News

Project Led by Prof. Li Xiang-dong Awarded Theme-based Research Scheme 202223

Led by Prof Li Xiangdong, Director of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), the research project titled “Unravelling the Black Box between Air Pollution and Public Health for Transformative Air Quality Management’’ is supported by the Research Grants Council (RGC) for the Theme-based Research Scheme 2022/23 (12th Round). The longstanding impact goal of this project is to provide policymakers, organisations, and practitioners with more effective and targeted control measures to mitigate the health effects/burden of air PM2.5 pollution.

RISE Member Elected as a New Fellow of Canadian Academy of Engineering

Prof. Chen Guohua, Member of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), has been inducted into the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE). Prof. Chen is among 54 new Fellows elected into the academy this year. Election to the Canadian Academy of Engineering is one of the highest honours in engineering. Fellows of the CAE are nominated and elected by their peers, in view of their distinguished achievements and career-long service to the engineering profession. Read more: https://polyu.hk/HLnNF

PolyU U3DP named top university 3D printing labs worldwide

PolyU Research Facility in 3D Printing (U3DP) was named one of the top university 3D printing labs of 2022 in the world by All3DP, a leading magazine for the digital maker. Established in 2017, the U3DP provides all-round support for staff, researchers, and students in applying various types of 3D printing technologies to design, engineering, and medicine. Led by Prof. HC Man, Director of U3DP, Director of Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing, Director of Studies of Integrated Graduate Development Scheme, Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Cheng Yick-chi Chair Professor of Manufacturing Engineering, the center also boasts interdisciplinary research initiatives and industrial collaborations with companies in aviation, medical implants, medical rehabilitation, architecture, toys & games, fashion, apparel and jewelry. Online coverage: https://bit.ly/3aw0s6W

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 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 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 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