News

New theory on tourist behaviour unveiled by Prof. Sara DOLNICAR at PAIR Seminar

At the PAIR Seminar on 14 October 2025, Prof. Sara DOLNICAR of The University of Queensland, Australia, shared her pioneering theory of consumer behaviour during leisure.  Her presentation, titled “Habit-Enjoyment-Effort Theory – Changing Consumer Behaviour in Hedonic Contexts”, explored human behaviours in settings where the pursuit of pleasure is paramount.  The seminar attracted over 170 in-person participants and an online audience of more than 13,800 across various social media platforms.  Prof. Dolnicar began her speech by providing an overview of the global tourism industry, highlighting its contribution to global carbon emissions and the significance of behavioural theories in enticing pro-environmental behaviours in tourists.  She noted that prevailing theories, such as the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Value-Belief-Norm Theory, are predominantly cognitive-focused: they assume that human behaviours are guided by cognitive processes and are therefore predictable.  However, these theories are less adept at explaining behaviour in hedonic contexts, where pleasure-seeking is the primary motivation.   Introducing her Habit-Enjoyment-Effort Theory, Prof. Dolnicar offered an alternative to the existing cognitive-focused models.  Drawing on real-world survey studies conducted in hotels around the world, she demonstrated that this new theory outperforms the Value-Belief-Norm Theory and shows considerable promise in field experiments, where the competing theories were assessed for their construct validity. In summary, Prof. Dolnicar argued that the current dominant theories adequately support the design of effective behavioural change interventions.  She emphasised the need for ongoing development of new theories, such as the Habit-Effort-Enjoyment Theory, and highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary and university-industry collaborations.  She concluded that preliminary research results generally provided empirical support for this new theory, highlighting that the theory has great potential for further refinement and deserves continued attention and uptake by the industry. Following the presentation was a lively question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. WANG Dan, Associate Director of Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT) and Professor of School of Hotel and Tourism Management.  Both the on-site and online audiences engaged in a productive discussion with Prof. Dolnicar. Please click here for an online review.

One hundred and thirty-nine PAIR scholars ranked among World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists 2025

A total of 139 scholars from PAIR and its 19 constituent research units were ranked among the “World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists 2025” in the latest list released by Stanford University, and five of them were among the top 20 scholars in the world in their own areas of specialty. The named PAIR scholars were included in the “Career-long Impact” list based on their career-long citation impact. The latest ranking reflects the influential research of PAIR researchers and PolyU’s leading position in multiple research areas. The ranking compiled by Stanford University covers over 100,000 top scientists across the globe. The database grouped scientists under 22 subject fields and 174 sub-fields. The list was based on indicators including citations, scientific research output and a composite indicator for citation impact, up to the end of 2024. The number of PAIR scholars listed in the ranking and their corresponding research fields are as below*: Acoustics (2) Analytical Chemistry (1) Applied Physics (2) Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing (7) Biomedical Engineering (3) Biotechnology (1) Building and Construction (14) Civil Engineering (9) Energy (11) Environmental Engineering (1) Environmental Sciences (1) Experimental Psychology (1) Food Science (1) Geological & Geomatics Engineering (5) Industrial Engineering & Automation (4) Information Systems (1) Inorganic & Nuclear Chemistry (1) Logistics & Transportation (3) Materials (14) Mechanical Engineering & Transports (3) Medicinal & Biomolecular Chemistry (2) Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences (3) Microbiology (1) Nanoscience & Nanotechnology (16) Networking & Telecommunications (6) Neurology & Neurosurgery (1) Operations Research (5) Ophthalmology & Optometry (3) Optoelectronics and Photonics (8) Organic Chemistry (1) Polymers (2) Psychiatry (1) Rehabilitation (3) Sport, Leisure & Tourism (1) Statistic & Probability (1)   *As per the data published by Elsevier on 19 September 2025 (version 8):  https://elsevier.digitalcommonsdata.com/datasets/btchxktzyw/8   Read more: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/pair/news-and-events/world_top_2_percent_scientists_2025-career_long/

Dr Nano CHENG explains health risks of energy drinks and introduces novel functional beverage

Dr Nano CHENG Wai-yin, Member of Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) and Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, was interviewed by RTHK’s radio programme “World in a Nutshell” regarding the impact of energy drinks and her team’s newly developed functional beverage. During the interview, Dr Cheng explained that energy drinks generally contain higher levels of caffeine and sugar compared to coffee or tea.  While caffeinated beverages may offer a temporary boost in alertness, prolonged consumption can lead to rebound fatigue or sleep disturbances.  She noted that regular intake of high-caffeine drinks can result in increased tolerance, meaning that consumers require larger amounts of caffeine to experience the same stimulating effect, which poses potential health risks. Dr Cheng advised consumers to choose low-caffeine alternatives, such as green tea or floral tea, or to consider functional beverages like “mushroom coffee”, a novel drink developed by her research team.   This coffee beverage contains extracts from various mushrooms, including Ganoderma lucidum, Cordyceps sinensis and Hericium erinaceus, providing the natural energising effects of coffee while reducing the common side effects of caffeine, thus providing a healthier choice for consumers. Online coverage: RTHK - https://polyu.me/3WlvALr (26:09 - 35:44) (Chinese only)

Prof. Kenneth LO commented on sugar control, choice of sugar substitutes and glycaemic index on TV

Prof. Kenneth LO Ka-hei, Member of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) and the Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA) and Assistant Professor of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, was interviewed by Now TV programme “Medicine Online”.  During the interview, he delved into the topics including sugar control, the use of next-generation sugar substitutes and the glycaemic index. Prof. Lo highlighted that excessive sugar consumption can lead to weight gain and may also contribute to health issues such as diabetes and heart disease.  He suggested that sugar control can begin with simple changes in daily habits, such as asking for “no sauce” or “sauce on the side” in meal orders, as well as opting for low-sugar beverages.  He also reminded consumers to pay close attention to nutritional labels on food packaging to help manage their sugar intake.  Prof. Lo added that foods containing less than 5ml (or 5g) of sugar per 100ml (or 100g) are considered low-sugar products. In addition, Prof. Lo noted that natural sugar substitutes, such as monk fruit sweetener, have become increasingly popular in recent years.  Although these substitutes are lower in calories and have less impact on blood sugar levels, their sweetness is 100 to 250 times higher than regular sugar, so special care should be taken when consuming them.  He emphasised that some sugar substitutes can be even sweeter than regular sugar regardless being artificial or natural. Therefore, he did not recommend using them as the main replacer for a sugar-free diet. Finally, Prof. Lo discussed the glycaemic index (GI), which measures the rising speed of blood sugar levels caused by food.  He advised the public to be mindful of foods with a high GI, such as rice, mashed potatoes, longans and lychees, as these can cause blood glucose levels to rise more rapidly and drastically.  Conversely, unrefined and fibre-rich foods, such as wholemeal bread, apples and oranges, can lead to a more stable increase in blood glucose levels. Online coverage: ViuTV - https://polyu.me/4od0QYL (8:20 - 11:40) Now TV - https://polyu.me/42xKr8X (7:46 - 11:04)

The Art of Achievement: Prof. David PUI’s Scientific Legacy

At the PAIR Seminar on 10 October 2025, Prof. David Y. H. PUI of University of Minnesota, USA, shared insights that have contributed to his career success in both academia and industry.  His talk, titled “Preparing for a Successful Career Starting with Your Graduate Theses”, focused on the essential personal qualities and skill sets for completing university education and excelling as an educator or technologist.  The seminar attracted over 100 in-person participants and an online audience of more than 15,000 across various social media platforms.  To begin his presentation, Prof. Pui briefly introduced his works at the Particle Technology Laboratory and his contributions to research on Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) as well as his longstanding collaborations with industry.  He then went on to highlight some of his former postdoctoral students, who are now prominent figures in both academia and industry in the world.   Reflecting on his own remarkable academic journey, Prof. Pui emphasised that successful individuals should possess personal qualities such as Passion, Independence, Teamwork, Creativity, Hard Work (PITCH), and skill sets including Critical Thinking, Communication and Collaboration (CCC).  He also recounted on his experiences with international collaborations, which have not only advanced his career but also fostered lifelong friendships with his collaborators and their families.  Finally, he provided an example of how he continues to cultivate PITCH and CCC in his work, demonstrating their positive impact on society. Following the presentation was a lively question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PAIR, Chair Professor of Building Thermal Science and Hong Kong Global STEM Scholar.  The audience engaged in a productive discussion with Prof. Pui. Please click here for an online review.

RISA co-organises Hong Kong Arthritis Day 2025

On 4 October 2025, the Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA) co-organised Hong Kong Arthritis Day 2025 with the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of The University of Hong Kong.  The event attracted over 300 participants, including senior citizens, healthcare professionals and academics. Ir Prof. ZHENG Yongping, Director of RISA and Jockey Club Smart Ageing Hub, Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering, remarked that the event demonstrated PolyU’s robust healthcare expertise.  He believed that the occasion not only strengthened the University’s capacity to address care needs in ageing societies but also laid a solid foundation for its preparations to establish the city’s third medical school. Prof. WEN Chunyi, Management Committee Member of RISA and Associate Professor of BME, emphasised that knee degeneration has become a major health challenge driven by ageing population.  He highlighted that the promotion of primary healthcare and early prevention would help reduce the medical burden on society. At the exhibition, RISA proudly showcased two innovations on sarcopenia screening, which are Sarcopenia assessment kit for sarcopenia assessment based on AI using Ultrasound Subcutaneous fat measurement for sarcopenia-related muscles respectively. The exhibition received enthusiastic support from elderly visitors.   Online coverage: HK01 - https://polyu.me/4hfYGFH (Chinese only) Orange News- https://polyu.me/4mUhGud (Chinese only)

Prof. Iain McCULLOCH of Princeton highlights next-generation solar fuels at PAIR Seminar

Green hydrogen, produced from water using renewable energy, is anticipated to become a leading fuel of the future, offering clean, carbon-free energy for a wide range of industrial applications.  It also has the potential to provide complementary energy storage when combined with intermittent solar power.  However, achieving economically competitive, large-scale solar-generated hydrogen production remains a significant challenge. Photochemical water splitting, a process that uses light-absorbing nanoparticle semiconductors to drive redox reactions on their surface, offers a promising solution. At the PAIR Seminar on 2 October 2025, Prof. Iain McCULLOCH of Princeton University, USA, shared the latest developments in photochemical water splitting.  His talk, titled “Harnessing the Sun for Chemistry”, focused on the use of light-absorbing nanoparticle semiconductors capable of driving redox reactions on their surface.  The seminar attracted over 80 in-person participants and an online audience of more than 15,500 across various social media platforms.  To begin his presentation, Prof. McCulloch briefly introduced the development of photo-catalysts fabricated from organic semiconductors, which can be chemically tuned to absorb strongly throughout the UV-visible spectrum.  His research has demonstrated that these organic semiconductor nanoparticles, featuring an internal donor/acceptor heterojunction between two organic semiconductors with a type II energy level offset, achieve higher solar-to-hydrogen efficiency than traditional inorganic photocatalysts.  The donor/acceptor heterojunction significantly enhances charge generation within the nanoparticles, thereby greatly improving their hydrogen production efficiency.  Furthermore, his team has also shown that adjusting the nanoparticle composition can substantially increase hydrogen production efficiency. Prof. McCulloch’s research team also observed that the high efficiency of these nanoparticles stems from their ability to generate exceptionally long-lived reactive charges upon illumination, increasing their likelihood of participation in photocatalytic reactions.  In addition, he discussed solution-processable, linear conjugated polymers of intrinsic porosity for gas-phase carbon dioxide photoreduction, highlighting the potential of such polymers in transforming carbon dioxide into solar fuels. Following the presentation was a lively question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. YAN Feng, Associate Director of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and Chair Professor of Organic Electronics.  The audience engaged in a productive discussion with Prof. McCulloch. Please click here for an online review.

PolyU researchers develop underground utilities inspection technologies to locate invisible water pipe leakages and voids

A research team led by Prof. Wallace LAI Wai-lok, Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), Associate Head and Professor of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-informatics, has leveraged advanced underground exploration technologies to develop underground utilities inspection systems that support early detection of urban infrastructure anomalies, including voids and pipe leakages, for enhanced urban management. These advanced algorithms behind the multi-channel and road-based ground penetrating radar are well-suited for Hong Kong’s complex underground pipeline network and can accurately detect and assess underground pipeline leakages.  With guidance from Prof. DING Xiaoli, Director of RILS and Chair Professor of Geomatics, on the application of optical fibre within pipelines, the system can objectively analyse the collected underground pipe images to identify water leaks and their severity, as well as the approximate location of the leak point, which will assist in subsequent repair work.  The research team has also developed an acoustic-based leak detection and localisation method, which analyses noise characteristics to distinguish between different types and severities of leaks.  Traditional tools like ground microphones often struggle with environmental noise, so the team is exploring the use of robots equipped with acoustic hydrophones for more precise detection. Over the years, the team has closely collaborated with government bodies and industry to establish relevant training centre and joint laboratory, and to build a specialised database and AI model for ground-penetrating radar images and leak noise.  The team aims to enable large-scale, efficient inspections and support data-driven management strategies to reduce water leakage and prevent road subsidence. Press release: https://polyu.me/46xOdS4   Online coverage: Mirage - https://polyu.me/42mKkgq Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/488TXmD Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3VIW896 Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/4o0IOsB

Prof. HE Mingguang discusses non-invasive angiography on TV programme

Prof. HE Mingguang, Director of Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV), Henry G. Leong Professor in Elderly Vision Health and Chair Professor of Experimental Ophthalmology of the PolyU School of Optometry, appeared on the HOY TV’s programme “Health Concern Group” on 1 October 2025, sharing the application of non-invasive angiography in ophthalmic diagnosis. Prof. He pointed out that traditional fundus fluorescein angiography requires the injection of a contrast agent into the patient’s vein, a process that is not only time-consuming and costly, but also potentially life-threatening.  To address this, Prof. He and his team have utilised Generative AI technology to convert ordinary fundus photographs into high-precision angiographic images and dynamic videos within seconds, thereby effectively identifying ophthalmic diseases such as early diabetic retinopathy, central serous retinopathy, and retinal vascular damage caused by hypertension.   Online coverage: HOY TV - https://polyu.me/4pOGCWH (07:17 - 11:13)

Prof. Nathanael JIN Ling’s study reveals public health risks of drug-resistant Candida in cities

Prof. Nathanael JIN Ling, Member of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) and the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC), and Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Health Technology and Informatics, has recently published a pioneering research in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, shedding light on the public health risks posed by airborne Candida species in densely populated urban areas. The key findings of the study are as follows: • Drug-Resistant Candida in Urban Air: The study detected viable, drug-resistant strains of Candida parapsilosis, Candida albicans, and Candida tropicalis in city air samples—strains that were notably absent in coastal environments. • Genetic Similarity to Clinical Strains: Airborne isolates exhibited a high degree of genetic similarity to those found in clinical settings, suggesting that community-acquired infections could occur through inhalation or skin contact. • Multidrug Resistance: Of particular concern was the discovery of multidrug resistance in C. parapsilosis, raising questions about the role of urban pollution and climate change in driving antifungal resistance. Candida species are classified as WHO fungal priority pathogens due to their severe health impacts.  Prof. Jin’s research highlights the urgent need to recognise urban air as a significant medium for the spread of antifungal-resistant strains.  Looking ahead, his research team plans to expand their work to larger, multi-site studies to better understand fungal transmission pathways, investigate urban reservoirs of drug-resistant fungi and strengthen One Health approach to combat the global threat of fungal resistance. Read the full article: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.5c00795