

Insights into Effective Teaching: Teaching Research Salon Series 3

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) successfully held Teaching Research Salons – Series 3 on 26 May 2026 (Tuesday) in Room Z405, 4/F, Block Z.   This session featured a sharing by Prof. Hou Cynthia, recipient of the Departmental Teaching Award 2023/24. Prof. Hou shared her perspectives and practical experience in effective teaching, offering colleagues useful insights into approaches that support student engagement, classroom interaction, and meaningful learning.   The salon provided a relaxed yet stimulating environment for academic staff to exchange ideas and reflect on teaching practices. Colleagues actively participated in the discussion, contributing their own thoughts and experiences while exploring ways to enhance teaching effectiveness in their respective courses.   Light refreshments were provided, adding to the friendly and collegial atmosphere of the event. The Department would like to thank Prof. Hou for her insightful sharing and all colleagues for their enthusiastic participation and support.   Teaching Research Salons continue to serve as an important platform for peer learning and pedagogical exchange within the Department. We look forward to welcoming colleagues to the next session.  

BEEE’s Training on Fire Safety and Climate-Resilient Design under “Social Innovation Invention – Concept Space Design Competition”

This year’s “Social Innovation Invention – Concept Space Design Competition” carries the theme “Active Southern Waterfront”. Using Hong Kong Island South as the design inspiration, the competition invites secondary school and tertiary students across Hong Kong to develop innovative proposals that combine cultural heritage with climate adaptation.   On the morning of 16 May, the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University welcomed more than 100 students and teachers for a training session. Participants visited the HVAC Laboratory and the Intelligent Building Laboratory (IB Lab), where they were introduced to the facilities by Dr Shek, Mr. Ng, and Research Assistant Professor Dr Tang Hong.   The training also featured Associate Professor and Associate Head of Department, Prof. Jiang Liming, as the keynote speaker. His presentation focused on three key areas: Building Fire Safety: an in-depth discussion on fire-resistant design for building façades New Energy Applications: safety considerations and challenges of emerging energy technologies in modern buildings Advanced Solutions: how innovative technologies and advanced materials can enhance the resilience of urban infrastructure against disasters   Through practical examples and expert insights, Prof. Jiang helped students understand how to balance architectural aesthetics and innovation with structural safety and fire performance. His sharing provided valuable academic support for students as they develop proposals for the Aberdeen market and marina, particularly in balancing climate resilience and public safety.   Through a series of interdisciplinary training activities, the competition seeks to strengthen young people’s awareness of green buildings, smart technologies, and sustainable urban development. BEEE is pleased to support this meaningful initiative and looks forward to seeing participating teams apply the knowledge gained from the training to their designs, contributing to a safer, more forward-looking, and more liveable Southern District.   For more information about the Social Innovation Invention – Concept Space Design Competition, please visit: https://thewgo.org/website/chi/inventor2025-2026-intro/  

BEEE Congratulates Prof. CHEN Qingyan on Election as Fellow of the Royal Society

Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) and Chair Professor of Building Thermal Science at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), the United Kingdom’s national academy of science.   Election to the Fellowship of the Royal Society is regarded as one of the highest scientific honours in the world. Founded in 1660, the Royal Society is the world’s oldest scientific academy in continuous existence, and its fellowship includes many of the most distinguished scientists and thinkers in history.   A globally recognised thought leader in building environment research, Prof. Chen is renowned for his pioneering contributions to indoor air quality (IAQ), aircraft cabin environments, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). He is also among the very few scholars from PolyU to receive this prestigious honour.   His research has earned him recognition as one of the world’s leading scientists in the “Building and Construction” field on Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists list. Prof. Chen’s models for simulating indoor environments have significantly informed public policy and advanced innovation in ventilation systems. In addition, he has developed design guidelines and strategies that have become industry benchmarks, with a strong focus on enhancing occupant well-being and promoting healthier, more energy-efficient environments.   PolyU President Prof. TENG Jin-Guang congratulated Prof. Chen on the achievement, saying, “We are proud of Prof. Chen’s contributions to the scientific community. His work has played an important role in advancing human well-being and safety. His research has also helped inform safety standards for public transportation, including efforts to reduce infectious disease transmission on airplanes and cruise ships.”   Prof. Chen expressed his gratitude for the honour, saying, “I am deeply humbled to receive this recognition, which is truly one of the highest accolades a scientist can achieve. I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to my research team and collaborators at PolyU, as well as my family, for their unwavering support over the years.”   Throughout his distinguished career, Prof. Chen has received numerous awards and recognitions for his groundbreaking work from leading organisations and institutions, including the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology, the International Building Performance Simulation Association, the Scandinavian Federation of Heating, Ventilation and Sanitary Engineering Associations (SCANVAC), the Society of Heating, Air-Conditioning and Sanitary Engineers of Japan, and the U.S. National Science Foundation.   On behalf of BEEE, we extend our warmest congratulations to Prof. CHEN Qingyan on this remarkable international recognition, which reflects his outstanding scholarly achievements and far-reaching impact on the advancement of building environment and energy engineering.  

BEEE Associate Professor Receives 2026 Hiroshi Tsuji Early Career Researcher Award from The Combustion Institute

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is pleased to announce that Associate Professor Prof. Huang Xinyan has received the 2026 Hiroshi Tsuji Early Career Researcher Award from The Combustion Institute.   Established in 2016, the annual award recognizes outstanding achievements in fundamental or applied combustion science research. In 2026, three early career researchers worldwide were selected for this prestigious honour: Prof. Xinyan Huang of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Matteo Pelucchi of Politecnico di Milano, and Prof. Huangwei Zhang of the National University of Singapore.   Prof. Huang is an Associate Professor in BEEE at PolyU. He earned his PhD from Imperial College London and completed postdoctoral training at the University of California, Berkeley. Over the years, he has co-authored more than 200 journal papers spanning smoldering dynamics, wildland fire, microgravity combustion, battery safety, and AI-powered fire resilience.   He currently serves as an Associate Editor of Proceedings of the Combustion Institute. His previous recognitions include the Bernard Lewis Fellowship, the Early Career Award from the International Association of Fire Safety Science and the International Association of Wildland Fire, the NSFC Excellent Young Scientists Fund, and the CES Best Innovation Award. He has also helped incubate two start-ups, WideMount Dynamics, which focuses on firefighting robots, and GABES, which develops intelligent fire service systems.   Upon receiving the award, Prof. Huang said, “I am incredibly thrilled and honored to receive the 2026 Hiroshi Tsuji Early Career Researcher Award. I am grateful to my mentors, colleagues, and collaborators, who have shaped my career. I also dedicate this award to my current and past students and postdocs who always create brilliant ideas and challenge hard questions through their innovative thinking and hard work. Finally, I would like to thank NSFC, RGC, ITC, and PolyU for supporting my research and team over the last decade.”   BEEE congratulates Prof. Huang on this remarkable international recognition and celebrates his outstanding research contributions to combustion science, fire safety, and engineering innovation.   About the Hiroshi Tsuji Early Career Researcher Award The annual Hiroshi Tsuji Early Career Researcher Award, launched in 2016, recognizes excellence in fundamental or applied combustion science research. Co-sponsored by Elsevier and The Combustion Institute, the award and prize is annually bestowed upon an early career researcher who has advanced a specific field of research within four to ten years of completing a doctoral degree or equivalent. The award is named after Professor Hiroshi Tsuji, whose stable porous cylinder counterflow burner configuration has influenced fundamental studies and applications in laminar and turbulent combustion.   About The Combustion Institute Founded in 1954, The Combustion Institute is an international non-profit, educational and scientific society. The institute promotes and disseminates the research activities of 34 regional sections in all areas of combustion science for the advancement of many communities around the world. The International Symposium on Combustion is the major biennial membership meeting. The Institute also sponsors two scientific journals, Combustion and Flame, published monthly, and The Proceedings of The Combustion Institute, published biennially. Visit The Combustion Institute website at: CombustionInstitute.org. About Elsevier Elsevier is a world-leading provider of information solutions that enhance the performance of science, health, and technology professionals, empowering them to make better decisions, deliver better care, and sometimes make ground-breaking discoveries that advance the boundaries of knowledge and human progress. Elsevier provides web-based, digital solutions — among them ScienceDirect, Scopus, Elsevier Research Intelligence, and ClinicalKey — and publishes over 2,500 journals, including The Lancet and Cell, and more than 33,000 book titles, including a number of iconic reference works. Elsevier is part of RELX Group plc, a world-leading provider of information solutions for professional customers across industries. www.elsevier.com  For more details about the award, please visit: https://members.combustioninstitute.org/news_archive_headlines.php?org_id=CMBI&sniid=53953423#53953423  

BEEE Engages Prospective Students through 2026 JUPAS Admissions Activities

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) actively supported the 2026 JUPAS Admissions Q&A through a series of outreach activities designed to help prospective students better understand the programme, admissions arrangements, and future study opportunities.   On 9 May (Saturday), Ir Dr Lui Che Heng Gigi and Professor Jiang Liming participated in the JUPAS Consultation Day, where they provided guidance to visitors at the consultation counter at PolyU campus. Together with three student ambassador warmly welcomed students and parents and answered enquiries about the Department and its study pathways. On the same day, Ir Professor Yuen Anthony Chun Yin also conducted a face-to-face mock interview for the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Building Sciences and Engineering (JS3211) at PolyU campus. The session gave participating students a valuable opportunity to experience a real interview setting and gain insights into the admissions process.   In addition, Dr Cheung Hiu Dan Hilda delivered two webinars on 11 May 2026, one in Cantonese and one in English, as part of the JUPAS Admissions Q&A series. Held online via Zoom, the sessions featured a student sharing by Ms. Karen Cheung, who offered her personal experience of studying in BEEE. Together, the webinars highlighted the programme’s diverse learning environment, admission requirements, scholarship opportunities, and the exciting prospects offered by the PolyU BSE programme.   These activities provided prospective students with practical and tailored information to support their university choices, while showcasing BEEE’s commitment to student engagement and admissions outreach.   The photo gallery can be found here.  

Teaching Excellence in Action: Teaching Research Salon Series 2

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) successfully held Series 2 of the Teaching Research Salons on 28 April 2026 (Tuesday) in Room Z412, Block Z.   Series 2 featured a sharing by Prof. Jiang Liming, recipient of the Departmental Teaching Award 2020/21. Prof. Jiang discussed practical approaches to teaching and learning, drawing on his award-winning practices to illustrate strategies for enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes. The session stimulated lively discussion among colleagues and provided concrete takeaways for curriculum design, classroom interaction, and assessment.   The salon attracted enthusiastic participation from academic staff across the Department. Attendees exchanged ideas, reflected on their own teaching practices, and explored ways to apply the shared strategies in their courses. Light refreshments were provided, and participants received a certificate of attendance.   This event continues the Department’s new salon series—launched with Series 1 on 25 March 2026—aimed at fostering peer exchange on effective teaching practices and strengthening teaching quality through collegial sharing and discussion. We thank Prof. Jiang for his insightful presentation and all colleagues for their active participation. The Department looks forward to the next Teaching Research Salon.