News

Prof. Kwok-Fai Chung Wins Local Grand Prize at the CIC Construction Innovation Award 2025

Led by Prof. Kwok-Fai Chung, Research Professor of CEE and Former Director of the Chinese National Engineering Research Centre for Steel Construction (Hong Kong Branch) (CNERC-Steel), the project titled “Groundbreaking Application of Ultra-high Strength S960 Steel in Civil Infrastructure: Paving the Way for Hong Kong's Green Construction” has been awarded the Local Grand Prize at the Construction Industry Council (CIC) Construction Innovation Award 2025. The project, executed for the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD), was led by AECOM Asia Co. Ltd. in collaboration with the Joint Venture of Daewoo E&C, Chun Wo C&E, and Kwan Lee Holding (DCK JV). The project was expected to be completed this summer. The Presentation Ceremony was held at the Zero Carbon Park of CIC on 21 January 2026, gathering around 150 construction professionals and engineers. The Ceremony was officiated by Ir Prof. Thomas Ho, Chairman of CIC, who welcomed all attendees, followed by Ir Ricky Chun-kit Lau, Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), HKSAR Government. who delivered the opening address and presented the award. Prof. Chung received the award alongside Ir Michael Fong Hok-shing, Director of Civil Engineering and Development, representing a CEDD project. Under a MOU signed between CNERC-Steel and CEDD in June 2023, Prof. Chung has provided technical support to the innovative use of ultra-high strength S960 steel in construction as stiffened box sections for Footbridges F4 and F6 as replacements to in-site reinforced concrete box girders. This innovative approach resulted in significant savings in materials, construction costs, and time. The Judging Panel commended the winning project for being the world's first application of S960 steel to two pedestrian bridges in the Northern Metropolitan area, effectively reducing their structural self-weights and the number of piles, leading to lower carbon emissions. This prestigious recognition is a testament to the pioneering spirit and commitment to sustainability demonstrated by Prof. Chung and his team. Their groundbreaking work not only advances the construction industry in Hong Kong but also sets a benchmark for future innovations in green infrastructure.  

Three Research Projects Secure Environment and Conservation Fund 2025

We are proud to announce that three research projects led by Prof. Zhen Leng, Professor of CEE, Prof. Wai Ma, Associate Professor of CEE, and Prof. Tao Liu, Assistant Professor of CEE, have received support from the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) 2025 under the funding scheme “Environmental Research, Technology Demonstration and Conference Projects”. This remarkable accomplishment underscores the contributions of CEE scholars in advancing carbon neutrality and pursuing innovative solutions for environmental preservation in Hong Kong. Name of PC: Prof. Zhen Leng Proposal Title: Dual-phase VOC Reduction of Waste Tyre Modified Low-carbon High-performance Asphalt Pavements through Reactive Extrusion Funding Amount: HK$1,316,000 Name of PC: Prof. Wei Ma Proposal Title: EVChargeMap: An Integrated Geospatial Database of Public and Private EV Chargers in Hong Kong Funding Amount: HK$500,000 Name of PC: Prof. Tao Liu Proposal Title: Reconfiguring Saline Wastewater Treatment to Remove Phosphorus and Nitrogen via Innovative Pathways Funding Amount: HK$500,000 In this exercise, PolyU submitted 84 ECF applications and 8 of them are supported by the funding body with a total awarded amount of $6,451,600. CEE received HK$2,316,000, representing one-third of PolyU’s total funding.  This achievement highlights the research excellence and technological advancements of CEE scholars in enhancing Hong Kong’s local environment. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Leng, Prof. Ma and Prof. Liu, and we look forward to the impactful contributions their outstanding research will make to the society. More information about the ECF, please refer to: https://www.ecf.gov.hk/en/about-us/index.html.  

Prof. Chi Sun Poon and Team Secure Silver Award at the 2024 Hong Kong Green Innovations Awards

We are pleased to announce that a research project led by Prof. Chi Sun Poon, Distinguished Research Professor of CEE, along with team members, Dr Jian-Xin Lu, Research Assistant Professor of CEE, Mr Chunpeng Zhang and Mr Dingqiang Fan, CEE PhD students, has received the Silver Award at the 2024 Hong Kong Green Innovations Awards (HKGIA). This prestigious award recognizes the team's exceptional contributions to green innovation. The awarded project, titled “Sustainable High-Strength Lightweight Concrete: Reshaping the Future of Modular Construction”, focuses on the development of advanced lightweight concrete solutions for Modular Integrated Construction (MiC). The research includes two key innovations: a core–shell lightweight aggregate concrete designed for load-bearing structural elements, which significantly reduces structural weight while maintaining high strength, and a CO2 foamed concrete developed for non-load-bearing components, which enables carbon utilization and storage during material production and curing. Together, these complementary materials address both structural performance and environmental sustainability. The technologies have progressed beyond laboratory research and have been successfully applied in real construction projects in Hong Kong, demonstrating their practical feasibility and readiness for industry adoption. The Hong Kong Green Innovations Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in green innovation and sustainable development. This recognition highlights PolyU’s commitment to translating research excellence into impactful solutions that support the construction industry’s transition toward low-carbon and sustainable building practices. We extend our sincere congratulations to Prof. Poon and his team on this notable achievement.  

Dr Muhammad Riaz Ahmad Receives The 2026 Gustavo Colonnetti Medal

We are thrilled to announce that Dr Muhammad Riaz Ahmad, Research Assistant Professor at CEE, has been awarded the prestigious 2026 Gustavo Colonnetti Medal by the RILEM Association. This international and prestigious honor, established in 2016, is awarded annually to only two researchers worldwide under the age of 35 who have made transformative scientific contributions to construction materials and structures.  Dr Ahmad's research focuses on Innovative and Sustainable Concrete Technologies. This award recognizes his exceptional scientific contributions to innovative concrete technologies, including alkali-activated materials, ultra-low clinker cements, magnesium phosphate cements and bio-based building materials. By advancing these innovative technologies, Dr Ahmad’s work aims to significantly reduce the environmental impact of the global construction industry.  Congratulations to Dr Ahmad on this incredible international achievement!  More information about the award: https://www.rilem.net/news/rilem-2026-medal-awardees-731   

Prof. Ling Jin Receives The Asian Young Aerosol Scientist Award 2025

Congratulations to Prof. Ling Jin, Assistant Professor of CEE, on being awarded The Asian Young Aerosol Scientist Award (AYASA) 2025. This prestigious award recognizes Prof. Jin’s significant contributions in advancing mixture-toxicity modeling and uncovering chemical-microbial drivers of PM2.5 health risks. The AYASA, established by the Asian Aerosol Research Assembly and TSI Incorporated, recognizes young scientists in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand who have made outstanding contributions to the field of Aerosol Science and Technology. The award aims to promote research and development in this critical area, encouraging the efforts of young scientists and researchers across the region. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Jin on this remarkable achievement. We look forward to seeing his research continue to make a positive impact on society, contributing to improved air quality and public health for communities around the world. More information about AYASA: https://www.asianaerosol.org/awards  

Prof. Yuhong Wang Receives 2025 Ministry of Education Outstanding Scientific Research Achievement Award

We are proud to announce that a research project led by Prof. Yuhong Wang, Professor of CEE, has bestowed the 2025 Ministry of Education Outstanding (MoE) Scientific Research Achievement Award (Natural Sciences and Engineering Technology). A First-class award in Natural Science Research Achievement has been presented to the awarded project, titled “Pavement Forward and Backward Analysis Theory and Life-cycle Evolution Modeling”, focuses on developing analytical methods to calculate fundamental pavement behaviors and performance under traffic loads and to back-calculate pavement material/structural states from collected pavement responses induced by artificial loads. The research also investigates the lifecycle evolution of pavement materials and structures, offering insights for developing long-life pavements. The Outstanding Scientific Research Achievement Award is established by the MoE to recognize researchers who have achieved outstanding results and significant successes in natural science research and engineering technology innovation, and have made contributions to the cultivation of innovative talents. Once again, congratulations to Prof. Wang on this remarkable achievement and we wish him continued success in his future research endeavors.  

New joiner – Dr Yixiang Wang

Dr Yixiang Wang received his Ph.D. degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2021. He obtained his M.S. degree in Environmental Science and Engineering from Tsinghua University in 2016, and his B.S. degree in Environmental Engineering from Nankai University in 2013. Prior to joining PolyU, Dr Wang conducted postdoctoral research at Lehigh University in the United States and at the Southern University of Science and Technology in China. Dr Wang’s research focuses on indoor and outdoor air quality and associated health risks. His work emphasizes the development and application of health-relevant indicators to assess the toxicity, sources, and exposure risks of PM2.5. He also applies high-resolution mass spectrometry to investigate human metabolites and environmental pollutants, aiming to better link air pollution exposure with biological responses and public health outcomes. Dr Wang has joined us on 12 January 2026.  

PolyU CEE Webinar Series: Lean duplex and ferritic stainless steel: The high-performance and cost-effective options for structural applications

Prof. Yuner Huang delivered a seminar with the topic of “Lean duplex and ferritic stainless steel: The high-performance and cost-effective options for structural applications” on 17 Dec 2025. It was co-organized with HKIE Civil Division. Find the full version of the webinar in the below link: https://youtu.be/vTfrUxpSF54?si=VJ91PJryXa3oMvpj  

Prof. Yi-Qing Ni Featured on Sing Tao Daily

Prof. Yi-Qing Ni, Chair Professor of Smart Structures and Rail Transit of CEE and Director of National Rail Transit Electrification and Automation Engineering Technology Research Centre (Hong Kong Branch), was recently interviewed by Sing Tao Daily (星島日報) on his cutting-edge research, INTACT: Intelligent Tropical-storm-resilient System for Coastal Cities. Under Prof. Ni’s leadership, the project aims to establish an intelligent tropical-storm-resilient system that systematically addresses the climate challenges posed by complex urban environments and mitigates tropical storm risks. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the system will create dynamic “wind maps” of the city, predicting not only the intensity of typhoons but also actual wind flows among different building heights and locations. This enables real-time forecasting of wind risks, allowing precise identification of areas and structures most at risk through a “precision health check” of the city. Prof. Ni and his team are committed to develop a real-time urban typhoon risk early warning system. They envision a future where typhoon paths can be accurately forecasted, helping to safeguard lives and properties by delivering actionable insights in advance. INTACT is expected to play a crucial role in Hong Kong's future disaster prevention and mitigation efforts in face of climate change. Online Coverage of Prof. Ni’s Interview: https://www.stheadline.com/edu-news/3529932/%E7%90%86%E5%A4%A7AI%E6%B8%9B%E7%81%BD%E7%B3%BB%E7%B5%B1%E7%82%BA%E5%9F%8E%E5%B8%82%E5%81%9A%E9%AB%94%E6%AA%A2%E9%98%B2%E9%A2%A8%E9%9A%AA-%E6%A7%8B%E5%BB%BA%E5%9C%B0%E5%9C%96%E9%A0%90%E6%B8%AC%E4%B8%8D%E5%90%8C%E5%9C%B0%E5%8D%80%E9%AB%98%E5%BB%88%E6%B0%A3%E6%B5%81%E8%B5%B0%E5%90%91%E5%B0%88%E8%A8%AA  

Prof. You Dong Secures RGC Research Impact Fund (RIF) 2025/26

Congratulations to Prof. You Dong, Associate Professor of CEE whose project were supported by RGC Research Impact Fund (RIF) 2025/26. The RIF supports impactful research initiatives that tackle significant societal challenges and have the potential to generate economic and social benefits for Hong Kong and beyond. Details of the awarded projects are as follows:  ✨Ref. No.: R5048-25F Name of PC: Prof. You Dong Proposal Title: Towards Life-Cycle Intelligent Predictive Maintenance for Railway Tracks: Advancing with Deep Learning Algorithms and Digital Twin Technology RGC Amount Awarded: $7,840,000 In 2025/26 RIF Exercise, the RGC received a total 195 preliminary proposals and shortlisted 35 submissions of full proposal, of which 19 were selected for interview. Finally, 13 proposals, totaling $75 million (exclusive of on-costs), were supported by the RGC.  Congratulations to Prof. Dong! We look forward to the positive impact his ground-breaking project will bring to the built environment.