On the morning of Jan 14, 2026, the National Rail Transit Electrification and Automation Engineering Technology Research Center (Hong Kong Branch) (CNERC-Rail) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University successfully hosted an academic seminar titled "Eco-Friendly and Self-Healing Construction Materials: Mechanical Testing and Acoustic Emission Analysis". The seminar featured Prof. Giuseppe Lacidogna from the Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy, as the keynote speaker. He systematically presented the latest research progress in eco-friendly self-healing construction materials, the crucial role of Acoustic Emission (AE) in non-destructive testing, and the high-value utilisation pathways of industrial waste rubber, ceramic waste, and volcanic ash in cement-based and alkali-activated materials.
During the event, Prof. Lacidogna also shared case studies on AE-based crack-mechanism identification, the evaluation of self-healing capsule repair efficiency, and the multi-technological joint monitoring of thermal repair in carbon fiber composites. These presentations demonstrated a full-chain research paradigm from laboratory mix design to performance verification of actual structural components, sparking lively discussions among the attending faculty and students. The lecture provided a valuable platform for academic exchange on green construction materials and structural health monitoring, earning unanimous praise from the participants.
