Talent is an important asset for the innovation and technology ecosystem. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to supporting and encouraging young researchers. The Young Innovative Research Award 2023 recognises faculty members aged under 35 who have demonstrated research excellence in addressing global challenges.
This year’s six young awardees are dedicated to research in fields that include renewable green energy, wearable medical rehabilitation devices, nanotechnology, soft materials to aid the visually impaired, human-machine collaborative manufacturing systems and information networks.
Their research is geared towards constructing a sustainable future and improving human life, and showcases PolyU’s academic and research excellence in meeting societal demands and creating practical solutions.
Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), congratulated the awardees and said, “It gives me great pleasure to chair the award assessment panel for the second year running and witness the original and innovative research conducted by our young researchers. With a vision for a positive future, their remarkable work showcases novelty, contributes to technological advancement and drives transformational innovation towards solutions for addressing societal problems. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt congratulations to our exceptional awardees and express my pride in having them as particularly valued members of the PolyU community.”
The six awardees of the Young Innovative Researcher Award 2023
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Awardee(s)
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Research Focus
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Dr Songhua CAI
Assistant Professor
Department of Applied Physics
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Research project
Towards next-generation halide perovskites: In situ STEM characterizations assisted structure engineering
Details
This project aims to improve the lifespan and efficiency of perovskite solar cells by revealing the microscopic mechanisms that cause perovskite solar cell performance degradation in the working environment. The research results are expected to equip industry with the knowledge necessary to promote the practical application of perovskite solar cells.
https://www.polyu.edu.hk/ap/people/academic-staff/dr-cai-songhua/
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Dr Ho Lam HEUNG
Research Assistant Professor
Department of Building and Real Estate
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Research project
Robot-assisted recovery system for stroke survivors
Details
The project focuses on developing a lightweight, wearable and easy-to-use medical-grade rehabilitation robotic exoskeleton. The system is designed to detect the movement intent of users and provide adaptive assistive force to empower joint movement. Regular use during rehabilitation training can aid in the reorganisation of the brain cortex and recovery of mobility.
https://www.polyu.edu.hk/bre/people/academic-staff/dr-heung-holam-kelvin/
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Dr Kai LENG
Assistant Professor
Department of Applied Physics
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Research project
Scalable growth of 2D hybrid perovskite film
Details
A set of nanotechnology tools and methods has been developed for the molecularly thin 2D hybrid perovskite. Development has included preparation, materials transfer, atomic characterization and nano-device fabrication. Her team is currently focusing on achieving scalable growth for hybrid 2D perovskite monolayers and their integration into large-scale devices, to further enable the realisation of their impactful applications.
https://www.polyu.edu.hk/ap/people/academic-staff/dr-leng-kai/
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Dr Yuan MA
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
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Research project
Flexible surface haptics technology for aiding the visually impaired
Details
To help individuals with visual impairments interact with digital devices and the digital world more easily, this project aims to develop a novel touch feedback technology on soft materials that can generate various touch sensations. Advanced haptic technologies and artificial intelligence algorithms will be combined to create a more efficient and user-friendly experience.
https://www.polyu.edu.hk/me/people/academic-teaching-staff/ma-yuan-dr/
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Dr Shuowen ZHANG
Assistant Professor
Department of Electronic and Information Engineering
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Research project
Smart and reconfigurable 6G wireless networks aided by intelligent reflecting surfaces
Details
With the increase in the volume of mobile data traffic and emergence of mobile applications like virtual reality, this research focuses on intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS) as a pivotal technology to achieve high data rates in 6G wireless communication networks. This project also aims to devise efficient IRS phase shift optimisation algorithms, thereby approaching the data rate limits of IRS-aided 6G networks in practice.
https://www.polyu.edu.hk/eee/people/academic-staff-and-teaching-staff/dr-zhang-shuowen/
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Dr Pai ZHENG
Assistant Professor
Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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Research project
Towards futuristic human-machine symbiotic manufacturing system
Details
This project aims to establish a holistic human-machine symbiotic manufacturing environment by exploring manufacturing system technologies, immersive human-robot interaction mechanisms and robot learning methods. The environment will enable humans and machines/ robotics to more effectively and efficiently co-exist, collaborate and evolve together through improved collaborative intelligence.
https://www.polyu.edu.hk/ise/people/academic-staff/pai-zheng/
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