News

RI-IWEAR’s Pioneering Technologies in Materials Science and Biotechnology Awarded at TechConnect 2022 Innovation Awards

Prof. HU Hong, Dr SHOU Dahua and Prof, FAN Jintu, who are members of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), have won two prestigious global innovation awards in the areas of materials science and biotechnology at the TechConnect World Innovation Conference and Expo 2022 – the world’s largest multi-sector event for fostering the development and commercialisation of innovations.   The award-winning innovations include a new type of more environment-friendly moisture-absorbing and sweat-releasing fabric and an automatic temperature-controllable mask. Details of the two RI-IWEAR’s winning innovations are as follows: Moisture-Absorbing and Sweat-Releasing Multilayer Polylactic Acid Fabric and Manufacturing Technology (Prof. HU Hong, Institute of Textiles and Clothing) The new fabric stands out from existing moisture-absorbing fabric technology in that its fabrication technique is simpler, cheaper, and more environment-friendly. By employing double weft knitting technology, it only takes one single manufacturing process to produce the new fabric structure with improved moisture-absorbing and sweat-releasing properties. It also has inherent biological resistance and is ideal for use in school uniforms and sportswear. Omni-Cool-Breath: A Smart Air-Conditioned Mask (Dr SHOU Dahua, Professor FAN Jintu and Dr HUANG Guanghan, Institute of Textiles and Clothing) Omni-Cool-Breath is the first automatic temperature-controllable mask that brings revolutionary access to all-day cool breath and thermal comfort under various activities and thermal conditions. It reduces temperature by 12°C and humidity by 65% under low voltage via an innovative miniature thermoelectric cooling system. The ergonomically designed lightweight mask uses skin-friendly and biodegradable 3D printing materials that enable the user to enjoy nine hours of clean air.   For details of the TechConnect 2022 Innovation Awardees, please visit the official website: https://www.techconnectworld.com/World2022/participate/innovation/awards.html  

PAIR researchers elected as foreign members of the prestigious Academia Europaea

Three PAIR researchers have been elected as foreign members of the prestigious Academia Europaea (Academy of Europe) in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments in their respective fields. Prof. Cao Jiannong and Prof. Chen Changwen of the Department of Computing have been elected under the Informatics Section, while Prof. Weng Qihao of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics has been elected under the Earth and Cosmic Sciences Section. Not only does this honour serve to recognise the researchers’ distinguished achievements in the fields of computer science and geo-informatics, it is also testimony to the University’s continuous efforts in exploring new ways to benefit mankind through research and innovation.

MHRC Member Receives HK$ 1.7 Million Funding from Innovation and Technology Fund

Congratulations to our proud member of MHRC, Dr Sonata Yau, Associate Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, receives HKD 1.7 million in funding from Mainland-Hong Kong Joint Funding Scheme (MHKJFS), one of the funding schemes under Innovation and Technology Fund, which aims to support and encourage research and development collaboration among universities, research institutes and technology enterprises in Hong Kong and the Mainland. The funded project entitled "Advancing application of the active compounds of Chinese Herbal Medicine formulas on counteracting depression: Investigation of the synergistic activation on PACAP-mediated rapid and lasting antidepressant effects" which will focus on advancing the clinical application of Yueju (越鞠丸), a Chinese multiherbal medicine formulated 800 years ago to treat syndromes associated with mood disorders, through examining the mechanistic action of its extracted active ingredients. The results will provide mechanistic insights of the synergetic action of extracted active ingredients from Yueju on antidepressant treatment target and will facilitate modernization of Yueju-based antidepressant formula with an optimal therapeutic dosage on treating depression patients. Congratulations again to Dr Yau!   

RI-IWEAR member appointed as Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies

Congratulation to Dr Dahua Shou, member of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems was appointed as Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies. An awardee of many prestigious awards, including TechConnect Global Innovation Awards for two consecutive years and those conferred by the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, Dr Shou has published over 60 SCI papers in impactful journals such as Science Advances, PNAS, Advanced Energy Materials, and Advanced Functional Materials. Currently he serves on the editorial boards of four SCI journals and is a lead guest editor for several SCI journals.   The Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies is donated by Dr Harry LEE, Chairman of TAL Apparel Limited and member of the Industrial Advisory Committee for RI-IWEAR.   Click the link for more information of the Endowed Young Scholars Scheme.

Award-winning Project by RiFood member: AkkMore™: a Fungus and Plant Based Supplement Against Obesity or Prediabetes

Dr Gail Jinhui Chang, Core Member of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), developed AkkMore™: a fungus and plant-based supplement against obesity or prediabetes which received the silver medal at the Geneva Inventio Expo earlier. AkkMore™ is a nutritional supplement formula drink that improves users’ body conditions by building a healthy #microbiome. The drink boosts 𝘈𝘬𝘬𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘢 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘢 in human guts, reduces #metabolic disorders and therefore helps users to #loseweight. Please click the link to watch the video for this award-winning project: https://bit.ly/3NUwYz4 

Award-winning Project by RI-IWEAR member: Omni-Cool-Dry™: a Desert Beetle Inspired Skin-like Fabric for Dynamic Thermal and Moisture Management

Dr Shou Dahua, a member of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), developed a desert beetle inspired skin-like fabric, which promises all-day cool, dry, breathable, and comfortable feelings under dynamic thermal conditions. This unique fabric quickly dissipates excessive sweat as water droplets to avoid sensation of wetness and saturation. It also reflects solar radiation and emits body heat to the cold universe for cooling. Compared to conventional fabrics, 𝘖𝘮𝘯𝘪-𝘊𝘰𝘰𝘭-𝘋𝘳𝘺™ weighs 75% less, dissipates sweat 3 times faster, and is 50% less clingy during heavy perspiration. The human skin can be cooled by 5°C lower than with a commercial cotton fabric. This fabric will help the outdoor enthusiasts and athletes to perform the best. It will also be desirable to professionals such as medical personnel, construction workers, and firefighters for more endurance. Please click the link to watch the video for this award-winning project: https://bit.ly/3rfOeF6 

Award-winning Project with involvement of RIAIoT members: Algorithmic Music Composition Software for Popularising AI Education

Dr Chen Gong, a PhD alumnus, under the supervision of Prof. Jiannong Cao, Director of Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT), and Dr Yan Liu, Director of Cognitive Computing Lab, developed an AI-powered algorithmic music composition software for popularising AI education for non-professionals. By using the software, user can have a hands-on experience on how those AI algorithms work. It could let people know that AI is not just a cutting-edge technical subject, but an interesting and beautiful one. This software received a bronze medal at the Geneva Inventions Expo 2022. Video: https://bit.ly/3uzDMKV

Award-winning Project by RCDSE: Camera Pointing System for China’s Lunar Exploration Missions (Chang'e 3 and 4)

The precision robotics research team led by Professor Yung received the Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury at the Geneva Inventions Expo 2022 for the project “Camera Pointing System for China’s Lunar Exploration Missions (Chang'e 3 and 4)”. PolyU is the only university in Hong Kong taking part in the Nation’s space missions and actively contributing to the national space technology. The awarded project entitled “Camera Pointing System for China’s Lunar Exploration Missions (Chang'e 3 and 4)”. Installed on top of the lunar lander, it facilitates panoramic image capturing and rover movement observation on the moon, and helps construct a precision 3D model of the landscape for safe rovering. With a complex design and a weight of only 2.8 kg, it is sturdy enough to protect the camera against shock and vibration during the space mission and ensure its proper functioning under the extreme lunar environment. The invention was completed and successfully deployed on the Moon front surface with the Chang’e 3 and Moon far side with the Chang’e 4 missions of China’s Lunar Exploration Programme. Please click the link to watch the video for this award-winning project: https://bit.ly/3Kbuslu

Award-winning Project by RILS member: Umicool: an Eco-friendly Smart Sub-ambient Radiative Cooling (SSRC) Coating

A team led by Prof. Jianguo Dai, Management Committee Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Founder of Pro-Infra Science & Technology Limited (a PolyU Academic-led start-up), developed the eco-friendly, long-lasting, self-cleaning, low-cost polymeric radiative cooling coating which can reduce the interior temperature of buildings/infrastructure by 6°C as compared to the ambient temperature under direct sunlight without electricity consumption. UmiCool can scatter sunlight, convert absorbed UV light to fluorescence emissions and re-emit infrared radiation to the cold universe. The project received a Gold Medal in this year’s online special edition of the Geneva Inventions Expo recently. Please click the link to watch the video for this award-winning project: https://bit.ly/3j4WkvM

Members of PAIR’s constituent research units shine at Geneva Invention Expo

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has once again excelled in this year’s online special edition of the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (Geneva Inventions Expo) - Special Edition 2022 Inventions Geneva Evaluation Days – Virtual Event. The Exhibition is regarded as one of the most important annual global events devoted exclusively to inventions. This year, PolyU has garnered a total of six awards, including one Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury, one Gold Medal, three Silver Medals and one Bronze Medal. All of them are research projects of PAIR’s research institutes and research centres. Four of the six participating projects are operated by PolyU supported start-ups which has already commercialised its research outputs. As the only university in Hong Kong taking part in the Nation’s space missions, the team lead by Prof. Yung Kai Leung, the director of Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE) is also actively developing instruments for the national space mission by leveraging its expertise in precision engineering. In addition, PolyU is also striving to leverage its research to improve people’s quality of life. The participating projects this year, which incorporate research in the areas of cooling coatings, eco-friendly building materials, smart fabrics, nutritional supplements and AI music learning platform, are just a few examples of this effort. Please find the six awarded projects in the following table. Please click the link of the website of the Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office https://www.polyu.edu.hk/kteo/polyu-innovations/award/geneva2022/ for project details: Project Principal Investigator Awards Research Institute / Research Centre involved Camera Pointing System for China’s Lunar Exploration Missions (Chang'e 3 and 4) Prof. Kai-leung YUNG Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor in Precision Engineering, Director of Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations, Chair Professor of Precision Engineering and Associate Head, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations UmiCool: an Eco-friendly Smart Sub-ambient Radiative Cooling (SSRC) Coating Prof. Jianguo DAI Professor and Associate Head, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Founder of Pro-Infra Science & Technology Limited (a PolyU Academic-led start-up) Gold Medal Research Institute for Land and Space Carbon-negative Climate-smart Biochar Partition Block Prof. Daniel Chiu-Wa TSANG Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Founder of NeutralCrete Limited (a PolyU Academic-led start-up) Silver Medal Research Institute for Land and Space and Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality Omni-Cool-Dry™: a Desert Beetle Inspired Skin-like Fabric for Dynamic Thermal and Moisture Management Dr Dahua SHOU Assistant Professor, Institute of Textiles and Clothing Silver Medal Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems AkkMore™: a Fungus and Plant Based Supplement Against Obesity or Prediabetes Dr. Gail Jinhui CHANG Research Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Co-founder of Bo InnoHealth Biotechnology Company Limited (a PolyU GBA Start-up PostDoc and PolyU Academic-led startup) Silver Medal Research Institute for Future Food Algorithmic Music Composition Software for Popularising AI Education Dr Gong CHEN PhD alumni of the Department of Computing, Founder of RhySoul Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited (a PolyU GBA Start-up PostDoc) Bronze Medal Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things