News

Food Tech Transforming Future Diets: NUS Professor HUANG Dejian Explores Innovations in Sustainable Plant Proteins and Functional Staple Foods

On 8 June 2026, Prof. HUANG Dejian, Professor and Deputy Head of Department of Food Science & Technology, Principal Investigator at Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein at National University of Singapore, delivered a PAIR Seminar titled “Sustainable Plant Proteins and Functional Staple Foods” at the PolyU campus. The seminar attracted an audience of over 50 onsite attendees and nearly 14,600 online viewers across various social media platforms. Prof. Huang opened the seminar by highlighting several pressing global challenges. With the world population projected to approach 10 billion by 2050, pressure on global food supply systems is expected to intensify significantly. At the same time, food waste continues to cost the global economy an estimated USD 2.6 trillion annually. Moreover, the growing prevalence of highly processed diets has contributed to the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and obesity. In response to these structural challenges, Prof. Huang’s research team adopts a circular economy approach, transforming agricultural side-streams and underutilised resources into high-value functional food ingredients. A major highlight of the seminar was the upcycling of food side-streams, including spent grains from alcoholic beverage production and oilseed meals, for the extraction of cereal prolamins such as zein. Prof. Huang demonstrated the immense potential of these plant proteins as edible biomaterials. His research team utilised zein to fabricate 3D-printed scaffolds and microbeads for cultivated meat production, enabling the scalable cultivation of muscle cells and the successful production of marbled cultivated meat. In addition, the team conducted in-depth research on pumpkin seed proteins rich in arginine and formulated them into plant-based hydrogels as gelatine mimics. By integrating 3D-printing technologies, the researchers successfully developed highly realistic plant-based seafood analogues, including salmon, Arctic shellfish, and sea cucumber, closely replicating both their appearance and texture. These innovations not only demonstrated the versatility of plant proteins in texture design, but also highlighted their enormous potential for future food innovation and sustainable development. Turning the focus toward functional staple foods, Prof. Huang addressed the metabolic health risks associated with high-carbohydrate diets, noting that a single bowl of white rice contains more than twice the carbohydrate content of a canned soft drink. To tackle this issue, his research team identified various natural botanical extracts capable of inhibiting starch-hydrolysing enzymes, including okra seed powder, and successfully developed the ProTEGO™ noodle. Clinical studies showed that the functional staple food effectively reduces postprandial glycaemic response and glycaemic index (GI), while maintaining favourable taste, texture, and satiety, offering a healthier alternative to conventional staple foods. The related technologies have been commercialised, with successful applications in products such as plant-based abalone and vegan Poon Choi, providing practical solutions for promoting healthier and more sustainable dietary habits. The seminar concluded with an interactive Q&A session moderated by Prof. GAN Renyou, Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at PolyU. Both onsite and online audiences actively engaged in discussions on topics including plant proteins, staple food texture, and digestive properties. Prof. Huang also shared reflections on his team’s research journey, describing it as an exploration filled with warmth, camaraderie, and a passion for scientific discovery, bringing the seminar to a successful close. Please click here for an online review.

PolyU co-organises Chinese medicine symposium with China Medical University

The Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Chinese Medicine Research Center of the China Medical University (CMU), Taiwan, jointly organised the “2026 CMU–PolyU Joint Symposium” on 4 June 2026.  The Symposium brought together experts and scholars to exchange ideas and share innovative research findings and clinical application experience in Chinese medicine, fully demonstrating the significant achievements of both institutions in Chinese medicine research and translational medicine. Following the successful conclusion of the Symposium, the delegation from RCMI visited the CMU Shuinan Main Campus, the LiFu Museum of Chinese Medicine, the China Medical University Affiliated Hospital and its Proton Therapy Centre, gaining deeper insights into the University’s latest developments in Chinese medicine education, clinical services and advanced research facilities. This joint symposium not only promoted in-depth academic exchange between scholars from the two universities in the field of Chinese medicine research, but also laid a solid foundation for future collaborative research projects, talent development, and international co-operation. Looking ahead, both universities will continue to deepen their partnership by integrating research strengths and resources to jointly advance innovative research and clinical applications in Chinese medicine, further enhancing the international visibility and influence of cross-boundary Chinese medicine research.   Online coverage: Central News Agency - https://polyu.me/3SuVwVT 台灣新新聞報 - https://polyu.me/4utSm1X PC home - https://polyu.me/4fuSEC5 MSN - https://polyu.me/4vxJF7L  

Unlocking Graphene the Wonder Material: Prof. Robert J. YOUNG Explores Mechanics and Toughening Mechanisms in Nanocomposites

On 3 June 2026, Prof. Robert J. Young, Fellow of The Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering, UK, and Emeritus Professor of Polymer Science and Technology at the National Graphene Institute and Department of Materials at The University of Manchester, UK, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “The Mechanics of Graphene and Graphene-Based Nanocomposites” at the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted an audience of over 40 onsite attendees, and nearly 15,700 online viewers across various social media platforms. Prof. Young opened the lecture by reviewing the groundbreaking developments in graphene research over the past two decades since its first successful isolation at The University of Manchester. This pioneering achievement not only earned the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics, but also led to the establishment of the £60 million National Graphene Institute at the University, jointly funded by the UK Government and the European Regional Development Fund. He also introduced his team’s pioneering micro-Raman spectroscopy technique, which enables researchers to directly observe the deformation behaviour of materials under stress at the molecular level, further deepening the scientific community’s understanding of the relationship between material structures and mechanical properties. Addressing common misconceptions surrounding graphene, Prof. Young provided a scientific analysis of its mechanical properties. He explained that although monolayer graphene possesses an exceptionally high modulus of around 1,000 GPa, its practical strength is often reduced to approximately 5–10 GPa due to material defects, while its fracture toughness is only about one-tenth that of steel. In addition, as the number of graphene layers increases, slippage between adjacent sheets can occur more easily, leading to a reduction in stiffness as the original “Bernal stacking” atomic arrangement is lost. Turning to graphene-based nanocomposites, Prof. Young noted that softer matrix materials tend to limit stress transfer, a process that can be modelled using shear-lag theory. More importantly, through high-resolution synchrotron X-ray nanotomography, the research team discovered that the toughening mechanism of these composites primarily arises from void growth and cavitation around debonded flakes under compression, rather than solely from the intrinsic strength of graphene. These findings in material mechanics have also been successfully translated into real-world applications. The UK National Graphene Institute collaborated with luxury watchmaker Richard Mille and the McLaren Formula 1 Team to develop the RM 50-03, the world’s lightest split-seconds tourbillon chronograph watch. Both the case and strap of the timepiece incorporate graphene-reinforced composite materials, fully demonstrating the industrial potential of advanced materials technology. The lecture concluded with an interactive Q&A session moderated by Prof. YAN Feng, Associate Director of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and Chair Professor of Organic Electronics at PolyU. During the session, Prof. Young shared insights into graphene’s fatigue resistance and explored the potential of using pulsed lasers for dynamic high-speed impact testing. He noted that while chemical bonding helps improve stress-transfer efficiency between materials, structures with lower interfacial adhesion are, in fact, more conducive to triggering cavitation, thereby absorbing large amounts of energy and enhancing material toughness. In addition, he suggested that carbon nanotubes could deliver greater reinforcement than graphene in polymer nanofibres, while reducing the likelihood of introducing structural defects. Please click here for an online review.

Harvard Professor SUO Zhigang Unveils Frontiers in Soft Materials, Bio-adhesion and Biomedical Applications

On 2 June 2026, Prof. SUO Zhigang, Foreign Member of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Member of both National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Sciences in the USA, Allen E. and Marilyn M. Puckett Professor of Mechanics and Materials at Harvard University, USA, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Adhesion between Soft Materials and Tissues” at the PolyU campus. The lecture was attended by more than 100 scholars, researchers and students in person, and nearly 16,000 online viewers across various social media platforms. During the lecture, Prof. Suo first explained the fundamental mechanics of hydrogels, illustrating how two brittle polymer networks — polyacrylamide and alginate — can be combined to form a highly tough and stretchable hybrid hydrogel. This “brittle + brittle = tough” design concept greatly enhances the material’s resistance to fracture through hysteresis and viscoelastic energy dissipation, increasing its fracture energy from approximately 10 J/m² to over 9,000 J/m². These advanced hydrogels also possess desirable properties such as stretchability, transparency and conductivity, enabling their use as ionic conductors in various biomimetic devices, including artificial muscles, stretchable electroluminescent devices and ionic transistors, thereby overcoming the fragility limitations of conventional biocompatible materials. In the area of interface engineering, Prof. Suo further elaborated on how the synergistic interplay among chemistry, topology and mechanics enables robust tissue adhesion. He introduced pioneering techniques such as “topological adhesion” and “molecular staples”, which utilise biocompatible polymers to form instant, tough and non-covalent bonds on soft tissue surfaces. His research team has also successfully developed innovative materials, including “hydrogel paints” and photodegradable adhesives, which not only provide strong adhesive performance but can also be safely removed under ultraviolet (UV) light, offering breakthrough solutions for clinical applications such as surgical dressings and wound care. The lecture also highlighted the translational applications of these materials in both biomedical and industrial fields. Prof. Suo introduced hydrogel-mesh composites designed for sutureless adhesive anastomosis in organ transplantation, a technology that can significantly reduce surgical trauma and the risk of fluid leakage. He further explained how the mechanical principle of multiscale stress deconcentration can increase the fatigue threshold of soft materials by tenfold. Beyond bioimplants, this concept has also been extended to the development of sustainable engineering materials, such as “green tyres” made from silica-filled natural rubber and highly durable natural rubber tanglemers. The lecture concluded with an interactive Q&A session moderated by Prof. MAI Yiu-wing, PolyU Distinguished Chair Professor of Composites Science and Engineering. Prof. ZHENG Zijian, Vice President (Knowledge Transfer) of PolyU, Prof. SU Zhongqing, Head and Chair Professor of Smart Structures and Systems of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, together with faculty members and students, actively participated in the discussion. Online audiences also responded enthusiastically, engaging in in-depth exchanges on a range of cutting-edge academic topics, including how hydration layers at the interface between soft materials and living tissues influence transient adhesion strength, as well as the design of intelligent soft adhesives capable of controllable detachment in response to physiological microenvironmental changes such as pH, temperature and reactive oxygen species. The event fostered a vibrant atmosphere for academic exchange both onsite and online. Please click here for an online review.

PAIR Newsletter · Issue 18 · June 2026 is now available

What can nature teach us about solving humanity’s most complex challenges?  In Issue 18 of the PAIR Newsletter, biomimicry takes centre stage, revealing how insights from living systems can spark innovation and help address pressing global challenges in health, sustainability, and human wellbeing. Discover how sea urchin spines inspire next‑generation biomimetic sensors, and how an AI co‑pilot system is advancing clinical‑grade decision‑making.  You will also find stories that reflect PAIR’s commitment to sustainability, deep‑space exploration and improving people’s wellbeing through innovations in mobility, comfort, and mental health. We also spotlight two complementary perspectives on building a resilient, future‑ready society, shared by leading materials science experts.  PAIR Senior Fellow Prof. Nemkumar BANTHIA highlights how carbon‑neutral materials, smart monitoring, and predictive design can strengthen urban resilience, while PAIR International Advisory Committee (IAC) Member Prof. Alexander HARTMAIER explores how multiscale materials science—from atoms to full‑scale structures—enables low‑carbon, high‑performance, and ethically sourced materials for industry. This spring, PAIR welcomed IAC members from the Chinese Mainland, Singapore, the UK, Germany, and the US to its 5th annual IAC Meeting, an important forum for gathering expert advice to guide PAIR’s future development.  We also marked the launch of the “Cambridge NeuroWorks and PolyU PAIR Joint Seminar Series” and the “PAIR Seed Funding Scheme for Joint Research Projects with Leading Universities”, alongside many other cross‑disciplinary and cross‑sectoral partnerships across PAIR research units.   Read PAIR Newsletter ž Issue 18: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/pair/publications/issue-18/  

Ir Prof. ZHANG Ming elected Fellow of Chinese Society of Biomedical Engineering for 2026

Ir Prof. ZHANG Ming, Director of the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) and Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, has recently been elected a Fellow of the Chinese Society of Biomedical Engineering (CSBME) for the year 2026, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to rehabilitation engineering and biomedical engineering. Ir Prof. Zhang took the lead in establishing the Society’s Rehabilitation Engineering Technical Committee and served as its inaugural Chair. Under his leadership, the committee has grown into one of the Society’s largest and most distinguished groups. While advancing the development of the branch, Ir Prof. Zhang has also actively fostered collaboration between PolyU and the Society. The PolyU Department of Biomedical Engineering has long participated in the Society’s academic activities, promoting research and academic exchange in related fields. Established in 1980, CSBME is a national first-level academic society and the only professional academic organisation in the Chinese Mainland that integrates research, education, clinical practice and industrial development in the field of biomedical engineering. The Society has more than 45,000 individual members. Since launching its Fellow programme in 2024, a total of 45 scholars have been elected Fellows to date.

MHRC hosts 2026 networking luncheon to advance interdisciplinary collaboration and mental wellness

The Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) hosted its 2026 Networking Luncheon on 29 May 2026 at Hotel ICON, bringing together over 50 representatives from the Government, the Hospital Authority, non-governmental organisations, charitable foundations and academia to foster interdisciplinary exchange and strengthen collaboration in mental health research and community services. The luncheon opened with welcoming remarks by Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation). Prof. Chao commended MHRC for its notable achievements in interdisciplinary research, academic innovation and collaborative network building since its establishment in 2021. The event was also graced by Dr LAM Ching-choi, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Mental Health of the Health Bureau, HKSAR, and Mr David NG, Assistant Director (Rehabilitation & Medical Social Services) of the Social Welfare Department, HKSAR, who attended as officiating guests and shared their insights on the development of local and global mental health research and community services. To celebrate the launch of MHRC’s second funding cycle, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held, officiated by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research, Prof. David SHUM, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Prof. QIU Anqi, Director of MHRC, Prof. Hector TSANG, Co-founder of MHRC, Dr LAM Ching-choi, Mr David NG, and Mr Lawrence CHAN, Founder of the Seal of Love Charitable Foundation. During the luncheon, Prof. QIU Anqi shared the Centre’s latest research achievements and future strategic directions, highlighting how MHRC integrates neuroscience, artificial intelligence, rehabilitation sciences and social work to develop innovative, technology-driven mental health interventions. The event also provided a valuable platform for dialogue among stakeholders, including representatives from the Lee Hysan Foundation, Seal of Love Charitable Foundation, Bright Future Charitable Foundation, the Hospital Authority and various mental health service organisations. In closing, Prof. QIU expressed heartfelt gratitude to all partners for their continued support and reaffirmed MHRC’s commitment to advancing mental health research and services through cross-sector collaboration, with the shared goal of building a healthier and more resilient society. MHRC also sincerely thanked all guests for their valuable insights and forward-looking perspectives. The meaningful exchanges throughout the luncheon underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and further strengthened the collective commitment to enhancing mental health and well-being in the community.

Four PAIR members awarded RGC Overseas Research Fellowship Scheme

Four PAIR members have been awarded the Research Grants Council (RGC) Overseas Research Fellowship Scheme, which supports their pursuit of immersive research at leading overseas institutions, enhancing insights into the latest global trends in scientific research and innovation. The awarded PolyU scholars bring wide-ranging expertise across Web3, digital finance, language sciences, physiotherapy and AI management.  Their research efforts exemplify PolyU’s robust research capabilities and unwavering commitment to driving innovation with global impact.  Each of them will be supported with a HK$368,000 grant for their overseas research trip. The four awardees are: Principal Investigators Research Plan Overseas Host Institution(s) Prof. LUO Xiapu Member of Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT) and Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI), Associate Dean (Research) of Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, and Professor of Department of Computing Bridging Hong Kong and Europe for Secure Web3: DeFi Risk Detection and Blockchain Infrastructure Hardening University College London (UK) ETH Zurich (Switzerland) University of Luxembourg (Luxembourg) Prof. CHAN Wing Shan Angel Member of Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV) and Associate Professor of Department of Language Science and Technology Advancing Culturally-Responsive Speech Therapy Practice for Children: From Technology Innovation to Person-Centred Care Griffith University (Australia) Leibniz-Centre General Linguistics (Germany) The University of Sydney (Australia) City St George’s University of London (UK) Prof. Arnold WONG Associate Director of Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA), Member of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports), and Professor of Department of Rehabilitation Sciences The Application of Co-Design and Non-inferiority Trial Design to Evaluate Effectiveness and Cost- Effectiveness of Direct Access Physiotherapy Services The University of Sydney (Australia) Prof. Crystal SHI Member of Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT) and Associate Professor of School of Hotel and Tourism Management Cross-Cultural Insights on Human-AI Collaboration in Hospitality: Supporting Digital Transformation and Service Innovation in Multicultural Workforces Purdue University (USA)   The RGC Overseas Research Fellowship Scheme aims to encourage university faculty to visit overseas institutions/units for immersive international collaboration, thereby broadening their international perspective and deepening the Hong Kong research community’s exposure to trends elsewhere.  Selected fellows will be supported in visiting overseas institutional laboratories/research units/clinical set-ups to work on research projects or undergo research-related professional development.  

Bringing the Overlooked into Focus: Prof. Manuela FERREIRA on How Big Data Reveals the Global Burden of Musculoskeletal Conditions

On 28 May 2026, Prof. Manuela FERREIRA, Professor of Musculoskeletal Health at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, delivered a PAIR seminar titled “High-Impact Research Using Big Data Analysis – The Global Burden of Disease Study”. The lecture attracted over 70 scholars and students onsite, alongside 15,000 plus online viewers streaming via various social media platforms. Prof. Ferreira’s engaging and lively presentation style resonated with the audience, as she posed relatable questions rooted in everyday experiences and effectively translated complex epidemiological concepts into clear and accessible insights. At the outset, Prof. Ferreira highlighted a key public health issue: “Without data, there is no disease; without global big data, we cannot truly understand the existence of disease”. She further emphasised that “data is the foundation of the entire health ecosystem”. She noted that, historically, major musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions such as osteoarthritis (OA) and low back pain (LBP) have been underestimated or overlooked by global health organisations due to insufficient documentation and data. To enhance awareness and advocate for greater healthcare resources, Prof. Ferreira compared traditional “cost-of-illness” studies with composite metrics such as Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). She explained that DALYs provide a more standardised and equitable framework for comparing diseases, thereby strengthening the scientific basis and equity of health policy decision-making. In her discussion of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study—a large-scale international collaboration—Prof. Ferreira pointed out that LBP remains the leading cause of Years Lived with Disability (YLDs) globally. Data show that approximately 619 million people were affected by LBP in 2020, with projections indicating that this number may rise to nearly 800 million by 2050. The findings also reveal a marked gender disparity, with women experiencing a significantly higher prevalence of LBP than men across almost all age groups. This pattern is closely associated with global risk factors such as smoking, high body mass index (BMI), and occupational ergonomic hazards. The seminar also addressed the growing challenge of OA, which is projected to affect nearly 1 billion people by 2050, driven by population growth, ageing, and obesity. Currently, more than 1.5 billion people are living with MSK conditions globally—a figure set to rise by 70% to over 3 billion by 2050. In light of this pressing global health challenge, Prof. Ferreira underscored the importance of preventive care, early diagnosis, and promoting healthier lifestyles. The seminar concluded with a Q&A session, during which Prof. Ferreira called for greater efforts to collect high-quality national-level data to further refine disease models and advance global health policy. Please click here for an online review.

Ir Prof. ZHANG Ming speaks at scientific literacy training programme for national team

Ir Prof. ZHANG Ming, Director of the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) and Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, was recently invited to participate in the 2026 “National Team Scientific Literacy Training Programme”. He delivered a keynote academic report titled “Running Biomechanics and Health Research”, introducing his team’s latest research achievements and promoting the integration of sports biomechanics research with competitive sports practice. The training programme, organised by the China Institute of Sport Science, was held at Shenyang Sport University from 27 to 29 May 2026. Under the theme “Enhancing Sports Performance through Sports Biomechanics”, the programme focused on advanced sports biomechanics technologies, scientific training and sports performance optimisation, with the aim of enhancing the scientific literacy and application capabilities of national team researchers, coaches and support personnel. The event brought together nearly 90 industry practitioners, including team leaders, coaches, researchers and medical support personnel from 24 national teams, as well as researchers from 17 member institutes of the National Sports Science Research Collaboration Network and academic representatives from major sport universities. During the visit, Prof. Zhang also toured the research platforms and training facilities at Shenyang Sport University and exchanged views with university representatives on areas including academic exchange, research collaboration, talent cultivation and technology commercialisation. The discussions laid a solid foundation for future collaboration and the advancement of sports science and technology development between the two institutions.