News

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)

RiFood members featured on Sing Tao Daily, sharing on the prospects of fermentation technology for protein production

Members of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) including Dr Gail CHANG Jinhui, Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition (FSN), and Dr Daisy ZHAO Danyue, Assistant Professor in FSN, in an interview with Sing Tao Daily, shared on the developments and prospects of fermentation technology for protein production in Hong Kong. Dr Chang pointed out that there is not much research on and industry for producing edible fermented proteins (excluding those for medical purposes) in Hong Kong. Although Hong Kong has relatively loose regulations on novel food ingredients, the market size is small and consumers are not interested in novel proteins. The low acceptance of novel food products has made the production of edible proteins difficult, since the industry needs to achieve economies of scale to lower costs. On the other hand, Dr Zhao mentioned that industrial fermentation in general requires a large space and high equipment costs, as well as high-level standards for safety management and energy supply due to the exhaust and cooling processes involved. It is difficult for Hong Kong to achieve so. Algae fermentation does not require heating and can be carried out on a relatively small scale. Not only can algae fermentation convert nutrients into high-quality protein, but also other nutrients such as carotene, making this method more cost-effective.   Online coverage: Sing Tao Daily - https://lnkd.in/gDCtyptZ (Chinese only)

WASCON2023 – Hong Kong

The 11th International Conference on the Environmental and Technical Implications of Construction with Alternative Materials (WASCON2023) was successfully held from 13th to 16th December 2023 at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). The conference was jointly organized by the International Society for the Environmental and Technical Implications of Construction with Alternative Materials (ISCOWA), the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) and the Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE) of PolyU. With the theme of "Innovative Valorization of Alternative Materials and Waste towards Circular Construction”, more than 160 papers were presented at the conference and they covered the full spectrum of topics related to the theme. We were honoured to have Prof. Christopher Cheeseman from Imperial College London, Mr Simo Hakkarainen from Peikko Group Corporation, Prof. Baoshan Huang from University of Tennessee – Knoxville, Dr Harn-wei Kua from National University of Singapore, Prof. Zhichao Liu from Wuhan University of Technology, Prof. Chi Sun Poon from PolyU, Dr Hirofumi Sakanakura from National Institute for Environmental Studies, Prof. Julia Stegemann from University College London, and Prof. Dongmin Wang from China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing) as our keynote speakers to share their valuable insights in the field. Their contributions have enriched our knowledge in turning wastes into recycled materials in construction. In addition, we had around 300 participants from academia, industry, and government joining from all over the world, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mainland China, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, and United States. The conference served as an effective platform for sharing insights on new directions for research and innovative solutions to emerging problems and challenges relating to utilization of alternative materials and wastes in construction. To enhance the overall experience, technical visits to Y·PARK, WEEE·PARK, T·PARK and CIC iHub were organized. The participants have learnt about the process of recycling of yard waste into useful materials at Y·PARK, recovering useful materials from the electrical and electronic appliances through various physical processes at WEEE·PARK, burning sludge and using the excess heat energy to generate electricity for the entire plant’s operation and the public power grid at T·PARK, the knowledge of construction innovation at CIC iHub. The participants found the tours were an eye-opening and fruitful exploration. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all speakers, Organizing Committee members and participants who made this conference a resounding success. Your passion and dedication are very much appreciated. Our sincere gratitude also goes to our sponsors, Sanfield (Management) Limited, Beijing Limecho Technology Co., Ltd., Fortum, Nano and Advanced Materials Institute (NAMI) and Score Tech Mortars Co., Ltd. for their generous supports. (只提供英文)

RCMI member urges Hong Kong to establish Chinese medicine academy

Prof. Simon LEE Ming-yuen, Member of the Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI) and Chair Professor of Biomedical Sciences, at a seminar on the emerging opportunities in Chinese medicine (CM) held by local press Ta Kung Pao, urged for the establishment of a CM academy in Hong Kong as soon as possible. Prof. Lee believed that education is an important first step in driving the vigorous growth of Hong Kong CM industry. He also pointed out that mainland experts regularly hold seminars on different diseases, and advised Hong Kong CM practitioners and members from the CM industry to head north to mainland more often to have in-depth exchanges with CM experts from various places to learn from each other’s strengths. Online coverage: Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/3Nyrv2h; https://polyu.me/3RVO1F7 Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3RLXeQ2 Dot Dot News - https://polyu.me/3v12dDA

PAIR researcher receives national outstanding impact award

Congratulations to Dr ZHANG Xiao, Member of the Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM) and the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), and Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, for winning the “2023 China Rising Stars in Science and Technology – Outstanding Impact Award”. The results of this year’s selection were announced at the China New Technology Forum held in Zhejiang on 14 December 2023. Launched by ScholarSet in 2015, the programme elects winners of the “2023 China Top Ten Rising Stars in Science and Technology Award” and other special prizes, based on public and experts’ votes, to recognise outstanding young scholars in China for their remarkable achievements in scientific research and promoting the transformation and popularisation of scientific research outcomes. Online coverage: QQ - https://polyu.me/48g4QQ5

Renowned Chinese medicine scholar discourses on acupuncture development at PAIR Distinguished Lecture

Prof. LAO Lixing, Professor and President of the Virginia University of Integrative Medicine (VUIM), USA, delivered the 11th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Acupuncture in the United States: From Exploration to Accessibility” on 8 December 2023. The hybrid lecture attracted over 140 participants joining in person and online from more than 18 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 12,500. The lecture commenced with a warm welcome address and brief speaker introduction by Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PAIR. Prof. Lao’s sharing then followed. He outlined the differences in acupuncture between the past and present, and the East and West. He then expounded on the rapid development of acupuncture in the United States, highlighting how acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention gained acceptance by the public and mainstream healthcare system. Additionally, he underscored the significance of research endeavors in acupuncture, encompassing  clinical studies, collaboration, and dissemination in driving evidence-based acupuncture. In concluding his presentation, Prof. Lao shared his insights on the future direction for acupuncture research by citing a number of research priority areas set forth by a national complementary and integrative health centre in the United States. A question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. Daniel MOK Kam-wah, Associate Director of the Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI), was followed. The panel discussion was joined by Dr ZHANG Shi Ping, Associate Professor, Teaching and Research Division of the Hong Kong Baptist University and Dr LIN Wai Ling, Professional Consultant, School of Chinese Medicine of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Prof. Lao and the panelists engaged in a productive discussion with the audience on various crucial topics in acupuncture practice, including quality assurance, research challenges and funding opportunities.   Please click here for an online review.  

MHRC holds Nobel Laureate Lecture

MHRC and the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences jointly organised a Nobel Laureate Lecture on 13 December 2023. Delivered by Prof. Thomas C. SÜDHOF, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine (2013), the lecture titled “The Molecular Architecture of Synapse Formation” attracted over 1,000 online attendees from 17 countries and regions, including China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Bhutan, United Kingdom, U.S.A. and Canada, etc. The event was also broadcasted live on multiple platforms, including YouTube, Bilibili, Weibo, WeChat and CSTCloud, drawing an impressive audience of over 15,000 in total. In the lecture, Prof. Südhof described the recent progress in understanding how selected trans-synaptic interactions guide and shape the formation of synapses and thereby control the molecular logic of neural circuits. A question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. Hector TSANG, Interim Director of MHRC, Chair Professor and Head, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Dr Sonata YAU, Associate Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, was followed. The audience and Prof. Südhof had a thought-provoking and fruitful discussion, exchanging views and knowledge in the field of neuroscience.   Online review: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/mhrc/news-and-events/video-gallery/

Two PAIR projects receive Smart Traffic Fund to enhance bridge monitoring and parking management

Two innovative projects led by PAIR researchers were awarded a total funding of around HK$17.36 million from the Smart Traffic Fund of the HKSAR government. The project “Digital Twin-based Long-span Bridge Health Monitoring”, led by Prof. XIA Yong, Management Committee Member of the Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT), Member of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) and Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, aims to develop a digital twin-based long-span bridge health monitoring platform, which will be applied to the Tsing Ma Bridge. Another project “Blockchain-enabled Cyber Physical System for City-wide Parking Management”, led by Dr TSANG Yung-po, Member of the Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM) and Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, aims to utilise Web 3.0 and blockchain technology in enabling intelligent access control to car parks, as well as AI to evaluate the supply of and demand for parking spaces. Press release: https://polyu.me/3RI3E2Q   Online coverage: Oriental Daily News - https://polyu.me/3GGaQpJ Yahoo HK - https://polyu.me/3RFbaLB

Turing Award Laureate Prof. Jack Dongarra enlightens 160+ audiences on high performance computing at PAIR Distinguished Lecture

The 10th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “An Overview of High Performance Computing and Future Requirements”, delivered by Prof. Jack DONGARRA, 2021 A. M. Turing Award Laureate and University Distinguished Professor of Computer Science, University of Tennessee, USA, on 6 December 2023 achieved massive success! The hybrid lecture attracted over 160 participants joining in person and online from more than 50 countries and regions in Australia, Asia, Europe and North America. It was also broadcast live on multiple social media platforms and viewed by an online audience of over 12,000 in total. The lecture commenced with a warm welcome address by Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PAIR, and a brief speaker introduction by Prof. CAO Jiannong, Dean of Graduate School, setting the stage for Prof. Dongarra’s inspiring presentation. In his sharing, Prof. Dongarra highlighted how computing pervades all aspects of the society and cloud vendors are pursuing breakthroughs in computer architectures such as processors, accelerators, interconnects and operating systems, with a view to achieving high performance computing. He mentioned how countries worldwide are in a race to build top exascale supercomputers. Prof. Dongarra also pointed out that the emergence of artificial intelligence and machine learning demands advancements in software and hardware. To conclude the lecture, he emphasised that the hardware for high performance computing is constantly evolving, and a new generation of software libraries and algorithms is needed for effective and reliable dynamic, distributed, and parallel computing.  A question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. Cao was followed. The audience and Prof. Dongarra had a thought-provoking and fruitful discussion, exchanging views on issues in computing development. Please click here for an online review.