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PAIR celebrates excellence and team spirit at annual gathering

PolyU Research Awards Coverage The Academy recently brought together administrative support staff at PAIR for its annual team-building event, a special occasion that honoured the collective dedication and efforts of colleagues over the past year, while also recognising individuals for their exceptional service and contributions through the 2025 PAIR Outstanding Service Awards. Awardees recognised: Ms Mavis FAN (PAIR Central Office) Ms Millie SHUM (PAIR Central Office) Ms Kate FUNG (Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy, RISE) Ir Dr Karen TAM (Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality, RCRE) The activity welcomed newly joined staff, fostered mutual understanding, and strengthened ties among colleagues.  Functional teams from the PAIR Central Office, together with invited colleagues from selected RIs/RCs, shared workplace stories and practical tips on effective interactions, spanning verbal and written exchanges, interpersonal connections, and inter‑departmental as well as cross-sectoral collaboration.  Looking ahead, the team will remain steadfast in upholding the Academy’s core values, providing quality administrative support services to further advance PolyU’s interdisciplinary development.

Ancient wisdom meets modern science: Prof. CHE Chun-tao highlights evidence-based Chinese medicine in elderly care

Prof. CHE Chun-tao of the University of Illinois Chicago, USA, delivered a PAIR Seminar titled “Chinese Medicines and Geriatric Health – A Research Perspective” on 14 January 2026.  The event drew around 90 in-person participants and an online audience of more than 15,850 across various social media platforms. Prof. Che opened his presentation by addressing the global challenge of an ageing global population.  He emphasised that society will face substantial healthcare costs if precautionary measures for ageing are not undertaken.  Against this backdrop, Chinese Medicine (CM), grounded in the principles of “preventing illness before it arises” and “nurturing life”, offers a complementary perspective that aligns with modern strategies for healthy ageing and geriatric care. Prof. Che went on to discuss five areas that CM may benefit geriatric health: supporting cognitive function and brain health, managing pain and mobility issues, strengthening immunity and preventing illness, improving digestive health and nutrient absorption, and managing sleep and emotional well-being.  He noted that rigorous research projects, modern technologies, collaborative efforts have demonstrated that herbal formulations, acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, and movement therapies such as Tai Chi and Qigong—when combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle—offer safe and effective ways to help individuals achieve a higher quality of life.  He also introduced the audience to some CM herbs that support geriatric health. In conclusion, Prof. Che affirmed that CM can foster holistic and integrative approaches in preventive and geriatric wellness programmes, highlighting the need for robust evidence-based validation, quality control and safety in herbal and integrative care, while underscoring the importance of integrating both biomedical and traditional models to optimise elderly care. The seminar concluded with a lively question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. WONG Man-sau, Director of Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI), during which the audience engaged in a thoughtful exchange with Prof. Che. Please click here for an online review.

Two PolyU research projects receive Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards from Ministry of Education

PolyU Research Awards Coverage Two research projects from PolyU have been awarded the second-class award in the 2025 Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Natural Sciences and Engineering Technology) by the Ministry of Education. The accolades serve as recognition of the research teams’ breakthrough contributions in the frontier fields of antibiotic resistance mechanisms in bacteria and flexible electronics technology, affirming the University’s research strength in both fundamental research and technological innovation. The two projects are: “Research on the Convergent Evolution and Mechanisms of Carbapenem Resistance and Hypervirulence in Klebsiella pneumoniae” led by Prof. CHEN Sheng, Member of Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), Head of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition and Chair Professor of Microbiology; and “Multiscale Coupling Regulation Mechanisms of Flexible Electronic Conductive Interfaces and Applications” led by Prof. ZHENG Zijian, Associate Director of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), Management Committee Member of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT) and Photonics Research Institute (PRI), and Chair Professor of Soft Materials and Devices. Prof. Chen has closely collaborated with Prof. ZHANG Rong and Prof. DONG Ning from Zhejiang University, focusing on research in Klebsiella pneumoniae. The team successfully identified the molecular mechanisms underlying its antibiotic resistance and hypervirulence. This research is the first to confirm that carbapenem resistance and hypervirulence can converge through evolutionary pathways in Klebsiella pneumoniae and it clarifies the molecular mechanisms that accelerate their evolution and transmission. The breakthrough discovery revolutionises academic theories on the co-evolution of resistance and virulence, providing important scientific evidence for the formulation of global public health policies and clinical practices with far-reaching impact. Prof. Zheng led his research team in focusing on the multiscale coupling and regulation of conductive interfaces in flexible electronics, achieving multiple breakthroughs in metal-polymer interface engineering, porous conductive networks development and the design of fully flexible devices. The team established a collaborative framework that integrates molecular, micro-nano and macroscopic scales, successfully addressing core challenges such as electrical failure due to interfacial instability and limited device elasticity. Their research outcomes provide key theoretical foundations and technical support for the advancement of flexible electronic systems, driving innovation and application in related fields. Established by the Ministry of Education, the Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Natural Sciences and Engineering Technology) recognises educators, researchers and relevant units of higher education institutions who have achieved outstanding results and significant impact in natural science research and engineering technology innovation, and those with contributions to the cultivation of innovative talent. Press Release: https://polyu.hk/BczFB Online coverage: Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/4jONT6r Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/4aY1Psq

PolyU develops new human-safe magnetorheological fibres, leading innovations in smart wearable textiles

The research team fabricated soft magnetic polymer composite fibres – just 57 micrometers in diameter – by uniformly dispersing magnetic powders in a plastic material (a low-density polyethylene matrix). These fibres not only achieve precise control under low-strength magnetic fields but also solve the problem of heavy magnetic powders. Furthermore, they can be spun into yarns and multi-layer fabrics to realise large-area, controllable deformation. This ground-breaking research was awarded HK$62.37 million under the Research Grants Council’s 2024/25 Theme-based Research Scheme, and has been published in the international journal Nature, in the paper titled “Vector-Stimuli-Responsive Magnetorheological Fibrous Materials”. Unlike traditional smart materials that respond to scalar stimuli such as voltage, current or temperature, these in-house-developed magnetorheological textiles offer unique directionally controllable responses, enabling the development of the following three innovative fabric materials: Flexible Smart Gripper: With electric current controlling the fabric stiffness, the gripper can flexibly grasp soft, fragile or irregularly shaped items – such as worms, tofu, blueberries, mung bean cake, potato chips and fusilli – just like human fingers, significantly reducing the risk of damage or deformation during operation. Remote Emulation Haptic Finger Glove: The all-fabric materials can accurately replicate the surface textures and tactile hardness of different objects. Lightweight and comfortable to wear, they are suitable for diverse applications ranging from remote surgical training, stroke rehabilitation training and virtual fitting, addressing the common drawbacks of bulkiness and heaviness in similar haptic gloves available on the market. Active Ventilation and Thermal-Regulation Fabrics: Addressing the moisture and thermal management challenges in textile clothing, these fabrics can intelligently adjust air permeability by driving fibre structure deformation through electronically controlled magnetic fields, thereby significantly enhancing wearer thermal and moisture comfort. Press release: https://polyu.me/4jHfM0m   Online coverage: Mirage - https://polyu.me/3LwIJiD Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/49EuwbF (subscription required) Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/4jD8b2O Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/3YEqlaG Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/49DceaL Dot Dot News - https://polyu.me/4qOKsyL Headline for HK - https://polyu.me/3LGNqGM Fibre 2 Fashion - https://polyu.me/4bxJNNN Yahoo Tech - https://polyu.me/4qrdqFk msn - https://polyu.me/4pL5225   ol.custom-color { color: inherit; } ol.custom-color li { color: inherit; }

PolyU research teams and start-ups shine at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026

PolyU led 19 start-ups to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026, held from 6 to 9 January. In addition to the ground-breaking technologies presented by the participating start-ups, the University also showcased its research achievements across fields such as human security, digital health and energy optimisation. PolyU delivered an outstanding performance at this year’s Show, with three projects receiving one “Best of Innovation Award” and two “Innovation Awards”. This not only marks the University’s best result since it first participated in the event, but also accounts for two-thirds of all awards received by the Hong Kong start-up delegation, underscoring PolyU’s excellence in research, innovation and entrepreneurship. Organised by the Consumer Technology Association, CES is one of the world’s largest and most influential consumer electronics exhibitions, spotlighting cutting-edge technologies for modern living. This year, CES attracted over 4,500 exhibitors from around the globe. Five start-ups led by PAIR members took part in the Show: PolyU Start-ups Featured Innovations Company Representatives Eieling Technology Limited FattaLab® Fatty Liver Diagnostic Device (CES 2026 Innovation Award) Prof. ZHENG Yongping Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering, Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering, PolyU; Founder and Chief Scientist, Eieling Technology Limited Immune Materials Limited Innovative long-lasting antimicrobial self-disinfection materials Prof. Chris LO Kwan-yu Professor, Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, PolyU; Co-founder, Immune Materials Limited Prof. KAN Chi-wai Associate Dean and Professor, School of Fashion and Textiles, PolyU; Co-founder, Immune Materials Limited MedVision Limited AI-powered medical imaging solution Prof. CAI Jing Head and Professor, Department of Health Technology and Informatics, PolyU; Consultant, MedVision Limited UbiquiTech Innovations Limited Edge-AI robot for autonomous inspection and cleaning in confined spaces Prof. CAO Jiannong Vice President (Education), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Professor in Data Science, Chair Professor of Distributed and Mobile Computing, PolyU; Founder and Chief Scientist, UbiquiTech Innovations Limited Widemount Dynamics Tech Limited Smart Firefighting Robot (CES 2026 Best of Innovation Award) Mr WANG Meng PhD candidate, Building Environment and Energy Engineering, PolyU; Founder, Widemount Dynamics Tech Limited Press release: https://polyu.me/4qe76AR;   Online coverage: Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/3LEjNG2 etnet - https://polyu.me/4bor7A2 Quamnet - https://polyu.me/3YwOwI4 Sina HK - https://polyu.me/3YxsMvC Associated Press - https://polyu.me/4qeLa8E Media OutReach - https://polyu.me/49cP8sy Mirage - https://polyu.me/3YtebBs BizWire Express - https://polyu.me/4pqlepn Post Register - https://polyu.me/49pxrVu Asia Business Newswire - https://polyu.me/4qPMr6g International Business News - https://polyu.me/456MFNL Washington City Paper - https://polyu.me/4psjiN5 Blackstone Valley’s Call and Times - https://polyu.me/49rvXKf CRWE World - https://polyu.me/4syYCG8 Channel News Asia - https://polyu.me/4jxe7dv Taiwan Business News - https://polyu.me/4qPKCGo The Daily Press - https://polyu.me/4qbxXxp The Manila Times - https://polyu.me/49kdnDK The Sun - https://polyu.me/4qb6Rqb Malay Mail - https://polyu.me/4szuIl4 Viet Nam News - https://polyu.me/4aSLTI6 Biz Hub - https://polyu.me/4aXvWQV Street Insider - https://polyu.me/45DhtWB Alvinology Media - https://polyu.me/4qEjidS Wapakoneta Daily News - https://polyu.me/49sHt8i The City Journals - https://polyu.me/4bqgE7a The Oxford Eagle - https://polyu.me/4bnVfeT The Community Post - https://polyu.me/4sz41gm The Demopolis Times - https://polyu.me/4bnu2Jh The Smart Investor - https://polyu.me/4bryWFb The Inyo Register - https://polyu.me/4qFw9fY DB Power - https://polyu.me/3NbvV1P Taos News - https://polyu.me/4aNCu4o Poteau Daily News - https://polyu.me/4pyVeZ9 Sausalito - https://polyu.me/49q6S2o News Patrolling - https://polyu.me/4puUTXi Newark Life Magazine - https://polyu.me/3Nly2A2 IT News Online - https://polyu.me/4stECEV Digital Journal - https://polyu.me/4sPMyR9 WRAL News - https://polyu.me/4qM4RVs MY Sinchew - https://polyu.me/4qQNmDr Minyanville - https://polyu.me/4jy2qmZ Ad Hoc News - https://polyu.me/3YzDlOW Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3NdySir EDU Plus - https://polyu.me/4a1d8OD

Revolutionising sustainable distributed energy: Prof. WANG Zhonglin’s Distinguished Lecture on TENGs

On 7 January 2026, Prof. WANG Zhonglin, Director of Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) for sustainable energy and sensing”.  The event drew a full house at the Chiang Chen Studio Theatre, with over 240 in-person participants, and reached an impressive online audience of more than 16,600 across social media platforms. Prof. Wang began by outlining the historical development of triboelectricity and its significant contributions to human civilisation.  He introduced TENGs as innovative devices that convert mechanical energy—such as motion, vibration or pressure—into electrical energy through the triboelectric effect and electrostatic induction.  By combining layers of materials with different electron affinities and then separating them, TENGs generate a voltage difference that drives current through an external circuit.  Their lightweight, flexible design and use of inexpensive materials make them particularly effective at harvesting low-frequency, high-entropy energy—random, low-density mechanical energy that is widely distributed in the environment.  This positions TENGs as vital components in distributed energy systems and self-powered technologies, with applications spanning the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, environmental monitoring, medical science and security. Delving deeper, Prof. Wang emphasised the unique capability of TENGs to harvest high-entropy energy from everyday sources such as footsteps, wind and water movement.  Unlike traditional electromagnetic generators, which require consistent and high-quality energy input, TENGs excel at capturing dispersed, low-amplitude mechanical motions. This makes them ideal for powering small devices and sensors in environments where energy is otherwise wasted or difficult to capture.  Their versatility is further enhanced by the wide range of materials that can be utilised, allowing TENGs to be tailored for specific applications—from wearable electronics and medical devices to environmental sensors and industrial monitoring.  This adaptability unlocks vast possibilities for TENG technology, enabling integration into diverse fields such as smart textiles, robotics, ocean science, healthcare, and precision agriculture. In conclusion, Prof. Wang highlighted the profound impact of TENGs on both fundamental science and current technologies.  TENGs enable the development of self-powered devices, promote sustainable and green energy harvesting, and offer low-cost, scalable production methods.  Their flexibility and customisability allow seamless integration into clothing, infrastructure, and even medical implants, while their dual role as energy sources and sensors enhances smart infrastructure and remote monitoring systems.  As TENG technology matures, it is expected to drive the emergence of new commercial products across industries, contributing positively to the sustainability and advancement of human society.  Prof. Wang expressed confidence that TENGs will play a crucial role in supporting the sustainable development of humankind. Following the presentation was a lively question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. XU Bingang, Management Committee Member of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and Professor of School of Fashion and Textiles.  Both on-site and online audiences engaged actively in a thoughtful exchange with Prof. Wang. Please click here for an online review.

Prof. DING Xiaoli shares insights on coastal cities’ subsidence risks in Nature

Prof. DING Xiaoli, Director of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Chair Professor of Geomatics, contributed expert insights on subsidence risks in coastal cities to science journal Nature. Prof. Ding explained that coastal cities are particularly vulnerable to subsidence due to their natural characteristics.  Many are situated on river deltas or coastal plains, where sediment compaction over time leads to subsidence. For coastal cities located in earthquake-prone regions, such as Tokyo, tectonic activity can further contribute to the problem.  Meanwhile, the expansion of coastal cities themselves — with nearly one-third of the global population in 2018, or more than 2 billion people, lived within 50 kilometres of the shore — has significantly exacerbated the issue. For more details, please read the full paper “Sinking cities: how China is moving subsidence research forward” by YOU Xiaoying at https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03529-z

Prof. LIU Liang elected IEEE Fellow 2026

Prof. LIU Liang, Member of Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT) and Associate Professor of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, has been elected a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in the Class of 2026. Prof. Liu has been recognised for his influential contributions to next-generation cellular networks, particularly in 6G integrated sensing and communication and massive IoT connectivity.  His pioneering research enables future networks to transmit data while simultaneously sensing environments, supporting applications such as drone operations in the low-altitude economy, robotic navigation, and smart city infrastructure. IEEE Fellow is the Institute’s highest grade of membership. This prestigious distinction honours individuals whose extraordinary accomplishments have significantly advanced engineering, science, and technology worldwide.

Prof. CHAI Yang appointed as Director of Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT)

We are honoured to announce the appointment of Prof. CHAI Yang as Director of the Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT) under the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), effective 1 January 2026.  Prof. CHAI’s leadership will further advance interdisciplinary research and innovation in this rapidly evolving field. Prof. Chai is a distinguished scholar specialising in nanoelectronics devices and emerging computation paradigms.  He currently serves as Associate Dean of the Faculty of Science, Director of the University Research Facility in Materials Characterization and Device Fabrication, and Chair Professor of Semiconductor Physics in the Department of Applied Physics.  His research has been published in prestigious journals such as Nature, Nature Electronics and Nature Nanotechnology, and featured in leading publications including Nature and IEEE Spectrum.  Prof. Chai’s outstanding research contributions have earned him recognition among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists, as compiled by Stanford University. At PAIR, Prof. Chai holds multiple important roles, serving as a Management Committee Member of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and as a Member of the Photonics Research Institute (PRI).

Establishment of Research Centre for Environmental, Social, and Governance Advancement

We are pleased to announce the establishment of the Research Centre for Environmental, Social, and Governance Advancement (RCESGA) with effect from 1 January 2026 as one of the constituent research units of PAIR! RCESGA aims to serve as a leading research centre focusing on the interactions among environmental, social, and governance issues for balancing the needs of the environment, society, and economy to ensure the long-term prosperity and sustainability of Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and the world. Prof. WU Qiang, Associate Head (Research) and Professor of the School of Accounting and Finance, will lead the Centre as RCESGA Director.  Prof. Mike LAI Kee-hung, Associate Dean (Academic Support) of Faculty of Business, Interim Head and Chair Professor of Shipping and Logistics of the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies (LMS) will serve as RCESGA Co-Director. Prof. Eric CHUI, Head of Department of Applied Social Sciences, Co-Director of Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology and Chair Professor of Social Work and Criminology, Prof. Jerry YAN, Editor-in-Chief of Nexus and Chair Professor of Energy and Buildings of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, and Prof. YANG Dong, Associate Head and Associate Professor of LMS, will serve as RCESGA Associate Directors.