News

Hollow Silica Nanostructures with Ultrasound Technology Offer a Less Invasive and Precise Treatment Alternative for Parkinson's Disease Patients

Parkinson’s disease (PD) has long been regarded as an irreversible condition among older adults. Although existing treatments may manage symptoms, they are often invasive or limited in precision and effectiveness. In a recently published study on Nature Communications, Prof. Lei SUN, Professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at PolyU, and his research team addressed the need for neuromodulation approaches that are both precise and less invasive by combining low-intensity ultrasound with engineered hollow silica nanostructures (HSN) to achieve chronic, localised brain stimulation in mice, as well as therapeutic benefit in PD models. This study provides a compelling proof of concept for chronic, localised and minimally invasive neuromodulation using ultrasound and HSN. This research offers a more precise, safer and durable solution that brings new hope to patients with limited treatment options. Find more details in the full article on Innovation Digest: https://polyu.hk/aXfeL

2026 PolyU BME Alumni Connect: Happy Hour

🍷 What a night! Cheers to the PolyU BME family! 🥂 On June 26, our BME community gathered for the 2026 PolyU BME Alumni Connect: Happy Hour — an evening filled with inspiration and joy!   Here are the highlights of the night:   ✨ Department Updates: Prof. Ming ZHANG, Head of Department of Biomedical Engineering, shared our latest milestones and future vision.   🏆 Celebration of Excellence: We officially celebrated Prof. Weibao QIU, the recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU BME (the award announcement post is here).   💡 Industry Insights: A huge thank you to our guest speakers, Mr Benjamin CHAN, Founder and Managing Director, MediConcepts Limited, and our stellar alumna Ms Yung KWOK (Capital Listing Acceleration Manager, Medtronic; graduate of the Class of 2012), for sharing their invaluable industry wisdom.   🍇 Sip & Socialize: The night wrapped up with an exclusive wine-tasting workshop hosted by professional sommelier Mr Micky CHAN.   It was wonderful seeing our alumni reconnecting. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Prof. Puxiang LAI’s research on “Physics-Guided Dataset Homogeneity Unlocks Universal Deep Learning Generalization in Scattering Media Imaging” published in Advanced Photonics

Research paper titled “Physics-Guided Dataset Homogeneity Unlocks Universal Deep Learning Generalization in Scattering Media Imaging”, with Professor Puxiang LAI as the co-correspondence author, was recently published in Advanced Photonics (IF=19.5; ranked 7th out of 129 journals in Optics). This work introduces a physics-guided dataset homogeneity strategy and demonstrates that enforcing spatial uniformity — ensuring all spatial modes in the region of interest are equally and sufficiently sampled — effectively aligns the learned weights with the physical transmission matrix. This approach ensures the network simulates the underlying physical laws rather than merely memorizing dataset-specific statistical biases.   Xuyu Zhang, Haofan Huang, Dawei Zhang, Songlin Zhuang, Shensheng Han, Puxiang Lai*, and Honglin Liu*, "Physics-Guided Dataset Homogeneity Unlocks Universal Deep Learning Generalization in Scattering Media Imaging", Advanced Photonics 8 (3): 036015 (2026). doi: 10.1117/1.AP.8.3.036015   Abstract Deep learning (DL) has revolutionized imaging through scattering media, yet its widespread adoption is hindered by limited generalization, where models trained on specific datasets fail to perform reliably in unseen scenarios. Conventional wisdom attributes this limitation to feature-prior mismatches, but we identify a more root cause: a fundamental mismatch between the learned neural mapping and the system’s true physical inverse operator (T -1), driven principally by inhomogeneous spatial-intensity distributions in conventional training data. To overcome this, we introduce a physics-guided dataset homogeneity strategy. We demonstrate that enforcing spatial uniformity — ensuring all spatial modes in the region of interest are equally and sufficiently sampled — effectively aligns the learned weights with the physical transmission matrix. This approach ensures the network simulates the underlying physical laws rather than merely memorizing dataset-specific statistical biases. Specifically, by optimizing training datasets, we achieve unprecedented cross-dataset generalization: networks trained on simple digits successfully reconstruct complex face images. This physics-guided framework not only overcomes generalization barriers in scattering imaging but also establishes a universal principle for designing robust DL architectures. The conceptual repositioning of DL, from pure data-fitting to physics-simulating, is a big step forward for its reliable deployments in real-world imaging applications.   About Advanced Photonics Advanced Photonics is a highly selective, open-access, international journal that publishes innovative research in all areas of optics and photonics, including fundamental and applied research. The journal publishes top-quality original papers, letters, and review articles, reflecting significant advances and breakthroughs in theoretical and experimental research and novel applications with considerable potential.

Prof. Puxiang LAI’s research on “From Disorder to Design: Physical Mechanisms Governing Generalization and Hallucination in Deep Learning for Imaging Through Scattering Media” published in Nature Communications

Research paper titled “From Disorder to Design: Physical Mechanisms Governing Generalization and Hallucination in Deep Learning for Imaging Through Scattering Media”, with Professor Puxiang LAI as the co-correspondence author, was recently published in Nature Communications (IF=18.1; ranked 8th out of 140 SCI journals in Multidisciplinary Sciences). This work leverages a physics-guided framework based on scattering media and developed a model system where controlled variations in light transmission matrices (T) isolates the long-standing challenges in the field, unravelling the mechanistic interplay between generalization limits and hallucination origins.   Xuyu Zhang, Tianting Zhong, Haofan Huang] Dawei Zhang, Songlin Zhuang, Shensheng Han, Puxiang Lai*, and Honglin Liu*, "From Disorder to Design: Physical Mechanisms Governing Generalization and Hallucination in Deep Learning for Imaging Through Scattering Media", Nature Communications 17: 5616 (2026). doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-72304-z   Abstract Deep learning has revolutionized computational imaging, yet its real-world deployment remains constrained by two critical challenges: poor generalization under dynamic conditions and the emergence of hallucinatory artifacts. By leveraging a physics-guided framework based on scattering media, a model system where controlled variations in light transmission matrices (T) isolates these challenges, we unravel the mechanistic interplay between generalization limits and hallucination origins. We demonstrate that a network’s generalization capacity is fundamentally bounded by its ability to accommodate distinct inverse mappings (T -1), while hallucinations arise when this capacity is exceeded, resulting in unconstrained, non-physical predictions. We also identify residual ballistic light, if not negligible, as a stabilizing anchor, enabling robust predictions under scattering variability. Integrating experimental validation with wave-optics simulations, we establish a universal framework that links these phenomena, showing that strategic training on diverse physical mappings enhances generalization while suppressing hallucinations. This work bridges physics-driven interpretability with AI design, offering actionable strategies to develop reliable models for applications ranging from medical imaging through biological tissues to autonomous navigation in scattering environments.   About Nature Communications Nature Communications is an open access, multidisciplinary journal dedicated to publishing high-quality research in all areas of the biological, health, physical, chemical, Earth, social, mathematical, applied, and engineering sciences.

Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Department of Biomedical Engineering 2026

We are pleased to present the 2026 Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Department of Biomedical Engineering to Prof. Weibao QIU, in recognition of his achievement in biomedical engineering, service to the profession, and contribution to the alma mater. Prof. Weibao QIU received his Ph.D. in 2012 from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, under the supervision of Prof. Lei SUN. His thesis was titled "Development of Novel Imaging Systems and Techniques for Micro-ultrasound". He joined the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in the same year and was promoted to Full Professor in early 2018. His research focuses on novel ultrasound transducers and systems for biomedical imaging and therapy. He has established an integrated R&D framework — "Transducers—Imaging Methods—Systems" — for high-resolution ultrasound. Prof. QIU has published 93 SCI papers (including one in Nature Communications and 36 in IEEE Transactions) and holds 35 granted invention patents. Several of his high-resolution imaging technologies have been translated into innovative products, with four medical device registration certificates obtained. He is the founder of Shenzhen Hyus Meditec Co., Ltd., a company specializing in advanced ultrasound solutions, including novel ultrasound transducers and imaging systems. Prof. QIU serves on the Technical Program Committee (Group 5) of the IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium (IUS) and was an Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control. He is the Lead Guest Editor of the TUFFC Special Issue on "Recent Advances in Ultrasound Technology for Brain Imaging and Therapy". In 2020, he received the Outstanding Youth Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China for his work on high-resolution ultrasound imaging. He is also recognized as an Outstanding Member of the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Prof. QIU established the Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ultrasound Imaging and Therapy, which is now part of the State Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging Science and System. He serves as Vice Chair of the Medical Ultrasound Engineering Division at the Chinese Society of Biomedical Engineering. Congratulations to Prof. QIU!

Prof. Sharon Y. C. RUAN’s research on “CFTR mediates Cl- transport in osteocytes to sustain cell viability and skeletal homeostasis” published in Nature Communications

Research paper titled “CFTR mediates Cl- transport in osteocytes to sustain cell viability and skeletal homeostasis”, with Professor Sharon Y. C. RUAN as the corresponding author, was recently published in Nature Communications. Prof. RUAN’s work has demonstrated for the first time that chloride channel CFTR keeps osteocytes alive and limits bone loss, revealing a new mechanism for maintaining long lived bone cells and suggesting a potential strategy to protect bone health.     “CFTR mediates Cl- transport in osteocytes to sustain cell viability and skeletal homeostasis“ Peijie Hu, Wanting Du, Muyan Chu, Junjiang Chen, Xiaotian Zhang, Ziyi Chen, Jun Hu, Lei Qin, Wayne Yuk-Wai Lee, Jinghui Guo, Hui Chen, Ruiyao Xu, Xiaojun Cai, Xiaohua Jiang, Hsiao Chang Chan, Ling Qin*, Jiankun Xu* & Ye Chun Ruan* Nature Communications (2026). doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-72349-0   Abstract Osteocytes are long-lived with underlying mechanisms largely unknown. Here, we report that osteocyte-specific knockout of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) results in excessive osteocyte death, proinflammatory cytokine surge, osteoclast overactivation and bone formation impairment leading to bone loss in adult mice. Consistently in MLO‑Y4 osteocyte‑line, CFTR-knockout causes progressive cell death, which is reversed by CFTR overexpression or medium replenishment. A massive proinflammatory osteocyte secretome is evoked by CFTR-knockout, which deteriorates wild-type osteocytes, inhibits osteogenic differentiation, while robustly stimulates osteoclastogenic differentiation in vitro. Patch-clamp/Cl--imaging verifies CFTR to mediate Cl- transport in osteocytes, while Cl--deprivation mimics CFTR-knockout to trigger transcriptomic/proteomic changes, cell stress and death. Additionally, osteocyte CFTR is downregulated in aged human bones; local delivery of CFTR via adenovirus or a CFTR modulator increases viable osteocytes and bone mass in aged mice. Together, the present study reveals a direct role of CFTR-mediated Cl- transport in sustaining osteocyte viability and skeletal homeostasis.   About Nature Communications Nature Communications is an open access, multidisciplinary journal dedicated to publishing high-quality research in all areas of the biological, health, physical, chemical, Earth, social, mathematical, applied, and engineering sciences.

PolyU collaborates with the National University of Singapore (NUS) to accelerate the adoption of AI-enabled healthcare innovations

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and The National University of Singapore (NUS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the adoption of healthcare innovations. Witnessed by Prof. Cheng DONG, Associate Vice President (Knowledge Transfer) of PolyU, and Prof. Roger FOO, Vice-Dean (Research), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine of NUS, the MoU was signed by Prof. Chunyi WEN, Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering of PolyU, and Prof. Wei Seong TOH, Research Director and Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine of NUS on 5 June 2026. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic degenerative disease which can hamper the functioning and the quality of life of older adults. To address KOA, Prof. Chunyi WEN leads a research team that has developed an innovative AI-empowered biomechanical assessment tool, KneeVidScan, to enable early identification and intervention of knee osteoarthritis. This technology has been recognised with TechConnect Global Innovation Award 2021 and Hong Kong ICT Award 2022. By leveraging PolyU’s innovation, Prof. WEN and his team launched the first community screening programme for knee osteoarthritis in Hong Kong in 2023 and have since served more than 1,800 older adults under the auspices of HKSAR Government’s Innovation and Technology Fund for Better Living. The related results were recently published in a prestigious scholarly journal from Nature Portfolio.  This MoU strengthens a shared commitment to the implementation of KneeVidScan in real-world clinical practice, and to the establishment of a strategic academic-clinical partnership that focuses on healthy ageing, functional mobility, and community-based musculoskeletal research. It is the first time the NUS Department of Orthopaedic Surgery has introduced Hong Kong’s AI technology and expertise in knee osteoarthritis to Singapore, helping to advance precision orthopaedics in the primary healthcare setting and also enhancing the academic collaboration between Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Through this collaboration, the identification and management of knee osteoarthritis in community settings can be improved by enabling earlier intervention, improving care navigation and right-siting, and reducing downstream burden on hospital services.

PolyU BME PhD student Hejin CAI awarded First Runner-up at Faculty of Engineering 3MT® Competition

PolyU BME PhD student Hejin CAI won the First Runner-up at the PolyU Faculty of Engineering Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT®), which was held on 4 June 2026, by presenting the topic “The Hidden Story Behind Standing Up”. 3MT® celebrates the exciting research conducted by Doctor of Philosophy students. Developed by the University of Queensland, Australia, the competition cultivates the academic, presentation, and research communication skills of research postgraduate students and supports their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes in a language appropriate to non-specialist audience. 3MT® is a globally recognized competition which are now held in over 900 universities across more than 85 countries worldwide. Congratulations to Hejin CAI!

Congratulations to Ir Prof. Ming ZHANG on being elected as Chinese Society of Biomedical Engineering (CSBME) Fellow

Congratulations to Ir Prof. Ming ZHANG on being elected as Chinese Society of Biomedical Engineering (CSBME) Fellow (中國生物醫學工程學會會士). Founded in 1980, the Chinese Society of Biomedical Engineering (CSBME) is a national first-class society, which is rated 4A by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. It is the only professional society in China that integrates scientific research, teaching, clinical practice and research and development. At present, CSBME has more than 42,000 members comprised of professionals in the field of biomedical engineering. There are 45 distinguished scholars elected as CSBME Fellows since 2024, and Ir Prof. Ming ZHANG is one of the seven newly-appointed CSBME Fellows in 2026. Prof. ZHANG was the founding Chair of the first CSBME Rehabilitation Engineering Technical Committee. Today, the Rehabilitation Engineering branch has become the Society's largest and most exemplary division by membership, maintaining a long-standing, deep involvement in the society’s various academic endeavors. Congratulations once again to Prof. ZHANG!

Qiangnao and PolyU launch “People-Oriented Technology Programme” to deploy cutting-edge intelligent bionic limbs for Hong Kong amputees

The kick-off ceremony of the “People-Oriented Technology Programme by Qiangnao Technology and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University” (the Programme) was successfully held today at the Central Government Offices of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Jointly organised by Qiangnao Technology (Qiangnao) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), with the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) of the HKSAR Government of the People’s Republic of China serving as the advisory body, the initiative marks a proactive response to the “Support People-Oriented Scientific Research” policy outlined in the 2025 Policy Address. The Programme introduces Qiangnao’s advanced intelligent bionic hands and bionic knee joints for local configuration and use. Funded and supported by the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF), the trial programme allows eligible amputees in Hong Kong to apply for configuration and use of these high-tech prostheses free of charge, facilitating the practical transformation of cutting-edge medical technology to tangible benefits for those in need. The kick-off ceremony was officiated by Prof. SUN Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government of the People’s Republic of China; Mr Kelvin CHOI, Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; and Mr Ivan LEE, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, alongside Mr Bicheng HAN, Founder and CEO of Qiangnao; Ms Sienna XU, Representative of Qiangnao; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU; and Prof. Yongping ZHENG, Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering of PolyU. The event was also attended by participants from the first phase of trial who have already been fitted with the intelligent prostheses, medical rehabilitation experts and representatives from social welfare organisations. The event aims to raise awareness of the Programme within Hong Kong's disability community so that more individuals in need can benefit. Applications are now officially open to eligible individuals. Prof. SUN Dong stated, “Today’s I&T initiatives respond to the National 15th Five-Year Plan, which calls for the full implementation of the ‘AI+’ action plan to empower public well-being through AI. Hong Kong possesses strong research capabilities, with five universities ranked among the world’s top 100 and two medical schools in the global top 40. It has a solid foundation in life and health technology, AI, and robotics, and is well positioned to put into practice the principle of technology for the benefit of people. The launch of the programme also embodies the original intent of using technology for good and being people-oriented, bringing cutting-edge technologies into real-world applications, to the lives of citizens in need.” Mr Bicheng HAN stated, “Over the next two years, with the support of the HKSAR Government, Qiangnao will work with PolyU and partners from all sectors of society to diligently implement the project and provide service support, so that more eligible amputees in Hong Kong can receive high-tech prostheses free of charge. We will also continue to enhance product experience and rehabilitation support services.” Prof. Jin-Guang TENG said, “Scientific research must ultimately benefit society. The vision for developing people-oriented technology, as outlined in the Chief Executive’s Policy Address, aligns perfectly with PolyU’s motto, ‘To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind’. This Programme holds immense significance: Qiangnao brings world-leading core technologies in intelligent bionic prostheses, while PolyU provides local implementation, promotion, and scientific research support. The team will evaluate the effectiveness of the technology based on clinical application scenarios, collect user feedback for timely adjustments and optimisations, and continuously improve the overall user experience. With the support of the Innovation and Technology Fund, this initiative ensures that cutting-edge technology truly serves public livelihood and benefits society.” The initial phase of the Programme aims to fit 60 Hong Kong amputees with intelligent bionic hands and bionic knee joints, managed by the PolyU team. The intelligent bionic hands help upper-limb amputees restore grip strength and fine-motor capabilities. The intelligent bionic knee joints are equipped with multi-sensor and a smart hydraulic system, and can detect walking intentions in real time. They support climbing stairs and switching between fast and slow walking speeds, and feature emergency-stop and fall-prevention protections. It is anticipated that users will experience a significant boost in self-care abilities and confidence in returning to the workplace after fitting. During the kick-off ceremony, amputees who had been successfully fitted with the high-tech prostheses under the Programme shared their experience and stories. The intelligent bionic hand contains sensors that detect myoelectric and neural signals from upper-limb muscles without any internal implantation, thereby controlling the hand’s movements. After training, wearers can perform delicate daily tasks such as writing and playing musical instruments. Users of intelligent bionic knee joints can walk on flat ground, climb stairs and participate in sports activities. Building upon existing roadmap, Qiangnao and PolyU will engage in deep cooperation, combining PolyU’s academic excellence, talent, and research and development capabilities with Qiangnao’s expertise in product commercialsation and advanced technology to co-establish the “Joint Research Centre for Brain-Computer Interfaces”. The centre plans to explore areas such as custom prosthetics, rehabilitation training systems, and interdisciplinary interaction design. This will drive the integration of scientific research and clinical application, bringing solutions tailored to the needs of the local disability community. Against the backdrop of the HKSAR Government’s sustained investment in innovation and technology, emerging fields like Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) are gradually being included in urban development policy. As cross-disciplinary collaboration and technical evolution accelerate, BCI is moving toward broader application scenarios. While helping people transcend physical and mental boundaries, it is also becoming a vital force in driving social inclusion and technological transformation. For over a decade, Qiangnao has focused on the research and development and implementation of non-invasive BCI core technologies. From intelligent bionic hands and knee joints to autism intervention and sleep assistance products, the company adheres to the philosophy of “Tech for Good”, ensuring innovation serves society. Looking ahead, Mr Bicheng HAN expressed his hopes for deeper future collaboration with Hong Kong in medical rehabilitation and other sectors, leveraging technology to drive urban development and allowing frontier technology to truly serve the public. PolyU has spent years cultivating expertise in medical and rehabilitation technology, housing Hong Kong’s only internationally recognised education and training pathway for prosthetics and orthotics. Utilising its unique advantages in “medicine-engineering integration” and clinical translation, PolyU is helping top-tier intelligent prosthetic technologies successfully land, expand, and continuously optimise in Hong Kong. The PolyU team will leverage real-world clinical settings to validate technical efficacy and collect user feedback for adjustments, fully enhancing and optimising the application experience for users.   Ms Sienna Xu introduced Qiangnao’s advanced intelligent bionic hands and bionic knee joints. During the kick-off ceremony, amputees who had successfully been fitted with the high-tech prostheses under the Programme shared their experience and stories.   Press release in Chinese: https://polyu.hk/dhWtO