Chief Editor's Corner
Biomimicry is the art of learning from life. When scientists look closely at the ways in which living organisms sense, move, adapt and thrive, they gain insights that may spark ideas for new technologies to tackle some of humanity’s toughest challenges.
In this issue, you will see that spirit of curiosity imbuing the research work at PAIR. From sea urchin spines inspiring the next generation of biomimetic sensors,
to an AI co-pilot system designed to support clinical-grade decisions, PAIR researchers continue to push scientific and technological boundaries. Furthermore, you will find stories that reflect PAIR’s commitment to a sustainable future,
deep-space exploration and improving people’s wellbeing, whether through mobility solutions, comfort innovations or mental health research.
We also highlight two complementary paths toward sustainability. PAIR Senior Fellow Prof. Nemkumar BANTHIA describes the construction of future-ready cities with carbon-neutral materials, smart monitoring systems and predictive design. Meanwhile, PAIR International Advisory Committee Member Prof. Alexander HARTMAIER explains how multiscale materials science,
from atoms all the way to full-scale structures, can shape low-carbon, high-performance and ethically sourced materials for industry.
Their narratives highlight the importance of advanced modelling, thoughtful material selection and close collaboration between academia and industry.
This spring, PAIR is also delighted to host our annual International Advisory
Committee (IAC) Meeting. The committee is made up of distinguished experts
from outside PolyU, representing leading universities and institutions across the Chinese Mainland, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States. Their independent insights and global perspectives play a key role in setting PAIR’s direction, helping to ensure that ourinterdisciplinary research stays competitive, relevant and aligned with emerging scientific priorities.
Other milestones this season are the inauguration of the Research Centre for Environmental, Social, and Governance Advancement, and the launch of our enhanced PAIR Seed Funding Scheme. The updated scheme is built to support projects with strong potential for real-world impact by increasing their opportunities to secure larger external funding and scale their contributions to society.
Finally, we are excited to introduce several new partnerships and joint initiatives.
These include a brand-new online seminar series launched jointly by PolyU PAIR and Cambridge NeuroWorks at the University of Cambridge, as well as various external collaborations across PAIR research units spanning the fields of hospitality, gerontechnology, geospatial information science, and ophthalmology. These collaborations reinforce a belief we hold strongly at PAIR: innovation works best when it is shared. By bringing researchers, institutions and communities together, we can create solutions that serve people and the environment. Happy reading!
Prof. CHEN Qingyan
Director of PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research
