News

PolyU joins hands with AFCD to promote commercialisation of local fisheries products

The Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) has joined hands with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and industry partners in developing processed fisheries products to promote the commercialisation of distinctive locally produced processed fisheries and agricultural products. The collaborative research outcomes include a jelly product made from fish-scale collagen, which combines health and environmental sustainability elements and demonstrates the concept of resource upcycling; as well as cherry wood-smoked fisheries products, which offer a fresh, sweet flavour with a fruity aroma.  These products are vacuum-packed and quick-frozen, allowing consumers to simply reheat them before eating, making them both convenient and tasty. In recent years, RiFood has also developed products such as dace fish “siu mai”, fresh fish luncheon meat and grouper spring rolls.  These products are now available in supermarkets and on the “Local Fresh” platform, encouraging the public to support high-quality, safe and low-carbon local fisheries and agricultural products. AFCD has also produced a series of short videos about the project and published them on its social media platform to showcase the Department’s efforts in supporting the industry to develop processed fisheries products.   Watch the short video: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BB9HFaEnv/?mibextid=wwXIfr

PolyU announces “PolyU Top 10 Research & Innovation Stories of the Year”, showcasing impactful research driving Hong Kong’s high-quality development

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is dedicated to spearheading world-leading research and innovation for societal benefits. To recognise outstanding achievements with far-reaching impact locally and globally, PolyU has launched the inaugural “PolyU Top 10 Research & Innovation Stories of the Year” selection and voting campaign. From 20 remarkable research and technology translation stories announced in 2025, more than 7,700 members of the public and the PolyU community cast their votes. Combined with the scores of a professional judging panel, ten stories were selected as the final awardees. Among them, seven are led by PAIR members: Principal Investigator Research Topic Research Focus Prof. WANG Zuankai Associate Vice President (Research), Dean of Graduate School, Kuok Group Professor in Nature-Inspired Engineering, Chair Professor of Nature-Inspired Engineering of Department of Mechanical Engineering, Member of Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM), Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) and Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF) Innovation for self-stimulated ejection of freezing droplets unlocks cost-effective applications in de-icing The research team has invented a self-powered mechanism for ejecting freezing droplets, enabling droplets to shoot themselves away. This innovation could catalyse the development of self-powered methods for a variety of purposes, including de-icing, energy harvesting, and soft robotic applications. Prof. CHEN Jianli Chair Professor of Space Geodesy and Earth Sciences of Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, Member of Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI) Utilising satellite positioning data to track Greenland’s ice sheet melt behaviour and assess its impact on sea-level rise The global research team has integrated various modern space geodetic techniques, particularly satellite positioning data, to monitor the subsidence of vertical bedrock and quantify summer water storage in the Greenland ice sheet. This achievement offers new insights into ice sheets’ role in sea-level rise. Prof. QIU Anqi Associate Dean of Graduate School, Director of Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC), Professor of Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Global STEM Scholar Sustained obesity may accelerate brain ageing The team has unveiled research to advance our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying the relationship between obesity and cognitive health in adults. It highlights the dynamic relationship between obesity progression and brain-cognitive health. Prof. CHEN Changwen Interim Dean of Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Chair Professor of Visual Computing of Department of Computing, Management Committee Member of PAIR, Member of SCRI Novel multi-modal agent facilitates long video understanding by AI, accelerating the development of generative AI-assisted video analysis While AI technology is evolving rapidly, AI models still struggle with understanding long videos. The team has developed a novel video-language agent, VideoMind, that enables AI models to perform long video reasoning and question-answering tasks by emulating humans’ way of thinking. Prof. KO Ben Chi-bun Associate Professor of Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Member of Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) and Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI) Discovery of Chinese medicine extract tetrandrine’s target and mechanism opens new avenues for treating viral infection and Alzheimer’s Disease The research team has discovered that tetrandrine works by blocking the transport of sphingosine – a lipid molecule essential for cellular signalling – and inhibiting calcium channels. Their research has revealed the critical mechanism of tetrandrine for the first time, opening new avenues for drug discovery and disease treatment. Prof. LI Gang Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor in Renewable Energy, Chair Professor of Energy Conversion Technology of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Associate Director of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), Management Committee Member of Photonics Research Institute (PRI), Member of RI-IWEAR and Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) Prof. YANG Guang Assistant Professor of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Member of RIAM, PRI and RISE Driving the commercialisation of energy-efficient solar cell technology towards a 40% efficiency milestone Third-generation solar cell technology is advancing rapidly. The research team has reported a breakthrough in their review of perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells, addressing challenges in efficiency, stability and scalability. Their study aims to raise the energy conversion efficiency from the current maximum of about 34% to 40%. Prof. LIU Aiqun Director of Research Institute for Quantum Technology (RIQT), Chair Professor of Quantum Engineering and Science of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Global STEM Scholar PolyU successfully completes Hong Kong's first chip-based quantum network and test The research team has successfully developed a quantum communication chip to establish Hong Kong’s first quantum communication network. The team has achieved a breakthrough by successfully conducting a cybersecurity test on the world’s longest optical fibre quantum network, built utilising a quantum chip platform. Press release: https://polyu.me/4s8plYJ   Online coverage (Chinese only): Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/414Ttcw Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/4dmCKbP Bauhinia - https://polyu.me/4m1vfcL Mirage - https://polyu.me/4tiNeh2 The Standard - https://polyu.me/47AIV8y (English) Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/4c27PiE (subscription required) Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4me6BWj People.cn - https://polyu.me/4v934Na NetEase - https://polyu.me/4srqNFT Guangzhou Daily - https://polyu.me/4sOGLe3 Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/3Q9CGCE

Prevention is better than cure: Prof. Eugene B. CHANG reexamines “health” through the lens of microbiome ecology

On 30 March 2026, Prof. Eugene B. CHANG, Martin Boyer Distinguished Professor at the University of Chicago (UChicago), delivered a PAIR Seminar, titled “Microbiome Medicine: Understanding Health and Disease through the Lens of Ecological and Evolutionary Principles” at the PolyU campus. The seminar drew nearly 100 researchers, clinicians and students joining onsite, and over 15,400 online viewers across various social media platforms to learn about the burgeoning field of the “gut microbial organ”. At the seminar, Prof. Chang introduced the concept of “proactive health”, echoing Benjamin Franklin’s famous adage: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. He affirmed that the future of medicine lies in the shift from “reactive treatments” to “preventive healthcare”, and that maintaining the ecological balance of the human microbiome is the key to achieving this transformation. Prof. Chang described the gut microbiome as a vital organ that provides essential functions―uniquely “acquired” after birth and “modifiable” throughout life. He explained that when this ecosystem experiences perturbations or “dysbiosis”, it can trigger a vast array of disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic syndromes, and even neurodevelopmental disorders like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). He emphasised that to truly restore health, clinicians must adopt an ecological perspective and focus on “ecological succession”, the process by which microbial communities grow, evolve and stabilise over time. Another key highlight of the presentation was Prof. Chang’s discussion of the “seed and soil” principle. He explained that for microbiome-based interventions to be effective, both the “seed” (the microbial strain) and the “soil” (the host’s gut environment) must be taken into account. He noted that many current probiotics fail to engraft because the supplemented microbes lack evolutionary compatibility with the host. To solve this, he presented cutting-edge research on using mass spectrometry for functional profiling and demonstrated how Large Science Models and AI technologies help identify infants at risk of ASD, allowing for early intervention before symptoms emerge. In his concluding remarks, Prof. Chang reaffirmed his strong belief in the value of prevention, highlighting that “microbiome medicine” should evolve into a medical specialty dedicated to maintaining long-term health rather than just treating disease. He underscored the need for precision tools, such as biomarkers and AI-driven predictive platforms, to identify and correct microbial imbalances at an early stage. By understanding the ecological and evolutionary principles governing the gut, he affirmed that medicine could advance toward more effective, evidence-based preventive strategies to support lifelong health. The seminar concluded with a lively Q&A session moderated by Prof. CHIOU Jiachi, Amber, Associate Head of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition and Associate Director of RiFood. The discussion explored how microbiome medicine is fundamentally reshaping the landscape of both traditional and preventive healthcare. Key topics included the effectiveness of gut microbiome interventions in combating antibiotic resistance and enhancing immunity in immunosuppressed patients, as well as the specific applications of this research in treating Parkinson’s disease. Furthermore, Prof. Chang shared his views on precision diagnostics for the gut-brain axis, specifically whether clinical decision-making should prioritise static microbial signatures, or dynamic response phenotypes following dietary or antibiotic perturbations. Please click here for an online review.

PAIR researcher steps into university leadership: Prof. ZHENG Zijian assumed the new Vice President (Knowledge Transfer)

Congratulations to Prof. ZHENG Zijian for being promoted to Vice President (Knowledge Transfer) (VP(KT)) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) with effect from 1 April 2026.  Prof. Zheng is currently the Chair Professor of Soft Materials and Devices and Associate Director of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), where he leads cutting-edge research projects in areas such as chronic biocompatible materials for soft electronic sensing, flexible and stretchable batteries for wearable applications, and permeable and multi-functional stretchable electronics.  As an internationally renowned scholar in manufacturing technology and materials science, Prof. Zheng has made significant contributions to PolyU’s interdisciplinary research and knowledge transfer during his service at PAIR and RI-IWEAR.  He has demonstrated sustained excellence in translational research, fostered strategic partnerships with leading industrial enterprises, and secured substantial funding for knowledge transfer initiatives.  As VP (KT), Prof. Zheng will steer the planning and implementation of the University’s strategic agenda in knowledge transfer, technology commercialisation, entrepreneurship and engagement with the Chinese Mainland for knowledge translation.  He will oversee the Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation, the Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office, as well as the Mainland Research Units. Prof. Zheng received his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Cambridge and his Bachelor of Polymer Materials and Engineering degree from Tsinghua University.  He is a Fellow of the International Association of Advanced Materials, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, a Founding Member of The Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences, and a Founding Young Fellow of The Hong Kong Academy of Engineering.

New milestone in smart hospitality: PolyU partners with Yunji Technology and Blue Pin on service-robot innovation to advance smart hotel ecosystem

The Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), together with Yunji Technology and Blue Pin, signed a strategic cooperation memorandum on 27 March 2026, under which the three parties will jointly develop a smart hotel ecosystem for service robots that integrates academic research, hardware technology and data capabilities. Leveraging deep collaboration across industry, academia and research, the partnership aims to accelerate the expansion of China’s smart hotel solutions into global markets. Drawing on its strong industry insight and solid theoretical foundations, PolyU’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management will set the research agenda for digital transformation in tourism and, through rigorous academic research frameworks, ensure that related solutions are supported by measurable scientific evidence. Yunji Technology’s service robots are already deployed in more than 40 countries and over 40,000 hotels worldwide, providing hardware implementation and real-world application scenarios globally, and taking the lead in integrating service-robot scheduling and process automation. As the “intelligent hub”, AI data company Blue Pin will focus on the continuous learning and analysis of guest services and behavioural patterns, collecting and applying user behavioural data to enable service prediction and personalisation. Its proprietary AI platform “Jahvis” provides hotels with accurate guest profiling and decision-support capabilities. The three parties will form a joint R&D team centred on the concept of “predictive services” and plan to launch the first batch of pilot projects in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area in the third quarter of 2026. They aim to achieve quantifiable targets of a 100% improvement in guest satisfaction and a 200% increase in operational efficiency, before gradually expanding to Southeast Asia and eventually global markets.   Online coverage: TVB - https://polyu.me/4s3p5df; https://polyu.me/4c9lfdT Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/4152vpN; https://polyu.me/4dfL2SY; https://polyu.me/4lVBnmw; https://polyu.me/4sxJVmh 泡財經 - https://polyu.me/4bQRBsu Chinese Press - https://polyu.me/3NHw6Tb

PolyU study: EV charge point operators upgrading service quality and facilities are key to EV adoption and green transition

A study by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has found that digital word-of-mouth about charging stations, together with actual charging experiences, has become a key yet largely invisible driver of electric vehicle (EV) registration rates, and its influence is far beyond what the public and policymakers recognise.  The study highlights how operators and property managers of EV charging stations exercise environmental, social, and governance (ESG) responsibilities and contribute to emissions reduction and green transition through enhanced charging experiences and overall service that goes beyond basic power provision. The research, led by Prof. Mike LAI Kee-hung, Co-Director of the Research Centre for Environmental, Social, and Governance Advancement, Associate Dean (Academic Support) of the Faculty of Business, Interim Head of the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, and Chair Professor of Shipping and Logistics, analysed more than 246,000 online reviews of charging stations across the United States between 2019 and 2023.  The findings show that EV adoption is not determined solely by government subsidies or the number of charging facilities.  Actual user experience at charging stations, together with online reviews, has become an important force of local EV registration rates and the diffusion of EVs into neighbouring areas, and is a factor frequently overlooked in environmental policy design. In the case where charging experiences are poor, even a continued increase in the number of charging facilities in a given area may be undermined by the large volumes of negative online reviews.  This weakens residents’ willingness to switch to EVs and indirectly slows progress on emission reduction and the green transition. At the societal level, consumers are increasingly relying on user comments on mobile apps and social media platforms to assess the safety, convenience and day-to-day practicality of charging facilities.  Fine details such as the long-term occupancy of parking spaces by non-EVs, poor on-site conditions, inadequate lighting or potential security risks often shape the public’s perception of and willingness to purchase EVs, more directly than official statistics. At the corporate governance level, charging station operators and property managers must regard charging as an integrated service product rather than simply power supply.  Other service elements include clear and easy-to-understand user instructions, fair and transparent pricing structures, reliable and timely maintenance and support, and appropriate locations and supporting amenities.  At the same time, companies should establish systematic mechanisms for monitoring and responding to online word-of-mouth, treat positive reviews as an important intangible asset, and enhance brand image through responsible operations and information disclosure, thereby raising governance standards and promoting sustainable development across the entire sector.   Online coverage: Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/4m1greg

Prof. SONG Haiyan says Hong Kong tourism needs to move towards diversified and higher-value development

Prof. SONG Haiyan, Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT), Associate Dean (Research) and Chair Professor of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Professor in International Tourism, was interviewed on RTHK’s radio programme Backchat on 26 March 2026, where he shared perspectives on the future development and market positioning of Hong Kong’s tourism sector. Prof. Song said that the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s (HKTB) decision to allocate 75% of its resources to overseas markets represents a wise strategic adjustment.  Having relied heavily on Mainland visitors during the early stage of tourism recovery, Hong Kong now needs a more diversified mix of source markets to enhance the overall resilience and adaptive capacity of its tourism sector. He suggested focusing on the Middle East, ASEAN and European markets.  The Middle East offers high-spending long-haul visitors, while ASEAN can provide strong visitor volume.  Europe remains an important market that should not to be overlooked, as travellers from the region tend to stay longer, spend more and show strong interest in heritage, culture and even medical tourism.  He was less certain about the US market, given the ongoing tensions between China and the United States. Prof. Song also noted that attracting more overnight visitors will require closer co-operation among HKTB, hotels, theme parks, attractions and event organisers.  He said Hong Kong should also promote itself not only as a cosmopolitan city, but also as a destination for cultural and nature-based tourism, highlighting its countryside, outlying islands, fishing villages and distinctive neighbourhoods. He added that promotion efforts should combine traditional advertising with social media, influencers and well-known figures connected with Hong Kong.  Modern travellers, particularly those aged 30 to 50, are increasingly seeking immersive experiences rather than simple checklist-style sightseeing.  He also said that Hong Kong should address overseas perceptions that the city has become less open, and instead place greater emphasis on presenting Hong Kong as a vibrant, family-friendly and safe destination.   Online coverage: RTHK - https://polyu.me/4d60l0k (01:24 - 16:34)

Workplace stress in hospitality: PolyU study highlights key challenges and solutions

Workplace stress remains a significant concern for the global hospitality sector, with hotel employees facing unique pressures arising from constant guest interaction, emotional labour and operational demands.  Research led by Prof. Antony WONG, Member of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism and Assistant Professor of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, offers fresh insights into how these stressors impact hotel staff mental health and what organisations can do in response. Surveying 756 employees across 45 luxury hotels in China, the study identified poor leadership, job insecurity and pressure to respond rapidly to digital communication as the most damaging stressors.  Interestingly, traditional challenges such as job responsibility and complexity were associated with better mental health outcomes, suggesting that when staff perceive these demands as opportunities, they feel more in control and fulfilled. Teamwork was also found to enhance well-being, while junior and senior staff, as well as front- and back-of-house teams, experienced stress differently.  The research team recommends targeted management strategies, improved leadership training and clearer boundaries for digital communication to support staff well-being. The study concludes that an employee-centred approach is essential for improving engagement, retention and the long-term resilience of hospitality organisations.   Online coverage: Travel Daily News - https://polyu.me/4sAH2RJ Hotel Online - https://polyu.me/4c48IIM Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals - https://polyu.me/4tmRcoO HITEC - https://polyu.me/4vfhgnV Travel News Hub - https://polyu.me/3PIkhwJ Travel & Tourism Foundation - https://polyu.me/4sYT1IX Travel index - https://polyu.me/47GZJL3 Top 25 World - https://polyu.me/4e5NcVk Hotel Talks - https://polyu.me/4dr8e0u Visit Bali - https://polyu.me/4dkUQLn

Prof. Simon LEE’s team develops “PD-001R”, a first-in-class candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

Prof. Simon LEE Ming-yuen, Cally Kwong Mei Wan Professor in Biomedical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Innovation and Chair Professor of Biomedical Sciences in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), together with his postdoctoral researcher Dr Zhao Chen, have successfully developed an innovative drug, “PD-001R”, targeting neurodegenerative diseases. This first-in-class, novel small-molecule drug candidate, is specifically designed for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. It is derived from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Yizhiren (Alpinia oxyphylla), and is produced through chemically synthesis. The core mechanism that underlies the therapeutic action of PD-001R lies in promoting the degradation of pathological α-synuclein aggregates. Results from animal studies have shown that PD-001R not only demonstrates significant efficacy against Parkinson’s disease, but also exhibits neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer’s disease, with good oral bioavailability and safety. This ground-breaking research was awarded the Prize of the Korea Invention Promotion Association and Gold Medal at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, Switzerland, reflecting its strong international recognition and innovative value. Prof. Lee is a Member of the Management Committee of the Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI), and a Member of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), the Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA) and the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) at PAIR. He is also the Founder of the PolyU start-up AIM Pharmaceutical International Limited. His research encompasses brain disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and drug discovery particularly from natural products. The advent of PD-001R brings new hope to patients with neurodegenerative diseases and marks a significant breakthrough in Hong Kong’s biomedical innovation landscape. Online coverage: East Week - https://polyu.me/4szr3n1

Prof. LIU Bin (NUS) reveals how trace impurities unlock breakthroughs in ultralong organic phosphorescence

On 25 March 2026, Professor LIU Bin, Deputy President (Research and Technology) of National University of Singapore (NUS), delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Iso-structure Induced Ultralong Organic Phosphorescence” at the PolyU campus.  The event attracted nearly 100 in-person participants and over 15,700 online viewers across various social media platforms. Prof. Liu began the lecture by highlighting a long-standing challenge in organic photophysics: the inherent difficulty of achieving efficient triplet state emission. She then presented her team’s breakthrough discovery in carbazole, a ubiquitous organic building block.  Their research revealed that trace impurities—notably the isomer 1H-benz[f]indole (Bd) commonly found in commercial carbazole—are actually the hidden drivers of ultralong phosphorescence. This insight has fundamentally shifted the field’s focus from intrinsic molecular properties toward understanding the critical role of “iso-structural doping” in generating phosphorescence. The lecture further explored the diverse origins of these influential impurities, including variability in raw starting materials, side reactions during synthesis, and previously unidentified by-products. By regulating the doping process, Prof. Liu’s team has moved beyond “serendipitous observations” toward “rational design”, leading to the development of high-performance “multi-functional phosphorescent materials”, such as organic persistent mechanoluminescence and colour-tunable room-temperature phosphorescence. A significant portion of the presentation was dedicated to translating these insights into practical materials engineering.  One key advancement is the development of the “Matrigel-Alginate Granular-Interstitial Composite (MAGIC) matrix”, which supports the bottom-up nanofabrication of organic phosphorescent nanocrystals.  The MAGIC matrix is a “sandwich-like” composite structure that combines particle support and matrix nutrition: optically transparent, bio‑inert alginate is processed into cell‑sized microgel particles, assembled into a granular scaffold, and infused with Matrigel to form a robust, cell‑compatible composite.  Prof. Liu emphasised that these organic phosphorescent nanocrystals show immense promise for biomedical applications, with preliminary in-vivo evaluations demonstrating their effectiveness for high-contrast lymph node imaging.  Other cutting-edge applications discussed included data encryption, anti-counterfeiting, and optical waveguides. The lecture concluded with an engaging Q&A session moderated by Prof. XING Bengang, Chair Professor of Chemical Biology.  Both onsite and online audiences actively participated, raising questions on topics such as the distinctions between iso-structure induced effects and other aggregation-induced phosphorescence strategies, the structure-property relationship between spin-orbit coupling strength and ultralong phosphorescence performance, and biomimetic approaches to designing next-generation devices, leaving the audience inspired by the future possibilities of molecular engineering. Please click here for an online review.