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PolyU contributes to the Nation’s first Mars mission with the Mars Camera

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has successfully developed and manufactured the “Mars Landing Surveillance Camera” (“Mars Camera”), one of the key instruments onboard the Mars spacecraft, to participate in the Nation’s first Mars mission Tianwen-1, which was launched today. The spacecraft for the Mars probe comprises an orbiter, a lander and a rover, aiming to complete orbiting, landing and roving in one single mission, an unprecedented attempt globally, as well as to obtain scientific exploration data on the Red Planet. Located on the outside top surface of the Mars lander platform, the Mars Camera will monitor the landing status, the surrounding environment and movements of the rover with respect to the unfolding and status of the solar panels and antennae. The information is critical for the successful movement of the Mars Rover onto the Mars surface. Professor Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said, “We are deeply honoured to have taken part in and contributed to the Nation’s historic Mars mission. The delivery of the Mars Camera has again proved the creativity, capability and credibility of PolyU’s researchers in developing and manufacturing homegrown space instruments that meet the stringent requirements of space exploration. As the only tertiary education institution in Hong Kong with experience in international space missions, PolyU looks forward to contributing to more national deep space exploration projects in the future.” The Mars Camera is light in weight (around 390g) yet strong and durable enough to withstand the extreme temperature differences of about 150 degrees Celsius experienced during the nine-month journey between Earth and Mars, followed by operation under the extremely low temperatures on the Mars surface. As this Mars Camera is designed for the lander, it has also to withstand huge impact shock of 6,200G (i.e. 6,200 times the force of Earth’s gravity). Despite having a wide-angle field of view (a maximum of 120 degrees horizontally and a maximum of 120 degrees vertically), the Mars Camera has low image distortion. Led by Professor YUNG Kai-leung, PolyU’s Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor in Precision Engineering, Chair Professor of Precision Engineering and Associate Head of Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, the 20-member research team overcame many technical difficulties and time constraints to develop a novel “Integrated Radiation Protection and Heat Flow Design, Testing and Quality Control System” used in the development of the Camera. Despite having a wealth of experience in developing state-of-the-art space tools, Professor YUNG found the Mars Camera project a challenging one. He said, “To capture ultra-wide angle images on Mars for scientific research, the Mars Camera has to have a wide field of vision with low distortion optics within the little allowable payload, but at the same time be able to withstand extreme temperature variation, mechanical impact and vibration within the little available mass. What’s more, high reliability is required under the extreme space travel environment.” Thanks to their dedication and perseverance, as well as the support of the University, the team successfully completed and delivered the Mars Camera with the corresponding space qualification experiments in less than three years. PolyU has been actively participating in other space exploration projects, designing and manufacturing a number of sophisticated space tools in the past decade. These include the “Mars Rock Corer” for the European Space Agency’s 2003 Mars Express Mission and the “Soil Preparation System” for the Sino-Russian Space Mission in 2011. Being the only tertiary institution in Hong Kong that possesses international space qualification experiences, PolyU has been contributing to the Nation’s space projects since 2010. As part of the Nation’s lunar exploration programme, Professor YUNG collaborated with the China Academy of Space Technology to develop a “Camera Pointing System” for Chang’e 3 in 2013 and Chang’e 4 for the historic landing on lunar far side in 2019. A PolyU research team is collaborating with the China Academy of Space Technology again to develop a “Surface Sampling and Packing System” for the Chang’e 5 and Chang’e 6 missions. Chang’e 5 will be launched later this year to collect samples from the surface of the moon. [From PolyU Media Release]   Related News Articles: 參與「嫦娥四號」登月後 理大再助國家「探火」 [大公報 (Ta Kung Po)] 攜手港團隊研製着陸取樣「神器」[大公報 (Ta Kung Po)] 「火星相機」香港驕傲 激勵港青投身創科 [文匯報 (Wen Wei Po)] Hong Kong PolyU camera plays major role in mission [中國日報香港版 (China Daily Hong Kong Edition)] 國家航天成就激發港人自豪和參與 [文匯報(Wen Wei Po)]

PolyU’s newest research on metalens-array-based high-dimensional and multi-photon quantum source published in Science

The top international journal, Science, has announced the latest paper of a joint team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Nanjing University, University of Science and Technology of China, National Taiwan University, Academia Sinica, East China Normal University, and National United University. The paper title is “Metalens-array-based high-dimensional and multi-photon quantum source” (link), and it reports on cutting-edge research in quantum information optics. The team’s work has resulted in the development of an advanced high-dimensional quantum entangled optical chip (optical meta-device). By combining quantum optics and metasurface optics, a 10×10 meta-lens array is designed, fabricated, and integrated with a nonlinear crystal (BaB2O4). It is experimentally demonstrated that the multi-photon pairs are superimposed and correlated with each other. The schematic of the high-dimensional quantum entangled optical chip (optical meta-device) is shown in Figure 1. In recent years, the internet plays an essential role in human life generally and in the rise of artificial intelligence technology specifically. The related needs are also booming, such as big data, the Internet of Things, etc. The computing speed and the storage capacity requirements have increased exponentially. According to Moore’s Law, the semiconductor industrial processes are quickly approaching their theoretical and physical limits, and improvement in the computing speed of the modern semiconductor chip has been gradually slowing down. To cope with higher information security, message-carrying capacity, and computation ability, quantum optics is seen as the most powerful solution. In quantum information science, such as quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum cryptography, the physical picture is based on the generation, transmission, processing, and analysis of the quantum bits (qubits). In digital computing science, 0 and 1 are used as the binary variables. In quantum optics, a pair of entangled photons can contain multiple quantum states. When the quantum states of multiple pairs of entangled photon pairs are coupled and superimposed on each other, a new high-dimensional quantum superposition state will be generated, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. In the team’s work, a 10×10 meta-lens array and spontaneous down-conversion nonlinear crystals are integrated to form a high-dimensional quantum entangled optical chip (optical meta-device). This meta-device can generate 100 entangled photon pairs simultaneously, and the photon pairs correlate with each other. The research team has successfully developed a high-dimensional quantum entangled light source chip (meta-device). The interference experiment obtained a fidelity of nearly 98.4%, which confirmed the feasibility of this high-dimensional quantum entangled optical chip (optical meta-device). This breakthrough research will help quantum information science to realise many applications in our daily life in the future, such as quantum mobile communications, email access, online transactions, cashless payments, ATMs and e-banking, internet security, machine learning, artificial intelligence, neural networks and other applications related to security and confidentiality. [From PolyU Media Release]  

PolyU secures HK$32.6 million research funding from Research Impact Fund

Five research projects led by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have secured HK$32.6 million funding from the Research Impact Fund (RIF) under Research Grants Council (RGC) in the 2019/20 round of funding. For the second year running, PolyU obtained the largest amount of funding support among local universities in terms of the dollar amount and the total number of funded projects. The projects, led by PolyU as the "coordinating university", are as follows, which details are listed in the Appendix. Project Project-in-charge Funding Amount (HK$ million) Data Storage and Retrieval Using Peptides and Tandem Mass Spectrometry Sequencing Dr YAO Zhongping Associate Professor, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology 9.7 Forward-looking Intravascular Photoacoustic/Ultrasound Imaging Technology for the Asssessment and Guidance of Cardiovascular Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention Dr LAM Kwok-ho Associate Professor & Associate Head, Department of Electrical Engineering 4.3 Mapping and characterization for optimized evaluation of potential landing sites on the Moon and Mars to support future missions Dr WU Bo Associate Professor, Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics 4.5 Improving Vision and Quality of Life in Patients with Glaucoma Using Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation and Perceptual Learning: A Randomized Clinical Trial Dr CHEONG Ming Yan Allen Associate Professor, School of Optometry 8.8 Edge Learning: the Enabling Technology for Distributed Big Data Analytics in Cloud-Edge Environment Professor GUO Song Professor & Associate Head, Department of Computing 5.3 Total Amount 32.6   Professor Alexander Wai, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, said, "This is testimony to the University’s capacity in undertaking impactful and translational research projects, as well as a recognition to our efforts in promoting knowledge advancement. PolyU will continue to leverage our strengths to foster strategic collaboration and partnerships across disciplines and institutions. We look forward to the fruitful results of the research teams' research and their contributions to the well-being of humankind. " The RIF, established by the University Grants Committee and administered by the RGC, aims to encourage universities in Hong Kong to conduct more collaborative research projects that may help meet Hong Kong's strategic and societal needs, and foster more collaborative efforts with stakeholders beyond academia. [From PolyU Website]  

Two PolyU scholars win Leader of the Year Award 2019

Congratulations! Two PolyU scholars have recently won a Sing Tao News Corporation Limited Leader of the Year Award 2019 in the Education/Professions/Technology and Innovation category. They are Prof. Yung Kai-leung, Chair Professor and Associate Head of our Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and Dr Wu Bo, Associate Professor in our Department of Land Surveying and Geo-informatics. They are honoured for their outstanding achievements in assisting with Chang’e-4, China’s lunar exploration programme. Over the years, Dr Wu Bo’s team have been working hard developing a lunar topographic mapping and geomorphological analysis technique for finding the best location for the spacecraft’s landing on the far side of the Moon. At the same time, Prof. Yung’s team, in collaboration with the China Academy of Space Technology, have developed the Camera Pointing System which enabled Chang’e-4 to send back stunning panoramic images of the lunar landing and rover deployment – the world’s first-ever glimpses of this uncharted region. China’s Chang’e-4 lunar probe performed the very first soft landing on the far side of the Moon on 3 January 2019. This historic event, the Nation’s second lunar landing and a milestone in its pioneering lunar exploration programme, was greatly aided by interdisciplinary effort from researchers at PolyU. PolyU is the only university in Hong Kong that has contributed to the Chang’e-4 space mission. Click here for the detailed story. Prof. Yung said the award would have a positive effect in attracting talents to aerospace research. Both scholars encouraged young people with an interest in scientific research to explore the universe, thus potentially helping to reveal not only the secrets of the origins of humanity but also the earth’s future. The Leader of the Year Award has been organized by Sing Tao News Corporation Limited every year since 1994. The awards pay homage to distinguished individuals who make an exceptional contribution to Hong Kong and who serve as role models for the next generation. Distinguished Leaders of the Year in five categories (Commerce & Industry/Finance; Community/Public Affairs/Environment & Conservation; Education/Professions/Technology & Innovation; Sports/Culture/Performing Arts; Young Entrepreneur) were honoured this year, which marks the 26th anniversary of the Award. [From PolyU Website]   Related News Articles: 艱巨環境更顯領導精神 逆境創非凡成就 傑出領袖實至名歸 [頭條日報 (Headline Daily)] Leaders Shine In Challenging Times [英文虎報 (The Standard)] 探月幕後功臣 敢於冒險拓視野 [星島日報 Sing Tao Daily)]

PolyU Online JUPAS Consultation Day (Click to view the talks on Engineering Programmes)

PolyU Online JUPAS Consultation Day (Click to view the talks on Engineering Programmes)

Recap: PolyU and You: Online Lecture Series - Jet Engines for Commercial Aircraft

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PolyU Explores the Application of Peptides in Data Storage for Space Exploration in China’s Next-generation Manned Spacecraft

With the huge amount of digital data generated and recorded during space missions, the data storage devices currently used for this purpose reveal great limitations in terms of their data storage capacity and the durability of the retained data. To meet this challenge, a team of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) researchers has developed a novel technology for massive data management involving the use of peptides, which has been developed to optimise data storage for space exploration in China’s next-generation manned spacecraft in the new Long March-5B rocket. Led by Dr YAO Zhong-ping, Associate Professor, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology and Prof. Francis LAU, Professor and Associate Head, Department of Electronic & Information Engineering, the team has used peptides for the storage of digital data and tandem mass spectrometry for its retrieval. Compared with existing commercial data storage devices and other developing technologies such as DNA data storage, peptides offer a much higher storage density and longer storage duration – with the data still viable for sequencing even after millions of years when DNA would have already degraded. As such, this new technology has very great potential for handling the enormous amount of data generated during space missions. Dr Yao considers the peptide synthesis industry to be already well-developed, allowing fast peptide synthesis at a reasonable cost; with the development of proteomics, the process of sequencing thousands of peptides in a mixture can now be completed within a short period of time. Combining proteomics and data storage technology for the first time, this innovation has the potential to transform the data storage industry. Besides its application in data management for space missions, this technology has potentially wide applications, and could benefit governmental agencies and corporations that generate and archive large volumes of big data. Dr Yao adds that the further advancements in the peptide synthesis industry and sequencing technology would enable the peptide data storage to be applied at a more reasonable cost. Launched on 5 May 2020, the manned spacecraft of the Long March-5B rocket, with the support of Space Biology Group, carried mixtures of peptides encoding a bilingual text file containing the PolyU motto ‘To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind’ and ‘PolyU 80th Anniversary’, as well as an audio file of the music ‘Silent Night’, prepared by the PolyU research team. The purpose of this space ride-share experiment is to test the reliability and stability of the peptides for data storage and retrieval after exposure to the space environment. Upon the safe return to Earth of the spacecraft along with the experimental materials, the PolyU team will decode and retrieve the data. It is expected that this technology will hold promise in supporting data management in space exploration in the coming future.  PolyU has a strong research track record in space technology, with its researchers having been involved in a number of national and international space exploration projects since the 1990s, and with this important space ride-share experiment, the University has now participated in the historic launch of the China’s Long March-5B rocket along with the next-generation manned spacecraft to support the nation’s plan for space exploration to Mars. PolyU looks forward to further collaboration with China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Space Biology Group, China Resources Life Sciences Group and various other research partners to develop other forward-looking research projects for future space missions. [From PolyU Media Release] Related News Articles: 理大研發新一代數據儲存技術 [星島日報(Sing Tao Daily)]

Application deadline for PolyU’s taught postgraduate programmes be extended to end June • 70 local students of the six designated programmes will benefit from the UGC’s new Fellowships Scheme

In light of the social impact brought about by COVID-19, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today announced the extension of the application deadline for most of its 2020/2021 taught postgraduate programmes to 30 June, 2020. This is to give ample time and opportunity for prospective students to enrol in the programmes. Six PolyU taught postgraduate programmes have been elected for the “Targeted Taught Postgraduate Programmes Fellowships Scheme” (the Scheme) launched by the University Grants Committee (UGC), these are Master of Design, MSc in Electronic & Information Engineering, MSc in Health Informatics, MSc in Information Technology, MSc in International Shipping & Transport Logistics and MSc in Mechanical Engineering. A total of 70 Fellowships will be granted to local students who are admitted to these designated programmes. The Fellowships are subject to a cap of HK$120,000 (for the whole taught postgraduate programme, regardless of the actual study period) and can be used for the settlement of the tuition fee only. Students are required to pay a minimum tuition fee of HK$42,100. Applicants for the Scheme have to undergo a PolyU selection process which includes the assessment of their academic performances, professional qualifications, relevant working experience and other achievements. Nominated applicants are required to submit a proposal expounding on how they can contribute to the priority areas of Hong Kong after completing their programme. To avoid double subsidy, applications from students who are receiving other forms of government scholarship (excluding student financial assistance) for pursuing the same programme will not be considered. In line with the University’s Motto - “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind”, and to meet the demand for talent arising from the rapid global development in innovation and technology, PolyU is committed to offering various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that focus on cutting-edge technologies and sustainable socio-economic development. Encompassing creative industries, emerging research, information technology and health technology, the selected taught postgraduate programmes enable prospective students to equip themselves with relevant knowledge and skills, and to contribute their expertise in critical areas conducive to the macro development of Hong Kong. PolyU is now accepting application for 2020/21 taught postgraduate programmes until 30 June 2020. For more details and the exact application deadline for individual programme, please refer to the following websites: About Targeted Taught Postgraduate Programmes Fellowships Scheme, please refer to https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/ugc/activity/targeted_postgraduate_scheme.html About PolyU 2020/21 taught postgraduate programmes, please refer to http://www51.polyu.edu.hk/eprospectus/tpg [From PolyU Media Release]  

Success of Dyson – Online Meet with Dyson Engineers and James Dyson Award introduction

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