News

“Meet PolyU Academicians and Distinguished Scholars” video series | Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PAIR

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) recently rolled out a new video series “Meet PolyU Academicians and Distinguished Scholars” to introduce outstanding research and innovations by PolyU scholars. Watch Episode 25 featuring Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), to learn more about his remarkable works on built environment and air-conditioning systems! Prof. Chen is a Chair Professor of Building Thermal Science in the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering. The built environments he has worked with include: indoor environments of buildings, outdoor environment around buildings, and enclosed environments such as airplanes and cruise ships. Prof. Chen has developed various ventilation systems for reducing energy usage and mitigating the effect of airborne infectious diseases. He has also developed guidelines and handbooks to help building designers to design such ventilation systems. Prof. Chen ranked No. 13 in the “Building and Construction” field in the 2023 List of World’s Top 2% Scientists compiled by Stanford University. At PolyU, Prof. Chen is the Director of PAIR, providing overall leadership to PAIR to drive PolyU’s vision to be a world-leader in providing interdisciplinary solutions to address major societal challenges. Currently, PAIR has 11 research institutes and 7 research centres, bringing together over 500 senior researchers from various disciplines. PAIR researchers focus on three major areas: advanced technologies and manufacturing, good health and well-being, and smart and sustainable cities, and pursue interdisciplinary research and knowledge transfer that bring impactful solutions to major societal challenges, benefitting Hong Kong, the Nation, and the world.   Watch at: https://youtu.be/OPUrMvJ4zhI

PRI and Jilin University researchers develop novel sensor for high-sensitivity gas detection

A joint research team led by Prof. JIN Wei, Associate Director of the Photonics Research Institute (PRI) and Chair Professor of Photonic Instrumentation in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Prof. WANG Yiding of the Jilin University, have successfully developed a novel on-chip photothermal spectroscopy sensor for high-sensitivity gas detection. Photothermal spectroscopy is an optical analysis technique which uses sensors for determining the composition of solids, liquids and gases. It works by exposing a sample to radiation, and measuring the heat produced from the irradiated sample. Existing waveguide gas sensors have limited sensitivity and measurement range. The team demonstrated a new method which uses photothermal spectroscopy and on-chip sensor to achieve gas measurement with high sensitivity. The team developed a novel waveguide sensor, which contains chalcogenide glass as the core-layer materials, for detecting acetylene, a colourless flammable gas. The new sensing method achieved a remarkable acetylene detection sensitivity of 4 ppm and a dynamic range exceeding 5 orders of magnitude, outperforming traditional direct absorption sensor. Research findings have been published in Laser & Photonics Reviews (https://doi.org/10.1002/lpor.202301071). The team is now conducting further investigation to optimise the waveguide structure, improve thermal accumulation and understand deeper the optical-thermal-phase transfer mechanism.

RCMI develops nanotechnology for prolonging retention of ocular drugs on corneal surfaces

Prof. WONG Man-sau, Director of the Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI) and Prof. LIU Juewen from the University of Waterloo, successfully developed a novel formulation for treating dry eye diseases using nanoparticles, aptamer-functionalised liposomes. A key challenge in ocular drug delivery is the need to prolong the retention of drugs within the eyes. Cyclosporine A is a therapeutic agent for dry eye diseases. The aptamer-functionalised liposomes developed by the team could prolong the retention of Cyclosporine A on the corneal surface. Aptamer-functionalised liposomes are nanoparticles which have aptamers, a short nucleotide, on its surface that can bind to specific molecular targets with high affinity. The team discovered a aptamer that is capable of binding to the corneal surface for delivering Cyclosporine A loaded in liposomes. This can not only mitigate the adverse effects associated with the drug, but also augment its therapeutic efficacy in managing dry eye disease. Related research works have been published in three esteemed journals. The study opens up new avenues for the future of nano-based drug delivery, enabling the treatment of ocular diseases via topical eye drops that deliver natural products, supplements and small molecules.   Read the full paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2319417023001221

MHRC member introduces music-with-movement system for elderly in RTHK TV programme

Dr Daphne CHEUNG, Member of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) and Associate Professor in the School of Nursing, was featured in RTHK’s TV programme “Hong Kong United” to introduce the therapeutic music-with-movement system invented by her team. The innovation combines music, augmented reality (AR) interactive games and motion sensors to deliver music intervention for improving the cognitive and psychosocial functions of older adults with dementia. The innovation has won a prestigious global consumer product award in the “Accessibility & Aging Tech” category at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 Innovation Awards. PolyU is the only Hong Kong educational institution honoured with this award.   Online coverage: RTHK - https://polyu.me/4cdiDtt (9:13–14:36) (Chinese only)

DoRIAIoT Prof. CAO Jiannong featured in Ta Kung Pao, sharing views on developing new quality productive forces in Hong Kong

Prof. CAO Jiannong, Director of the Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT), shared his views on developing new quality productive forces in Hong Kong, in an exclusive interview with Ta Kung Pao. He said that the new force involves new computing infrastructure, cloud computing and big data, and is therefore the development of edge computing and artificial intelligence. He believed that if businesses can achieve infrastructure digitalisation at full scale, with Hong Kong’s Web 3.0 development, research strength and protection policies, the formation of big data can connect and open up the isolated information systems across industries, thus realising data exchange. This is conducive to the development of Hong Kong’s new quality productive forces and digital economy.   Online coverage: Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/3Ivt8eb Chinese Press - https://polyu.me/3T3esYs

Gut microbiome expert Prof. Eugene B. CHANG to deliver PAIR Distinguished Lecture

PAIR cordially invites you to join our Distinguished Lecture on 18 March 2024 (Monday) at 4:15 p.m.–5:45 p.m. (Hong Kong Time) on the PolyU campus and via Zoom. The lecture titled “What is a healthy gut microbiome and why is it important to know?” will be delivered by Prof. Eugene B. CHANG, Martin Boyer Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Director of the Microbiome Medicine Program at The University of Chicago, USA. Indigenous to the different ecosystems of the gastrointestinal tract are trillions of microbes that comprise a vital organ essential for health of its host. Like other vital organs of the body, the gut microbial organ provides benefit regionally and systemically by promoting processes like nutrient digestion and absorption, development and regulation of host immunity, and maintenance of metabolic homeostasis. On the flip side, the gut microbiome can be damaged and dysfunctional (a state called dysbiosis), leading to increased risk and incidence of many disorders, including Clostridioides difficile colitis, inflammatory bowel diseases, neurologic disorders, diabetes and obesity to name a few. Attempts to repair or restore the health of the gut microbiome have been a challenge because there has been no consensus on how to define or even measure gut microbiome health (eubiosis). Without knowing what eubiosis is makes it even more problematic to define dysbiosis. Not surprisingly, the development and practice of current microbiome-based interventions (e.g., live biotherapeutics, medical foods, and fecal microbial transplants) have been largely empirical and often of questionable value. Quantitative metrics that assess the functional state of the gut microbiome are therefore needed. The rationale and development of such tools will be a major focus of this presentation. Through the lens of the gut microbiome, Prof. Chang studies host-microbe interactions and disease mechanisms of the gut in states of health and disease (primarily IBD and metabolic disorders). To understand the mechanisms underlying these processes, his lab employs experimental, clinical, and bioinformatic (machine learning and artificial intelligence) approaches to define specific mechanisms of action and biomarkers relevant to the intestinal epithelial, immune and metabolic homeostasis. He was an active participant in the NIH Human Microbiome Project and currently holds several NIH grants that involve team science collaborations with colleagues from multi-disciplinary backgrounds. Prof. Chang has been the Director for over two decades of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney (NIDDK) P30 Digestive Disease Research Core Center (DDRCC), member of the NIH National Commission on Digestive Diseases, the NIDDK Council, recipient of the NIH MERIT award, Director of the IBD Research Laboratories, past-President of the Gastroenterology Research Group, Chairman of the AGA council, several terms on the governing board of the American Gastroenterological Association, the NIDDK advisory council, and Director of the University of Chicago Microbiome Medicine Program. He has an extensive record of successful mentorship over 4 decades as the PI and program director of a NIH training grant (T32) in Digestive Health and Diseases, developer of the Academic Skills Workshop that is now part of the educational portfolio of the American Gastroenterological Association, life-time Master of the Academy of Distinguished Medical Educators at the University of Chicago, and recipient of numerous mentorship and teaching awards. His works have been published in prominent journals including Nature, Cell, and Science. Don’t miss the chance to learn from distinguished scholar! Find out more and register at: https://polyu.hk/GCyvb  

Prof. Ioannis BRILAKIS of Cambridge University delivers PAIR Distinguished Lecture on digital twinning in built environment

Prof. Ioannis BRILAKIS of the University of Cambridge delivered the 14th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Digital Twinning the Built Environment” on 8 March 2024. The hybrid lecture attracted over 370 participants joining in person and online from more than 40 countries and regions across Australia, Asia, Europe and North America. It was also broadcast live on multiple social media platforms, captivating online viewing audience of over 13,100. The lecture commenced with a welcome speech by Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PAIR, followed by a brief speaker introduction by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation).  In his presentation, Prof. Brilakis first gave a brief introduction to digital twins (DT), pointing out that DT plays a central role in digital transformation. Next, he elaborated on the application of DT in the construction industry and explained how DT is involved in the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation processes. He introduced research conducted at the University of Cambridge on inexpensive methods for generating object-oriented infrastructure geometry, detecting, and mapping visible defects on the resulting DT, automatically extracting defect spatial measurements, and sensor and sensor data modelling. Prof. Brilakis also provided examples of how these resulting DT are further exploited in design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA), mixed-reality-enabled mobile inspection, and proactive asset protection from accidental damage. To conclude, Prof. Brilakis stated that DT, smart materials, data science, and automation and robotics, constitute important digital assets for driving sustainability, and pointed out the future development directions in these areas.  A question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. DING Xiaoli, Director of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), and Prof. WANG Yuhong, Member of RILS, followed. This session provided both the online and on-site audience with an opportunity to engage in a fruitful discussion with Prof. Brilakis. Please click here for an online review.  

Dr James FANG awarded 2024 Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation

Congratulations to Dr James FANG Kar-Hei, Core Member of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), and Associate Professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, for receiving the 2024 Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation by The Pew Charitable Trusts. A total of six scientists around from the world have been awarded the fellowship this year and Dr Fang is the recipient from East Asia. Each recipient is awarded a grant of US$150,000 allocated over three years, to support conducting an original, research-based marine conservation project. Dr Fang’s research focuses on the restoration pearl oyster reefs for enhancing Hong Kong’s marine environmental health, biodiversity and seafood sustainability.

PAIR Newsletter · Issue 9 · March 2024 is now available online

We are thrilled to announce the release of the 9th Issue of the PAIR Newsletter. Join us and embark on an extraordinary science adventure with our “Feature Stories” covering the newly established Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism, insights on proactive health research from esteemed scholar, and the neuroscience behind memory decline and mental health. Stay informed about PAIR’s latest scientific breakthroughs and diverse activities through reading our “Knowledge Transfer”, “Research Achievements”, “People”, and “News & Events” sections! We encourage you to share valuable articles and links from our Newsletter with your friends and colleagues. Share PAIR’s impact stories to spread knowledge, inspire innovation and foster interdisciplinary excellence! Happy reading! https://www.polyu.edu.hk/pair/publications/

MHRC studies lateral frontopolar cortex of human brains to understand human decision-making

Dr Bolton CHAU, Associate Director of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) and Associate Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, and his team discovered the function of a lateral frontopolar cortex (FPl), a brain region unique to humans, hence providing important insights as to why humans are capable of generating complex behaviours. The findings have been published in Cell Reports. With the use of brain imaging and artificial intelligence, the team identified that the FPl is involved in digesting complex information during decision-making. The FPI uses a parallel processing mechanism that decomposes high-dimensional choice information into simpler forms and transfers this simplified information to another region, the posterior cingulate cortex, to guide decision-making. The team also received a funding from the Collaborative Research Fund of the Research Grants Council (RGC) to conduct follow-up studies for three years. These studies aim to investigate the specific information represented in the FPl, develop artificial neural networks to reverse-engineer the FPl, and develop effective brain stimulation approaches to modulate the FPl. The studies will be conducted by a team comprising researchers from PolyU, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University and the University of Oxford, and will leverage MHRC collaboration platform and the cutting-edge facilities of the University Research Facility in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience (UBSN).   Read the full paper: https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(23)00566-1