News

New directorship appointments for RISUD and RCRE

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Ir Prof. NIU Jianlei, Chair Professor of Building Environment and Energy of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, as Director of Research Institute of Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) with effect from 1 July 2026.  An internationally recognised expert in building environment and energy, Prof. Niu’s research focuses on indoor environmental quality, thermal comfort, HVAC systems and urban microclimates.  He currently leads a major RGC Theme-based Research Scheme project on healthy and resilient cities and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Energy and Buildings. He is also a Fellow of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Fellow of International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ) and Fellow of the International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA). We are also delighted to announce the appointment of Prof. Charles XU Chunbao as Director of Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE) and Chair Professor of Advanced Biorefinery in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering with effect from 2 July 2026.  Joining PolyU following a global search, Prof. Xu is an internationally renowned scholar in advanced biorefinery and sustainable resource engineering.  With more than 20 years of research experience, he has published over 400 journal papers, holds 12 international patents and is recognised for his pioneering work in converting biomass and organic wastes into sustainable fuels, green chemicals and biopolymer materials.  He is a Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Engineering Institute of Canada. We extend our warmest congratulations to Ir Prof. Niu and Prof. Xu on their new appointments.  We are confident that, under their leadership, RISUD and RCRE will continue to strengthen their research excellence and make significant contributions to sustainable urban development and carbon neutrality.

Exploring a New Global Frontier in Neuroscience: Cambridge NeuroWorks and PolyU PAIR Joint Seminar Series

We are delighted to announce that the second seminar of the Cambridge NeuroWorks and PolyU PAIR Joint Seminar Series will be held on 21 July 2026 (Tuesday).  The seminar titled “Bioelectronic Systems as Neural Interfaces” will be delivered by Prof. John A. ROGERS of Northwestern University, U.S.A. Prof. John A. ROGERS is Director of the Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics in the Northwest University.  He has co-authored nearly 1000 papers and is co-inventor on more than 100 patents, over 70 of which have been licensed to major companies or to start-ups that have emerged from his laboratories.  His research has been recognised through numerous honours, including the James Prize for Science and Technology Integration from the National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A. (2022) and the IEEE Biomedical Engineering Award (2024).  He is a Fellow of the Royal Society, a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Inventors and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in the U.S.A. In this seminar, Prof. Rogers will explore the transformative field of bioelectronic neural interfaces, which are reshaping neuroscience and opening up new avenues for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.  He will also discuss how advanced electronic and optoelectronic technologies can be seamlessly integrated with soft biological tissues, enabling the precise monitoring and modulation of neural circuits across 1D, 2D and 3D architectures. Join us for an engaging presentation by Prof. Rogers, offering insight into the potential of bioelectronic systems to transform healthcare and deepen our understanding of the nervous system.   Bioelectronic Systems as Neural Interfaces Date: 21 July 2026 (Tuesday) Time: 8:00-9:30pm (HKT) / 7:00-8:30am (CDT) / 1:00-2:30pm (BST) Format: Online via Zoom Speaker: Prof. John A. ROGERS, Louis Simpson and Kimberly Querrey Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Neurological Surgery (and by courtesy Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry and Dermatology) Director, Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics Northwestern University Language: English Event website: https://polyu.hk/VeQzW Registration: https://polyu.hk/chKNV

Maintaining muscle health helps protect the brain against depression, PolyU study reveals key mechanism

A recent study led by Principal Investigator Prof. Sonata YAU and funded by the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has uncovered an important biological mechanism underlying the antidepressant effects of exercise. The research team found that apelin, a myokine released by muscles during physical activity, serves as a crucial mediator linking skeletal muscle and the brain, helping to promote emotional well-being and protect brain function. The findings further highlight the significant benefits of exercise for mental health. The study found that exercise stimulates skeletal muscles to release apelin, which activates a series of signalling processes through APJ receptors, including the CK2/GluN2B/NMDA receptor pathway. This, in turn, enhances neuroplasticity in the hippocampus and produces antidepressant effects. The research team noted that skeletal muscle is not only responsible for movement, but also functions as an important endocrine organ that can influence brain functions through the secretion of bioactive molecules. As such, it plays a key role in promoting brain health and building lifelong psychological resilience. The team also highlighted that, for older adults, maintaining muscle health is important not only for preserving mobility but also for supporting mental well-being. As muscle mass naturally declines with age, regular exercise helps sustain apelin production, enabling the brain to continue receiving these essential signals. This may help combat depressive symptoms and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. The findings deepen understanding of how exercise supports brain health and further underscore the importance of maintaining muscle health through regular physical activity, providing new scientific evidence for promoting mental well-being and healthy ageing.   Read the full research paper: https://www.psypost.org/scientists-discover-how-exercising-muscles-communicate-with-the-brain-to-fight-depression/ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-026-03651-y  

RIAIoT leads global dialogue on semiconductor innovation at 3rd Microelectronics Technology Forum 2026

The 3rd Microelectronics Technology Forum (MTF) 2026, held as part of the IEEE Electron Devices Society (EDS) Celebration Series marking the 100th anniversary of the Field-Effect Transistor (FET), took place successfully on 18 June 2026 at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU).  Jointly organised by the Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT) under the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) and the Semiconductor Nanotechnology Alliance (SNA), and co-organised by IEEE EDS, the forum brought together renowned researchers, industry leaders and technology innovators to discuss the future of semiconductors under the theme “Semiconductor Technologies in the AI Era”.  The event celebrated a century of transistor innovation while showcasing emerging technologies that will drive the next generation of artificial intelligence, computing and intelligent systems. The forum opened with remarks by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, and Prof. CHAI Yang, Director of RIAIoT and Chairman of SNA.  In his opening remarks, Prof. Teng reaffirmed PolyU’s commitment to advancing frontier research, fostering innovation and strengthening academia-industry collaboration, while underscoring the University’s ambition to contribute to regional and global leadership in microelectronics and semiconductor technologies.  Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the organising institutions, Prof. Chai highlighted RIAIoT’s vision of advancing intelligent systems through the convergence of artificial intelligence, advanced semiconductor devices, sensing technologies and computing hardware.  He also outlined three key technological pillars shaping the future of AI—continued Moore’s Law scaling, emerging computing architectures such as neuromorphic, quantum and optical computing, and advanced power devices that enable energy-efficient intelligence. The technical programme featured a distinguished line-up of speakers and presentations spanning the semiconductor innovation value chain.  The morning sessions celebrated the centenary milestone of FET development, covering innovations beyond traditional scaling approaches and topics such as heterogeneous integration, 3D complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) architectures, advanced memory technologies and computing-in-memory (CIM) solutions to meet the growing demands of AI. The afternoon sessions focused on industrialisation and ecosystem development, highlighting advances in semiconductor equipment, metrology, chip packaging, smart manufacturing and AI data centre infrastructure, as well as strategies to strengthen regional innovation capabilities and accelerate technology commercialisation through cross-sector collaboration and investment. A highlight of the forum was a series of panel discussions that brought together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and researchers.  The discussions explored the evolution of microelectronics over the past century, opportunities for emerging chip startups in the Greater Bay Area, and pathways to translate breakthrough research into real-world industrial impact through stronger academia-industry collaboration. The forum closed on a positive note with a call for continued collaboration among academia, industry and government to accelerate innovation in microelectronics and semiconductor technologies.  The insights shared and partnerships forged during the event are expected to drive future advancements in AI-enabled hardware and semiconductor innovation.  Looking ahead, RIAIoT will continue to foster cross-sector collaboration, drive advances in microelectronics, and support Hong Kong’s sustainable innovation-led growth in the AI era.

RiFood honoured with Correctional Services Department’s “Rehabilitation Partner” Award

The Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has received the “Rehabilitation Partner” Award from the Correctional Services Department (CSD) of the HKSAR in recognition of its outstanding contributions to supporting rehabilitation programmes for persons in custody (PICs).  Prof. WONG Ka-hing, Director of RiFood, represented the University in receiving the award at the presentation ceremony held on 17 June 2026. In February 2025, PolyU and the CSD signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly promote food waste upcycling and the development of environmentally friendly products, injecting new impetus into the sustainable development of the correctional industry.  Since the fourth quarter of 2025, PolyU’s related research outcomes have been applied to industrial production in correctional institutions.  PolyU has also provided vocational training to PICs in the design and production of environmentally friendly products, with a view to enhancing their employability.  The collaboration not only promotes environmental protection and the development of a circular economy, but also provides PICs with practical skills training and development opportunities that support their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Environmentally friendly products upcycled from spent coffee grounds are now available on the CSD Sports Association’s online charity gift platform, Made in Prison, encouraging public support for rehabilitation and environmental protection.  All sales proceeds, after deduction of necessary costs, will be donated to various locally registered charities, providing PICs with opportunities to give back to the community.

Climate change, buildings and energy: Prof. ZHAI Zhiqiang on multi-scale challenges and opportunities in built environment systems

Prof. ZHAI Zhiqiang of the University of Colorado Boulder, USA, delivered the 26th PAIR Seminar, titled “Building Environment and Energy: Challenges in Different Scales”, at PolyU on 12 June 2026.  The seminar attracted nearly 50 in-person participants and garnered over 17,700 online views across multiple social media platforms, reflecting strong interest from both the public and academia in sustainable building development. In his presentation, Prof. Zhai highlighted the systemic challenges facing the built environment amid intensifying climate change and rapid urbanisation.  He introduced the concept of Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings (GEB), developed by the Building Technologies Office of the U.S. Department of Energy.  This holistic framework goes beyond the energy performance of individual buildings to incorporate their interactions with the electricity grid, aiming to enhance the overall system’s efficiency, flexibility, and resilience.  He explained that GEB can enhance energy performance, facilitate two-way communication, support flexible demand management, and strengthen smart sensing, control and data analytics. From a spatial perspective, Prof. Zhai examined a series of interconnected challenges spanning four scales, namely micro-scale physical interfaces, meso-scale occupant–building system interactions, macro-scale urban structures, and regional-to-global atmospheric processes.  He pointed out that these scales are interrelated: challenges arising at one level may be amplified or intensified at another, underscoring the importance of integrated thinking in architectural and urban design.  His analysis emphasised that future building performance cannot be understood from a single perspective, but must be considered within a broader system linking materials, occupants, infrastructure, and climate. From a temporal perspective, Prof. Zhai further explored how multi-scale issues are shaped by both short-term environmental changes and long-term climate trends.  By addressing immediate operational needs alongside long-term climatic shifts, he outlined a forward-looking, comprehensive roadmap for the key challenges facing next-generation smart buildings and cities.  His framework highlights the importance of adaptive strategies that enable buildings and cities not only to respond to current demands but also to cope with the uncertainties posed by evolving environmental conditions. The seminar concluded with a question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. NIU Jianlei, Associate Director of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI) and Chair Professor of Building Environment.  Both in-person and online audiences participated actively, engaging in in-depth and insightful exchanges with Prof. Zhai. Please click here for an online review.

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.