ME PhD Graduate Achieved the PolyU PhD Thesis Award 2026 for Merit

We are delighted that Dr WU Lizhen, a PhD graduate from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, has received the competitive PolyU PhD Thesis Award for Merit (STEM Category). The PolyU Graduate School establishes the PhD Thesis Award to recognize, reward and promote the distinguished research achievements by graduating PhD students. There are two award classes, namely Outstanding and Merit, recognizing students’ performance of different levels. Dr WU completed his PhD under the supervision of Prof. AN Liang and has demonstrated exceptional research achievements through his graduating thesis.   Thesis Title: Bubble management at high-rate water electrolysis for green hydrogen production - For contribution to green hydrogen production Chief Supervisor: Prof. AN Liang To convert renewable electricity into green hydrogen, efficient and affordable water electrolyzers are essential. Our research investigated how bubbles affect electrolyzer performance at the high current densities needed for large-scale hydrogen production. We found that bubbles trapped inside porous electrodes can block water supply and ion transport, making effective bubble removal more important than simply increasing the available catalytic surface area. By combining direct bubble observations, deep-learning-based tracking and numerical modeling, we connected microscopic bubble behaviors with overall device performance. These insights guided the development of low-cost stainless-steel electrodes and dual-layer flow fields that improve bubble removal while maintaining water supply. The electrode structures help bubbles escape, while the flow fields provide separate pathways for bubble removal and water delivery. Together, these advances reduce energy losses and improve hydrogen production performance, providing practical design principles for more efficient and affordable water electrolysis.      

ME Enters Top 10 Globally in ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2026

Our Performance in Key Rank League Tables .color-button { background-color: #A02337; color: white; transition: background-color 0.3s; } .color-button:hover { background-color: white; color: #A02337; } The Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has achieved a remarkable milestone in the ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) 2026, officially breaking into the global Top 10 for Mechanical Engineering. This recognition highlights the Department’s world-class research impact, high-quality international academic publications, and strong global academic reputation. Sustained Excellence and Global Recognition ShanghaiRanking’s GRAS evaluates higher education institutions worldwide across 55 subjects in Natural Sciences, Engineering, Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Social Sciences. The methodology rigorously assesses indicators including: World-Class Faculty (WCF) – Faculty awards and academic accolades High-Impact Research (HIP) – Top-journal publication output and citation impact Research Quality (Q1) – Papers published in top 25% journals by Impact Factor International Collaboration (IC) – Joint publication performance across international borders PolyU ME's strong performance across these metrics reflects its dedication to cutting-edge research in robotics, advanced materials, acoustics and vibration, energy conversion, fluid mechanics, and smart manufacturing. The Department will continue to strengthen its interdisciplinary research capabilities, foster global academic collaborations, and nurture future engineering leaders to address complex global challenges. For more information about ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2026, please visit ShanghaiRanking's Official Site.    

5 ME Academics Appointed Supervisors in Hong Kong Scholars Program 2026

Congratulations to five ME academics on being selected as supervisors under the Hong Kong Scholars Program 2026, joining 31 PolyU academics chosen for this prestigious initiative. Among all participating local universities, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) enrolled the largest number of fellows and led in matching projects for 2026, with the Department of Mechanical Engineering securing the second-highest fellow enrolment within the University. Jointly established by the Society of Hong Kong Scholars and the China National Postdoctoral Council under the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the program aims to pool research resources and talent from Hong Kong and the Mainland to nurture outstanding postdoctoral scholars. Appointed supervisors are selected based on their leading international research capabilities, high-level research teams, advanced facilities, and track records in major research projects. PolyU ME participating academics and research projects: Prof. AN Liang Electrochemical Energy Systems Prof. CHOY Yat Sze Design and development of compact meta-liner for noise and vibration mitigation in aircraft application Prof. JIAO Zengbao Advanced Metallic Materials and Manufacturing Prof. MAI Yiu Wing Enhancing engineering performance of composite materials through improved manufacturing and innovative microstructure design  Prof. ZHENG Guangping The mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms of high-entropy materials

Prof. Fu Mingwang Honoured as Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences (EurASc) 2026

The Department is proud to share that Prof. Fu Mingwang, Chair Professor of Advanced Manufacturing, has been elected as a Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences (EurASc) for 2026. This prestigious international honour recognizes Prof. Fu's long-standing research leadership and pioneering scientific contributions to advanced materials processing, micro-mechanics, metal forming, and manufacturing engineering. Election to EurASc is reserved for world-leading scientists and scholars who have made significant, sustained contributions to science and technology globally. Prof. Fu’s research focuses on size-effect micro-mechanics, plastic deformation, metal micro forming, and defect prediction models in additive manufacturing. This fellowship marks another major milestone in a remarkable year of international achievements for Prof. Fu, following his recognition as the recipient of the 2026 Khan International Award for lifelong contributions to plasticity and mechanics, as well as the 2026 SME Frederick W. Taylor Research Medal. Prof. Fu also serves as Associate Director of the Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM) at PolyU. He has authored or co-authored over 350 high-impact journal publications and several authoritative books in materials mechanics and advanced manufacturing. He is a Fellow of both the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE). This prestigious honour underscores the world-class quality and global impact of PolyU's research in advanced manufacturing and mechanical engineering. We extend our heartiest congratulations to Prof. Fu on this well-deserved international distinction.    

Warmest Welcome to Our New Research Students Joining in September 2026!

We are delighted to welcome 46 newly admitted research students to the Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) at PolyU for the new academic semester. On the morning of 1 September 2026, an orientation session was held for the incoming cohort, led by our Department Head, Prof. SU Zhongqing. He introduced the department’s primary research areas—Aerospace Engineering, Energy and Environment, Manufacturing, Materials and Mechanics, Robotics and Control, Sound and Vibration, and Thermofluids and Combustion—which are strategically aligned to address the major challenges facing society and the world in the coming decades. He emphasized that research studies at ME aim not only to train students into leading professionals in their fields, but also to broaden their perspectives in discovering new knowledge for the benefit of society. Prof. TANG Hui, Chairman of the Departmental Research Committee (DRC) and Associate Head (Research); Prof. LI Mengying, Research Student Liaison Officer; and Ir Dr NG Chun, Curtis, Technical Support Group Leader, also extended their warm welcome to the students. To help the new cohort settle in, Ms. Lily TAM, DRC Secretary and Administrative Support Group Leader, provided a comprehensive overview of the study programme structure, examination and grading systems, and key administrative support mechanisms. The orientation concluded with great enthusiasm and positive feedback from the students. We are confident that they will enjoy a supportive, knowledge-rich, and interactive research experience throughout their journey at PolyU ME.  

ME Final Year Project Wins 2nd Prize of 25/26 Best Final Year Energy Project Competition

Congratulations to our team of three 2026 graduates of BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering for receiving the 2nd Prize of 2025/2026 Best Final Year Energy Project Competition hosted by the Energy Institute (Hong Kong Branch) for their final year project entitled “Development of a Zinc-Air Flow Battery for Efficient Energy Storage”. The award ceremony will be held during the Energy Institute (Hong Kong Branch) Annual Dinner on 26 Feb 2027. The team, consisting of CHAN Kwan Kuen, LEE Chak Fai, and LEE Ming Hon, was supervised by Prof. WU Maochun. This award aims to recognize the most outstanding energy-related final year projects and to encourage them to continue the effort in improving the environmental engineering practice in their future careers. The project optimizes electrolyte chemistry and flow conditions to resolve dendrite and passivation issues in zinc–air flow batteries (ZAFBs). Driven by the demand for scalable renewable energy storage, the proposed method regulates Zn2+ion distribution and improves mass transport. Validated through experimental testing, the solution significantly enhances cell stability and discharge performance, proving practical for industrial grid integration.

Prof. Mai Yiu Wing Honoured with 2026 Wei-zang Chien Medal

Congratulations to Prof. MAI Yiu-Wing, Distinguished Chair Professor of Composites Science and Engineering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at PolyU, on receiving the prestigious 2026 Wei-Zang Chien Medal. Prof. Mai was recognized for his pioneering contributions to fracture mechanics modeling and the characterization of coarse-grained ceramics, advanced fiber composites, as well as ductile polymers and blends. The award was presented at the 32nd International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences (ICCES2026), held in Hong Kong from August 7–12, 2026. Conferred jointly by ICCES and Tech Science Press, the Wei-Zang Chien Medal honors researchers who have made groundbreaking technological innovations and achievements in the field of mechanics. The medal pays tribute to Professor Wei-Zang Chien, who made seminal, lifelong contributions to applied mathematics and mechanics. First established in Tokyo in 1986, ICCES is widely recognized as one of the most influential international conferences in the discipline. The Department extends its warmest congratulations to Prof. Mai on this well-deserved recognition. This international honor highlights the remarkable research excellence and global influence of our faculty members, who remain dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge for the benefit of society.

From Code to Craft: High School Students Build Autonomous Smart Cars at PolyU ME Summer Workshop

The 5-day PolyU Summer Institute was successfully held from 3 to 7 August 2026. The Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) welcomed 34 local and overseas high school students for an immersive university learning experience through an interactive mechatronics workshop. Led by Dr Nathan XU and Dr Chee TONG, with support from seven undergraduate Teaching Assistants, the workshop introduced students to the fundamentals of mechatronics—teaching them how to turn creative ideas into tangible prototypes and solve real-world engineering problems. The sessions covered key technical concepts, including electronics and power supplies, hands-on mechanical assembly, hardware construction, microcontroller unit (MCU) programming, and AI-assisted debugging. The major highlight of the event was the “Smart Robo-Car: Line-Following, Obstacle Removal & Mechanical Arm Solving Self-Defined Challenge.” Working in teams, participants designed and programmed robotic cars capable of following logical paths across dynamically generated tile layouts. Beyond basic line-tracking, the cars executed precise manipulation tasks: stopping autonomously to retrieve an obstacle along the track, navigating safely to the finish line, and carefully depositing the object at the final destination. Executing these autonomous navigation and robotic arm manipulation tasks demanded exceptional creativity and technical proficiency. Demonstrating remarkable speed and precision, the winning team completed the entire course (around 300 cm) in a record of 16 seconds. Participants thoroughly enjoyed the experience, gaining valuable practical skills and a deeper passion for Mechanical Engineering. We extend our sincere appreciation to all participants for their enthusiastic involvement and look forward to welcoming them back to PolyU in the future.  

111th Departmental Advisory Committee Meeting

The 111th Departmental Advisory Committee (DAC) meeting was successfully held face-to-face on 3 August 2026 (Monday), chaired by Ir Dr Angus Cheung, Chief Executive Officer of Aerovision Technology Limited. We were delighted to welcome new committee members joining the DAC this year, each bringing valuable expertise and fresh perspectives. They are: Prof. HH Ruan, Associate Head & Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, PolyU Mr Hung Ka Hei, Full-time BEng Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, PolyU Ms Liu Xinran, Full-time PhD Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, PolyU The DAC comprises of 2 ex-officio members (i.e., the Faculty Dean and Department Head), 11 local and overseas members from the academia, industry and professionals as well as 3 internal members and 2 student representatives from the Department. The meeting was productive and insightful, with members offering constructive suggestions to support the Department’s continued development in teaching, research, and industry collaboration. Members highlighted the importance of embracing AI-enhanced teaching and learning while ensuring its ethical and appropriate use. It was emphasized that the Department’s core strength should continue to lie in cultivating engineers with a solid grounding in fundamental physical principles, practical skills, and hands-on problem-solving abilities. Looking ahead, the Department remains dedicated to advancing engineering education, fostering innovation, and optimizing resources to sustain its academic excellence. We extend our sincere gratitude to all committee members for their ongoing support and commitment.

Success in securing GRF/ECS 2026/27

In the 2026/27 results of grants from the Research Grants Council’s General Research Fund (GRF) and Early Career Scheme (ECS) announced in June 2026, ME’s success rate was 32% in 2026/27 exercise. Nine of our GRF/ECS proposals were funded. Congratulations to the following colleagues who were successful in securing a GRF/ECS grant in this round. Principal Investigator Co-Investigator  Project Title  Prof. Cheng Li Prof. Shan Shengbo (National University of Defense Technology) Empowering Composite Structure Intelligence: Synthesized Transducer Layers for Incipient Damage Monitoring via Nonlinear Guided Waves Prof. Cheng Song Prof. Curran Henry (University of Galway) Prof. Zhang Xiaoge (ISE) Synergistic Quantum-AI Deciphering of Real-Fluid Behaviors in Extreme-Pressure Combustion Through Universal Ab Initio-Based Atomic Force Fields Prof. Ma Yuan Prof. Liu Jun (University at  Buffalo, USA) Prof. Chen Zuobing (Zhejiang University) Mechanics-driven closed-loop haptic systems for tactile sensory rehabilitation: from fundamental models to translational applications Prof. Su Zhongqing Prof. Wright Oliver Bernard  (Hokkaido University) In Situ Ultrafast Optoacoustic Metrology for Multiphysical Characterization of Low-Dimensional Semiconductor Membranes Prof. Wang Zuankai Prof. Chirarattananon Pakpong  (University of Toronto) Controllable power amplification in trap-jaw ants and microrobots Prof. Wu Maochun Prof. Ruan Haihui (ME) Coupled Hydrogen Bubble Evolution and Electrodeposition in Zinc-Based Flow Batteries Prof. Xu Shengduo Nil  Precursor-based Nanocrystal Binders enhance 3D Printed Chalcogenide Thermoelectric Devices Dr Yu Xiaoliang Prof. Liu Zhe (The University of Melbourne) Prof. Zhao Yan (Xi’an Jiaotong University) Tailoring Linear Ether Electrolytes via Machine Learning for High-Performance Cryogenic Anode-Free Sodium Batteries Prof. Zhang Dan  Nil Development of Advanced High-Performance Generalized Parallel Manipulators with Dynamic Adaptation Enabled by Mechanical Intelligence