News

PolyU Patents Achievement Award 2024

The PolyU Patents Achievement Award honours departments and inventors who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to intellectual property (IP) activities. Four awards are presented to highlight accomplishments in leveraging IP into societal impact thus generating revenue. The four awards include the “Top Patents Filing Award”, award considers the IP filing activities over the past five years (2020-2024), the “Most Active Patents Filing Award”, award focuses on the IP filing activities within year 2024, the “Most Active IP Commercialisation”, award focuses on the highest number of licensing cases within year 2024, and the “Outstanding IP Commercialisation Award”, award focuses the high-value licensing cases over the past three years (2022- 2024). These awards showcase PolyU’s dedication to promoting innovation and protecting intellectual property. CEE is proud to be awarded the Top Patents Filing Award 2024, Most Active Patents Filing Award in the year 2024, and Most Active IP Commercialisation Award 2024. These recognitions reflect our sustained excellence in IP filings and our unwavering commitment to advancing innovation while protecting the intellectual assets developed by our researchers. Special congratulations to Prof. Yi-Qing Ni, Chair Professor of Smart Structures and Rail Transit of CEE, for receiving the “Top Patents Filing Award (Inventor)”. This distinction celebrates his remarkable contributions to patent filings throughout 2024. These awards highlight CEE’s ongoing efforts to cultivate an environment that encourages creativity and values the protection of intellectual property. We sincerely thank all our inventors for their dedication and hard work in driving innovation and securing IP rights. Their efforts exemplify CEE’s leadership in advancing knowledge and making a positive impact on society.  

Twenty-nine CEE Scholars Ranked World’s Top 2% Scientists Released by Stanford University

29 CEE scholars have been recognized among the world’s top 2% scientists 2025 announced by Stanford University. Notably, 7 of these scholars are ranked within the top 100 in their respective fields. Remarkably, Prof. Chi Sun Poon, Distinguished Research Professor of CEE, and Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, President of PolyU, have achieved distinguished rankings, placing 6th and 9th globally in their areas of expertise. Kudos to our outstanding researchers! The internationally recognized list highlights CEE’s commitment to research excellence and technological breakthroughs. We look forward to the scholars' continued accomplishments and their ongoing contributions to advancing knowledge and innovation! For more information, please visit: https://elsevier.digitalcommonsdata.com/datasets/btchxktzyw/8 Name (in alphabetical order of surname) Subject Field Prof. Kaiming Bi Civil Engineering Prof. Kwok-Wing Chau Mechanical Engineering & Transports Prof. Kam Tim Chau Geological & Geomatics Engineering Prof. Anthony Chen Logistics & Transportation Prof. Wei Chu Environmental Sciences Prof. Kwok-Fai Chung Civil Engineering Prof. You Dong Civil Engineering Prof. Huan-Feng Duan Environmental Engineering Prof. Ahmed Youssef Elghazouli Civil Engineering Prof. Hai Guo Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences Prof. Jan-ming Ko Civil Engineering Prof. William Hing-Keung Lam Logistics & Transportation Prof. Zhen Leng Building & Construction Prof. Xiangdong LI Environmental Sciences Prof. Xiang-Zhong Li Environmental Sciences Dr Jianxin Lu Building & Construction Prof. Yi-Qing Ni Civil Engineering Prof. Chi Sun Poon Building & Construction Prof. Jin-Guang Teng Civil Engineering Prof. Tao Wang Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences Prof. Yuhong Wang Building & Construction Prof. Yong Xia Civil Engineering Dr Dongxing Xuan Building & Construction Prof. Jian-Hua Yin Geological & Geomatics Engineering Prof. Zhen-Yu Yin Geological & Geomatics Engineering Prof. Ben Young Civil Engineering Prof. Tao Yu Civil Engineering Prof. Xiao Lin Zhao Civil Engineering Prof. Songye Zhu Civil Engineering    

CEE Welcome Gathering cum Info Session for International Students

The CEE Welcome Gathering cum Info Session for International Students held on 19 September 2025 (Friday) was a resounding success!  We were thrilled to see a vibrant mix of new and returning international students coming together to foster connections and share experiences. Prof. Andy Y.F. Leung, Associate Head (Partnership) of CEE, and Dr Barbara W.Y. Siu, Senior Lecturer of CEE, introduced the department and offered valuable study tips, helping students acclimate to university life and the beautiful city of Hong Kong. The CEE Student Association, along with the Year 2 CEE International Student Representatives, introduced themselves to the freshmen and shared exciting upcoming activities for the academic year. A big thank you to everyone who participated, creating a welcoming atmosphere for all. For those who missed out, stay tuned for more events and activities from the Department. We look forward to seeing you at future gatherings!  

PolyU Info Day 2025

The PolyU Info Day 2025 was successfully held on 27 September 2025 (Saturday). We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the enthusiastic visitors who share our passion for civil and environmental engineering. A special thank you goes to our dedicated academic staff and student ambassadors for their efforts in making this event a success. Dr Barbara W. Y. Siu, Senior Lecturer of CEE, introduced the admission information and career prospects of BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering [JS3739] and BEng (Hons) in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development [JS3375] during the Undergraduate Programme Talk, drawing over 350 participants eager to explore our programs and gain insights for their educational journeys. In light of the rise of artificial intelligence, a workshop on AI Applications in Civil Engineering, hosted by Prof. Wei Ma, Associate Professor of CEE, and Prof. Jacqueline Lo, Assistant Professor of CEE, provided a glimpse into innovative applications within the field. Attendees also had the unique opportunity to explore our state-of-the-art facilities, including the Structural Engineering Research Lab and Industrial Centre, where cutting-edge civil engineering equipment and technologies were showcased, highlighting the exciting future of our discipline. CEE offers a dynamic learning environment, world-class research opportunities and a strong emphasis on real-world applications. Join us at CEE and embark on a journey where the impossible becomes possible, as we shape the future of our built environment together! Programme Talk Playback UG Programme Talk: https://youtu.be/hph3kDXQ3LU  

Prof. Yong Xia Received Structural Health Monitoring Person of the Year Award

We are proud to announce that Prof. Yong Xia, Professor of CEE, has been recognized by the editorial board of the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) journal as the recipient of the Structural Health Monitoring Person of the Year (SHM-POY) Award for 2025.   Established for over 20 years, the Award recognises individuals worldwide who have made outstanding contributions to structural health monitoring that benefit society. It honours excellence in theory, analysis, applications, education, or other advancements within the field, focusing on achievements in the past few years. Notably, PolyU is the only university in Hong Kong to receive this honour, and Prof. Xia is the third scholar from PolyU to be recognized with this accolade in the past two decades. Prof. Xia specializes in large-scale civil engineering structural health monitoring, structural damage identification, and substructure methods for large structures. Being an expert in the field, his pioneering technologies have been applied to numerous prominent projects, including the Tsing Ma Bridge, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and the Shanghai Tower etc., contributing significantly to the advancement of science and technology in SHM. We extend our warmest congratulations to Prof. Yong Xia on this well-deserved recognition. We eagerly anticipate his continued achievements and are excited to see how his endeavours in SHM address critical challenges in the field.  

Prof. Tony Sze Featured on TVB News Programme

Prof. Tony Sze, Associate Professor of CEE, was featured on TVB News’ “A Closer Look” (83 無綫新聞台《時事多面睇 - 紅光任我行》) on September 15, 2024. The segment discussed the effectiveness of red light auxiliary devices in reducing red light running behaviors. Prof. Sze shared expert insights on pedestrian red light running behaviour in Hong Kong, emphasizing the importance of traffic safety and effective urban mobility solutions. The discussion highlighted practical approaches to enhance pedestrian safety in the city. Prof. Sze believes that implementing red light cameras, strengthening law enforcement, and promoting public education campaigns simultaneously will significantly improve pedestrian safety. A revisit of the interview can be found here (Starting from 8:00): https://t.ly/8Twfi     

Prof. Anthony Chen Being Identified as the Most Influential Scholar with High-impact Contributions

We are proud to announce that Prof. Anthony Chen, Professor of CEE, has been identified as the most influential scholar with high-impact contributions to the field of vulnerability and resilience analysis of transportation road networks. In addition, PolyU has been acknowledged as the most productive institution in this research area. This recognition stems from a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Naples Federico II, Italy. The study aimed to provide an extensive literature review of scientific articles in the field of vulnerability and resilience of transportation road networks. To achieve this, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was carried out, investigating road network vulnerability and resilience by selecting all articles published between 2003 and 2023. A total of 594 papers were collected from the Web of Science (WoS).   Congratulations to Prof. Chen for this well-deserved honor. His dedication and innovative research continue to shape the future of transportation network and inspire scholars worldwide. We look forward to witnessing more groundbreaking achievements from him in the years to come. Review the full research: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825007063  

Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU CEE 2025

We are proud to announce that Prof. Yifei Cui, Ir Wilson Cheung and Prof. Dilum Fernando have been honoured with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award in Scholarly Achievement, Outstanding Alumni Award in Entrepreneurial Achievement, and Outstanding Alumni Award in Scholarly Achievement of PolyU CEE 2025 respectively. The award recognizes their remarkable achievements, exemplary leadership, and contributions to their alma mater. Prof. Yifei Cui, graduated from BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering in 2009, is the Associate Professor and Vice Head of the Department of Hydraulic Engineering in Tsinghua University, where he specializes in Engineering Geology and Geotechnical Engineering. His work in geo-hazard identification and modeling has earned him different prestigious research awards. Prof. Cui actively collaborates with CEE on research projects, showcasing his commitment to research excellence and knowledge transfer. Ir Wilson Cheung, a graduate of BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering in 1995 and MSc in Civil Engineering in 2003, is the Managing Director of Wilson & Associates Limited. With over 28 years of experience, Ir Cheung has significantly advanced the engineering landscape in Hong Kong, fostering innovation in project management and construction. As a former president of the CEEAA and a supporter of scholarships for CEE students, he demonstrates unwavering dedication to his alma mater Prof. Dilum Fernando, who earned his PhD in Structural Engineering in 2010, is the Chair in Structural Engineering in The University of Edinburgh. As a prominent researcher in structural engineering, he exemplifies how fundamental research can lead to impactful applications. Prof. Fernando has been a valuable research collaborator with CEE, sharing insights at talks and conferences. His commitment to advancing knowledge and mentoring future engineers aligns with our mission at CEE.  We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all three distinguished alumni for this well-deserved recognition and we wish them continued success in their profession.  *Order in alphabetical order of surname  

PolyU CEE Webinar Series: Seismic Design Concepts for Building Structures

Prof. Ahmed Youssef Elghazouli delivered a seminar with the topic of “Seismic Design Concepts for Building Structures” on 27 August 2025. It was co-organized with HKIE Civil Division. Find the full version of the webinar in the below link: https://youtu.be/rh-hOTfIP5U  

Research of Prof. Chi Sun Poon’s Team Published on Nature Communications

A recent research article by Dr Yong Tao, Research Assistant Professor of CEE, and Prof. Chi Sun Poon, Distinguished Research Professor of CEE, has been highlighted as the "50 Best Papers" by Nature Communications and published in the category of “Materials Science and Chemistry”. Titled “Surface Chemistry-mediated Porewater Fluctuations Boost CO2 Docking in Calcium Silicate Hydrates”, the article uncovers the mechanisms of CO₂ sequestration, revealing how humidity affects CO₂ interactions. Utilizing Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations, this study provides critical insights into how porewater fluctuations and surface hydrophilicity in calcium silicate hydrates optimize CO₂ capture under varying humidity levels. These findings are pivotal for advancing large-scale carbonation technologies and enhance our understanding of geochemical carbonation processes. Nature Communications is an open access, multidisciplinary journal that publishes significant advances across the biological, health, physical, chemical, Earth, social, mathematical, applied, and engineering sciences, aiming to provide high-quality research relevant to specialists in each discipline.  This research is supported by The National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2024YFF0508300). Review the full article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-62580-6