PAIR Distinguished Lectures

Designing Materials the Lego Building Way: Prof. Stephen Z. D. Cheng on New Strategies for Giant Molecule Design

On 11 May 2026, Prof. Stephen Z. D. CHENG, Member of the National Academy of Engineering, USA, and Dean and Honourable Professor of School of Emergent Soft Matter, South China University of Technology, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Superlattice Engineering of Soft Alloys in Giant Molecules” at the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted an audience of over 50 scholars, researchers and students onsite, and nearly 14,300 online viewers across various social media platforms.

Unlocking New Perceptual Dimensions: Prof. ZHANG Jie, Member of U.S. National Academy of Engineering, on AI’s Leap from Vision to Sound and Vibration Sensing

On 23 April 2026, Prof. ZHANG Jie, Chair Professor in Faculty of Business for Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Machine Listening: Extending AI from Vision to Sound and Vibration Sensing” at the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted almost 100 scholars, researchers and students onsite, and nearly 16,000 online viewers across various social media platforms to explore how the emerging field of “machine listening” is transforming urban monitoring, disaster prevention, and infrastructure safety.

Prof. LIU Bin (NUS), Foreign Member of U.S. National Academy of Engineering, 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.

From material science discoveries to clinical innovations: Organic bionics expert Prof. Gordon WALLACE, Fellow of Australian Academy of Science, explores the immense potential of 3D biofabrication at PAIR Distinguished Lecture

On 3 March 2026, Prof. Gordon WALLACE of University of Wollongong delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Discoveries in Organic Bionics, 3D Biofabrication and Deployment of Solutions to Clinical Challenges” at the PolyU campus. The event attracted over 120 in-person participants and reached an impressive online audience of nearly 16,000 across various social media platforms.

Lab-based X-rays driving breakthroughs in mechanics: Cambridge’s Prof. Vikram Deshpande, Fellow of The Royal Society, UK, shares insights

Prof. Vikram DESHPANDE of the University of Cambridge delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “New measurement strategies for data-driven mechanics” on 26 February 2026 at the PolyU campus. The event attracted nearly 100 in-person participants and reached an impressive online audience of more than 15,700 across various social media platforms.

Safe water for all: Prof. Daigger, Foreign Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering. shares insights on global water trends and priorities

On 2 February 2026, Prof. Glen DAIGGER of University of Michigan delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Global Water Management Trends” at the PolyU campus. The event attracted nearly 110 in-person participants and reached an impressive online audience of more than 16,900 across various social media platforms.

Bridging science, technology and policy: Prof. Daniel M. KAMMEN, Member of U.S. National Academy of Sciences, call for a just energy transition

Prof. Daniel M. Kammen of Johns Hopkins University delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Innovation and Cooperation for the Just Energy Transition” on 26 January 2026 at the PolyU campus. The event attracted nearly 100 in-person participants and reached an impressive online audience of more than 16,200 across various social media platforms.

Revolutionising sustainable distributed energy: Prof. WANG Zhonglin, Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivers Distinguished Lecture on TENGs

On 7 January 2026, Prof. WANG Zhonglin, Director of Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) for sustainable energy and sensing”. The event drew a full house at the Chiang Chen Studio Theatre, with over 240 in-person participants, and reached an impressive online audience of more than 16,600 across social media platforms.

When physics meets biology: Prof. Yeomans, Fellow of the Royal Society, unravels how mechanical forces sculpt tissue shape

Prof. Julia M. YEOMANS of the University of Oxford, UK, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Active Matter meets mechanobiology: Evading the decay to equilibrium” on 18 December 2025. The event drew over 70 in-person participants and an online audience exceeding 15,500 across various social media platforms.

Harnessing sensors and AI for sustainable urban futures: Insights from Prof. Banthia, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and Canadian Academy of Engineering

Prof. Nemkumar BANTHIA of The University of British Columbia, Canada, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Toward Carbon-Neutral Cities: Sensors and Cyber-Physical Networks for Green Infrastructure” on 17 December 2025. The event attracted over 90 in-person participants and an online audience of more than 17,900 across various social media platforms.