PolyU Science in the News

PolyU develops high-efficiency CO2 electroreduction system for reducing carbon footprint and progressing carbon neutrality goals

A collaborative research led by PolyU has developed a durable, highly selective and energy-efficient carbon dioxide (CO2) electroreduction system that can convert CO2 into ethylene for industrial purposes to provide an effective solution for reducing CO2 emissions. The team is led by Prof. Daniel Lau, Chair Professor of Nanomaterials and Head of the Department of Applied Physics, and consists of researchers from the University of Oxford, the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Centre of Taiwan and Jiangsu University. Ethylene is one of the most in-demand chemicals globally and is mainly used in the manufacture of polymers. However, the production process of ethylene creates of a significant carbon footprint. The innovative system that can convert CO2 into ethylene can contribute to reducing carbon emissions and achieving the goal of carbon neutrality. Read the full research paper in Nature Energy. Press release: English | Chinese Online coverage: Tech Xplore A pure water-fed membrane-electrode-assembly system for electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide  22 January 2024  ETNet PolyU develops high-efficiency carbon dioxide electroreduction system for reducing carbon footprint and progressing carbon neutrality goals 22 January 2024 Ming Pao Daily News 理大研環保新法製乙烯 奪日內瓦國際發明展金獎 23 January 2024 Hong Kong Economic Journal 理大電催化還原系統 CO₂變乙烯製造塑膠 23 January 2024 Wen Wei Po 二氧化碳變乙烯 理大研究獲國際金獎 23 January 2024 Dot Dot News 理大研發高效能電催化二氧化碳還原系統　助減碳排放促進碳中和 22 January 2024 Global News 理大研发高效能电催化二氧化碳还原系统 助减碳排放 促进迈向碳中和 22 January 2024 NetEase 理大研发高效能电催化二氧化碳还原系统 助减碳排放 促进迈向碳中和 22 January 2024 Sina 理大研发高效能电催化二氧化碳还原系统 助减碳排放 促进迈向碳中和 22 January 2024 Sohu 理大研发高效能电催化二氧化碳还原系统 助减碳排放 促进迈向碳中和 22 January 2024 PR Newswire PolyU develops high-efficiency carbon dioxide electroreduction system for reducing carbon footprint and progressing carbon neutrality goals 22 January 2024 Asiaone PolyU develops high-efficiency carbon dioxide electroreduction system for reducing carbon footprint and progressing carbon neutrality goals 22 January 2024 Yahoo News US PolyU develops high-efficiency carbon dioxide electroreduction system for reducing carbon footprint and progressing carbon neutrality goals 22 January 2024 Yahoo Finance UK PolyU develops high-efficiency carbon dioxide electroreduction system for reducing carbon footprint and progressing carbon neutrality goals 22 January 2024 Sina HK PolyU develops high-efficiency carbon dioxide electroreduction system for reducing carbon footprint and progressing carbon neutrality goals 22 January 2024 WT News A Pure Water Fed Membrane-Electrode Assembly System for the Electrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide 23 January 2024 GBA Biz Tech Magazine 理大研發高效能電催化二氧化碳還原系統 助減碳排放 23 January 2024 China.com 理大研发高效能电催化二氧化碳还原系统 助减碳排放 促进迈向碳中和 23 January 2024 East Money 理大研发高效能电催化二氧化碳还原系统助减碳排放促进迈向碳中和 23 January 2024 HK01 理大研究團隊研究綠色電能　二氧化碳轉為乙烯　解決全球暖化問題 26 January 2024  

Prof. Simon Lee urges to establish specialised Chinese medicine institute

Speaking at a seminar about the opportunities of Chinese medicine, Prof. Simon Lee Ming-yuen, Chair Professor of Biomedical Sciences and a member of the Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation, believed that establishing a specialised Chinese medicine institute would be the key to developing the Chinese medicine industry. Online coverage: Ta Kung Pao 中醫藥研討會召開　共探香港中醫藥發展新機遇 李铭源：争取设中医药专科学院 18 December 2023 Wen Wei Po 善用中西合璧 讓中醫藥走出去 18 December 2023 Dot Dot News 發揮港優勢 增值謀發展——中醫藥新機遇研討會 18 December 2023  

RiFood management visits Fujian

Prof. Wong Ka-hing and Dr Amber Chiou Jiachi, Director and Associate Director of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), visited Pinjian Bird’s Nest in Fujian and exchanged views on industry development trend and new models of industry-academia-research collaboration with officials of the Jinjiang Science and Technology Bureau and management of the company. Online coverage: NetEase 香港理工大学未来食品研究院黄家兴院长一行莅临品鉴考察指导！ 1 December 2023 Toutiao 香港理工大学未来食品研究院黄家兴院长一行莅临品鉴考察指导！ 1 December 2023 Yidianzixun 香港理工大学未来食品研究院黄家兴院长一行莅临品鉴考察指导！ 1 December 2023  

PolyU Science scholars’ invention offers safe way to remove microplastics

Dr Chua Song-lin, Assistant Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology (ABCT), and Dr Liu Yang, GBA Startup Postdoctoral Fellow of ABCT, were interviewed by Wen Wei Po on their award-winning invention – MicroGlue. It is a microbial biotechnology that offers a safe, low-cost and efficient way to remove microplastics from water. It uses biodegradable microbial-derived polymers that aggregate hard-to-remove microplastic contaminants into clumps that are easily separable and removable from the environment.   Online coverage: Wen Wei Po 【煞「廢」苦心之捕膠捉塑】巧用微生物 收塑防污染 回收率達九成六 省時成本低 難忘評審「圍攻」 數分鐘答40提問 30 November 2023  

Prof. Daniel Lau shares on award-winning invention

Prof. Daniel Lau Shu-ping, Head of the Department of Applied Physics and Chair Professor of Nanomaterials, introduced his award-winning Durable, High-Selectivity, and Energy Efficient CO2 Electroreduction System in an interview with Wen Wei Po. Comprising a sandwich-structured membrane-electrode-assembly with a combined anion- and proton-exchange membrane separating the cathode and anode, the system converts CO2 to C2H4 with a high selectivity. It can accelerate the development of CO2 electrocatalysis technology, potentially revolutionising modern fossil fuel energy systems.   Online coverage: Wen Wei Po 【煞「廢」苦心之減碳排放】妙法碳變膠 促進碳中和 27 November 2023  

PolyU develops Cs4-SeNPs that can manage postmenopausal osteoporosis

October 20 2023 marks this year’s World Osteoporosis Day. On the same day, Prof. WONG Ka-hing, Director of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) and Professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition (FSN), shared with the media his team’s latest research on the development of novel Cs4-selenium nanocomposites (Cs4-SeNPs) for managing postmenopausal osteoporosis. Selenium is an essential trace mineral to human health, playing important roles in many physiological functions. In the past decades, substantial evidences have demonstrated that Se deficiency is detrimental to bone microarchitecture and associated with osteoporosis, suggesting its crucial role in bone metabolism. Recently, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have become a new research target, since they were found to possess remarkable bioactivity and lower toxicity compared to those selenocompounds commomly found in foods. Nevertheless, scientific research concerning their effects on bone health is currently very limited. By using the polysaccharide-protein complex isolated from Cordyceps sinensis, Prof. Wong has successfully prepared novel selenium nanoparticles (entitled “Cs4-SeNPs”), with well-characterized structure and high stability. Interestingly, Cs4-SeNPs (10μM) were found to markedly induce proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of the pre-osteoblast murine MC3T3-E1 cells. More importantly, Cs4-SeNPs (25-500μg/kg BW/d) exhibited promising in vivo bone protective efficacy against OVX-induced osteoporosis by promoting bone formation, inhibiting bone resorption, and improving bone microarchitecture after oral gavage for 6 weeks. This patented nanotechnology has gained wide recognition with various international awards, while the research findings have been recently published in Journal of Functional Foods. Further investigation on Cs4-SeNPs’ gastrointestinal stability, intestinal absorption and metabolism is now underway. The team look forward to collaborating with the industry in further development of related health food products and drugs. Read the full research paper: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2023.105832 Press release: English | Chinese Online coverage: CRHK 理大研發蟲草多醣納米硒　改善更年期後骨質疏鬆 20 October 2023 Oriental Daily News 理大改良納米硒 稱能助更年期後骨質疏鬆 20 October 2023 am730  理大研發Cs4-SeNPs 助挽救骨質疏鬆 20 October 2023 Ta Kung Pao 教育线上/理大新研究 改善更年期骨质疏松 20 October 2023  Wen Wei Po  提煉蟲草「補骨」 理大防治疏鬆有成果 20 October 2023  Mirage News Selenium Nanoparticles Enhance Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Care 15 November 2023 Phys.org Researchers develop novel selenium nanoparticles for managing postmenopausal osteoporosis 15 November 2023 Hong Kong Economic Journal 蟲草納米硒改善骨質疏鬆 16 November 2023 Hong Kong China News Agency 港理大研發新型納米硒助改善女性更年期後骨質疏鬆 15 November 2023  

PolyU unveils liquid metal microelectrodes for implantable bioelectronic devices

An interdisciplinary research team led by Prof. Zheng Zijian, Chair Professor of Soft Materials and Devices and Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, has developed an unprecedentedly soft, stretchable and permeable liquid metal microelectrode that is uniquely suited to implantable bioelectronics. The microelectrode is promising for fabricating wearable electronics for physiological monitoring, medical diagnosis and interactive technology, as well as implantation at the neural interface for brain monitoring. (Oriental Daily News A06, Sing Tao Daily F01, Ta Kung Pao A06, Wen Wei Po A13) Press release: English | Chinese   Oriental Daily News 理大研發液態金屬微電極 柔軟可拉伸 能植入人體 12 September 2023 Hong Kong Economic Times 【創新科技】理大研發液態金屬微電極如紙般透薄　可用作紀錄腦部神經信號 11 September 2023 Sing Tao Daily 理大研微電極可用於植入式生物裝置 12 September 2023 Ta Kung Pao 創科路上/液態金屬微電極 醫療科技新突破 12 September 2023 Wen Wei Po 理大製可植入生物電極 伸縮自如應用廣 12 September 2023 Hong Kong Commercial Daily 理大研發液態金屬微電極 可用於植入式生物電子裝置 11 September 2023 Hong Kong China News Agency 港理大研發出可用於植入式生物電子裝置的液態金屬微電極 11 September 2023 Line Today 理大研發液態金屬微電極　可用於植入式生物電子裝置 12 September 2023  

Scholars introduce the newly established Department of Food Science and Nutrition

Prof. Chen Sheng, Head of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition (FSN), Dr Chiou Jiachi, Amber, Associate Head of FSN, Prof. Wong Man-sau, Director of the Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation, and Prof. Wong Ka-hing, Director of the Research Institute for Future Food, introduced the newly established department, including its vision, the programmes it offers, and graduates’ prospects.   Online coverage: Sing Tao Daily 培育食品專家推動可持續發展 起薪點高達$3萬！ 理大開拓香港首個食品科學及營養學系 27 July 2023 Headline Daily 培育食品專家推動可持續發展 起薪點高達$3萬！ 理大開拓香港首個食品科學及營養學系 27 July 2023 HK01 培育食品專家起薪高達$3萬　理大開拓香港首個食品科學及營養學系 27 July 2023  

PolyU establishes FSN to nurture food specialists and promote innovative and sustainable development

PolyU has established the Department of Food Science and Nutrition (FSN), which is Hong Kong’s first UGC-funded academic department specialising in Food Science and Nutrition.   Based on the key pillars of Food Safety, Food Technology, Human Nutrition, and Chinese Medicine, FSN is dedicated to providing professionally crafted trainings to nurture food specialists. It also focuses on addressing health-related issues and pursuing impactful research to promote innovative and sustainable development that benefits the world and mankind.   Online coverage: 信報 理大成立食品科學系 20 July 2023  

PolyU research finds milk formulae vary significantly in supplementing Bifidobacteria

Research by Dr Amber Jiachi Chiou, Associate Director of Research Institute for Future Food and Associate Head of Department of Food Science and Nutrition, has revealed that there is a difference of up to 40 times in the effectiveness of supplementing Bifidobacteria in cesarean-born infants among different milk formula brands. It’s also found that 77% of surveyed mothers of cesarean-born infants have encountered difficulties in breast-feeding. (Oriental Daily News A06, Ming Pao Daily News A08, Ta Kung Pao A06, Sky Post P18)   Online coverage: Metro Radio 理大研究指剖腹產嬰兒益菌量近乎零 27 June 2023 Oriental Daily News 理大比較 剖腹嬰飲不同奶粉 相差40倍腸道益菌 28 June 2023 Ming Pao Daily News 77%剖腹產母餵哺難 理大研究：配方奶粉不同 腸道益菌可差40倍 28 June 2023 am730 剖腹產嬰兒 補充益菌助建免疫力 28 June 2023 Sky Post 剖腹產媽難餵母乳 BB缺益菌易過敏 不同配方奶粉 補充效果可差40倍 28 June 2023 Ta Kung Pao 剖腹产婴缺肠道益菌 不同奶粉补充效果相差40倍 28 June 2023 Sunday Kiss 理大研究：剖腹產嬰兒腸道益菌量近乎零 不同奶粉補益菌效果差 40 倍 27 June 2023 healthy:D 母乳餵哺｜理大研究揭剖腹產嬰兒益菌量近乎零 不同配方奶粉建立腸道益菌效果差異逾40倍 27 June 2023 Hong Kong China News Agency 港理大研究：不同奶粉建立腸道益菌效果差超40倍 27 June 2023