News

DoSCRI gives keynote speech at national smart city conference

Prof. John SHI Wenzhong, Director of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI) and Chair Professor of Geographical Information Science and Remote Sensing in the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, delivered a keynote speech at the 16th Smart City Conference held in Guangzhou, China on 12 October 2023. With the theme of “Virtual-real Integration · Open Innovation · Towards an Intelligent Future", the Conference attracted more than 1,000 participants from the smart city industry, research institutes, leading companies, higher education institutions, etc., to discuss solutions to city operations, explore trade and cooperation opportunities, and build a smart city industry ecosystem.   Online coverage (Chinese only): The Paper - https://polyu.me/48R0xvT

RCSV members introduce myopia control lenses on TV programme

Prof. Benny CHEUNG Chi-fai, Associate Director of the Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV), Chair Professor of Ultra-precision Machining and Metrology and Director of State Key Laboratory of Ultra-precision Machining Technology, and Prof. TO Chi-ho, Member of RCSV and Visiting Chair Professor of Experimental Optometry, were featured on HOY TV’s programme “InnoAction”, introducing the Nano Multi-ring Defocus Incorporated Spectacle Lens (NMDIS) for controlling the progression of myopia. The NMDIS lens combines two cutting-edge patented technologies—the Defocus Incorporated Soft Contact (DISC) lens and the Ultra-precision Nano Multi-ring Machining Technology (UPNMMT). The lens features annular spaced correction zones and defocus zones. The former corrects vision at the central retina, while the latter focuses light slightly in front of the retina to achieve myopia defocus. This effectively inhibits the elongation of the eyeball, hence slowing the progression of myopia.   Online coverage (Chinese only): HOY TV - https://polyu.me/46JIBBD (00:10 - 09:52)

PAIR to organise distinguished lecture on post-pandemic healthcare innovation

PAIR cordially invites you to join our Distinguished Lecture on 27 October 2023 (Friday) at 2:00–3:30pm (HK Time) on PolyU campus and via Zoom. The lecture, titled “Healthcare Innovation After the Pandemic: Engineering-based Medical Education and Efforts for Commercialization” will be delivered by Prof. Chulhong KIM, Department Chair of Convergence IT Engineering, Program Chair of Medical Science and Engineering, Vice-Director of POSTECH-CATHOLIC BioMed Engineering, and Director of Medical Device Innovation Center from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH). In the lecture, Prof. Kim will share on POSTECH’s pioneering initiative to establish a new engineering-based medical school, which aims to tackle practical medical problems via innovative technology and put significant efforts for commercialisation. Prof. Kim will share his experience and future plans for the School. He will also share his experience and challenges in spinning off a start-up company called “Opticho”, which focuses on translating laboratory research outcomes into commercial products. Prof. Kim received his Ph.D degree from the Washington University in St. Louis in the United States. He currently holds the Namgo Chair Professorship, Young Distinguished Professorship, and Mueunjae Chair Professorship of Convergence IT Engineering (Department Chair) and Medical Science and Engineering (Program Chair) at POSTECH. He is also the CEO of Opticho, a spinoff company to commercialise clinical photoacoustic imaging systems. He has published 221 peer-reviewed journal articles in Nature’s sister journals and PNAS, etc. His Google Scholar h-index and citations have reached 68 and over 16,500, respectively. He is elected as a member of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea and Young Korean Academy of Science and Technology. He is a Fellow of The International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE) and OPTICA.   Don’t miss the chance to learn from distinguished scholar!   Find out more and register at: https://polyu.hk/zZqCT

Five PAIR railway technology projects supported by MTR Research Funding Scheme

PolyU received a total funding of HK$7.25 million in the 2023 MTR Research Funding Scheme for six research projects that aim at developing cutting-edge technologies for the future advancement of railways. Among them, five projects are led by PAIR researchers: In alphabetical order of last name: Principal Investigator PAIR Research Unit Project Title Prof. CHUNG Chi-yung Photonics Research Institute (PRI)   Developing an Electromagnetic Energy Harvesting System to Energise Monitoring Systems in the Hong Kong MTR System Dr HUANG Xinyan Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) Intelligent Emergency Digital Twin System in Metro Station for Fire Evacuation Dr LAI Siu-kai   Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD)   Development of a New Inerter-based Rail Damper to Mitigate Railway-induced Ground-borne Noise by a Physics-informed Deep Learning Framework Dr REN Jingzheng Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM) and Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE) Promoting Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) in MTR for Pursuing Sustainable Development Goals and Better Service Quality Dr YE Hongbo Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI) Planning and Operation of Future Railway System with Autonomous Modularised Trains and Virtual Coupling Signalling   Read more: https://polyu.me/45mTfNr   Online coverage (Chinese only): Oriental Daily News - https://polyu.me/46jFost HK01 - https://polyu.me/46pRZdU

PAIR to host a seminar on collecting fog droplets using microfiber grids

PAIR cordially invite you to join the PAIR Seminar titled “Collecting Fog Droplets Using Microfiber Grids” to be held on 12 October 2023 (Thursday) at 11:00am–12:30pm (HK Time) on PolyU campus and via Zoom. The seminar will be delivered by Prof. TAN Zhongchao, Founding Chair Professor, Vice Provost and Dean of Academic Affairs of the Eastern Institute of Technology in Ningbo, China. Water shortage is one of the biggest challenges that humanity faces. Novel technologies to tackle the challenge of water scarcity are urgently needed. However, all the existing studies are based on bare fibers with diameter in the order of mm. In the seminar, Prof. Tan will introduce a novel fog collection technology using microfibers fabricated by near-field electrospinning. The collection efficiency reaches a record high level. Systematic investigation reveals that the waterdrops are “visible” to fog droplets in the incoming air flow because of the relatively small size of the microfibers. Thus, the large waterdrops deflect the fog-carrying airflow to the satellite small waterdrops, which effectively intercept the fog droplets. Prior to moving back to China, Prof. Tan was a faculty member at the University of Waterloo, Canada, where he also served as the founding Executive Director of Tsinghua–Waterloo Joint Research Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies. Prof. Tan’s contribution to chemical engineering and clean energy has been recognised by international peers, as evidenced by 128 journal articles, and six technical books. His single-authored textbook, Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gases, was downloaded 1.7+ million times globally. He was elected Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering in 2022. Don’t miss the chance to learn from distinguished scholar! Find out more and register at: https://polyu.hk/WPetI

Prof. WU Bo shares lunar explorations on Phoenix TV show Zoom In

Prof. WU Bo, Associate Director of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), explained the technology in India’s Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission, the significance of exploring the south pole of the Moon, and China’s future lunar-exploration mission plans on a television programme Zoom In by the Phoenix TV. Prof. Wu said lunar south pole exploration allows us to conduct the in-situ extraction experiments of raw materials, such as helium-3, rare-earth elements, water, ice, etc., from the Moon, and these resources can be used for the construction of a lunar research base via 3D printing, thus saving transportation costs and time.   Online coverage (Chinese only): Phoenix TV - https://polyu.me/3RKMSAu (3:28 - 4:32, 9:01 - 10:15, 24:01 - 24:29)

Consul General of Sweden visits RCRE

Ms Louise BERGHOLM, Consul General of Sweden, visited the Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE) on 3 October 2023. During the laboratory visit, Prof. POON Chi-sun, Director of RCRE, introduced some of the low-carbon construction materials developed by the Centre, including foam glass-based lightweight concrete, superhydrophobic lightweight foam concrete, sustainable permeable concrete for urban drainage and 3D concrete printing products. The two parties had an enlightening and fruitful exchange.

Establishment of Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion

The PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) takes great pleasure to announce the establishment of Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF), set to commence operations on 1 October 2023. This significant undertaking has been established to propel interdisciplinary research in the domains of textiles and fashion, thereby reinforcing The Hong Kong Polytechnic University's (PolyU) unwavering dedication to fostering innovation and the progression of knowledge. As one of the constituent research units of PAIR, RCTFF assumes a vital role in spearheading transformative research initiatives. Under the leadership of Prof. FAN Jintu, Chair Professor of Fiber Science and Apparel Engineering, RCTFF emerges as a hub of expertise and innovation, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience in the research field. RCTFF is dedicated to driving groundbreaking research with the principal objective of advancing high-performance textiles and fashion products. By creating an environment that fosters collaboration and encourages creativity, the centre strives to generate innovative solutions for efficient and sustainable fashion and textile life cycles. RCTFF focuses on a diverse range of core research themes, including, but not limited to: Advanced materials and technologies Product design and innovation Life cycle management By focusing on these critical domains, RCTFF seeks to establish itself as a global leader in textile and fashion research, making significant contributions to both academia and industry. The centre also looks forward to engaging with partners and stakeholders from various sectors to facilitate technology exchange and drive impactful collaborations. For further information about the new RCTFF and its research initiatives, please visit www.polyu.edu.hk/rctff/

Prof. TAO Xiaoming elected as Full Foreign Member of European Academy of Natural Sciences

Congratulations to Prof. TAO Xiaoming, Director of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, for being elected as a Full Foreign Member of the European Academy of Natural Sciences. Headquartered in Hannover, Germany, the Academy promotes contacts and exchange of information between its members. Currently, a total of 50 scientists from China have been appointed as full members.

Prof. Eddie HUI hosts panel discussion at HKIS Property and Facility Management Division Conference 2023

The Property and Facility Management Division of Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) held a conference “Next Generation of Smart Property & Facility Management in Greater Bay Area” at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University on 26 September 2023.  Ms. HO Wing-yin, JP, Secretary for Housing of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government was invited as the guest of honour.  The event attracted more than 230 industry professionals and academics from Hong Kong and mainland China for discussion on the industry development and the industrial application of innovative technologies in the property and facility management sector in the Greater Bay Area. Prof. Eddie HUI Chi-man, Management Committee Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Associate Head and Professor of the Department of Building and Real Estate (BRE), hosted the panel discussion on the topic “Exploring the Opportunities and Challenges of Smart Technology Adoption in Property and Facility Management across the Greater Bay Area”, leading the audience for an active and fruitful exchange.   Online coverage: Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/3ET2Z7j Chinese only