PolyU Science in the News

Dr Gail Chang on challenges of establishing own business

Dr Gail Chang Jinhui, Research Assistant Professor at the Department of Food Science and Nutrition and a member of the Research Institute for Future Food, was interviewed by Ta Kung Pao to share the challenges of starting her own company. Dr Chang co-founded Bo InnoHealth Biotechnology Company Limited, a PolyU-supported start-up, to develop AkkMore™, a novel fungus-based fat replacer which is effective in preventing obesity and metabolic diseases, enhancing gut health, modulating immune response and relieving anxiety. Online coverage: Ta Kung Pao 創業艱難/健康食品臨床實驗 成本至少200萬 14 July 2025  

PolyU Science Research in flexible electronics drives industrial advancement

Prof. Zheng Zijian, Chair Professor of Soft Materials and Devices, and his interdisciplinary research team have achieved significant breakthroughs in the field of flexible electronics. Innovations developed by the team feature multiple advantages including high permeability, stretchability, conductivity and electrical stability. Their applications span a wide range of areas including new materials, new energy, health monitoring, professional sports tracking and biomedical applications. Through PolyU's Technology and Innovation Research Institutes in Huizhou and Wenzhou, the team is exploring collaboration opportunities with local industry partners in Mainland China to transform research outcomes into practical applications, unlocking numerous possibilities for innovation across various sectors. Online coverage: Sing Tao Daily 柔性電子科技新時代 理大研究驅動產業升級 13 June 2025  

PolyU Science research overcomes major obstacle to solar technology development, achieving record 33.89% power-conversion efficiency in solar cells

Prof. Yin Jun, Assistant Professor of the Department of Applied Physics, and his research team have pioneered a novel bilayer interface passivation strategy to develop two-terminal perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells that achieve a record-high power-conversion efficiency of 33.89%. This breakthrough helps overcome long-standing efficiency barriers to improving power-conversion efficiency of solar cells and unlocks the application potential of perovskite technologies in photovoltaics. It also serves as a strong motivation for continued innovation and advancement in solar technology, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and energy-efficient future. Press Release: English | 中文 Online coverage: Mirage News Record 33.89% Efficiency in Solar Cells Achieved 20 May 2025 Ta Kung Pao 理大研製高效太陽能電池 21 May 2025 Wen Wei Po 理大突破太陽能電池瓶頸 提升能量轉換率至33.89%新高 21 May 2025 Bauhinia 理大研製高效太陽能電池 22 May 2025 China Review News 香港理工大學研製高效太陽能電池 21 May 2025  

Survey finds nearly half of online diet tips are false

A survey jointly conducted by Hong Kong Nutrition Association (HKNA), PolyU and Metropolitan University has found that over 40% of nutrition advice circulating online is scientifically misleading. Besides, nearly 40% of participants had tried at least one popular diet. Prof. Kenneth Lo Ka-hei, Assistant Professor of PolyU’s Department of Food Science and Nutrition and Internal Affairs Officer of HKNA, noted that the findings reflect Hongkongers’ growing emphasis on healthy eating and their willingness to explore different dietary approaches to improve their health.   Online coverage: TVB 調查指四成市民嘗試流行飲食法減重　營養師倡先諮詢專業人士 18 May 2025 Now TV 調查指港人飲食習慣有待改善 18 May 2025 i-Cable 調查指近四成人曾試流行飲食法　逾半揀「間歇斷食法」　香港營養學會：網上資訊存誤導 18 May 2025 CRHK 近4成人曾嘗試流行飲食法　營養師指網上資訊或有誤導 18 May 2025 The Standard Nearly half of online diet tips are false: HK nutritionists Source URL : Nearly half of online diet tips are false: HK nutritionists 18 May 2025 Oriental Daily News 網上多營養流言 斷食跳餐高風險 19 May 2025 Ming Pao Daily News 營養學會調查：僅36%每日吃一兩次水果 19 May 2025 Sing Tao Daily 「偽科學」肆虐 營養學會調查：逾四成網上「減肥資訊」有誤導 誤信或危害健康 18 May 2025 am730 改善飲食習慣 慎選網上營養資訊 19 May 2025 Headline Daily 偽科學」肆虐 營養學會調查：逾四成網上「減肥資訊」有誤導 誤信或危害健康 18 May 2025 Ta Kung Pao 調查：網絡減肥資訊 逾四成屬誤導 19 May 2025 Wen Wei Po 逾八成半受訪劏房童奶類攝取不足 19 May 2025 Dot Dot News 網上營養資訊逾四成誤導　斷食蒸發肌肉　生酮煎熬心肝 19 May 2025 Lion Rock Daily 斷食蒸發肌肉 生酮煎熬心肝 19 May 2025 Orange News 調查丨近四成港人曾試流行飲食法　42%網上資訊誤導 18 May 2025 Kin Liu 調查指網上飲食資訊或有誤導　營養師籲港人改善飲食習慣 18 May 2025  

PolyU’s new ATP Laboratory supports Hong Kong’s development into an international health and medical innovation hub

As part of its promotion of precision and personalised medicine through the introduction of advanced therapy products (ATPs), PolyU is planning to manufacture cell therapy products for spinal cord injuries, which will be further complemented by the post-surgery rehabilitation programme and utilise the expertise of PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, offering a one-stop approach from precision medicine to rehabilitation to bring new hope to hemiplegia and paralysis patients. The newly established PolyU Advanced Therapy Product (ATP) Laboratory, led by Prof. Larry Chow Ming-cheung, Head of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, is a Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme’s Good Manufacturing Practice (PIC/S GMP)-compliant facility, focusing on clinical research in immunotherapy, cell therapy, gene therapy and regenerative medicine. Press Release: English | 中文 Online coverage: TVB 理大新設實驗室生產移植手術用臍帶血成品　治療脊髓神經損傷 TVB News at 7:30 (12:39 - 15:02) 22 April 2025 Now TV 脊髓損傷｜理大設先進療法製品實驗室生產細胞治療製品 22 April 2025 RTHK (English) PolyU lab promises therapy for spinal injury patients (中文) 理大成立實驗室計劃用臍帶血培育及生產單核細胞交醫院作治療測試 22 April 2025 Oriental Daily News 理大ATP實驗室 為癱瘓者帶來希望 治脊髓損傷 待發牌展臨床研究 22 April 2025 Ming Pao Daily News 理大放眼先進療法 研臍帶血治脊髓傷 建高規格實驗室 籌備臨牀測試 話你知：港現兩間持牌先進療法製品製造商 其一中大合營 22 April 2025 Hong Kong Economic Times 理大設實驗室 製血細胞治癱瘓 (subscription required) 22 April 2025 Sing Tao Daily 理大新設實驗室 研先進療法製品 22 April 2025 Ta Kung Pao 理大ATP實驗室 研細胞移植治癱瘓 22 April 2025 Wen Wei Po 理大建ATP實驗室 研再生醫學療法製品 22 April 2025 HK01 理大斥4000萬建先進療法製品實驗室　研究助脊髓傷者恢復行動能力 22 April 2025 The 21st Century Business Herald 香港理工大学将启动先进疗法制品实验室，助力香港成为国际医疗创新枢纽 22 April 2025 Southern Finance 香港理工大学将启动先进疗法制品实验室，助力香港成为国际医疗创新枢纽 22 April 2025 East Money 香港理工大学将启动先进疗法制品实验室，助力香港成为国际医疗创新枢纽 22 April 2025 NetEase 香港理工大学将启动先进疗法制品实验室，助力香港成为国际医疗创新枢纽 22 April 2025 Sohu 香港理工大学将启动先进疗法制品实验室，助力香港成为国际医疗创新枢纽 22 April 2025 SCMP Hongkongers with spinal cord injuries may regain mobility with help of new lab (subscription required) 22 April 2025 Mirage News PolyU Lab Fuels Hope for Spinal Cord Injury Recovery 22 April 2025 Hong Kong Economic Journal 理大設實驗室 研臍帶血治癱瘓 (subscription required) 22 April 2025 Headline Daily 理大新設實驗室 研先進療法製品 22 April 2025 星島環球 香港理工大学新设实验室，研先进疗法制品 22 April 2025 Bastille Post 理大成立先進療法製品實驗室 藉臍帶血培育及生產單核細胞助治癱瘓病人 22 April 2025 Dot Dot News 理大新設實驗室　研臍帶血成品治癱瘓 22 April 2025 Master Insight 理大先進療法製品（ATP）實驗室 夥威院 冀助脊髓損傷癱瘓者站起來 22 April 2025 HKONG.hk 理大新设实验室 研脐带血成品治瘫痪 22 April 2025 Australian Chinese Daily 理大研臍帶血治脊髓傷 放眼先進療法 22 April 2025 China Review News 理大ATP實驗室　研細胞移植治癱瘓 22 April 2025  

PolyU-nurtured biopharmaceutical start-up ABRAM accepted by Roche Accelerator

The Faculty celebrates the acceptance of ABRAM Therapeutics Limited (ABRAM), a start-up co-founded by a PolyU Science scholar, into the Roche Accelerator. This marks the first time a Hong Kong-based start-up being welcomed by this prestigious innovation hub. Co-founded by Prof. Thomas Leung Yun-chung, Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Lo Ka Chung Charitable Foundation Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Director of University Research Facility in Life Sciences, ABRAM focuses on its ground-breaking drug candidate, ABarginase, for treating obesity and related metabolic disorders such as diabetes and fatty liver disease. This milestone will significantly advance the development of the drug, paving the way for its clinical application to benefit patients worldwide. Press Release: English | 中文 Online coverage: Hong Kong China News Agency 港理大培育生物醫藥初創ABRAM 為首家初創企業入選羅氏中國加速器 1 Arpil 2025 Zhihu 破解肥胖困局！理大新药获罗氏加速器支持 1 Arpil 2025  

Prof. Wong Ka-hing appointed as the Chairman of Advisory Panel on the Safety Assessment of Cultured Meat

Prof. Wong Ka-hing, Professor of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Director of the Research Institute for Future Food, was recently appointed as the Chairman of Advisory Panel on the Safety Assessment of Cultured Meat, under the Expert Committee on Food Safety, by the Government of HKSAR, for a term of four years with effect from 14 February 2025. The panel is responsible for providing advice to the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene on matters relating to the criteria for the safety assessment and the safety for human consumption of the cultured meat and its derived products.

PolyU Science unveils comprehensive zeolite structures, advancing development of catalysts for petrochemical and renewable energy

A PolyU research team led by Prof. Edman Tsang, Chair Professor of Catalysis and Materials, in collaboration with the University of Oxford and the Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has revealed the precise location of aluminium atoms in the zeolite framework. This discovery could facilitate the design of more efficient and stable catalysts, aimed at increasing the yield of petrochemical products, achieving efficient renewable energy storage, and controlling air pollution. This advancement will further promote the application of zeolites in relevant fields. Press Release: English | 中文 Online coverage: Mirage News PolyU Reveals Zeolite Structures, Boosts Catalyst Tech 10 March 2025 Hong Kong Economic Journal 理大研沸石助石化產品增產 (subscription required) 10 March 2025 Hong Kong Commercial Daily 理大研究揭沸石可促進石油化工和再生能源應用 10 March 2025  

PolyU’s collaboration with Correctional Services Department for food waste upcycle

PolyU and the Correctional Services Department (CSD) signed an MoU on 7 February to jointly promote the upcycling of food waste and the development of environmentally friendly products. The first phase of the collaboration involves the application of PolyU’s patented technology for making 3D printing material with spent coffee grounds to the industrial production work performed by persons in custody. PolyU will also provide vocational training in product design for persons in custody to develop more environmentally friendly spent coffee grounds products. Online coverage: Oriental Daily News 孖理大搞環保 咖啡渣3D打印產品 20 February 2025 Ming Pao Daily News 懲教署推網上平台賣在囚者製造產品　收益將捐贈本地慈善機構 20 February 2025 Sing Tao Daily 2024懲教署年結｜日均還押人數創24年新高 黃國興：擬調撥個別院所收容額紓緩 20 February 2025 Ta Kung Pao 「懲」味好淡　不停轉型的在囚人士職業培訓 20 February 2025 Wen Wei Po 「懲」味好淡　不停轉型的在囚人士職業培訓 20 February 2025 Dot Dot News 「懲」味好淡　不停轉型的在囚人士職業培訓 20 February 2025 Line Today 咖啡渣變3D打印物料　懲教與理大合作推動環保與更生 20 February 2025  

PolyU Science researchers make breakthrough discovery in structure and synthesis of 2D ferroelectrics, advancing technological development in microelectronics, artificial intelligence and quantum information

A research team led by Prof. Zhao Jiong, Associate Professor of the Department of Applied Physics, has conducted research on the structure and potential of 2D van der Waals materials, and has unveiled a pioneering approach for large-scale synthesis of 2D ferroelectrics. Their findings significantly boost technological advancements in microelectronics, artificial intelligence and quantum information, and will subsequently foster the development of diverse applications including high-density memory devices, energy conversion systems, sensing technologies and catalysis technologies. Press Release: English | 中文 Online coverage: Mirage News 2D Ferroelectrics Discovery Boosts Tech, AI, Quantum 18 February 2025 Wen Wei Po 理大二維鐵電體研究突破 推動微電子AI領域發展 18 February 2025 China Review News 理大二維鐵電體研究突破　推動微電子AI發展 19 February 2025