Prof. Benedict LO Tsz-woon, Member of Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), Associate Head and Associate Professor of the Department of Chemistry, alongside Dr LV Jiaxin, Member of Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM) and Research Assistant Professor of Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, have been named on the 2025 “MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 China” (TR35 China) list in the “Visionaries” and “Inventors” categories, respectively.
Prof. Lo developed the synchrotron resonant soft X-ray diffraction (RSXRD) technique, achieving a major breakthrough beyond the limits of conventional methods. In an international first, his work enables the three-dimensional atomic-resolution mapping of framework aluminium (Al) in industrial-grade zeolite catalysts. This landmark achievement, published in Science in 2025, provides atomic-level evidence for the rational design of zeolites, definitively resolving the decades-long “black box” surrounding the precise spatial arrangement of active sites.
Delivering high precision, selectivity and energy efficiency in catalytic processes without requiring modifications to existing factory reactor hardware, the industrial value of this technique has been validated through collaborative projects. It offers significant scientific and practical benefits for improving carbon-resource conversion efficiency and helping address global climate challenges.
Dr Lv developed the Multi-container Extrusion (MCE) technology, which enables the integrated, seamless manufacturing of ultra-wide, thin-walled light alloy components that previously required segmented welding. This innovation increases profile width to more than three times that of traditional methods while reducing extrusion pressure by 70% to 90%. By establishing multi-scale material models and integrating artificial intelligence-assisted optimisation, she has significantly shortened product development cycles, holding four cross-border core patents as the primary inventor and patentee.
This original technology was successfully commercialised in 2024, driving the establishment of a 6,500-ton industrial production line. When applied to passenger vehicles, these structural components achieve a potential weight reduction of up to 50% and carbon emission reductions of approximately 30%, comprehensively rewriting the manufacturing standards for large-scale lightweight components.
Established by the MIT Technology Review, the annual TR35 global list recognises outstanding young technological innovators across multiple frontier tech and industrial fields. The TR35 China regional selection was established in 2017 to recognise exceptional and internationally influential young scientific and technological leaders in China.
Online coverage:
Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/3TlETg0
Sohu - https://polyu.me/4fyzucJ
HKCNA - https://polyu.me/44ZBMNu
Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4fRB7CL
Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/4h7Bf3b
Yidianxixun - https://polyu.me/3TLOGfH
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