News

PolyU researchers develop underground utilities inspection technologies to locate invisible water pipe leakages and voids

A research team led by Prof. Wallace LAI Wai-lok, Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), Associate Head and Professor of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-informatics, has leveraged advanced underground exploration technologies to develop underground utilities inspection systems that support early detection of urban infrastructure anomalies, including voids and pipe leakages, for enhanced urban management. These advanced algorithms behind the multi-channel and road-based ground penetrating radar are well-suited for Hong Kong’s complex underground pipeline network and can accurately detect and assess underground pipeline leakages.  With guidance from Prof. DING Xiaoli, Director of RILS and Chair Professor of Geomatics, on the application of optical fibre within pipelines, the system can objectively analyse the collected underground pipe images to identify water leaks and their severity, as well as the approximate location of the leak point, which will assist in subsequent repair work.  The research team has also developed an acoustic-based leak detection and localisation method, which analyses noise characteristics to distinguish between different types and severities of leaks.  Traditional tools like ground microphones often struggle with environmental noise, so the team is exploring the use of robots equipped with acoustic hydrophones for more precise detection. Over the years, the team has closely collaborated with government bodies and industry to establish relevant training centre and joint laboratory, and to build a specialised database and AI model for ground-penetrating radar images and leak noise.  The team aims to enable large-scale, efficient inspections and support data-driven management strategies to reduce water leakage and prevent road subsidence. Press release: https://polyu.me/46xOdS4   Online coverage: Mirage - https://polyu.me/42mKkgq Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/488TXmD Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3VIW896 Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/4o0IOsB

Prof. HE Mingguang discusses non-invasive angiography on TV programme

Prof. HE Mingguang, Director of Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV), Henry G. Leong Professor in Elderly Vision Health and Chair Professor of Experimental Ophthalmology of the PolyU School of Optometry, appeared on the HOY TV’s programme “Health Concern Group” on 1 October 2025, sharing the application of non-invasive angiography in ophthalmic diagnosis. Prof. He pointed out that traditional fundus fluorescein angiography requires the injection of a contrast agent into the patient’s vein, a process that is not only time-consuming and costly, but also potentially life-threatening.  To address this, Prof. He and his team have utilised Generative AI technology to convert ordinary fundus photographs into high-precision angiographic images and dynamic videos within seconds, thereby effectively identifying ophthalmic diseases such as early diabetic retinopathy, central serous retinopathy, and retinal vascular damage caused by hypertension.   Online coverage: HOY TV - https://polyu.me/4pOGCWH (07:17 - 11:13)

Prof. Nathanael JIN Ling’s study reveals public health risks of drug-resistant Candida in cities

Prof. Nathanael JIN Ling, Member of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) and the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC), and Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Health Technology and Informatics, has recently published a pioneering research in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, shedding light on the public health risks posed by airborne Candida species in densely populated urban areas. The key findings of the study are as follows: • Drug-Resistant Candida in Urban Air: The study detected viable, drug-resistant strains of Candida parapsilosis, Candida albicans, and Candida tropicalis in city air samples—strains that were notably absent in coastal environments. • Genetic Similarity to Clinical Strains: Airborne isolates exhibited a high degree of genetic similarity to those found in clinical settings, suggesting that community-acquired infections could occur through inhalation or skin contact. • Multidrug Resistance: Of particular concern was the discovery of multidrug resistance in C. parapsilosis, raising questions about the role of urban pollution and climate change in driving antifungal resistance. Candida species are classified as WHO fungal priority pathogens due to their severe health impacts.  Prof. Jin’s research highlights the urgent need to recognise urban air as a significant medium for the spread of antifungal-resistant strains.  Looking ahead, his research team plans to expand their work to larger, multi-site studies to better understand fungal transmission pathways, investigate urban reservoirs of drug-resistant fungi and strengthen One Health approach to combat the global threat of fungal resistance. Read the full article: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.5c00795

Prof. NI Meng co-authors paper on enhancing the durability of high-temperature ceramic fuel cells in Nature Communications

Prof. NI Meng, Associate Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment, Head of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering and Chair Professor of Energy Science and Technology of PolyU, in collaboration with researchers from Shenzhen University, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Nanjing Tech University and Curtin University, published a paper titled “Interfacial oxide wedging for mechanical-robust electrode in high-temperature ceramic cells” in Nature Communications recently. Delamination and cracking of air electrodes are two mechanical factors contributing to the degradation of high-temperature electrochemical ceramic cells.  While the incorporation of negative thermal expansion (NTE) materials can address delamination by reducing the thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) of the air electrode, it may exacerbate cracking due to significant thermal stress between particles of NTE and positive thermal expansion perovskites (PTE).  The research team has introduced interfacial oxides to “wedge” the NTE-PTE interface, thereby resisting cracking within the bulk of the air electrode through reactive calcination at near-melting temperatures. The study demonstrated that that oxide wedging, which utilises the thermal expansion offset provided by a NTE component to greatly enhance interface multiphase binding, can serve as an effective strategy for developing mechanically robust electrodes for high-temperature electrochemical cells.  Enhanced bulk modulus (by 102%), hardness (by 138%), and reduced TEC (by 35%) are simultaneously achieved, significantly improving the durability of the air electrode over 40 rigorous thermal cycles between 600 °C and 300 °C, with no degradation observed even after two years of exposure to ambient air. Prof. NI Meng is currently Management Committee Member of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) and Member of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD). Read the full paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-63719-1

Unlocking brain signals: Prof. George Malliaras explores frontiers of electrophysiology in PAIR Distinguished Lecture

Recent advances in cortical and cutaneous electrophysiological recordings are rapidly expanding our ability to decode neural information.  On 30 September 2025, Prof. George MALLIARAS from University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “How Much Can We Learn from Cortical and Cutaneous Electrophysiology?”  He shared insights into the recent studies that explore the boundaries of cortical and cutaneous electrophysiology.  The lecture attracted nearly 100 in-person attendees, with more than 13,500 online viewers tuning in via various social media platforms. At the outset of his talk, Prof. Malliaras provided a brief overview of modern bioelectronic medicine applications, ranging from cardiac pacemakers for arrythmias in the 1960s to the nerve stimulators for autoimmune diseases in the 2010s, and highlighted their limitations.  He then introduced his team’s research achievements and potential applications in the field, including brain-computer interfaces, spinal cord cuffs, neurostimulator, cortical recording and stimulation, peripheral nerve cuffs, body surface potential mapping and e-textile.   In summary, Prof. Malliaras emphasised the inherent trade-off between invasiveness and resolution exists in electrophysiology.  Thin-film electrodes enable circumferential recording and stimulation of the spinal cord, paving the way for a novel spinal cord injury bypass and allowing for the prediction of movement kinematics.  Peripheral nerve cuffs facilitate sub-nerve recording and stimulation, offering new possibilities for organ function restoration.  Body surface potential mapping provides a wealth of information and has been validated by studies involving dogs with valvular heart disease.  These technologies together allow us to decode a broad range of signals, supporting applications in neuroprosthetics and health monitoring. Ongoing innovations in materials and interface engineering continue to enhance the amount and quality of information extracted from the brain and body. The subsequent question-and-answer session was chaired by Prof. YAN Feng, Associate Director of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and Chair Professor of Organic Electronics.  Both in-person and online audiences engaged in fruitful exchanges and discussions with the two professors. Please click here for an online review.

PolyU research delegation visits Jiangxi

A 17-member PolyU delegation, led by Prof. WANG Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation), Dean of Graduate School, Kuok Group Professor in Nature-Inspired Engineering and Chair Professor of Nature-Inspired Engineering, visited Jiangxi from 26 to 29 September 2025, with the aim of further expanding PolyU’s technological collaboration in the province.  The delegation comprised scholars from various PAIR constituent units, including the Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM), Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT), Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI), Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports), Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT), Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE), and Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF). During the visit, the delegation toured several enterprises, including Jiujiang Amber New Materials, Jiujiang Hengtong Automatic Controllers, Jiangxi HAC General SemiTech , Jiangxi Lianchuang Optoelectronics Technology, Danbach Robot Jiangxi, Jiangxi JinKong Technology Industry Group, Jiangxi Digital Industry Group, Jiujiang De’an Huayuan Knitting, Jiujiang De’an Yiyang Textiles, and Jiangxi Nanfang Velcro.  They also engaged in exploratory talks with institutions such as Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Beihang University, China Mobile VR Innovation Centre, Nanchang Virtual Reality Research Institute, Jiangxi Provincial Science and Technology Infrastructure Platform Centre, and Jiangxi Institute of Fashion Technology. The delegation conducted in-depth visits to numerous high-tech enterprises and research institutions, actively promoting technological cooperation and exchange between Jiangxi and Hong Kong.  Their efforts have laid a solid foundation for future industry-academia-research collaboration between the two regions, fostering deeper tri-sector integration.

Acenaphthene-induced two-step crystallisation achieves record efficiency in binary organic solar cells

Prof. LI Gang, Chair Professor of Energy Conversion Technology and Sir Sze-yuen Chung Endowed Professor in Renewable Energy of the PolyU Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and his research team have published a paper titled “Two-step crystallisation modulated through acenaphthene enabling 21% binary organic solar cells and 83.2% fill factor” in Nature Energy. The crystallisation dynamics of non-fullerene acceptors influences the morphology and charge dynamics of organic solar cells, ultimately determining device performance.  However, optimising the molecular arrangement of donor and acceptor materials within the active layer remains a considerable challenge.  In this study, the research team controlled the crystallisation kinetics of non-fullerene acceptors with a crystallisation-regulating agent, acenaphthene.  Acenaphthene alters the self-organisation of acceptor molecules by inducing a two-step crystallisation process: it initially fixes the packing motif of the acceptor, and subsequently refines the crystallised framework, resulting in highly oriented acceptors within the active layer. This approach establishes multiple charge-transport pathways, thereby enhancing the charge-transport properties of the device.  As a result, power conversion efficiencies of 20.9% (20.4% certified) and 21% (20.5% certified) were achieved in D18/L8-BO and PM1/L8-BO-X binary organic solar cells, respectively, with a maximum fill factor of 83.2% (82.2% certified).  These findings represent a significant advancement in the development of high-performance organic solar cells. This innovative strategy paves the way for further breakthroughs in the efficiency and commercial viability of next-generation organic photovoltaic technologies. Read the full paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-025-01862-1

PolyU and Hebei Gucheng Incense Group enter agreement, ushering in a new chapter for Chinese aroma fumigation

On 26 September 2025, PolyU warmly welcomed a delegation of traditional Chinese medicine representatives from Baoding to its campus.  On the same day, the University signed an agreement with Hebei Gucheng Incense Group Co., Ltd., joining hands to promote the integration and innovation of traditional Chinese incense culture with modern technology, and to advance the high-quality and scientific development of the incense industry. The agreement was signed by Prof. WONG Man-sau, Director of PolyU Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI) and Mr YANG Xueming, Chairman of Hebei Gucheng Incense Group, in the presence of Prof. Raymond WONG Wai-yeung, Dean of Faculty of Science; Prof. Christina WONG Wing-yan, Director of Research and Innovation; Mr YIN Gangliang, Deputy Secretary and Deputy Director of Party Committee of Baoding Municipal Health Commission, and Ms YANG Lanying, Technical Director of Hebei Gucheng Incense Group. The agreement lays a solid foundation for cooperation between the two parties over the next two years.  The aim is to develop innovative incense products with proven health and wellness benefits through interdisciplinary research combining classical Chinese medicine theories and modern scientific technologies, to establish a scientific and objective efficacy evaluation system, and to take the lead in formulating industry technical standards, thereby jointly guiding the upgrading and development of the global incense industry.

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)