Past Events

Towards the future of long-duration energy storage: Prof. ZHAO Tianshou of SUSTech on novel flow cells

Prof. ZHAO Tianshou, Director of Energy Institute for Carbon Neutrality, Chair Professor of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), China, delivered the 41st PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Flow Cells for Long-Duration Energy Storage” on 4 July 2025 on the PolyU campus. The lecture drew over 90 attendees in person and captivated an online audience of more than 15,400 from different countries and regions who watched the live broadcast on social media platforms.

Exploring New Frontiers in Nanotechnology: Prof. David PUI Unpacks Applications in Microelectronics and Environmental Health

Prof. David Y. H. PUI from the University of Minnesota, U.S.A., delivered the PAIR Seminar titled “Nanoparticle Technologies in Microelectronics, Air Quality, Health Effects, and Filtration” on 13 June 2025 on the PolyU campus. The seminar drew over 60 attendees in person and engaged an online audience of more than 13,100 from various countries and regions who joined the live broadcast on social media platforms.

Exploring the frontiers of mechanics: Prof. GAO Huajian of Tsinghua University on mechano-X innovations

Prof. GAO Huajian, Xinghua Distinguished University Professor and Director of the Mechano-X Institute of Tsinghua University, China, delivered the 40th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Mechano-X: Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation at the Frontiers of Mechanics” on 13 June 2025 on the PolyU campus. The lecture drew over 130 attendees in person and captivated an online audience of more than 14,000 from different countries and regions who watched the live broadcast on social media platforms.

RILS Public Lecture on Advancing Computational and Spatial Social Sciences in the Era of Big Data: Opportunities and Challenges

The RILS Public Lecture, held on 11 June 2025 at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), featured Prof. Yan LIU, Professor of Geographical Information Science at Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, who delivered an enlightening talk on "Advancing Computational and Spatial Social Sciences in the Era of Big Data: Opportunities and Challenges". The lecture was chaired by Prof. Qihao WENG, Associate Director of RILS, Director of RCAIG and Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence. This successful event was jointly organised by the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI), Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG), China Harbour – PolyU Joint Research Centre for Land Development, and PolyU-Yangjiang Laboratory Joint Research Centre for Offshore Wind Power of PolyU.

Trailblazing PAIR Seminar by Prof. YAO Jianping on the Advancement of Microwave Photonic Systems

Prof. YAO Jianping from the University of Ottawa, Canada, delivered the PAIR Seminar titled “Photonic Integrated Circuits for Next-Generation Microwave Photonic Systems” on 11 June 2025 on the PolyU campus. The seminar drew over 70 attendees in person and engaged an online audience of more than 15,300 from various countries and regions who joined the live broadcast on social media platforms.

RCRE Seminar: The UK Perspectives of Valorisation of Incineration Bottom Ash for Construction Material Applications

Prof. Christopher Cheeseman of Imperial College London delivered a seminar on the topic of “The UK Perspectives of Valorisation of Incineration Bottom Ash for Construction Material Applications” on 6 June 2025. The seminar was co-organized with CEE of PolyU. Over 60 participants joined the seminar.

PolyU hosts the inaugural Master Lecture by Prof. Zhang Wenhong, Director of the National Medical Centre for Infectious Diseases, on the value of medical innovations in combating pandemics

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)’s Department of Health Technology and Informatics (HTI), together with the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) and PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence (PAAI), today co-hosted the inaugural PolyU Master Lecture. Prof. ZHANG Wenhong, Director of the National Medical Centre for Infectious Diseases and Head of the Institute of Infection and Health at Fudan University, gave the keynote speech, “The Race between Evolving Infectious Diseases and Human Technology”, sharing insights on how medical innovation and technology can rapidly anticipate and counteract the challenges posed by the unpredictable progress of infectious diseases before the next pandemic emerges. The event attracted approximately 450 participants, including PolyU faculty members, students, alumni, healthcare professionals and members of the public.

RiFood - 2025 International Conference on Polysaccharides for Nutraceuticals and Future Foods

Net-zero future - Nanotech expert Prof. G.Q. Max LU explores revolutionary advances in green hydrogen

rof. G.Q. Max LU, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom, delivered the 39th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Functional Nanomaterials for Green Hydrogen Production and Storage” on 20 May 2025 on the PolyU campus. The lecture drew over 60 attendees in person and captivated an online audience of more than 15,900 from different countries and regions who watched the live broadcast on social media platforms.

The 38th PAIR Distinguished Lecture: Prof. Pedro Alvarez explores breakthroughs in nanotechnology for water treatment

Prof. Pedro Alvarez, George R. Brown Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice University, USA, delivered the 38th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment” on 6 May 2025 on the PolyU campus.