News

PolyU’s study reveals potential planetary health impacts of the airborne plastisphere

Prof. Nathanael JIN Ling, Member of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) and the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC), and Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Health Technology and Informatics, has recently published an invited review paper in One Earth by Cell Press, examining the planetary health impacts of the airborne plastisphere. Microplastics are a ubiquitous yet long-overlooked component of airborne particulate matter.  The surface of these plastic particles provides a unique niche for microorganisms, collectively referred to as the plastisphere.  In aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, the plastisphere harbours microbial communities with distinct compositions, structures and functional profiles, posing potential risks to planetary health.  However, the characteristics, fate and impacts of the microbiome associated with airborne microplastics remain largely unknown. In this review, the team addressed these knowledge gaps by exploring how airborne microplastics serve as key habitats for microorganisms and the potential implications for planetary health.  They demonstrated that microplastics are likely to transport and sustain microorganisms over long distances and timescales in the atmosphere, potentially dispersing pathogens, antibiotic resistance genes and other bioactive agents across ecosystems.  Such interactions may disrupt ecological processes and biological health on a planetary scale.  Prof. JIN emphasised that interdisciplinary research and innovative methodologies are urgently required to better understand and mitigate the risks associated with the airborne plastisphere. Read the full paper: https://www.cell.com/one-earth/fulltext/S2590-3322%2825%2900272-6

Unlocking potential applications in patient care and other key industries: Prof. HUANG Yonggang shares the latest development of bioelastic mechanoreceptors

The diverse array of mechanoreceptors found in human skin provides a versatile engineering interface for transmitting information and eliciting perceptions, with the potential to serve a wide range of applications in patient care and other key industries. However, targeted multisensory engagement of these afferent units continues to present significant challenges, particularly for wearable, programmable systems that must operate adaptively across the body. Prof. HUANG Yonggang, Jan and Marcia Achenbach Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University, United States, and Chairman of International Advisory Committee of PAIR, shared the latest developments in bioelastic mechanoreceptors at the PAIR Seminar, speaking on the topic of “Bioelastic State Recovery for Haptic Sensory Substitution” on 10 September 2025. The seminar attracted over 120 in-person participants and an online audience of more than 16,700 via various social media platforms. To begin his presentation, Prof. Huang described a miniaturised electromechanical structure which, when combined with skin as an elastic, energy-storing element, supports bistable, self-sensing modes of deformation. By targeting specific classes of mechanoreceptors as the basis for distinct, programmed sensory responses, this haptic unit is capable of delivering both dynamic and static stimuli, applied as either normal or shear forces. Next, Prof. Huang went on to discuss a series of systematic experimental and theoretical studies that establish foundational principles and practical criteria for low-energy operation across the natural anatomical variations in the mechanical properties of human skin. A wireless, skin-conformable haptic interface, integrating an array of these bistable transducers, serves as a high-density channel capable of rendering input from smartphone-based 3D scanning and inertial sensors. Demonstrations of this system include sensory substitution designed to enhance the quality of life for patients with visual and proprioceptive impairments. Following the presentation was a lively question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. YAO Haimin, Member of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy and Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development, and Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.  The audience engaged in a productive discussion with Prof. Huang.  In appreciation of Prof. Huang’s invaluable contributions and insightful knowledge sharing, a commemorative plaque was presented to him by Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PAIR, at the conclusion. Prof. Huang is currently a member of the US National Academy of Engineering, US National Academy of Sciences, a fellow of American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a foreign member of the Royal Society (London), Chinese Academy of Sciences, and 5 other academies in Europe and Canada.   Please click here for an online review.

MHRC organises Workshop on Youth Mental Health

The Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) organised the “Workshop on Youth Mental Health” on 9 September 2025 at Hotel ICON, bringing together leading scholars, healthcare professionals, and community stakeholders to discuss the current challenges and opportunities in youth mental health.   The workshop opened with greetings and remarks from Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), Prof. David SHUM, Yeung Tsang Wing Yee and Tsang Wing Hing Professor in Neuropsychology, Chair Professor of Neuropsychology and Dean of Faculty of Health and Social Sciences (FHSS), and Prof. QIU Anqi, Director of MHRC and Professor of Department of Health Technology and Informatics, setting the stage for a day of scholarly exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration.   A series of expert-led presentations explored a wide range of topics. Prof. Patrick IP, Clinical Professor, Tsao Yen-Chow Professor in Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, discussed the importance of early childhood development and community partnerships in supporting mental health. Prof. Deanna BARCH, Vice Dean of Research, Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences, and Professor of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, shared insights on mental health trajectories from adolescence to early adulthood. MHRC scholars including Prof. Eric CHUI, Prof. Grace HO, Prof. Philip HO, Prof. JIN Ling, and Prof. Sonata YAU, explored a range of risk and protective factors of mental health, highlighting early intervention strategies for building personalised resilience among children and youth in residential care, the impact of electronic screen devices on mental health, the role of chemical exposome in brain health, and the neuromechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of physical exercise.   Scholars engaged in group discussions, exchanging perspectives and proposing actionable strategies to address emerging mental health risks. The workshop concluded with closing remarks by Prof. Qiu, who emphasised the importance of ongoing interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing youth mental health research and practice.   During the networking lunch, Dr May LAM, Founder and President of The Hong Kong Mental Wellness Association, delivered a talk on “Youth Mental Health: Bridging the Gaps, Opportunities and Challenges,” further inspiring dialogue among attendees.   The event fostered a spirit of innovation and partnership, with scholars expressing strong interest in future collaborations to support the mental well-being of young people in Hong Kong and beyond.

RCSV collaborates with Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital to develop national guidelines for myopia management in children

The PolyU Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV) has entered into partnership with the Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital, Vietnam, to jointly address the increasing prevalence of myopia among Vietnamese children and adolescents.  The international collaboration aims to develop the National Myopia Management Guidelines for Children, which sets out evidence-based strategies for the prevention, early detection, and treatment of childhood myopia, with a view to ensuring a healthier future for Vietnam’s younger generations. A consensus meeting was held in Ho Chi Minh City on 9 September 2025, bringing together a distinguished group of healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and representatives from leading NGOs to witness the significant milestone.  At the meeting, experts explored critical areas in childhood myopia management to be addressed in the comprehensive guidelines, including advanced interventions to slow myopia progression, early detection and screening for at-risk children, and evidence-based prevention strategies.  In addition, Prof. HE Mingguang, Director of RCSV, Chair Professor of Experimental Ophthalmology and Henry G. Leong Professor in Elderly Vision Health, and Dr Le Anh TUAN, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital, signed an Memorandum of Understanding, marking the two sides’ commitment to fostering international collaboration to advance child eye health. The development of the National Myopia Management Consensus Guidelines for Children is a collaborative effort led by Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital, the Vietnam National Institute of Ophthalmology, and the Vietnam Ophthalmological Society, in partnership with RCSV.  The initiative also benefited from the participation of international experts from PolyU and The Chinese University of Hong Kong. The initiative aims to: Standardise clinical practices for myopia management, ensuring consistent, high-quality care across Vietnam. Promote school and community-based health policies to detect and prevent myopia in children. Enhance training and knowledge-sharing for healthcare professionals to implement the latest evidence-based treatments. Foster international cooperation to exchange expertise, resources, and research for long-term impact. This collaboration highlights Vietnam’s dedication to leveraging international expertise and evidence-based practices to address the growing public health challenge of myopia.  By prioritising prevention and early intervention, the guidelines aim to significantly improve children’s vision and overall quality of life.  RCSV will continue to create knowledge and solutions for the promotion of healthy life-long sharp vision.

Three PAIR members receive Smart Traffic Fund totalling HK$10 million

Congratulations to three PAIR members for securing over HK$10 million funding in total from the Smart Traffic Fund. The three awarded projects are as follows: Automated Monitoring Traffic Data System for Detector Status and Non-recurrent Events – led by Prof. Edward CHUNG Chin-shin, Member of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI), Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Driving and Speed Guidance System for Heavy Goods Vehicles – led by Prof. HUANG Hailong, Member of Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT), Member of SCRI and Assistant Professor in the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering Smart Route Planning System – led by Dr YU Yue, Research Personnel of SCRI, Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics The Smart Traffic Fund was established by the HKSAR Government to provide funding support for projects in the research and application of innovation and technology aimed at enhancing commuting convenience, enhancing efficiency of the road network or road space, and improving driving safety.

PolyU and Li Ning Group jointly establish sports science research centre to advance sports science and industry innovation

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Li Ning (China) Sports Goods Co., Ltd (Li Ning Group) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 8 September 2025 to establish the “Li-Ning – PolyU Joint Research Centre for Sports Science” (the Centre). The Centre aims to conduct fundamental research in sports science and ergonomics, drive innovative design and optimisation of high-performance sports products, nurture talent in sports science and technology, and strengthen industry-academia-research collaboration, thereby enhancing technological application and promoting industrial transformation within the sports and health sector. Witnessed by Prof. TENG Jin-Guang, PolyU President, and Mr LI Ning, Founder of the Li Ning Brand and Executive Chairman of Li Ning Group, the MoU was signed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), and Mr HONG Yuru, Vice President and Chief Sports Officer of Li Ning Group. Jointly operated by the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) and Li Ning Group, the Centre aims to contribute to the Healthy China Initiative and foster innovation in the sports industry. The inaugural centre coordinators are Prof. ZHANG Ming, Director of RISports, Head of the PolyU Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chair Professor of Biomechanics, and Prof. TIAN Ye, from Li-Ning Sports Science Research Center. The Centre will conduct fundamental research in sports science and ergonomics, focusing on areas such as elite athlete performance, exercise characteristics and musculoskeletal health in youth, and exercise pattern in women, supporting the innovative design, functional validation and optimisation of high-performance sports products. The parties will also jointly nurture research and engineering talent in sports science and technology, and promote industry-academia-research collaboration to enhance technological applications and drive industrial transformation in the sports and health sector, thereby achieving synergistic innovation. PolyU will leverage its academic strengths by assembling a team of scholars, researchers, sports experts and industry professionals to pursue impactful research. Meanwhile, Li Ning Group will utilise its extensive resources in product development, market demand and user feedback to provide practical direction for the research and support the smooth implementation of the projects. Press release: https://polyu.me/4nnzfDP   Online coverage: Mirage News - https://polyu.me/3Kd3Mpp ifeng.com - https://polyu.me/45T6lWi jiemian.com - https://polyu.me/4pt6Q14 Securities Times - https://polyu.me/4ghV59B Do News - https://polyu.me/3V3pCy5 East Money - https://polyu.me/3I7PC8z NetEase - https://polyu.me/3JQKdmN caijing.com - https://polyu.me/46aLwVf 同花順財經 - https://polyu.me/3HYB1MF Sina - https://polyu.me/3Id2eLy Sohu - https://polyu.me/4gkDr54 Toutiao - https://polyu.me/4gkEWAe qq - https://polyu.me/4mQmZf3 Yidianzixun - https://polyu.me/3IcUZDm Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/3HQnlDv China Daily - https://polyu.me/4ndQqbr Global News - https://polyu.me/46cTCfM China.com - https://polyu.me/4gg7Dhn ECO Sports - https://polyu.me/3VH1yRI Sports Money - https://polyu.me/3If7Q82 Huaue.com - https://polyu.me/3I3tgFe  

Prof. WONG Ka-hing wins Election Committee Subsector By-election

Prof. WONG Ka-hing, Director of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) and Professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, was elected as member of the Election Committee’s Agriculture and Fisheries Sub-sector after winning the Election Committee Subsector (ECSS) By-election 2025 held on 7 September 2025. Prof. Wong also currently holds various public and organisational appointments, serving as Member of the Advisory Council on Food and Environmental Hygiene of the Environment and Ecology Bureau of The Government of HKSAR; Vice-Chairman of the Expert Committee on Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, HKSAR; Committee Member of the Advisory Committee on Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, HKSAR; and Governing Board Member of the Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre.   Full list of election results: https://www.elections.gov.hk/ecss2025by/eng/results_s3.html   Online coverage: Ming Pao Daily News - http://polyu.me/3VpCU8l (Chinese only)

PAIR inaugurates its Advanced Education Programme

The PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) held the Opening Ceremony for its Advanced Education Programme (AEP) on 5 September 2025.  The event was attended by over 70 senior management members, directors of PAIR’s constituent research units, lecturers, staff, students and alumni, and an online audience of over 250. In his welcoming address, Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation), remarked, “Since the launch of the course ‘Healthy Life and Smart Living’, we have received over 1,000 enrolments.  We greatly appreciate your full support for this programme.  This encouraging result shows that we are moving in the right direction in promoting interdisciplinary collaboration.”  He further noted that the AEP represents a significant step forward in PAIR’s educational development, emphasising that fostering interdisciplinary thinking within communities to address real-world challenges is a valuable and responsible investment.  Such efforts, he said, will yield substantial long-term benefits, including increased productivity, improved health, and enhanced sustainability. Prof. ZHANG Weixiong, Associate Director of PAIR, provided an overview of the programme.  He explained that the main objectives of the programme are to disseminate both foundational and advanced knowledge in science and technology, promote scientific advancement and technology innovation, support students’ career development, and nurture broader interdisciplinary collaboration.  All courses will be delivered by experts and academics from various disciplines, enabling students from diverse backgrounds to engage with the latest technological innovations across multiple fields and apply the knowledge they have learnt effectively in professional, research, clinical, or everyday contexts. Launched in the first semester of the 2025/26 academic year, the inaugural course, “PAIR 6001: Healthy Life and Smart Living”, runs for 13 weeks from 5 September to 28 November 2025.  Each week features a three-hour teaching session. Students may attend classes in-person or online, with full access to course materials.  Learners fulfilling the attendance requirement are eligible to apply for a certificate of completion.

Prof. WANG Zuankai develops acid-resistant artificial mucus for improving gastric wound healing in animals

A team of researchers and clinicians led by Prof. WANG Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation), Dean of Graduate School, Kuok Group Professor in Nature-Inspired Engineering, Chair Professor in Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Member of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports), has developed an acid-resistant hydrogel known as “ultrastable mucus-inspired hydrogel” (UMIH). This research has recently been published in Cell Press journal Cell Reports Physical Science. In laboratory tests under acidic conditions (pH2), UMIH demonstrated adhesive abilities 15 times stronger than aluminium phosphate gel (APG), a clinically approved mucosal protectant and antacid used in the management of gastric ulcers and acid reflux. While APG degraded completely after three days, UMIH retained 50% of its structural integrity after seven days in acidic conditions. UMIH was not associated with any toxicity issues in laboratory-grown gastrointestinal cells. It also inhibited the growth of E. coli and S. aureus bacteria, indicating its antimicrobial potential. In pig and rat models of oesophageal injury, UMIH adhered firmly to wounds and improved healing compared to control animals and those treated with APG. UMIH was associated with reduced tissue damage and inflammation, and it promoted the growth of new blood vessels, which is essential for healing. This research was supported by funding from the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province, the Science, Technology and Innovation Commission of Shenzhen, and the Shenzhen Medical Research Fund.   Online coverage: Medical Xpress - https://polyu.me/4g4ZI6A EurekAlert - https://polyu.me/4gbGcWj Mirage News - https://polyu.me/4gcqzOf

PolyU Research Boosts Garment Fit and Performance for Sports and Medical Apparel with Ground-breaking Anthropometric Method to Precisely Measure Tissue Deformation

Prof. Joanne Yip, Management Committee Member of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), Member of the Photonics Research Institute (PRI), the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports), and the Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF), as well as Associate Dean and Professor in the School of Fashion and Textiles, and her research team have developed an innovative anthropometric method to improve the accuracy of measurements for compression-based garments. This method utilises advanced image recognition algorithms to systematically assess soft tissue deformation, significantly reducing errors caused by movement. The team also created an analytical model, based on elastic theory and the Boussinesq solution, to predict tissue deformation, thereby addressing a longstanding challenge in sportswear and wearable technology design. Accurate measurement of tissue deformation is crucial for ensuring garment fit, comfort, and physiological benefits such as improved blood circulation and muscle support. The new method, validated against body scanning, demonstrated exceptional precision, with deviations of just 1.15 mm in static and 2.36 mm in dynamic conditions. This provides designers with reliable data for optimising garment pressure and fit. The technology is adaptable to various compression garments, including sportswear and medical wear, and can be tailored by adjusting material and design parameters. It offers practical benefits for the industry, such as integration with CAD/CAM systems, reduced prototyping costs, and support for personalised garment design. The approach also makes advanced measurement techniques accessible to smaller enterprises by reducing reliance on costly motion-capture systems. The research has been published in a paper titled “A novel anthropometric method to accurately evaluate tissue deformation” in the academic journal Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. This technological breakthrough underscores PolyU’s excellence in interdisciplinary translational research, integrating its strengths in fashion, biomechanics, materials science, computing, and engineering to solve real-world challenges in compression sportswear and wearable design.   Press release:https://polyu.hk/ZDMfG Online coverage: RTHK - https://polyu.me/4ga6Lev The National Tribune - https://polyu.me/3I3iazR BioSpectrum - https://polyu.me/47ZTJhj Tech Xplore - https://polyu.me/4gaMLIy Textile Value Chain - https://polyu.me/41Ehms2 Fashion Value Chain - https://polyu.me/4gqPg9X Mirage News - https://polyu.me/4m0ZgI7 Oriental Daily News - https://polyu.me/4p0XAB7 Bastille Post - http://polyu.me/3UYDWaX Line Today - https://polyu.me/3I4NOwW Headline for HK - https://polyu.me/4mLDSaY Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/4lVQVoR (subscription required) Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/47oSkkg