News

RISUD develops biomineralisation technique to prevent microbial corrosion in marine structures

Prof. LI Xiangdong, Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Environment, Director of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development, Chair Professor of Environmental Science and Technology, Ko Jan Ming Professor in Sustainable Urban Development and his research team, have successfully developed a novel biomineralisation technique, which can effectively protect marine concrete from microbially induced corrosion, thereby contributing to the achievement of sustainable coastal structures. Sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) is a type of anaerobic bacteria which accelerates the production of hydrogen sulphide that can lead to material corrosion and deterioration. The biomineralisation technique developed by the team is an environmentally friendly coating method. It utilises carbon dioxide to produce mineral precipitates on concrete surfaces. This results in the formation of a biomineralised film, which acts as a protective layer to control sulphate diffusion and isolate concrete from the corrosive SRB. This biomineralisation strategy has strong potential for applications in various environments in which microbial corrosion occurs, such as marine environments, sewage environments, and water-cooling utilities. The research “Biomineralization to prevent microbially induced corrosion on concrete for sustainable marine infrastructure” was published in Environmental Science & Technology.  Further reading: https://polyu.hk/OXIRi Read the full article: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.3c04680

Excel x Impact is now available online!

Check out the latest issue of Excel x Impact for articles featuring the interdisciplinary research and recent developments at PAIR: Reaching for the stars: PolyU’s contributions to national space exploration https://polyu.hk/bYxTP Researchers develop novel selenium nanoparticles for postmenopausal osteoporosis management https://polyu.hk/yLrMb PolyU receives substantial research funding from the Research Grants Council https://polyu.hk/WhXgp PolyU-nurtured startups win major innovation awards (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area High-value Patent Portfolio Layout Competition 20233 - Gold Award - Telefield Medical Imaging Limited) https://polyu.hk/hQAGc 208 PolyU academics among world’s top 2% Scientists https://polyu.hk/xpshX 15 PolyU scholars named Highly Cited Researchers 2023 https://polyu.hk/pJPgh PolyU researchers win award for innovative music therapy system for the elderly https://polyu.hk/NTeSq

Prof. CHEN Sheng elected as Fellow of American Academy of Microbiology

Congratulations to Prof. CHEN Sheng, Member of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), Head of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, and Chair Professor of Microbiology, for being elected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology (AAM) for his outstanding scientific achievements and contributions that have advanced microbiology. Prof. Chen is the only scholar from Hong Kong elected to the Class of 2024.

MHRC Associate Director Prof. Sylvia CHEN elected as Fellow of Hong Kong Academy of the Humanities

We are delighted to announce that Prof. Sylvia Xiaohua CHEN, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Chair Professor of the Department of Applied Social Sciences, Associate Director of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC), and Director of the Yan Oi Tong Au Suet Ming Child Development Centre, has been elected as a Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of the Humanities (HKAH). This prestigious recognition is a testament to Prof. Chen’s exceptional scholarship and her significant contributions to humanities and social sciences in Hong Kong. Prof. Chen’s research focuses on personality and social psychology, cross-cultural psychology, as well as the psychosocial and cultural aspects of mental health. She investigates the social impact of bilingualism and biculturalism, as well as the effects of cultural contexts on the psychological functioning of bilingual and bicultural individuals. Her research explores the influence of globalisation on the changes experienced by bicultural individuals in mindsets, values, beliefs and identifications as a result of acculturation. The HKAH was founded in 2011 with the main aims of giving recognition to scholarly excellence and providing a platform for advocacy on behalf of the humanities in Hong Kong. HKAH Fellows are recognised by their peers as scholars of the highest academic distinction, or eminent practitioners of the arts, and are honoured for their lifetime contributions to humanities.

MHRC Member Dr Jacky NG named APS Rising Star

Dr Jacky NG Chi-kit, Member of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC), has been selected as one of the Rising Stars of the Association for Psychological Science (APS). The Rising Star designation recognises outstanding APS members in the earliest stages of their post-PhD research career. Awardees were evaluated for their research excellence based on six criteria, including publications; recognitions; discoveries, methodological innovations, or theoretical or empirical contributions; work with potentially broad impact; commitment to diversity in science; and demonstrated independence from mentors. Dr Ng is dedicated to investigating various methodological artifacts in mediation and moderation models, and utilising these models to gain insights into various social phenomena. His research findings have been published in internationally renowned journals. Currently, Dr Ng’s research focuses on developing an implementation-friendly statistical tool to differentiate analytically equivalent models in moderation analysis and employing this tool to identify the mitigating factors for social media-induced depression.   The full list of 2024 APS Rising Stars is available at: https://www.psychologicalscience.org/members/awards-and-honors/aps-rising-stars/news-rising-stars

PolyU joins WHO Global SPECS Network, contributing towards 2030 global eye health target

We are pleased to announce that The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has joined as a member institution of the Global SPECS Network hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in January 2024. The Network, which comprises representatives from inter-governmental organisations, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, private sector and philanthropic foundations, promotes collective and coordinated advocacy and action towards the WHO SPECS 2030 target, that is to achieve a 40% increase in effective global coverage of refractive error by 2030. Prof. HE Mingguang, Director of the Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV), serves as the primary representative of PolyU in meetings, communication and collaboration of the Network. The RCSV shall continue pursuing various impactful and international collaborations, with the goal to create knowledge and solutions for the promotion of healthy life-long sharp vision. Please visit here for the member list of the Network.

RCDTT celebrates official launch at inauguration ceremony

The inauguration ceremony of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT) was successfully held on 19 February 2024. The plaque unveiling ceremony was held with the presence of officiating guests, including Prof. Gang LI, Professor of Tourism Economics and Director of the Centre for Competitiveness of the Visitor Economy, University of Surrey, UK; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation); Prof. Qingyan CHEN, Director of PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research; Prof. Kaye CHON, Dean of School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM); Ms Monica LEE-MULLER, Vice Chairman of SHTM Industry Advisory Committee; Prof. Haiyan SONG, Director of RCDTT; Prof. LI Qing, Co-Director of RCDTT; as well as Dr Dan WANG, Prof. Mimi LI and Prof. Dan WANG, Associate Directors of RCDTT. The RCDTT was established under PAIR to lead interdisciplinary research on optimising travel experiences and achieving environmental and business sustainability through digitally transforming tourism and related businesses. The inauguration of RCDTT marks PolyU’s stepped-up efforts in driving hospitality and tourism research and propelling the travel industry towards a “digital future”. We look forward to many exciting and impactful research outcomes from the Centre! Watch now: http://xhslink.com/md5OQB Visit RCDTT’s official website at: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/rcdtt/

Prof. Hector TSANG featured on TVB programme Pearl Magazine

Prof. Hector TSANG, Interim Director of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) and Chair Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, gave an interview to TVB’s programme “Pearl Magazine” to share his insights into the support needs of carers and the roles of the government and industry in supporting caregivers in Hong Kong. He mentioned that the support services for carers in Hong Kong are limited and fragmented; the existing services are mostly centre-based and require appointment booking in advance, and are therefore quite rigid. He suggested that the government can take reference from other countries to establish a clear set of laws or acts on the provision and coordination of support for caregivers. The programme shared findings of a relevant research study led by Prof. Tsang. The research pointed out that respite services are valuable resources for carers. It also showed that the utilisation rate of designated day respite services for the elderly in 2019–20 was only about 45%, indicating the needs to further improve the existing carer support system. Online coverage: TVB - https://polyu.me/3wsZVxy (4:47 – 5:59)  TVB - https://polyu.me/3TadAma (21:41 – 23:08)

Five PAIR researchers featured in PolyImpact Volume II

PolyImpact: PolyU Inventions and Innovations that Benefit that World includes a collection of ten impactful stories of the innovations and entrepreneurship at PolyU that address global problems and create real societal impact. Check out the latest volume of PolyImpact for stories featuring five PAIR researchers!   Story Name of PAIR Researcher Title(s) and Constituent Research Unit(s) On solid ground: Innovative, eco-friendly technique uses dredged sediments and industrial wastes as fill materials for land reclamation to save time, reduce cost, and lower carbon footprint https://polyu.hk/rkzpk Ir Prof. YIN Jianhua Chair Professor of Soil Mechanics, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Management Committee Member of Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS)   Member of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) Construction reimagined: Smart system employs cutting-edge technologies to automate construction site management tasks, improving performance in terms of cost, time, quality, and safety https://polyu.hk/LKCmS Ir Prof. LI Heng Chair Professor of Construction Informatics, Department of Building and Real Estate Associate Director of Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT)   Management Committee Member of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS)   Member of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) and Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) True colours: State-of-the-art R&D optimises colours in lighting and imaging systems, improving users’ experience and well-being https://polyu.hk/FNium Prof. Tommy WEI Minchen Professor, Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering Management Committee Member of Photonics Research Institute (PRI)   Member of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) and Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV) Taking out the guesswork: Computational models boost yield and reduce scrap rate in manufacturing ultra-thin, chemically strengthened, curved cover glass for electronic devices https://polyu.hk/ZWEVO Dr RUAN Haihui Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering Member of Photonics Research Institute (PRI) Rewire and revive: Lightweight 3-in-1 robotic arm helps stroke victims recover mobility at home by rewiring the brain while allowing remote monitoring by professionals https://polyu.hk/UKTjL Dr HU Xiaoling Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering Member of Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA) and Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports)   Read the full publication: https://polyu.hk/KAsXu   

Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry visits RCDSE Space Resources Laboratory

Prof. SUN Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, paid a visit to PolyU on 7 February 2024 and was warmly received by Prof. YUNG Kai-leung, Director of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor in Precision Engineering, Chair Professor of Precision Engineering and Associate Head of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Prof. Sun visited RCDSE’s newly established Space Resources Laboratory to learn about the latest development of deep space research. The Laboratory is used to store the returned planetary regolith from sample return missions and equipped with advanced electron microscopic system for in-situ regolith analysis. Watch now: https://lnkd.in/gUH2cNpi   Online coverage: Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/49tu8es Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/3SAJWoV Dot Dot News - https://polyu.me/3HUbEb8