News

Prof. SONG Haiyan featured in i-CABLE News programme on smart tourism

Prof. SONG Haiyan, Director of Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT), Associate Dean and Chair Professor of School of Hotel and Tourism Management, Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Professor in International Tourism, was interviewed by i-CABLE News programme “Inno Action” for his insights on digital transformation of the hospitality and tourism industry.  Prof. Song shared that to accelerate the integration of technology in tourism, PolyU has established the Research Centre for Digital Transformation in Tourism (RCDTT), dedicated to translating research outcomes into industry applications.  The Centre focuses on interdisciplinary research and industry partnerships, consolidating resources across PolyU faculties including computing, engineering and more to co-develop feasible smart tourism solutions with businesses, with the aim to help build Hong Kong into an international hub for smart tourism. He explained that smart tourism involves leveraging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and big data to optimise the tourism value chain.  Examples include using augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR) technologies to revitalise museum exhibitions and deploying smart systems to predict visitor flows at attractions and plan optimal routes for visitors.  He also emphasised that these technologies can be applied in the entire process before, during and after the trip, from itinerary planning, tour experience, to feedback survey, not only enhancing the tourist experience, but also helping the industry improve services and marketing through data analytics. Prof. Song remarked that Hong Kong has technological and geographical advantages to boost smart tourism development, though there is still room for improvement in terms of policies and the applications of robotics in hotels.  For instance, over 80% of hotels in Mainland China are using robots for tasks like room service and check-in, while similar applications in Hong Kong are still in trial phase.  He suggested that the government can adopt more flexible policies to attract tech firms to Hong Kong and encourage various businesses in the supply chain to work together to drive smart tourism. Online coverage: i-Cable TV - https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%96%B0%E8%81%9E%E8%B3%87%E8%A8%8A/333611/%E6%99%BA%E5%89%B5%E6%9C%AA%E4%BE%86-%E6%99%BA%E8%83%BD%E7%9C%BC%E7%9D%9B (00:00 – 11:45)

Ir Dr ZHENG Pai honoured with “HKIE Young Engineer of the Year Award 2025”

Congratulations to Ir Dr ZHENG Pai, Member of the Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM), Wong Tit Shing Young Scholar in Smart Robotics and Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, on being conferred the Young Engineer of the Year Award 2025 by The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE).  The award presentation took place at the HKIE Grand 50th Annual Dinner on 3 April 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.  The Award is organised to recognise local outstanding young engineers who have made valuable contributions to the continuous development of Hong Kong through their engineering achievements.  It stands as a prestigious accolade within the engineering profession, honouring the dedication and innovation of emerging leaders in the field.  

MHRC promotes mental health and resilience on PolyU campus through ReST Hub

The Resilient Students Training Hub (ReST Hub), launched this academic year by the School of Nursing and the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), is a five-year research-driven service and education initiative aimed at enhancing the mental health and resilience of PolyU students. To celebrate this year’s project achievements, the organisers held a celebratory event on 3 April 2025. The occasion was officiated by Dr the Hon. LAM Ching-choi, SBS, JP, Member of the Executive Council of the Government of the HKSAR, and was joined by PolyU representatives including Prof. Horace MUI, Interim Dean of Students, Prof. David SHUM, Dean of Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Prof. Sylvia CHEN, Interim Director of MHRC, Prof. Justina LIU, Associate Head of School of Nursing, and Dr Florence WU, Section Head of Counselling and Wellness of the Student Affair Office.  The event featured interactive games, inspirational talks by local music artist Mr Alfred HUI and Olympic badminton player Mr LEE Cheuk-yiu, and a music performance by the PolyU Music Society, bringing together over 200 participants from PolyU and the local community. The project will introduce further initiatives in the coming years, with a goal to foster ecosystems that actively promote mental health and resilience on university campus.  

Prof. HE Mingguang featured in Wen Wei Po on pioneering ophthalmology technologies

Prof. HE Mingguang, Director of Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV), Chair Professor of Experimental Ophthalmology and Henry G. Leong Professor in Elderly Vision Health, was interviewed by Wen Wei Po to discuss two ground-breaking studies he leads. Both projects, recognised as world-leading innovations, have secured multiple patents.  Among his innovations is the AI-powered, portable retinal fundus camera designed for self-testing screening for diabetic eye. This device enables efficient, comprehensive and accurate screening without requiring trained technicians. It automatically targets the subject’s eyes to capture fundus images within one minute without pupil-dilation or fluorescein injection. After this, the device transmits the image to an AI system, which assesses the optic nerve, fundus in both eyes, and detects signs of glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy or cataract, without requiring interpretation from medical professionals. The research team has collaborated with OPTICAL 88 to install these devices in designated stores for public use.  For myopia management, Prof. He’s team developed a non-invasive repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) therapy to reduce the progression of childhood myopia. The team has recently improved the treatment by reducing light intensity, shortening treatment duration and optimising the illumination system. The therapy can halt myopia progression and even reduce the degree of myopia. Research showed that individuals with high myopia have their prescription reduced from 500 to 450 degrees after the treatment. This advancement offers a breakthrough solution to manage the global rise of myopia among children. The two innovations underscore Prof. He’s commitment to transforming eye care through accessible, cutting-edge technologies. Online coverage: Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4l5I8kX; https://polyu.me/4j89lSl; https://polyu.me/3XxeNpy  

Prof. YANG Guang develops high-performance WBG perovskite solar cells, opening new path for scalable fabrication

A joint research team led by Prof. YANG Guang, Member of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) and Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), and Prof. HUANG Jinsong of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA, innovatively incorporated a reductive methylhydrazinium cation (Mhy+) into wide-bandgap (WBG) perovskite materials, opening a new path for the scalable fabrication of solar cells in ambient conditions.  The ground-breaking research, titled “Reductive cation for scalable wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells in ambient air”, has been published in Nature Sustainability. The team has achieved major progress in terms of material improvement, performance breakthrough and stability enhancement.  The researchers found that Mhy+ additive significantly reduces defect density while suppressing iodide oxidation and halide demixing, enabling scalable fabrication of efficient and stable WBG solar cells and modules in ambient air.  The WBG solar cells developed by the team achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23%, an open-circuit voltage of 1.28V, and a voltage loss of just 0.37V, setting new benchmarks for the field.  The researchers also successfully fabricated 25 cm² mini-modules with a stabilised efficiency of 19.8%.  These mini-modules, under accelerated aging conditions at 55±5°C, retained 94% of their initial efficiency after 700 hours of continuous light exposure, demonstrating exceptional long-term stability. This research addresses the technical challenges of scalable fabrication of solar cells in ambient conditions, making a significant step forward in the advancement of solar energy harvesting. Read the full paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-025-01529-5  

Prof. ZHANG Weixiong identifies “cancer keeper genes”

A research team led by Prof. ZHANG Weixiong, Associate Director of PAIR and Chair Professor of Systems Biology and Artificial Intelligence, has identified “cancer-keeper genes” (CKGs), genes that maintain cancerous cell states and are critical for cellular homeostasis and survival. CKGs can be used as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for diagnosing and treating cancer. Interventions targeting CKGs may terminate or prevent abnormal cell differentiation and proliferation. The research, titled “Cancer-keeper genes as therapeutic targets”, has been published in iScience. Read the full paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37520717/ Online coverage: Medical Xpress - https://polyu.me/4c41YsN

DoRiFood featured in “Carbon Revolution in China” on food waste-derived 3D printing material

Prof. WONG Ka-hing, Director of Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), was featured in the short film “Carbon Revolution in China” produced by the Hong Kong Coalition, introducing the food waste-derived 3D printing material developed by his team. The material is made by combining spent coffee grounds with polylactic acid (PLA). This innovation not only helps reduce carbon footprint but also demonstrates the vast potential for upcycling food waste. Online coverage: Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/4iqRjei (06:00 - 07:22) Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4bJX0Bs (06:00 - 07:22) Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/4bLYBXm (06:00 - 07:22)

PolyU and Amway (China) establish Joint Laboratory for Phytonutrients and Aging Research

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Amway (China) signed a strategic cooperation memorandum for the establishment of the Joint Laboratory for Phytonutrients and Ageing Research on 17 March 2025. Over the next three years, both parties will allocate dedicated research funding, co-train postdoctoral researchers, and establish a phytonutrient database alongside functional assessment models to support the advancement of the Greater Bay Area’s health sector. In his address, Prof. WONG Wing-tak, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, highlighted the growing demand for phytonutrients products and emphasised the significant potential of this partnership, seizing research innovation and commercialisation opportunities in the field to bring forth new solutions that benefit human health, science and technology and economy. Mr Johnson HAN, General Manager of Innovation and Science of Amway (China), highlighted the company’s decades of research and market experience in phytonutrients. The memorandum was signed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, and Mr Johnson HAN, under the witness of Prof. WONG Wing-tak; Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR); Dr Eric Du, Principal Scientist of the Research and Development Centre of Amway (China) and Dr Clark Chen, Senior Scientist of the Research and Development Centre of Amway (China). The inauguration ceremony for the joint laboratory followed, led by Prof. WONG Wing-tak; Prof. Christopher CHAO; Prof. Raymond WONG, Dean of Faculty of Science of PolyU; Mr Johnson Han; Dr Eric Du; and Dr Clark Chen. The gift exchange between the two sides brought the ceremony to a fruitful close. Prof. CHEN Qingyan presented Amway (China) with a commemorative plaque, and in return, Dr DU Jun gifted the Nutrilite N90 Tree of Life, an artistic decor piece symbolising holistic health. Over 20 experts, including Prof. WONG Man-sau, Director of Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI) and Prof. Lee Ming-yuen of Department of Food Science and Nutrition, joined this momentous occasion.  

Prof. NI Meng discusses hydrogen energy development on RTHK TV programme

Prof. NI Meng, Management Committee Member of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), Member of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Construction and Environment and Chair Professor of Energy Science and Technology, shared his expertise on hydrogen energy in a recent interview with RTHK TV programme Hong Kong Connection.  Prof. Ni elaborated on the benefits and limitations of grey, blue and green hydrogen, emphasising their important roles in the global transition to sustainable energy systems. He also pointed out that renewable energy supply and demand are not always matched, resulting in the generation of more renewable energy than needed, hence causing renewable energy being wasted; if the excess renewable energy can be used to produce hydrogen, this can not only avoid energy waste, but also truly achieve zero-emission hydrogen production, contributing to carbon neutrality and sustainability. Online coverage: RTHK - https://polyu.me/4hcfKKX (06:39 - 08:53; 15:05 - 16:23)（Chinese only）

Notable scholar Prof. Jesse ZHU advises graduate students on research career preparation at PAIR Distinguished Lecture

Prof. Jesse ZHU, Senior Advisor to the President, Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo, China, delivered the 36th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Research Strategy and Planning: How to Prepare a Research Career?” on 12 March 2025 on the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted over 110 participants to join in person and captivated an online audience of over 13,300 from different countries and regions who watched the live broadcast on multiple social media platforms, including Bilibili, WeChat, Weibo and YouTube. Prof. Zhu kickstarted his presentation by sharing his personal anecdotes from his journey through academia and industry, emphasising that innovation, curiosity and a commitment to societal impact have guided his research trajectory. He stressed the importance of identifying meaningful research themes to ensure both academic rigor and real-world relevance, noting, “True scientific breakthroughs emerge when we chase fundamental truths, not just external accolades.” Prof. Zhu illustrated these principles with examples from his cross-disciplinary work, including (i) healthcare innovation, the development of a rotating fluidiser which is a device that enable uniform particle suspension to optimise drug delivery systems; (ii) sustainable manufacturing, the application of nanoparticles in paint production to enhance flow efficiency and reduce environmental waste; and (iii) urban sustainability, pioneering compact wastewater treatment technologies for space-constrained urban environments. In conclusion, Prof. Zhu underscored the transformative role of research in advancing global well-being, advocating for a balance between theoretical exploration and applied solutions. He urged students to cultivate resilience, collaborate across disciplines, and align their work with societal needs, that is, “persistence and purpose are the bedrock of a fulfilling research career.” The event concluded with a lively question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. Chen, where attendees explored topics ranging from funding strategies to various considerations in technology development with Prof. Zhu. Please click here for an online review.