News

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.  

Inspiring Future Leaders in Building Services Engineering at PolyU Info Day 2025

PolyU Info Day 2025 was successfully held on 27 September, welcoming 43000+ secondary school students and their parents. Visitors had the opportunity to explore the exciting world of Building Services Engineering. The event provided a comprehensive overview of academic programmes, career prospects, and the latest advancements in the field. Ambassadors Lead the Way Under the leadership of Prof. Ni Meng, Head of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE), our dedicated ambassadors played a vital role in welcoming guests at the consultation booth and answering questions about our programmes and career opportunities. Their enthusiasm and expertise enabled students and parents to gain a deeper understanding of academic pathways and future prospects.   Interactive Consultation Booth Featuring AI Innovations A highlight of the event was the interactive online platform, led by Prof. Guo Zhiling, Assistant Professor, which offered hands-on learning experiences powered by AI. The booth showcased cutting-edge research and development projects under the theme "GreenSense: AI for Renewable Buildings" within BEEE. Visitors learned how AI is being integrated to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability, with demonstrations focusing on both the demand and supply sides of building energy.   Laboratory Tours: A Glimpse into the Future Two lab tours were arranged, giving participants an exclusive look at the state-of-the-art facilities, such as HVACR Laboratory, Piped Services Laboratory, etc. The morning session ran from 11:00 to 11:45 AM, while the afternoon session took place from 3:00 to 3:45 PM. These tours provided valuable insights into the practical aspects of Building Services Engineering at PolyU.   Undergraduate Information Seminars and Alumni Sharing The Undergraduate Info Seminar, held in two sessions at HJ302, featured Dr. Cheung Hiu Dan Hilda, Undergraduate Programme Leader and Lecturer, who provided an overview of the programme and its unique offerings. Each session included an inspiring alumni sharing segment: Session 1 (12:00 NN - 12:45 PM): Ir Brain Cheng, recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU BEEE 2025, shared his experiences, career journey, and valuable tips for parents. Session 2 (4:00 PM - 4:45 PM): Ir Gary Chiang, recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award in Professional Achievement of PolyU BEEE 2023, offered valuable insights into the industry and his professional development. Looking Ahead: BEEE at the Forefront PolyU Info Day 2025 was a resounding success, sparking interest and enthusiasm among prospective students and their families. The event highlighted PolyU’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence in education. As we look to the future, BEEE remains at the forefront, dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders in building services engineering. We look forward to welcoming new talents to join our dynamic community at PolyU.   The photo gallery can be found here.   

Facility Management Student Receives IFMA Foundation Scholarship 2025

 The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is delighted to announce that Mr. TONG Kin Ho Kevin, a Facility Management student under the supervision of Professor Hou Cynthia, Assistant Professor of BEEE, has been awarded the prestigious IFMA Foundation Scholarship 2025.   The award ceremony was held on the morning of Thursday, September 18, during the IFMA World Workplace 2025 conference programme. This renowned global event brings together leaders and emerging professionals in facility management, offering a unique platform for learning, networking, and celebrating excellence in the field.   The IFMA Foundation Scholarship is more than just financial support—it is a key initiative in nurturing the next generation of facility management professionals. Through its Global Workforce Initiative, the program continues to expand scholarship opportunities, encouraging high school seniors, associate degree students, working students, and veterans from around the world to apply.   We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mr. TONG Kin Ho Kevin on this remarkable achievement. His dedication and excellence exemplify the high standards of the PolyU BEEE community. We wish him continued success in his academic and professional journey.    

BEEE Professors Honoured with PolyU Patents Achievement Award 2024

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is proud to announce that two of our distinguished professors, Prof. YANG Hong Xing and Prof. HUANG Xinyan, have been recognized as recipients of the PolyU Patents Achievement Award 2024. This prestigious award celebrates outstanding contributions to intellectual property (IP) filing and innovation at PolyU.   Award Highlights: Prof. HUANG Xinyan Top Patents Filing Award 2024: Recognizes IP filing activities over the past five years (2020–2024). Most Active Patents Filing Award 2024: Acknowledges IP filing activities within the year 2024. Prof. YANG Hong Xing Outstanding IP Commercialisation Award 2024: Honours high-value licensing cases over the past three years (2022–2024).   Prof. Huang has filed more than 10 patents covering innovative technologies such as smart fire detectors, firefighting robots, fire services systems, battery safety management, and advanced combustion reactors.   Prof. Yang’s award is attributed to two successful IP license transfers to local engineering companies, showcasing the real-world impact of BEEE’s research and innovation. The licensed technologies are: 1. Indirect Evaporative Cooling Technology for Air-Conditioning A highly efficient indirect evaporative cooler (IEC) has been developed for energy recovery in central air-conditioning systems. This innovation utilizes the cooling potential of exhaust air, enabling effective evaporative cooling even in hot and humid regions. Installed before an air-handling unit (AHU), the IEC pre-cools fresh air by harnessing cool, dry exhaust air from air-conditioned spaces. Specially designed channels with hydrophilic and hydrophobic coatings further enhance cooling efficiency. This technology can save approximately 17% to 35% of energy for fresh air supply in commercial buildings. 2. Micro Incline Hydropower Harvesting Device An innovative self-adaptive hydropower harvesting system has been developed to generate electricity from water flow in urban pipelines, powering the Waterpipe Intelligent Network (WIN) while minimizing water head loss. The fourth-generation system has been successfully tested on WSD water pipelines for over a year, providing reliable and continuous power. This micro power generation system offers significant economic and sustainability advantages over traditional chemical batteries, with potential applications in water pipelines in other cities. It enables cost-effective and reliable power for data monitoring meters and sensors, reducing maintenance costs and improving system reliability.   Please join us in congratulating Prof. Yang and Prof. Huang for their remarkable achievements and contributions. Their dedication to innovation, impactful research, and the successful translation of intellectual property into societal and commercial value is truly inspiring. We hope these awards will continue to motivate our BEEE community to strive for excellence in IP creation, commercialisation, and knowledge transfer, further strengthening our department’s role in shaping a future of innovation and impact at PolyU.  

BEEE Academic Staff Honored in Stanford's Top 2% Scientists Compilation

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is delighted to announce a significant achievement. 19 BEEE academic staff members have been recognized among the world's top 2% of scientists in their respective disciplines, according to the index recently compiled by Stanford University.  BEEE Top 2% Scientists in the Global List  Name Subject Field (Top-Ranked Science-Metrix Category) Professor Ni Meng Energy Ir Professor Christopher Chao Building & Construction Professor Chen Qingyan Building & Construction Ir Professor Niu Jianlei Building & Construction Ir Professor Wang Shengwei Energy Professor Asif Sohail Usmani Civil Engineering Professor Yan Jinyue Jerry Energy Ir Professor Lai Hung Kit Joseph Building & Construction Ir Professor Lu Lin Vivien Energy Ir Professor Mak Cheuk Ming Building & Construction Ir Professor Mui Kwok Wai Horace Building & Construction Professor Xiao Fu Building & Construction Ir Professor Yang Hongxing Energy Professor Cao Sunliang Energy Professor Huang Xinyan Energy Ir Professor Wong Ling Tim Building & Construction Professor Yuen Anthony Chun Yin Mechanical Engineering & Transports Dr Liu Junwei Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Dr Shi Jihao Energy   The latest release of the citation indicators, compiled by a team of experts led by Professor John Ioannidis at Stanford University, is based on the top 100,000 scientists by c-score (with and without self-citations) or a percentile rank of 2% or above in the sub-field. Scientists are classified into 22 scientific fields and 174 sub-fields according to the standard Science-Metrix classification. Field- and subfield-specific percentiles are also provided for all scientists with at least 5 papers. Career-long data are updated to end-of-2024 and single recent year data pertain to citations received during calendar year 2024.    This publicly available database provides standardized information on citations, h-index, co-authorship adjusted hm-index, citations to papers in different authorship positions, and a composite indicator. The complete list can be found here. (As per the data published by Elsevier 19 September 2025 (version 8) )   Congratulations to our top scientists for this well-deserved recognition!  

BEEE Researchers Publish Breakthroughs in Top Energy Journals

The BEEE Department is proud to announce two recent research breakthroughs published in the prestigious journal Advanced Energy Materials, showcasing our commitment to innovation in sustainable building and energy technologies.   Smart Window Film for Cooler, Drier, and More Private Indoor Spaces A research team from BEEE, Professor Yan Jinyue Jerry and Dr Liu Junwei, has developed a revolutionary smart window film that passively regulates both sunlight and humidity, making indoor environments cooler during the day and drier at night—without any electricity or moving parts. The moisture-responsive, light-regulating (MRLR) film demonstrated impressive results in real-world tests, reducing room humidity from 92% to 54% within six hours at night and lowering daytime temperatures by upto 21°C compared to unprotected areas. The film’s durability was confirmed over 300 cycles, and its low-cost, eco-friendly materials make it highly scalable, with an estimated payback period of just 34 days. Building-scale modeling suggests the MRLR film could cut annual energy use by 24.6% and reduce carbon emissions by 18.89 kg/(year·m²). This innovative work was published in Advanced Energy Materials and was awarded a Silver Medal at the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva. Read the full paper: DOI: 10.1002/aenm.202503332   Hydrogel Coating Makes Solar Panels Safer, More Efficient, and Longer-Lasting In another significant advance, BEEE researchers, Professor Yan Jinyue Jerry and Dr Liu Junwei, have created a simple, affordable hydrogel coating that passively cools solar panels, preventing damaging “hot spots” without requiring any changes to panel wiring. This new hydrogel keeps hot spots up to 16°C cooler and boosts power output by as much as 13%. The coating is also more durable than previous versions, maintaining its effectiveness over time. Modeling indicates that this technology could increase annual solar power generation by 7% in Singapore and 6.5% in Hong Kong, with payback periods as short as 3–4 years. Globally, it could recover about half of the power lost to hot spots in building-integrated solar systems, accelerating the transition to clean, carbon-neutral energy. Read the full paper: DOI: 10.1002/aenm.202504366   Congratulations to our research teams for these outstanding achievements and for advancing the frontiers of sustainable energy solutions!