Five PAIR members were interviewed by HK01 to elaborate on their research projects, which are supported by the Research Grants Council (RGC)’s Themed-based Research Scheme. With breakthroughs across critical fields — from improving air quality and advancing building technologies to strengthening cities’ resilience against disasters — these projects, centred on the theme of “Developing a Sustainable Environment”, are poised to create far-reaching impact on the future development of Hong Kong and beyond.
Prof. LI Xiangdong, Director of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment, Chair Professor of Environmental Science and Technology and Ko Jan Ming Professor in Sustainable Urban Development, focuses on research of PM2.5, a major air pollutant linked to serious health risks. His team investigates the pollutant’s harmful components, sources and connections with chronic diseases through advanced technologies and global collaborations. The project aims to guide future PM2.5 studies, assess control strategies, review air quality indicators and recommend policies for Hong Kong and other regions. Their comprehensive approach also helps inform research on the long-term effects of PM2.5 on human health, including its potential links to lung cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Prof. WANG Tao, Management Committee Member of RISUD, Member of Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Chair Professor of Atmospheric Environment, has led integrated studies on ozone and fine particulate pollution in urban and industrial areas since 2018. Using laboratory, field and simulation methods, his research team quantified emissions from soil, vegetation and human activities, revealing previous underestimations and overestimations of certain pollution sources. The findings have improved air quality forecasting and informed new mitigation measures for haze and smog in China. The work provides vital evidence for clean air policymaking and will continue to analyse complex emission and oxidation processes.
Prof. YU Tao, Associate Director of RISUD and Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), Member of RILS and Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE), Associate Head (Research) and Professor of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has launched a research project titled “Novel Sustainable Marine Engineering Structures Based on Seawater Sea-Sand Concrete and Fibre-Reinforced Composite Materials”. This innovative structure, which combines fibre-reinforced resin-based composite materials with seawater sea-sand concrete, demonstrates exceptional corrosion resistance and durability, effectively addressing the long-standing issue of steel reinforcement corrosion. This advancement supports broad engineering applications, not only enhancing the durability of structures, but also reducing energy consumption and environmental impact during construction, thereby transforming marine infrastructure. The project is coordinated by Prof. Yu, with PolyU President Prof. TENG Jin-Guang, President of PolyU serving as the advisory coordinator.
Prof. Asif Sohail USMANI, Management Committee Member of RISUD, Member of RIAM leads the “SureFire” project, which utilises advanced smart city technologies to enhance fire safety in high-rise urban environments. By integrating real-time monitoring, data networks and AI-based predictive analysis, the team has developed an intelligent tool capable of forecasting and managing fire emergencies. SureFire’s sensor-driven system supports emergency responders and aims to enable automated, casualty-free firefighting. The project’s vision is to revolutionise fire emergency management and strengthen uran resilience in smart cities.
Prof. NIU Jianlei, Associate Director of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI), Member of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), RISUD, Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) and Chair Professor of Building Environment and Energy, leads a project focused on creating healthy, resilient cities through thermally comfortable neighbourhoods. To cope with the urgent challenges posed by climate change, the research utilises big data, artificial intelligence, geographic information system (GIS) and building information modelling (BIM) to optimise urban design, even in dense, humid cities like Hong Kong. Through advanced modelling and microclimate analysis, the project aims to systematically design pleasant outdoor spaces, improve liveability and address climate challenges, ultimately enhancing citizens’ quality of life through innovative urban planning.
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HK01 - https://polyu.me/4to71ws| Research Units | PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research |
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