News

PolyU-led Scolioscan wins gold award at GBA High-value Patent Portfolio Layout Competition

Scolioscan, a 3D ultrasound imaging system for radiation-free scoliosis assessment, has won the Gold Award at the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area High-value Patent Portfolio Layout Competition 2023. The system was developed by the research team led by Prof. ZHENG Yongping, Director of the Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA), Director of the Jockey Club Smart Ageing Hub, Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering. Scolioscan is the world’s first and only ultrasound scoliosis assessment system. The technology can provide images of spine structure with the accuracy of spinal deformity measurement comparable with X-ray results. It is radiation-free, cost-effective, and can be used without site limitations. The system only takes 30 seconds to complete the scan and assessment, and the operating cost is about one-third of that of traditional equipment.  Scolioscan has over 26 patent clusters and more than 100 patents in total. The system also has 19 world-leading and pioneering technologies. It has been clinically tested and used in more than 50 hospitals and clinics in Europe, Australia, Mainland China, and Hong Kong, and the results have been published in more than 20 international journal publications. In addition to earlier accumulated financing of over HK$100M, the startup company has further secured about HK$23M in pre A+ financing during the competition of this award. Scolioscan is currently being processed for the registration of Food and Drug Administration (FDA), preparing to enter the US market. Jointly organised by the Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation (Guangdong Intellectual Property Administration), the Intellectual Property Department of the HKSAR Government, the Economic and Technological Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, and relevant municipal governments in the provinces of China, the competition shortlisted 100 quality projects from 809 entries, and selected winning projects for 10 gold awards, 15 silver awards, and 25 excellence awards.   Online coverage: Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/48q9T17 Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3ScAqIr

ADoPAIR appointed as Endowed Professor in Chinese Culture and Creative Design

Congratulations to Prof. Lilly LI, Associate Director of PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) and Professor in the School of Fashion and Textiles, for being appointed as Cally Kwong Mei Wan Professor in Chinese Culture and Creative Design. Prof. Li focuses on the integration of culture, creative design and technology through design thinking. Her research works drive industry innovation through an interdisciplinary approach. Prof. Li has secured over 70 research projects, resulting in innovative, cutting-edge technologies and products. These innovations have been widely adopted for commercial applications, contributing to a total knowledge transfer value exceeding HK$350 million. The Endowed Professorship Scheme aims to recognise outstanding PolyU academics and their contributions. Endowed professors are provided with extra resources to continue their excellent work in research and teaching.  Further reading: https://polyu.hk/dOzSY

PolyU tops RGC Research Impact Fund exercise, with five projects led by PAIR researchers

Five PolyU projects have been granted a total funding of HK$20.9 million from the Research Impact Fund (RIF) 2023/24 of the Research Grants Council (RGC). The funded projects are led by PAIR researchers and cover diverse research areas. A total of 14 projects were supported in this year’s exercise, and PolyU has the highest number of funded projects among local universities. The RIF supports universities to undertake impactful and translational research projects, and to develop research collaborations with government departments, business and industry, and research institutes. Successful projects are granted funding of up to HK$10 million per project for a period of three to five years. Funded PolyU projects include: Project Project Coordinator Development of Bacterial Pseudaminic Acid-based Vaccine to Combat Infections Caused by Multidrug Resistant Bacteria Prof. CHEN Sheng Member of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), and Head and Chair Professor of Microbiology of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition Digital Twin-enabled Intelligent Assessment and Maintenance of Offshore Wind Turbine Structures in a Life-cycle Context Prof. ZHU Songye Leading Member of the Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT), Member of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) and Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), Associate Head and Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering An AI-enabled Geospatial Platform for Smart Facility Management and Smart Mobility of People with Disabilities Dr LIU Xintao Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), RISUD, Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI), and Associate Professor in the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics Durable Low-carbon Asphalt Pavement Built with Recycled Waste Polyolefin Plastics through Reactive Extrusion Prof. LENG Zhen Associate Director of the Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE), Member of RILS and RISUD, and Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Developing a New Generation of Pressure-controlled Wearable Soft Braces to Improve the Efficiency and Compliance in Treating Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Prof. YIP Yiu-wan Joanne Management Committee Member of RiFood, Member of the Photonics Research Institute (PRI) and the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports), Associate Dean and Professor of the School of Fashion and Textiles   Further reading: https://polyu.hk/XEMQd Online coverage: Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/3tLzkeg (subscription required) Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/3RLVntk GBA Biz Tech Magazine - https://polyu.me/3Ubl0Xx Net Ease - https://polyu.me/47sx7lR  

Fellow of Chinese Academy of Engineering delivers distinguished lecture on biomanufacturing of functional tissues and organs

Prof. YANG Huayong, Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Zhejiang University and Fellow of Chinese Academy of Engineering, delivered the 12th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Biomanufacturing of Functional Tissues and Organs: Exploration and Progress” on 2 January 2024. The hybrid lecture attracted over 130 participants joining in person and online from more than 20 countries and regions across Australia, Asia, Europe and North America. It was also broadcast live on multiple social media platforms, captivating a viewing online audience of over 14,500. The lecture commenced with a warm welcome address by Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PAIR, followed by a brief speaker introduction by Prof. WANG Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU. In his presentation, Prof. Yang highlighted that urgent need for tissue/organ biomanufacturing owing to the shortage of donation for organ transplantation. He pointed out some challenges in the in vitro manufacturing of tissues/organs, particularly in relation to accurate design, precise fabrication, and functional induction, which underscore the imperative need for new methods for tissue/organ manufacturing. Next, Prof. Yang outlined the development roadmap of biomanufacturing and shared specific examples demonstrating the research progress in 3D bioprinting. In concluding his presentation, Prof. Yang shared his insights on the future direction for biomanufacturing, as well as some significant accomplishments by him and his team at Zhejiang University in the field. A question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. Wang was followed. Both the online and on-site audience had a fruitful discussion with Prof. Yang.

DoRCDSE featured on RTHK TV programme, sharing on Hong Kong’s aerospace research development

Ir 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, was interviewed in RTHK television programme “Vibrant Hong Kong”. In the programme, Prof. Yung shared on the local development in aerospace research, and Hong Kong’s advantages and prospects in aerospace technology.  He also introduced RCDSE’s research findings and accomplishments, and shared some memorable moments in his career.   Online coverage: RTHK - https://polyu.me/3TIV6Kj (05:20–18:42)

PolyU scholars appointed to Hong Kong Web 3.0 Standardization Association

Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation), and Prof. CAO Jiannong, Director of the Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT) and Dean of the Graduate School, have been appointed by the Hong Kong Web 3.0 Standardization Association as members of its advisory committee and expert committee respectively. Established on 4 January 2024, the Association is dedicated to pursuing research on the standardisation of Web 3.0-related fields, pooling resources and establishing consensus in the industry, promoting technological innovation, fostering standardisation in industrial ecosystem, with a view to supporting government decision-making, and expanding Hong Kong’s international influence and voice in the field of Web 3.0.   Online coverage: CCTV - https://polyu.me/41TU9Re (Chinese only)

Establishment of Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism

The PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) is pleased to announce the establishment of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT) as a new constituent unit of PAIR on 1 January 2024. RCDTT aims to lead research on optimising travel experiences and achieving environmental and business sustainability by digitally transforming tourism and related businesses with a ultimate goal of improving the lives and well-beings of global citizens. The Director of RCDTT is Prof. SONG Haiyan, Associate Dean and Chair Professor, and Mr and Mrs Chan Chuk Fu Professor in International Tourism at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management. The Co-Director is Prof. LI Qing, who serves as the Head of the Department of Computing and Chair Professor of Data Science. RCDTT pursues research in strategic areas, and forges close relationships with key stakeholders including industry, academic institutions, government offices and international organisations to promote good practices in tourism. RCDTT’s missions and research focus areas include: Digital Transformation: Development of digital monitoring system for tourism and hospitality; and AI-driven business and experience innovations Interdisciplinary Researches: Re-shape tourism and hospitality business operations, destination governance, and international collaborations for inbound and outbound tourism RCDTT Management Team Name and Post Title Concurrent Appointment in RCDTT Prof. SONG Haiyan Associate Dean and Chair Professor of Tourism of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism Prof. LI Qing Head and Chair Professor of Data Science of the Department of Computing Co-Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism Dr WANG Dan Associate Professor in the School of Hotel and Tourism Management Associate Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism Prof. LI Mimi Professor in the School of Hotel and Tourism Management Associate Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism Prof. WANG Dan Professor of the Department of Computing Associate Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism    

RCRE team shines in Aramco Sustainability Techno-Quest

A research proposal by the team comprising Ir Prof. POON Chi-sun, Director of the Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE), and Dr SHEN Peiliang, Member of RCRE, won the Sustainability Techno-Quest competition organised by Aramco. The award-winning proposal “Turning Recycled Concrete Powders into High-value-added Products by Advanced Carbonation” was selected from over 30 applications, and was awarded RMB 1.5 million for project implementation. Themed  “Carbon Footprint Reduction through Alternate Sequestration”, the Sustainability Techno-Quest is a research and development (R&D) competition inviting researchers and research groups from academia, research institutes, service sectors, and industry across China to develop potential R&D projects and technological solutions focusing on CO2 solidification and CO2 to oilfield chemicals.

PolyU’s “waste-to-low carbon construction materials” technologies featured in media, reducing carbon emissions in construction

Prof. POON Chi-sun, Director of the Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE), and Dr ZHANG Shipeng, Member of RCRE, in a media interview with the Economic Digest, introduced the advanced technologies developed by the team.  Featured technologies include: Solid waste recycling technology, which converts gaseous and solid waste from the construction industry into products, helping to achieve carbon neutrality High-performance supplementary cementitious material, which effectively improves the strength of concrete materials Carbon dioxide curing technology, which improves the maintenance of modules assembled using the Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) method Fifth generation Eco-Blocks, a green construction material produced from construction and other waste materials High performance permeable paving materials   Online coverage: Economic Digest - https://polyu.me/4aA5jyG (Chinese only) To learn more from PAIR Research Impact Video Series: https://polyu.hk/XVmaO

PolyU interdisciplinary team collaborates to promote mental health in schools

Prof. Hector TSANG Wing-hong, Interim Director of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC), Chair Professor and Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS), penned an article in Ming Pao, advocating the need for a teacher-student-home-school joint model in promoting student mental health. In the article, Prof. Tsang shared that RS researchers have been working on school-based projects since 2009 that aim at enhancing mental health in schools cost-effectively. The team has received three grants from Quality Education Fund (QEF) to conduct teacher physical and mental wellness programmes at 129 primary schools and 82 secondary schools. The integrated project provides information about physical and mental health, and brings together professionals from various fields, including occupational therapists, physical therapists and nutritionists, in caring for the psychosocial, physical and nutritional health of teachers. The project records over 2,500 teacher participants, with more than 600 direct beneficiaries. He also mentioned that the PolyU team has accumulated rich experience from school mental health promotion projects for the past consecutive years, and deeply understands that the joint participation from schools and families, teachers and parents is indispensable. Based on the successful experience, the team proposed a school-based, teacher-student-home-school joint model for promoting student mental health.   Read more: Ming Pao - https://polyu.me/3H0e2fU (Chinese only)