News

Prof. Raymond WONG elected member of The Hong Kong Academy of Sciences

Congratulations to Prof. Raymond WONG Wai-yeung, Dean of Faculty of Science, Clarea Au Professor in Energy and Chair Professor of Chemical Technology, on his election as a new member of The Hong Kong Academy of Sciences (ASHK). Prof. Wong is a distinguished scholar in the field of advanced materials and energy science. His research focuses on the design and synthesis of molecular functional materials and one‑ and two‑dimensional metallopolymers with photofunctional properties and energy applications.  His team is committed to transforming cutting-edge chemistry research into meaningful solutions for sustainable energy. Prof. Wong is currently Associate Director of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), Member of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports). Explore more about Prof. Wong’s research: https://polyu.hk/HRubO Press release of ASHK: Hong Kong Academy of Sciences Elects Five New Members – The Hong Kong Academy of Sciences Online coverage (Chinese only): Bauhinia - https://polyu.me/3KVZqE0 Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4iOcVlE Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/3XOTn73

Prof. CHAI Yang receives Croucher Senior Research Fellowship 2026 for revolutionising AI computation

Prof. CHAI Yang, Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Science and Chair Professor of Semiconductor Physics, has been awarded the prestigious Croucher Senior Research Fellowship 2026 in recognition of his outstanding achievements in revolutionising artificial intelligence (AI) computation at the sensor level.  Each recipient of the Senior Research Fellowship receives up to HK$3 million in funding to support their research. Prof. Chai’s research focuses on bioinspired computing and semiconductor devices.  He has pioneered a disruptive in-sensor computing paradigm that revolutionises AI computation at the sensor level and has actualised this paradigm through hardware implementation for vision sensors. His innovative research on sensory AI contributes to the advancement in machine vision with enhanced image recognition, visual adaptation in extremely dim or bright lighting, and agile perception of dynamic motion. Prof. Chai is currently Management Committee Member of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), Member of the Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT) and the Photonics Research Institute (PRI). Press release: https://polyu.me/3MoIA0Y   Online coverage: Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/44ktP5s Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4q2OoMf Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/3XJs6D6 Ming Pao Daily News - https://polyu.me/48sXbB5 Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/48JuEGq (subscription required) Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/4pppdTT Australian Chinese Daily - https://polyu.me/4ab928g Mingpao Canada - https://polyu.me/455jQRI  

Sixteen PAIR members named Highly Cited Researchers 2025 by Clarivate

PAIR has 16 scholars recognised in the list of “Highly Cited Researchers 2025” by Clarivate Analytics, with one scholar recognised in two categories, underscoring PolyU internationally recognised research and academic excellence and highlighting its contributions to societal development and technological advancement across diverse fields. Clarivate Analytics’ Highly Cited Researchers list recognises academics who have demonstrated significant and broad influence in their respective fields of research.  This year, 6,868 scholars from 60 countries and regions have been named.  The selected scholars have authored multiple highly cited papers that rank in the top 1% by citations for their fields and publication year over the past 11 years.  Of the world’s population of scientists and social scientists, Highly Cited Researchers are 1 in 1,000. PAIR members named Highly Cited Researchers 2025 are listed below (in alphabetical order by surname): Category Name Title and Faculty/Department/School Computer Science Prof. TAN Kay Chen Head and Chair Professor of Computational Intelligence of the Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Cross-Field Prof. CHAI Yang Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Science, Chair Professor of Semiconductor Physics of the Department of Applied Physics Prof. Daniel LAU Chair Professor of Nanomaterials of the Department of Applied Physics Prof. LI Gang Sir Sze-yuen Chung Endowed Professor in Renewable Energy, Chair Professor of Energy Conversion Technology of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Prof. NI Meng Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Construction and Environment, Head and Chair Professor of Energy Science and Technology of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering Prof. Harry QIN Professor of the School of Nursing Prof. Geoffrey SHEN Associate Vice President (Global Partnerships), Director of Global Engagement, Chair Professor of Construction Management of the Department of Building and Real Estate Prof. WU Tao Chair Professor of Frontier Materials of the Department of Applied Physics Prof. YAN Feng Chair Professor of Organic Electronics of the Department of Applied Physics Prof. YANG Guang Assistant Professor of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Prof. ZHANG Xiao Assistant Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering Prof. ZHENG Zijian Chair Professor of Soft Materials and Devices of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Engineering Prof. YAN Jinyue Chair Professor of Energy and Buildings of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering Prof. ZHENG Pai Associate Professor of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Wong Tit Shing Young Scholar in Smart Robotics Materials Science Prof. WANG Lianzhou Chair Professor of Energy Materials of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Prof. WANG Zuankai Associate Vice President (Research), Dean of Graduate School, Kuok Group Professor in Nature-Inspired Engineering, Chair Professor of Nature-Inspired Engineering of the Department of Mechanical Engineering Prof. ZHANG Xiao Assistant Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering   For the full list of Highly Cited Researchers 2025, please visit: https://clarivate.com/highly-cited-researchers/  

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.