News

RIAM researchers develop 3D-printed high-performance titanium alloys with universities in Australia

Two PolyU researchers from the Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM) and the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE), in collaboration with RMIT University and the University of Sydney, have successfully produced a new strong, ductile, and sustainable titanium alloy (α–β Ti-O-Fe alloy) using 3D printing (also known as additive manufacturing). The research study, titled “Strong and ductile titanium-oxygen-iron alloys by additive manufacturing”, was recently published in Nature. The new titanium alloy exhibits immense potential for diverse applications, ranging from aerospace and marine engineering to consumer electronics and biomedical devices. Dr CHEN Zibin, Assistant Professor in the ISE Department, and Prof. Keith K.C. CHAN, Associate Director of RIAM, Associate Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Chair Professor of Manufacturing Engineering in the ISE Department, are the leading author and the co-author of the study, respectively. The new titanium alloy produced by the research team was made through the use of 3D printing and the incorporation of oxygen and iron. The 3D printing method involved the recycling of off-grade sponge titanium, a waste product in traditional manufacturing, which were converted into powders as raw materials for producing high-performance titanium alloy. Oxygen and iron are inexpensive and abundant elements and can increase the stability and strength of α–β phase titanium alloys. “Our work can facilitate the recycling of more than 10% of the waste generated by the metal alloy production industry. This can significantly lower both material and energy costs for industries, contributing to environmental sustainability and carbon footprint reduction,” said Dr Chen. Read more: https://polyu.me/3OCEJfz   Online coverage: Oriental Daily News - https://polyu.me/3O9ACGl (Chinese only) Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/3Kd40u9 (Chinese only)  

MHRC members awarded funding from Quality Education Fund to develop digital physical quotient and learning platform

A three-year project “Digital Physical Quotient and Learning Platform” led by Members of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) including Dr Cynthia LAI, Associate Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS) and Prof. Shamay NG, Associate Head and Professor of RS Department, was awarded a grant of HK$5.9 million under the e-Learning Ancillary Facilities Programme of the Quality Education Fund. Dr Lai and Prof. Ng are the project’s Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator, respectively.   The project aims to develop a digital learning platform for promoting children’s physical and cognitive development. The platform will include motor and cognitive skills developmental assessment and training for children, as well as online learning programmes for children, parents and teachers. The platform will apply multi-media, internet of things (IoT) tools and cloud technologies to enhance the learning and teaching experiences.

RIAM Director featured in Master Insight’s exclusive interview: Hong Kong’s I&T needs more focus and complementary development with Mainland

Prof. H. C. MAN, Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Director of Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM), Director of University Research Facility in 3D Printing, Chair Professor of Materials Engineering and Cheng Yick-chi Chair Professor in Manufacturing Engineering, in an exclusive interview with Master Insight, shared his views on the opportunities and challenges of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) development. Prof. Man pointed out that a clear positioning in I&T development can attract investment from enterprises, and attracting leading enterprises to station in Hong Kong can lead the region’s I&T development. “Shenzhen’s clear focus in I&T has enabled its I&T to grow faster than Hong Kong. The region will try its best to introduce talents, capital and industry as long as the direction of development is set,” he said. Prof. Man believed that Hong Kong and Shenzhen’s research need to complement one another. He recommended Hong Kong to learn from the Nation’s 14th Five-Year Plan to identify the focus of development. He also recommended schools, business, community and government to form a cross-regional and cross-sectoral think tank to discuss the way forward for Hong Kong’s I&T development.    Online coverage: Master Insight - https://polyu.me/3K6Fb2U (Chinese only)  

DoRCDSE featured in 21st Century Business Herald’s exclusive interview

Prof. YUNG Kai-leung, Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor in Precision Engineering, Director of Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), Chair Professor of Precision Engineering, and Associate Head of Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, in an exclusive interview with Chinese business news “21st Century Business Herald”, shared his research journey in deep space explorations, research works at PolyU and RCDSE, as well as his views on the field of space technology and Hong Kong’s competitive edge in research and development. Prof. Yung highlighted that the field of space technology is not a single discipline, but a combination of various disciplines. “Many people think that space mission only involves astronomy. In fact, it includes astronomy, geography, many different engineering disciplines and even disciplines in management and quality assurance,” he said. Prof. Yung also pointed out Hong Kong higher education’s advantage in these fields. He said, “Many regions that are well-developed in technology are supported by many universities. Hong Kong universities hold very important roles in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), and can support GBA developments via fostering more capable talents.” Online coverage: The 21st Century Business Herald - https://polyu.me/3Q2aXBH (Chinese only)

MHRC member awarded funding from Health and Medical Research Fund to conduct study for early detection of postpartum depression

A project “A Mobile Application for Early Detection and Symptoms Trajectories of Postpartum Depression Using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA): A Prospective Cohort Validation Study” led by Dr Jessie LIN, Member of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC), Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, was awarded a grant of about HK$500K from the Health and Medical Research Fund of the Health Bureau, HKSAR. The project aims to evaluate the validity of using a mobile-based ecological momentary assessment (mEMA) for studying the changes in mood symptoms among pregnant women during and after pregnancy, thus enabling the early identification of postpartum depression and the trajectories of depressive symptoms and associated factors. The study will follow a sample of 120 pregnant women for six months, and assess their mood, sleep, exercise, physical wellbeing and environmental context via a mobile application. Findings of this project will facilitate the future development of effective digital interventions for maternal mental health.

China Harbour–PolyU Joint Research Centre for Land Development’s first technical seminar successfully held

The China Harbour–PolyU Joint Research Centre for Land Development (JRC) held its first technical seminar “Treatment and Reuse of Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Ash” on 18 July 2023. The seminar was kicked off with a welcome speech by Prof. DAI Jianguo, Co-Director of JRC and Management Committee Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) of PolyU. Eight speakers from PolyU, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen University and Guangdong Environmental Protection Group Co. Ltd. delivered presentations on the value-added utilisation of municipal solid waste incineration ash in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. The seminar was also joined by a four-person delegation from China Harbour led by the Mr SUN Hualei, Co-Director of JRC and General Manager of Administration Department of China Harbour Engineering Co. Ltd (Hong Kong).   With the anticipated commissioning of Hong Kong’s first integrated waste management facility on Shek Kwu Chua island in 2025, the seminar focused on the recent technologies for producing useful construction materials from municipal solid waste incineration ash, as well as the challenges and way forward. Participants had a fruitful discussion on promoting university-industry collaboration and technology transfer in the field.

VP(RI) visits Hubei vice governor to tap opportunities for PolyU–Hubei research collaboration

Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU visited Hubei province to meet with the Vice Governor of Hubei Province, Mr SHAO Xinyu on 18 July. The two parties had a fruitful exchange of views on strengthening PolyU–Hubei collaboration in basic research, translation of research outputs and talent development. Mr SHAO mentioned that Hubei and Hong Kong’s collaboration has a solid foundation and promising prospect, and has continuously achieved new progress and results in the field of education and technology in particular. Hubei firmly supports Hong Kong universities for collaboration, and looks forward to deepening collaboration with PolyU on application-oriented works in building an advanced innovation and technology platform, and promoting industry, innovation and talent chains. Prof. Chao said that PolyU is committed to bridging research and industry with basic research. He hoped to deepen collaboration with Hubei, connecting PolyU’s research to the industry needs and strategic developments in Hubei, thus achieving complementary advantages and a mutual win-win. Online coverage: Hubei Daily - https://polyu.me/3OjaOJ0 (Chinese only)

RISUD Annual International Symposium successfully held

The Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) successfully held its annual international symposium on 6–7 July 2023 on campus. Under the theme of “Urban Sustainability through Innovative Technologies”, the Symposium brought together about 50 speakers from across the globe to deliver plenary presentations and workshops. At the opening ceremony, Prof. TENG Jin-Guang, President of PolyU, gave an opening speech via video. He said, “With an aspiration to be an innovative world-class university with a strong sense of social responsibility, PolyU is committed to conducting cutting-edge interdisciplinary research to address pressing societal challenges, including those related to urban sustainability.” The two-day Symposium included plenary sessions by five speakers including Mr WONG Kam-sing, Former Secretary for Environment of the HKSAR Government; Prof. JIANG Guibin, Director of State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Prof. Frank KELLY, Humphrey Battcock Chair of Community Health and Policy , School of Public Health, Imperial College London; Prof. CHOU Siaw Kiang, Emeritus Professor, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore; and Prof. LIN Ming, Chief Scientist of China Communications Construction Co., Ltd. and Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering. Over 40 keynote and invited speakers provided their insights in workshops on three frontier topics, including air pollution and human health, large floating infrastructure, and urban carbon neutrality. At the closing ceremony, Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, summarised the event. He said, “During this two-day Symposium, I believe we all share the feeling that the fast-growing urbanisation has placed more and more stress on the precious resources on the planets, and challenges like environmental pollution, surging population and land shortage have become more pressing than before. Urban sustainability is now one of the most discussed topics in the society. As we, humankind, all have a common dream and aspiration for quality, sustainable living.” Sponsored by The Ove Arup Foundation and Kwang-Hua Education Foundation, the Symposium attracted over 250 participants joining onsite from different parts of the world.

ADoRILS shares insights on development of Northern Metropolis and Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands

Prof. LING Kar-kan, Associate Director of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Director of Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation, was invited to share his insights on the development opportunities of Northern Metropolis and Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands, as well as the impact and opportunities of the Nation’s development plans, at a seminar by New Prospect for Hong Kong on 15 July.   Prof. Ling said that the Northern Metropolis can reshape Hong Kong’s inherent development pattern of “emphasising the south over the north”, and establish an inseparable “twin city” relationship between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. He mentioned that the “Northern Metropolis Development Strategy” is the first time that the Hong Kong SAR government has recognised the inseparable "Twin Cities" relationship between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and it can encourage government officials to think outside the box, position the project in a cross-boundary spatial framework, and explore the possibilities and effects of Hong Kong-Shenzhen cooperation.   Online coverage: Ming Pao Daily News (Chinese only) - https://polyu.me/3PZAUll

PAIR hosts Research Salon to brief PolyU community on strategic R&D in quantum technology

PAIR hosted a Research Salon “Quantum Technology – The Game Changer” for the PolyU community on 11 July 2023 on campus. At the salon, attendees learned about the University’s latest strategic research and development plan on quantum technology, as well as the current development, challenges and applications in the field. The event featured presentations by faculty members from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), including Prof. LIU Ai-qun, Chair Professor of Quantum Engineering and Science, Prof. CHAU Lap-pui, Global STEM Scholar, Prof. Alan LAU, Professor and Dr Jovie ZHANG, Research Assistant Professor, as well as Dr ZHANG Guofeng, Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Mathematics (AMA). Participants had a fruitful exchange and provided valuable and constructive feedbacks for PAIR and PolyU’s future development in this field.