China Space Station Application and Development Programme / Space Science and Application Project

China Space Station Application and Development Programme / Space Science and Application Project

Dynamics of Dense Granular Flows Under Low-gravity Conditions

Name of PC: Prof. Qi Zhao, Associate Professor of CEE
Funding Programme: China Space Station Application and Development Programme / Space Science and Application Projects

Prof. Zhao is the first PolyU scholar to receive this type of funding associated with the China Manned Space Programme. The approval of this project recognises Professor Zhao’s previous research efforts in planetary geotechnics and reflects the alignment of his research direction with future space science development.

The project involves conducting the first rotating drum granular flow experiment aboard the Chinese Space Station to investigate how particles segregate, mix, and move in the granular flow under low-gravity conditions. These experiments aim to uncover the fundamental physics that shape planetary surfaces and provide engineers with the quantitative data needed to design safer landing systems and select sites for long-term bases. 

https://www.polyu.edu.hk/cee/news-and-events/news/2026/20260518_news/