Past Events

Envisioning the Future: Academician PENG Shou on How Glass is Shaping the World of Tomorrow

On 27 May 2026, Prof. PENG Shou, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering and Chief Scientist of China National Building Material Group Co., Ltd. delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “The Transparent Revolution that is Remoulding the Future” at the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted an audience of nearly 100 scholars, researchers and students onsite, and over 14,700 online viewers across various social media platforms.

Empowering Tomorrow: Academician GUO Wanlin on the Evolution Toward Hydrovoltaic Intelligence

On 22 May 2026, Prof. GUO Wanlin, Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Founder of the International Institute for Frontier Science at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA), delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “From Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Hydrovoltaics Intelligence (HI)” at the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted an audience of nearly 60 scholars, researchers and students onsite, and over 15,200 online viewers across various social media platforms.

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 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) 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 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 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’s 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, calls 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’s 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.