News

Prof. WU Bo studies data from Zhurong and uncovers evidence of ancient ocean on Mars

A team led by Prof. WU Bo, Associate Director of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), Fiona Cheung Professor in Spatial Science and Associate Head (Research) of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI), studied data from China’s Zhurong rover and orbiting satellites and gathered fresh evidence that Mars was home to an ocean billions of years ago. Prof. Wu said these findings not only provide further evidence to support the theory of a Martian ocean but also present, for the first time, a discussion on its probable evolutionary scenario. The findings were recently published in Scientific Reports (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-75507-w).   Online coverage: Reuters - https://polyu.me/4hGxwaq Nature - https://polyu.me/3YW7vgd SCMP - https://polyu.me/4hBxDEm DayFR Euro - https://polyu.me/4hH3ZNV NDTV - https://polyu.me/3Cs7WWy Daily Mail - https://polyu.me/4ffDu0F The Strait Times - https://polyu.me/3YGpPID New Scientist - https://polyu.me/4er7uVP Gulf News - https://polyu.me/40JlNlo Guam Pacific Daily News - https://polyu.me/4fD2gaB Saipan Tribune - https://polyu.me/3UGJVkU Khaleej Times - https://polyu.me/4hGuFhK Nation - https://polyu.me/3AzD99U RTE - https://polyu.me/3YZPTyX Yahoo HK - https://polyu.me/4eqU10m NetEase - https://polyu.me/4fh2qF0 qq - https://polyu.me/3YHZpq2 Metro Radio - https://polyu.me/4hGM8ql Hong Kong Herald - https://polyu.me/4hHMLzU Xinhua Net - https://polyu.me/3AzmRxK CGTN - https://polyu.me/4fHlFaB People’s Daily - https://polyu.me/3ClTOhM The Star Online - https://polyu.me/4ellTmr The Times of India - https://polyu.me/4emd3F5 Oriental Daily News - https://polyu.me/3ChhDHj Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/3CubF5X (subscription required) Hong Kong China News Agency - https://polyu.me/4fozwTl China News Service - https://polyu.me/3CjoYX3 ifeng.com - https://polyu.me/4fBxDlP Science Net - https://polyu.me/3CnJBBy Qianlong.com - https://polyu.me/40Dmg8Y NetEase - https://polyu.me/48FzFzc USA News Hub - https://polyu.me/3Z3gHPL The Japan News - https://polyu.me/4frfjfD Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/4fBSIwG 亞省新聞網 - https://polyu.me/4fNjPVp

Sharing of Research and Application on Photonic Crystal Fiber Waves by Prof. Philip Russell

Prof. Philip RUSSELL, Scientific Director of the Russell Centre for Advanced Lightwave Science (RCALS), Hangzhou, China, delivered the 30th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Three decades riding the photonic crystal fibre wave” on 5 November 2024 on the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted over 80 participants to join in person and captivated an online viewing audience of over 12,500 from different countries and regions to watch the live broadcast on multiple social media platforms, including Bilibili, WeChat, Weibo and YouTube. The lecture commenced with a warm welcome and brief speaker introduction by Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PAIR. Prof. Russell kickstarted his presentation by giving a brief overview of the historical development of photonic crystal fibre (PCF), highlighting how advancements in optical fibres, Bragg scattering, photonic bandgaps and drawing towers laid the foundation for PCF breakthroughs. Prof. Russell shared that he proposed in 1991 a glass fibre with a periodic array of microscopic hollow channels running along its length might guide light in novel ways, and many PCFs emerged from drawing towers at universities in subsequent years. Next, he elaborated on the advantages of PCF, explaining how it offers enhanced control over the propagation light, and how this property has enabled valuable applications. He shared his research in light-guiding PCF, hollow core PCF filled with gas, and twisted PCF, reviewing how some of the scientific discoveries made possible by PCF have evolved into real-world applications. Following the presentation was a lively and insightful question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. LU Chao, Director of the Photonics Research Institute (PRI) and Chair Professor of Fiber Optics. The audience engaged in a productive discussion with Prof. Russell.  Please click here for an online review.

Prof. KEE Chea-su introduces world’s first portable high-definition corneal topographer

Prof. KEE Chea-su, Associate Director of the Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV) and Head and Professor of the School of Optometry, was featured on HOY’s TV programme “InnoAction” to introduce the world’s first portable High-Definition Corneal Topographer “K-Shape” developed by his team. The innovation leverages artificial intelligence-driven algorithms to accurately measure corneal power, provide early diagnosis of vision problems such as corneal astigmatism and corneal ectasia, and simplify the diagnosis process, enabling it to be completed in as little as one minute. The innovation was awarded the Prize of the Saudi Arabian Delegation and Gold Medal in the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva. Online coverage: HOY TV - https://polyu.me/4edh4LZ (12:30 - 19:03)

Prof. WONG Ka-hing on RiFood’s sustainable hydroponics research and its applications

Prof. WONG Ka-hing, Management Committee Member of PAIR, Director of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) and Professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, penned a bylined article in Sing Tao Daily, introducing the Institute’s research and applications in hydroponics. Prof. Wong mentioned in the article that his research team received funding from the Sustainable Agriculture Development Fund of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department this year to further develop bio-fortification technology for precision hydroponics based on existing patented technologies to increase the mineral or micronutrient content of vegetables during the planting process. The team specifically addressed the common inadequate intake of calcium, iron and iodine among Hong Kong residents by adding these micronutrients to commonly eaten vegetables, thus allowing the public to meet their nutritional needs easily and affordably through their daily diet, and providing targeted solutions for natural nutritional supplementation. He also believes that although hydroponic vegetables are not yet popular in Hong Kong, hydroponic farming has significant environmental benefits and is regarded as an important step in sustainable agriculture development.   Online coverage: Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/4huD0Fb (subscription required)( Chinese only)

Prof. CHEN Changwen honoured with SIGMM Outstanding Technical Achievement Award

Congratulations to Prof. CHEN Changwen, Management Committee Member of PAIR and Chair Professor of Visual Computing, for receiving the SIGMM Outstanding Technical Achievement Award from the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the world’s largest computing society.  The Award is the highest award of SIGMM and one of the most important awards in the international computer community.  It is awarded annually to researchers who have made significant and lasting contributions to multimedia computing, communications, and applications. The award ceremony was held from 28 October to 1 November 2024 in Melbourne, Australia.   Online coverage: Jiqizhixin - https://polyu.me/3NK34P6 Sina - https://polyu.me/48rsRFe NetEase - https://polyu.me/40jer8e qq - https://polyu.me/4hEFdOL

RILS scholar co-authored study reveals summer meltwater storage in Greenland ice sheet

Prof. CHEN Jianli, Core Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Professor in the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, and an international group of researchers published a study in Nature that unveils a substantial amount of meltwater being temporarily stored within the Greenland ice sheet during summer. The study was led by Dr RAN Jiangjun, Associate Professor at the Southern University of Science and Technology. For the first time, the team quantified meltwater storage using positioning data. The researchers employed data from the Greenland GPS Network (GNET), a network comprising dozens of stations in Greenland, to continuously monitor the vertical displacements of bedrock at different stages of the melt season. The mass of meltwater is a factor that causes the bedrock to shift downwards. The team developed an innovative method for explaining the detected vertical shifts based on the meltwater mass. The Greenland ice sheet is currently the largest contributor to global sea level rise. If it completely melts, it can potentially raise the mean sea level by seven meters. The study provides a new perspective on the movement and storage of meltwater within the ice sheet during the summer months, bringing important discoveries for addressing pressing environmental challenges on Earth.   Read more: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08096-3

Prof. George LIU Zhizhao appointed as Chief Scientist of Meteorological Observation Center of China Meteorological Administration

Congratulations to Prof. George LIU Zhizhao, Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), and Associate Head (Partnership) of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, for being appointed as the Chief Scientist of the Meteorological Observation Center, China Meteorological Administration (CMA). Prof. Liu is an internationally renowned scholar in geomatics research and application. Over the years, his laboratory, the Micro-Laboratory of Atmospheric Research and Geomatics Engineering (Micro-LARGE), has conducted academic research in the field of geomatics and developed related technologies that significantly contribute to important aspects of society. These include precise positioning algorithms and data quality analysis for Global Positioning System (GPS)/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), ionosphere scintillation monitoring and 3D Total Electron Content (TEC) modelling, impact of space weather on satellite navigation and flight operation, monitoring of atmospheric water vapor and 3D modelling, retrieval and calibration of satellite remote sensing water vapor data, and assimilation of atmospheric water vapor into Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models, etc. 

Prof. Daniel LAU shares electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction system on RTHK radio programmes

Prof. Daniel LAU, Associate Director of the Photonics Research Institute (PRI), Key Member of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), Head of the Department of Applied Physics and Chair Professor of Nanomaterials, was featured in the RTHK radio programmes, including “Under the Sun” on 20 and 27 October 2024, and “Infinite Future” on 26 October 2024.  In the programmes, Prof. Lau introduced the novel electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction system developed by his team. This system can efficiently convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into ethylene, a raw material for plastics, thus achieving a carbon-negative effect. Prof. Lau is currently collaborating with the industry to conduct research on improving this device and enhancing its stability, hoping to apply this technology to overseas petrochemical plants or waste-to-energy devices in the near future.  Prof. Lau also hopes to collaborate with relevant government departments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, such as the Environment and Ecology Bureau, to apply this technology to local waste-to-energy facilities to convert the carbon dioxide emitted from incinerators into ethylene. Prof. Lau also shared that this “catalyst material test device” has been carried into space along with the aerospace programme of the China National Space Administration to test for its stability in space.   Online coverage: RTHK Under the Sun (27 October 2024) - https://www.rthk.hk/radio/radio1/programme/underthesun/episode/984300 RTHK Under the Sun (20 October 2024) - https://www.rthk.hk/radio/radio1/programme/underthesun/episode/982843 RTHK Infinite Future - https://www.rthk.hk/radio/radio1/programme/infinitefuture/episode/984158

PAIR scholars to showcase research impact at InnoCarnival 2024

InnoCarnival 2024, organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, will be held from 26 October to 3 November 2024 at the Hong Kong Science Park. This year’s theme “Let’s Sail with Innovation and Technology”, aligns with the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.   Seven projects led by PAIR members will showcase their research achievement at the event.  These projects span various application areas, including space explorations, life sciences and healthcare, artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) and sensing technology, civil engineering and vision and eye health. Come and see how our PolyU researchers translate their research outcomes into solutions with socio-economic impact! Reard more: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/kteo/news-and-events/events/2024/10/innocarnival-2024/?sc_lang=en

PolyU-developed In-orbit Material Experiment Testbed carried to space

The In-orbit Material Experiment Testbed developed by an interdisciplinary research team of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE) was launched to low Earth orbit along with the Shijian-19 Satellite on 27 September 2024, and was successfully retrieved on 11 October 2024. The testbed aims to test the effects of catalysts on materials under the extreme conditions in space.  Prof. WANG Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation), said PolyU is honoured to have the device developed by the University to be carried to the space along with the SJ-19 Satellite. From Chang’e lunar missions to Tianwen Mars missions, PolyU research teams have been active at the forefront of the Nation’s space industry development, working with experts in the Mainland to develop a number of space instruments to provide support for the Nation’s lunar and Mars missions.   Press release: English - https://polyu.me/48uGio6   Online coverage: (Chinese only) Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/3YARv2R; https://polyu.me/4hl9lyo; https://polyu.me/48naYrb Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3UhDDIb; https://polyu.me/48yVErG Lion Rock Daily - https://polyu.me/48nujZ7 Dot Dot News - https://polyu.me/3Yja62i; https://polyu.me/3C4xiKd Mirage News - https://polyu.me/3C4jQWz Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/3AlwAro (subscription required) Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/4fpzCtq (subscription required) Sohu - https://polyu.me/3YwK3ou Nanfang Daily - https://polyu.me/4fqWRUb