News

One hundred and thirty-nine PAIR scholars ranked among World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists 2025

A total of 139 scholars from PAIR and its 19 constituent research units were ranked among the “World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists 2025” in the latest list released by Stanford University, and five of them were among the top 20 scholars in the world in their own areas of specialty. The named PAIR scholars were included in the “Career-long Impact” list based on their career-long citation impact. The latest ranking reflects the influential research of PAIR researchers and PolyU’s leading position in multiple research areas. The ranking compiled by Stanford University covers over 100,000 top scientists across the globe. The database grouped scientists under 22 subject fields and 174 sub-fields. The list was based on indicators including citations, scientific research output and a composite indicator for citation impact, up to the end of 2024. The number of PAIR scholars listed in the ranking and their corresponding research fields are as below*: Acoustics (2) Analytical Chemistry (1) Applied Physics (2) Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing (7) Biomedical Engineering (3) Biotechnology (1) Building and Construction (14) Civil Engineering (9) Energy (11) Environmental Engineering (1) Environmental Sciences (1) Experimental Psychology (1) Food Science (1) Geological & Geomatics Engineering (5) Industrial Engineering & Automation (4) Information Systems (1) Inorganic & Nuclear Chemistry (1) Logistics & Transportation (3) Materials (14) Mechanical Engineering & Transports (3) Medicinal & Biomolecular Chemistry (2) Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences (3) Microbiology (1) Nanoscience & Nanotechnology (16) Networking & Telecommunications (6) Neurology & Neurosurgery (1) Operations Research (5) Ophthalmology & Optometry (3) Optoelectronics and Photonics (8) Organic Chemistry (1) Polymers (2) Psychiatry (1) Rehabilitation (3) Sport, Leisure & Tourism (1) Statistic & Probability (1)   *As per the data published by Elsevier on 19 September 2025 (version 8):  https://elsevier.digitalcommonsdata.com/datasets/btchxktzyw/8   Read more: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/pair/news-and-events/world_top_2_percent_scientists_2025-career_long/

Prof. XIA Yong receives Structural Health Monitoring Person of the Year Award 2025

Prof. XIA Yong, Member of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) and Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE) and Professor of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has been selected by the editorial board of the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) journal for the Structural Health Monitoring Person of the Year Award 2025.  The Award recognises individuals worldwide who have made outstanding contributions to structural health monitoring for the benefit of society.  It honours excellence in theory, analysis, applications, education or other advancements within the field, with a particular focus on achievements in recent years.  Notably, PolyU is the only university in Hong Kong to have received this distinction and Prof. Xia is the third scholar from PolyU to be recognised with this accolade since its establishment 20 years ago. Prof. Xia specialises in large-scale civil engineering structural health monitoring, structural damage identification and substructure methods for large structures.  As an expert in the field, his pioneering technologies have been applied to numerous prominent projects, including the Tsing Ma Bridge, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Shanghai Tower, among others, contributing significantly to the advancement of science and technology in SHM.

Ten PAIR members win PolyU Patents Achievement Award 2024

Launched in 2023, the PolyU Patents Achievement Award aims to honour the exceptional achievements of departments and inventors who actively contribute to intellectual property (IP), research commercialisation and knowledge transfer.  This year, 11 scholars have been recognised with individual awards.  Among them, ten are PAIR members (in alphabetical order of surname): Top Patents Filing Award and Most Active Patents Filing Award Prof. Benny CHEUNG Chi-fai Chair Professor of Ultra-precision Machining and Metrology Associate Director of Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV) Management Committee Member of Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE) Member of Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM)   Prof. HUANG Xinyan Associate Professor of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering Member of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI) Member of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) Member of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) Member of RCRE   Top Patents Filing Award Ir Prof. NI Yiqing Yim, Mak, Kwok & Chung Professor in Smart Structures Chair Professor of Smart Structures and Rail Transit Member of RISUD   Prof. John SHI Wenzhong Chair Professor of Geographical Information Science and Remote Sensing Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Professor in Urban Informatics Director of SCRI Member of RISUD   Top Patents Filing Award and Outstanding IP Commercialisation Award Prof. TO Chi-ho Visiting Chair Professor of Experimental Optometry Member of RCSV   Outstanding IP Commercialisation Award Prof. TAO Xiaoming Vincent and Lily Woo Professor in Textile Technology Chair Professor of Textile Technology Director of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) Member of RISE   Prof. Dennis TSE Yan-yin Associate Professor of School of Optometry Member of Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI) Member of RCSV   Prof. WONG Ka-hing Professor of Department of Food Science and Nutrition Director of Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) Member of RCRE   Ir Prof. YANG Hongxing Professor of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering Management Committee Member of RISUD Member of RISE   Ir Prof. ZHENG Yongping Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering Director of Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA)  

Prof. WONG Ka-hing wins Election Committee Subsector By-election

Prof. WONG Ka-hing, Director of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) and Professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, was elected as member of the Election Committee’s Agriculture and Fisheries Sub-sector after winning the Election Committee Subsector (ECSS) By-election 2025 held on 7 September 2025. Prof. Wong also currently holds various public and organisational appointments, serving as Member of the Advisory Council on Food and Environmental Hygiene of the Environment and Ecology Bureau of The Government of HKSAR; Vice-Chairman of the Expert Committee on Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, HKSAR; Committee Member of the Advisory Committee on Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, HKSAR; and Governing Board Member of the Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre.   Full list of election results: https://www.elections.gov.hk/ecss2025by/eng/results_s3.html   Online coverage: Ming Pao Daily News - http://polyu.me/3VpCU8l (Chinese only)

PolyU Research Boosts Garment Fit and Performance for Sports and Medical Apparel with Ground-breaking Anthropometric Method to Precisely Measure Tissue Deformation

Prof. Joanne Yip, Management Committee Member of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), Member of the Photonics Research Institute (PRI), the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports), and the Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF), as well as Associate Dean and Professor in the School of Fashion and Textiles, and her research team have developed an innovative anthropometric method to improve the accuracy of measurements for compression-based garments. This method utilises advanced image recognition algorithms to systematically assess soft tissue deformation, significantly reducing errors caused by movement. The team also created an analytical model, based on elastic theory and the Boussinesq solution, to predict tissue deformation, thereby addressing a longstanding challenge in sportswear and wearable technology design. Accurate measurement of tissue deformation is crucial for ensuring garment fit, comfort, and physiological benefits such as improved blood circulation and muscle support. The new method, validated against body scanning, demonstrated exceptional precision, with deviations of just 1.15 mm in static and 2.36 mm in dynamic conditions. This provides designers with reliable data for optimising garment pressure and fit. The technology is adaptable to various compression garments, including sportswear and medical wear, and can be tailored by adjusting material and design parameters. It offers practical benefits for the industry, such as integration with CAD/CAM systems, reduced prototyping costs, and support for personalised garment design. The approach also makes advanced measurement techniques accessible to smaller enterprises by reducing reliance on costly motion-capture systems. The research has been published in a paper titled “A novel anthropometric method to accurately evaluate tissue deformation” in the academic journal Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. This technological breakthrough underscores PolyU’s excellence in interdisciplinary translational research, integrating its strengths in fashion, biomechanics, materials science, computing, and engineering to solve real-world challenges in compression sportswear and wearable design.   Press release:https://polyu.hk/ZDMfG Online coverage: RTHK - https://polyu.me/4ga6Lev The National Tribune - https://polyu.me/3I3iazR BioSpectrum - https://polyu.me/47ZTJhj Tech Xplore - https://polyu.me/4gaMLIy Textile Value Chain - https://polyu.me/41Ehms2 Fashion Value Chain - https://polyu.me/4gqPg9X Mirage News - https://polyu.me/4m0ZgI7 Oriental Daily News - https://polyu.me/4p0XAB7 Bastille Post - http://polyu.me/3UYDWaX Line Today - https://polyu.me/3I4NOwW Headline for HK - https://polyu.me/4mLDSaY Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/4lVQVoR (subscription required) Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/47oSkkg

Prof. CAO Jiannong visits China Mobile IoT and appointed as Chief Visiting Expert

Prof. CAO Jiannong, Acting Vice President (Education), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Professor in Data Science, Chair Professor of Distributed and Mobile Computing, and Director of Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT), paid a visit to China Mobile IoT Company Limited (CMIoT) on 24 August 2025. During the visit, both parties engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as industrial application of large AI models, key technologies for passive IoT and mechanisms for joint university-enterprise research initiatives. They reached a consensus to embark on substantive cooperation in areas including national strategic research projects, cultivation of high-end talent, and the formulation of international technical standards, working together to promote the development of national strategic emerging industries and their expansion into global markets. Prof. Cao was also appointed as Chief Visiting Expert, with an appointment ceremony held on the same day. CMIoT highly commended Prof. Cao’s reputation in the fields of distributed systems, wireless sensing and networks, big data, and artificial intelligence, noting that his research directions are closely aligned with CMIoT’s strategic focus on large AI models and passive IoT. This exchange not only deepened mutual trust and understanding between the two parties, but also strengthened collaboration in innovative research and high-end talent development, laying a solid foundation for future joint laboratory establishment, collaborative research projects, and the transformation of scientific research achievements.   Online coverage: youth.cn - https://polyu.me/41pPN5y Toutiao - https://www.toutiao.com/article/7543071590293733942/?channel=&source=search_tab

Two PAIR members elected to Young Member Section of Hong Kong Academy of Engineering

Congratulations to Prof. Allen AU Man Ho, Member of Research Institute for Quantum Technology (RIQT) and Professor and Associate Head (Research and Development) of Department of Computing, and Prof. ZHAO Jiong, Member of Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM) and Professor of Department of Applied Physics, on their election as Members of Young Member Section of Hong Kong Academy of Engineering (HKAE). Prof. Au’s research focuses on cryptography, information security and blockchain technology. He has published over 200 papers in leading venues such as CRYPTO, IEEE S&P and ACM CCS. He is a recipient of the BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize in FinTech and the Hong Kong Engineering Science and Technology Award. Prof. Au has won the international ZPrize twice and serves on editorial boards including IEEE TDSC. He is also a member of the HKMA CBDC Expert Group. Prof. Zhao’s research focuses on materials science and engineering, particularly in the areas of electronic materials, nanomechanics, materials synthesis and manufacturing, nanomaterials and nanotechnology. He has made significant contributions to the control and fabrication of ultra-thin films and has pioneered novel techniques for measuring physical properties at the nanoscale. Their election to the Young Member Section is a testament to their outstanding achievements and dedication to advancing engineering research and innovation.

Prof. WANG Zuankai’s ground-breaking research in energy and thermal-fluid sciences honoured with two international awards

Prof. WANG Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation), Dean of Graduate School, Kuok Group Professor in Nature-Inspired Engineering, and Chair Professor of Nature-Inspired Engineering, and Member of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports), has recently received two internationally acclaimed research awards in recognition of his ground-breaking contributions to nano-energy and interfacial engineering. These include the Nano Energy Award and the Micro Flow and Interfacial Phenomena (μFIP) Prominent Research Award. These accolades underscore Prof. WANG’s significant contributions to advancing sustainable technologies through nature-inspired design and cross-disciplinary innovation, reinforcing his global leadership in thermal-fluid sciences. Acknowledging the collective effort behind these achievements, Prof. WANG encouraged his team and young researchers, “Not afraid of tackling uncharted problems with curiosity and rigour. Recognition serves as a reminder that even incremental progress, when driven by purpose, can create a ripple effect, ultimately leading to transformative impact.” Nano Energy Award: revolutionising energy harvesting Established in 2012, the Nano Energy Award is one of the most prestigious honours in the field of nanoenergy, presented biennially at the International Conference on Nanoenergy and Nanosystems (NENS). Prof. WANG was recognised for his pioneering advancements in nature-inspired interfacial engineering for energy harvesting. Prof. WANG’s ground-breaking innovations, particularly in droplet-based electricity generators, have fundamentally reoriented the research trajectory of scalable energy harvesting. By integrating multiple energy conversion processes through interfacial engineering, his innovative designs offer sustainable solutions for harnessing energy from water, sunlight, and heat. His signature approach combines classical scientific principles with nature-inspired mechanics, enabling novel solutions to critical challenges in energy systems. These breakthroughs have catalysed a new generation of interfacial engineering-driven systems that transcend conventional efficiency boundaries. μFIP Prominent Research Award: inspiring critical applications Separately, Prof. WANG was honoured with the Micro Flow and Interfacial Phenomena (μFIP) Prominent Research Award at the Micro Flow and Interfacial Phenomena held at the University of California, Santa Barbara, between June 16–18, 2025. This award recognises his influential contributions to thermal-fluidics, particularly his development of nature-inspired surfaces that dynamically modulate interfacial and transport processes, such as wetting, adhesion, and thermal-fluid transport. These innovations have enabled wide-range applications in energy harvesting, thermal management, and flexible electronics. Prof. WANG expressed his gratitude for these honours and said, “Research that spans disciplines holds the power to resonate globally, offering innovative insights to address the complex challenges shared by humanity. These recognitions reaffirm the significance of fusing fundamental material innovations with real-world engineering pragmatism. Breakthroughs often emerge at the intersection of disciplines, and this continues to inspire me to bridge laboratory discoveries with practical solutions for a sustainable future.”

PolyU scholars honoured as RGC Senior Research Fellows and Research Fellow in recognition of outstanding research achievements

Three PAIR scholars have been awarded fellowships under the Research Grants Council’s (RGC) Senior Research Fellow Scheme (SRFS) and Research Fellow Scheme (RFS) 2025/26, in recognition of their outstanding research achievements in the fields of biomedical engineering, artificial intelligence, and advanced materials. Two scholars named in the RGC SRFS are Prof. SUN Lei, Professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Member of the Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA) and Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports); and Prof. TAN Kay Chen, Head of the Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Chair Professor of Computational Intelligence, and Member of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI). Prof. Sun’s project, “Development of sonogenetics for non-human primates”, aims to develop a new version of sonogenetics specifically for non-human primates and to investigate its performance in terms of cellular specificity, spatial accuracy and penetration capability.  Prof. Tan’s project, “Towards adaptive pretrained vision-language foundation models for medical image analysis”, aims to develop an integrated intelligent interpretation system to provide personalised and human-centric healthcare, featuring several functionalities such as visual question answering, radiology reports and computer-aided diagnosis. Prof. ZHAO Jiong, Professor of the Department of Applied Physics and Member of the Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM), was named in the RGC RFS.  His project, “From slidetronics to twistronics: a twisting platform for dissipationless ferroelectricity”, primarily focuses on Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and 2D materials.  His team will integrate cutting-edge methods with synthesis, device fabrication and theoretical frameworks to contribute to improving material quality and enabling device applications. Press release: https://polyu.me/44KjwrY   Online coverage: Dot Dot News – https://polyu.me/419eoeA (Chinese only) hkong.hk – https://polyu.me/46VZ2hh (Chinese only)

Prof. Sylvia CHEN receives JESSICA Most Successful Women Award

Prof. Sylvia Xiaohua CHEN, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Chair Professor of the Department of Applied Social Sciences, Director of the Yan Oi Tong Au Suet Ming Child Development Centre and Co-Founder of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has been selected as one of the recipients of the JESSICA Most Successful Women Award 2025. The JESSICA Most Successful Women Award was established in 2001 to recognise exceptional female leaders who have made significant contributions to their industries, communities, and society across Hong Kong, Greater China, and beyond. Prof. Chen is a Registered Psychologist of the Hong Kong Psychological Society and a Chartered Psychologist of the British Psychological Society.  She has been elected as a Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), the Hong Kong Academy of the Humanities, the Association for Psychological Science, the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, and the Hong Kong Psychological Society, and a Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy (now Advance HE), UK.  She has served as President of Asian Association of Social Psychology, and currently serves as Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology and General Editor of Cambridge University Press Culture and Psychology Series.  She has received various academic awards, including the Outstanding International Psychologist Award conferred by the American Psychological Association, and the Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship Scheme awarded by the Research Grants Council. Learn more about Prof. Chen’s journey across cultures: https://www.jessicahk.com/global/sylvia-xiaohua-chen