Innovation and Technology Fund Awarded Projects

Innovation and Technology Fund Awarded Projects

Development of Sensor-based Air VOCs Analyzer for Non-invasive Testing (SAVANT) for Early Diagnosis of Tree Brown Root Rot Disease

Name of PC: Prof. Shao-Yuan Leu, Professor of CEE
Amount Awarded: HK$910,000 

This project aims to develop an innovative instrument, the “Sensor-based Air VOCs Analyzer for Non-invasive Testing (SAVANT)” for the early diagnosis of Brown Root Rot Disease (BRRD). BRRD is a challenging tree disease to detect early and to treat effectively. It attacks the roots and causes irreversible damage to the tree's health. The transmission mechanism of this disease and its ability to spread between diseased and healthy trees are not fully understood, posing a safety hazard. The successful development of SAVANT under this project will help establish a long-term, real-time tree disease detection system, providing tree management solutions for Hong Kong and preventing BRRD outbreaks.

https://www.polyu.edu.hk/cee/news-and-events/news/2026/20260312_news/ 
 

High-value-added Utilization of Recycled Fibreglass in Fibre Reinforced Spray Mortar for Infrastructure Rehabilitation

Name of PC: Dr Jianxin Lu, Research Assistant Professor of CEE
Amount Awarded: HK$800,000 

Concrete is the most widely used construction material in infrastructure. However, large amounts of such concrete deteriorate over time due to seawater or bacteria-induced corrosion. In this project, an eco-friendly fibreglass reinforced spray mortar (FGRSM) will be developed as a repair material for infrastructure rehabilitation. This project will find a promising way for recycling waste fibreglass and preparing high-performance, eco-friendly construction materials. The use of FGRSM proposed in this project will promote value-added recycling of local waste, high-quality infrastructure rehabilitation, and sustainable development of construction in Hong Kong.

https://www.polyu.edu.hk/cee/news-and-events/news/2026/20260225_news2/