News

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

PolyU researchers use novel satellite laser ranging technique to reveal accelerated global average sea-level rise

A research team led by Prof. CHEN Jianli, Core Member of Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Chair Professor of Space Geodesy and Earth Sciences, has utilised advanced space geodetic technologies to deliver the first precise 30-year (1993–2022) record of global ocean mass change (also known as barystatic sea level), revealing its dominant role in driving global mean sea-level (GMSL) rise. Their research further indicates that GMSL has been increasing at an average rate of approximately 3.3 mm per year with a notable acceleration observed, highlighting the growing severity of climate change. The research findings have been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, with Dr NIE Yufeng, a Research Assistant Professor in Prof. CHEN’s team being the lead author. GMSL is primarily driven by two factors: the thermal expansion of seawater, as the oceans absorb around 90% of the excess heat in the Earth’s climate system; and the increase in global ocean mass, which is mainly caused by the influx of freshwater from melting land ice. Therefore, long-term monitoring of global ocean mass change is essential for understanding present-day GMSL rise. In the past, scientists have relied on long-term observations from satellite altimetry to monitor sea-level rise. Barystatic sea level records based on satellite gravimetry only became available with the launch of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment in 2002. SLR is a traditional space geodetic technique used to accurately measure the distance between satellites and ground stations via laser ranging. However, fundamental constraints of SLR, such as the limited number of satellites and ground stations, the high altitude of the satellites (which means SLR-derived gravitational changes capture only the longest wavelengths) and the low-degree gravitational measurements, have restricted its direct application in estimating ocean mass change To effectively utilise SLR-derived gravitational fields for accurate estimates of ocean mass change, the research team implemented an innovative forward modelling technique that tackles spatial resolution limitations by incorporating detailed geographic information of ocean-land boundaries. This approach enables long-term monitoring of global ocean mass changes The research revealed that an increased rate of GMSL resulted in a global average sea-level rise of approximately 90 mm between 1993 and 2022, with about 60% of this rise attributable to ocean mass increase. Since around 2005, the rise in GMSL has been primarily driven by the rapid increase in global ocean mass. This overall increase is largely driven by the accelerated melting of land ice, particularly in Greenland. Throughout the entire study period, land ice melt from polar ice sheets and mountain glaciers accounted for over 80% of the total increase in global ocean mass. Press release: https://polyu.me/4g6ioDd   Online coverage: wn.com - https://polyu.me/45YB4jj Mirage News - https://polyu.me/46iGlni Oriental Daily News - http://polyu.me/4lV48hJ Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/4n9KAXN Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/47XmMC9 Line Today - https://polyu.me/3JZcVSo hkong.hk - https://polyu.me/4m5iLPO CCTV - http://polyu.me/4n9SYGQ Wuxi Daily - https://polyu.me/4n7EAPg Technology Networks - https://polyu.me/45Z6SVo Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre - https://polyu.me/4oYTadL Zhuhai Net - https://polyu.me/4mMXpYz Medium - https://polyu.me/4272D8X Guangzhou Daily - https://polyu.me/4p2SZ16 Nanfang Daily - https://polyu.me/4p5N3V2

Prof. DING Xiaoli pens article for Hong Kong Economic Times on development strategies for Northern Metropolis

Prof. DING Xiaoli, Director of Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Chair Professor of Geomatics, and Dr GUO Jian, Project Fellow of RILS, penned an article in Hong Kong Economic Times on 1 September 2025, offering an in-depth discussion on the planned population density of the Northern Metropolis. The authors believe that the development of the Northern Metropolis will help release a substantial amount of land, for building a new, liveable and business-friendly area with a residential population of about 2.5 million in the northern New Territories adjacent to Shenzhen. This would break Hong Kong’s long-standing “south over north” spatial development pattern, promote the integration between northern Hong Kong and southern Shenzhen, and support the construction of an international innovation and technology hub in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area. It would also serve China’s national strategy for technological self-reliance and strength, carrying profound significance for both regional and national development. In terms of population density, the two scholars consider that the Northern Metropolis has the potential for accommodating more people. Hong Kong has a land area of approximately 1,090 square kilometres (excluding inland water areas) and a population of about 7.52 million in 2024, making it one of the most densely populated regions in the world. The Northern Metropolis currently has a population of around 1 million, with a density of only 3,488 people per square kilometre. Even if its population increases to 2.5 million in the future, the density will only be 8,333 people per square kilometre, far lower than some of the other urban areas. Excluding country parks, the population density of the Northern Metropolis remains relatively low among Hong Kong’s eighteen districts. They pointed out that, the Northern Metropolis should be cherished as it is the last large tract of land in Hong Kong available for large-scale development, and its population density should be appropriately increased to improve land use efficiency and provide resources for future development. For example, if each square kilometre could accommodate an additional 2,000 people, this would accommodate a population of about 500,000, which is equivalent to that of the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands project, and could save approximately HK$580 billion in construction costs. Of course, in the long run, Hong Kong still requires land created through land reclamation to support sustainable development.   Online coverage: Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/3I0tnRM (Chinese only)

Prof. NI Meng conducts research on zinc-air seawater batteries and publishes findings in Nano Materials Science

Prof. NI Meng, Associate Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment, Head of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering and Chair Professor of Energy Science and Technology of PolyU, in collaboration with the State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and City University of Hong Kong, has conducted a study on zinc-air seawater batteries and recently published a paper titled “Turning seawater chloride ion from corrosion agent to OER accelerator and stabiliser via oxygen vacancy engineering and application in zinc-air seawater batteries” in Nano Materials Science. Zinc–air seawater batteries (ZASBs) represent a promising technology due to their high energy density, environmentally friendly nature, and low cost.  However, their performance is hindered by the slow oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and rapid deactivation of OER electrocatalysts caused by chloride ion (Cl−) corrosion.  The research team has proposed an innovative oxygen vacancy (Ov) strategy that not only mitigates Cl− corrosion but also utilises Cl− as an OER accelerator and catalyst protector.  Specifically, oxygen vacancies are introduced into NiFe2O4 via in situ growth on self-supported carbon substrates.  These vacancies enhance Cl− adsorption, forming Cl−-OV-NiFe2O4 catalyst.  This synergistic interaction enables superior OER activity, achieving a low overpotential of 285 mV at 100 mA cm−2 in alkaline seawater, whereas pristine NiFe2O4 is unable to reach this current density threshold. The enhanced ZASB achieves a lifespan exceeding 400 cycles, which is 45 times greater than that of pristine NiFe2O4 (9 cycles).  The proposed oxygen vacancy strategy not only advances the practical application of ZASBs, but also provides valuable insights for the development of seawater battery technologies. Prof. NI Meng is currently Management Committee Member of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), Member of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD). Read the full paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589965125000820?via%3Dihub

PAIR Newsletter · Issue 15 · September 2025 is now available

We are excited to release the latest issue of the PAIR Newsletter! As Issue 15 is published, our brand-new initiative, the PAIR Advanced Education Programme, also commences.  Offered in dual mode and designed for learners from all backgrounds, our Programme addresses some of the biggest societal challenges facing the world today and the solutions to these problems.  Please stay tuned for news about our upcoming courses and join us on a scientific learning journey. This Issue presents a collection of compelling articles and important academy updates.  The Feature Stories section includes interviews of three leading scholars from distinct disciplines, who offer their perspectives on mental health research, photonics development and clean air actions.  Prof. QIU Anqi, Director of Mental Health Research Centre, explains how mental health diagnosis and intervention can be supported by engineering and data-driven approaches. PAIR Senior Fellow, Prof. YAO Jianping of the University of Ottawa, Canada, addresses the current development in and challenges facing the photonics industry. Prof. David PUI, also a PAIR Senior Fellow, describes how the giant air cleaning towers he and his collaborators designed help contribute to cleaner air in China and India. The Research Achievements section takes a closer look at several studies at PAIR which bring unique insights into sustainability, cultural heritage and human health.  The News & Events section summarises the latest knowledge-exchange activities, including international conferences, lectures and seminars conducted by PAIR and its constituent units. The Knowledge Transfer section highlights healthy ageing technologies developed by PAIR researchers that integrate medical engineering and artificial intelligence. The People section reports on the recent achievements by our scholars, including recognition as tech leaders and best scientists in their respective fields. Read on to discover the latest updates at PAIR! PAIR Newsletter · Issue 15: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/pair/publications/issue-15/

Prof. CAO Jiannong visits China Mobile IoT and appointed as Chief Visiting Expert

Prof. CAO Jiannong, Acting Vice President (Education), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Professor in Data Science, Chair Professor of Distributed and Mobile Computing, and Director of Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT), paid a visit to China Mobile IoT Company Limited (CMIoT) on 24 August 2025. During the visit, both parties engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as industrial application of large AI models, key technologies for passive IoT and mechanisms for joint university-enterprise research initiatives. They reached a consensus to embark on substantive cooperation in areas including national strategic research projects, cultivation of high-end talent, and the formulation of international technical standards, working together to promote the development of national strategic emerging industries and their expansion into global markets. Prof. Cao was also appointed as Chief Visiting Expert, with an appointment ceremony held on the same day. CMIoT highly commended Prof. Cao’s reputation in the fields of distributed systems, wireless sensing and networks, big data, and artificial intelligence, noting that his research directions are closely aligned with CMIoT’s strategic focus on large AI models and passive IoT. This exchange not only deepened mutual trust and understanding between the two parties, but also strengthened collaboration in innovative research and high-end talent development, laying a solid foundation for future joint laboratory establishment, collaborative research projects, and the transformation of scientific research achievements.   Online coverage: youth.cn - https://polyu.me/41pPN5y Toutiao - https://www.toutiao.com/article/7543071590293733942/?channel=&source=search_tab

RiFood member launches start-up for functional drink “Mushroom Coffee”

Dr Nano CHENG Wai-yin, Member of Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) and Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, has co-founded a PolyU start-up, Mushroom Innovation Tech Limited, to develop the novel beverage “Mushroom Coffee”.  This coffee blends extracts from various mushrooms, delivering the natural energising effects of coffee while reducing the common side effects associated with caffeine.   With comprehensive support from PolyVentures, PolyU start-ups have been empowered to develop innovative ideas and pioneering solutions.  This innovation has already been successfully commercialised, with a couple physical stores in Hong Kong acting as distributors, and two bars within Hotel ICON also adopting the products.  This serves as a solid case of cutting-edge research being translated into practical applications.   Online Coverage: Ming Pao Daily - https://news.mingpao.com/  

Two PolyU education research projects awarded under Theme-based Exercise of Public Policy Research Funding Scheme

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to leveraging its outstanding research capacity to make a profound impact on the development of education in society. PolyU has secured support for two projects through the Theme-based Exercise specially launched under the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS) 2025/26 of the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit (CEPU). A total of eight projects received funding under the scheme focusing on education-related policies. Among all applicant institutions, PolyU ranked first in both the number of funded projects and the awarded amount. The two projects, led by scholars from the Department of Applied Social Sciences and the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC), have collectively received approximately HK$1.6 million. They are recognised as being aligned with the future strategic positioning and development needs of Hong Kong. The two PolyU projects are (by project number): Principal Investigator Prof. YU Lu Associate Head and Associate Professor of the Department of Applied Social Sciences at PolyU Co-Investigators Prof GU Mingyue (Professor and Dean of Graduate School, EdUHK) Dr WU Ka-yu Florence (Section Head (Counselling and Wellness), Student Affairs Office, PolyU) Prof. HE Jingwei (Associate Professor, Division of Public Policy, HKUST) Prof. Ronnel Bornasal KING (Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, CUHK) Prof. LIN Li (Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, LU) Prof. PAN Jiayan (Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, BU) Prof. YE Shengquan (Associate Professor, Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, CUHK) Prof. ZENG Min (Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, HKU) Project Title Enhancing Adaptation, Integration, and Career Development of Non-local University Students in Hong Kong Funded Amount HK$905,993.00 Duration 12 months   Principal Investigator Prof. CHEN Xiaohua Sylvia Associate Dean Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Chair Professor of Social and Cultural Psychology of the Department of Applied Social Sciences at PolyU Co-investigators Prof. NG Chi Kit Jacky (Assistant Professor, APSS, PolyU) Dr AU Kit Yee Algae (Research Assistant Professor, APSS, PolyU) Dr LU Yiqing Erin (Senior Research Fellow, APSS, PolyU) Dr WU Ka-yu Florence (Section Head (Counselling and Wellness), Student Affairs Office, PolyU) Project Title Enhancing Cultural Integration for Non-local Students in Hong Kong: A Multicultural Acquisition Approach to Policy Development Funded Amount HK$694,257.55 Duration 12 months The PPRFS aims to encourage local think tank experts and scholars (including universities and civil society think tanks) to apply their expertise to conduct evidence-based research on key public policy issues, facilitate the knowledge transfer of research findings to policy considerations, and serve as a channel for the Government to tap into the public policy research expertise of society.