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AP and University of Waterloo partner to establish the Research Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology for advanced applications

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has officially inaugurated the Research Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (RCNN) in collaboration with the University of Waterloo (UW), Canada’s largest nanotechnology institute. The launch ceremony took place on 3 September 2024, and featured key figures including Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU; Prof. Jianhua HAO, Chair Professor of Materials Physics and Devices and Director of the RCNN; and Prof. Sushanta MITRA, Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering of UW. This strategic partnership aims to advance interdisciplinary research in nanotechnology, addressing global challenges in areas such as functional devices, clean energy, environmental applications, and biomedical technologies. The RCNN will serve as a platform for collaborative research, fostering knowledge transfer between PolyU and UW. During the ceremony, Prof. Chao emphasized the critical role of nanotechnology across various scientific domains, underlining the partnership’s potential to drive innovation. Prof. Hao emphasized the Centre’s commitment to tackling pressing issues through sustainable research initiatives, aiming for international recognition by publishing in esteemed journals and fostering knowledge exchange between academia and industry. Prof. Mitra from UW also highlighted that nanotechnology not only improves efficiency, strength, and cost-effectiveness but also opens new avenues for development. The event also included a Forum on Nano Research for Innovation, attracting over 80 scholars and industry professionals. Distinguished international speakers, including UW researchers, shared valuable insights into the transformative capabilities of nanotechnology. With extensive facilities and resources, the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) at UW is integral to the development of advanced materials and energy systems, further reinforcing the collaborative efforts of the RCNN. This partnership represents a significant milestone in both institutions’ commitment to achieving scientific excellence and innovation in the field of nanoscience. Press release: English | Chinese Online coverage: Mirage  PolyU, Waterloo Launch Nanoscience Research Center  12 Sep 2024 The Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre  理大與滑鐵盧大學共同成立納米科技研究中心  13 Sep 2024 HKONG.HK  理大與滑鐵盧大學攜手成立納米科技研究中心  12 Sep 2024 Hong Kong Commercial Daily  理大與滑鐵盧大學攜手成立納米科技研究中心  12 Sep 2024

關於我校博士後鄭曉東博士參與2024年度河北省自然科學獎的公示

Dr Kathy LENG awarded Asian Young Scientist Fellowship 2024

Dr Kathy Kai LENG, Assistant Professor of the Department of Applied Physics, has been awarded a prestigious 2024 Asian Young Scientist Fellowship (AYSF) for her ground-breaking research on molecularly thin two-dimensional hybrid perovskites. The AYSF aims to encourage talented young scientists in Asia to conduct innovative research in three fields: “Life Science,” “Physical Science,” and “Mathematics and Computer Science”, selecting 12 recipients each year from the Asia-Pacific region and providing a two-year research grant of USD100,000 to the recipient’s home institution. Being the first scholar to isolate the 2D hybrid perovskite monolayers and uncover their novel physical properties, Dr Leng stood out from a highly competitive pool of candidates to win this award. Dr Leng expressed her deep gratitude for the honour, stating that she looks forward to exchanging ideas and collaborating with top young scientists across Asia, leading her team to further breakthroughs in flexible microelectronics and spintronic device applications. Dr Leng has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, such as the Asia Pacific TR35 Award from MIT Technology Review, the Croucher Tak Wah Mak Innovation Award and the Early Career Research Gold Award from the Singapore National Institute of Chemistry, which have affirmed her outstanding contributions to the field of physical science. 應用物理學系助理教授冷凱博士憑藉分子厚度二維雜化鈣鈦礦領域的開創性研究，榮獲 2024 年亞洲青年科學家基金項目(Asian Young Scientist Fellowship)嘉許。 亞洲青年科學家基金項目旨在鼓勵和支持亞洲優秀青年科學家在「生命科學」、「物理科學」和「數學與電腦科學」三大領域進行創新研究。每年從亞洲甄選 12 名得獎者，並向其所屬機構提供為期兩年共 10 萬美元資助，以支持他們的科研工作。冷博士是首位精準可控分離單層二維雜化鈣鈦礦的學者，並從眾多競爭對手中脫穎而出，獲取該項殊榮。冷博士深感榮幸獲此殊榮，並表示期望與亞洲頂尖年輕科學家交流合作，帶領團隊在柔性電子及自旋電子器件應用方面作進一步突破。 冷博士已獲得多個著名的研究獎項認可，包括《麻省理工科技評論》亞太區「35 歲以下科技創新 35 人」、裘槎基金會裘槎麥德華前瞻科研大獎和新加坡國家化學研究會早期職業研究金獎，肯定了她在物理科學領域的傑出貢獻。 Press release: English | Chinese

Transformative Exchange Experience at the University of Cambridge

Shi Fangyi, one of the PhD students from the Department of Applied Physics, embarked on a remarkable journey, spending time as an exchange student in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy at the University of Cambridge. This opportunity has undoubtedly been a transformative experience, one that has not only enriched Shi's academic pursuits but also expanded her global perspective. Under the guidance of the esteemed Professor Manish Chhowalla from the University of Cambridge, a trailblazer in the realm of two-dimensional materials, Shi found herself immersed in a melting pot of cultures, offering her a profound understanding of different ways of life. The atmosphere within the research group was electric, brimming with camaraderie and an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Engaging in dynamic discussions with peers became a cherished ritual, fueling collective curiosities and pushing the boundaries of their own understanding. Beyond the academic pursuits, Shi had the opportunity to forge meaningful connections through the vibrant social scene at Cambridge. The Formal dinners, in particular, were a delightful experience, tantalizing the taste buds while also nurturing social and emotional skills. These elegant affairs provided a platform for Shi to engage in thought-provoking conversations, forging new friendships and deepening her understanding of the world. Additionally, her experiences to sip a pint at the legendary Eagle pub, where the groundbreaking discovery of DNA's structure was unveiled, or marvel at the very apple tree that inspired Sir Isaac Newton's theory of gravity at Trinity College, were captivating, as if she travelled back in time. With a renewed sense of purpose and a global mindset, Shi returns to the Department of Applied Physics and makes meaningful contributions to the field of materials science and beyond. This exchange has not only enhanced Shi's academic prowess but has also instilled in her a deep appreciation for the power of international collaboration and the transformative potential of cross-cultural exchange.

Prof ZHANG Xuming and Dr TSOI Chi Chung won Young Techpreneur Project 2023-2024

The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, sponsored by the Lo Kwee Seong Foundation, launched the "Young Techpreneur Project 2023/2024". This initiative encouraged young people aged 18 to 35 to submit innovative proposals integrating technology as a first step towards entrepreneurship. BioFlow Innovation Ltd., founded by Dr Tsoi Chi Chung and Prof. Zhang Xuming, was shortlisted as one of the 6 winners out of 87 teams. The start-up company specializes in cutting-edge biotech with its core technology, the digital microfluidic XY array chip. This transformative technology revolutionizes the way of drug screening, microalgae selection, medical diagnostics, and cell culture. The user-friendly array design allows individuals without specialized training to utilize these advanced biotech applications, simplifying and democratizing access to sophisticated health solutions.   香港青年協會「社會創新及青年創業部」獲羅桂祥基金贊助，推出「創科N世代」2023/2024，為18至35歲青年提供創科培訓、創業起動資金及支援。 蔡智聰博士及張需明教授所創辦的初創公司「生物流創新有限公司」(BioFlow Innovation Limited) 在眾多參賽隊伍中脫穎而出，獲選為其中一支勝出隊伍。BioFlow Innovation Limited專注於尖端生物技術。該技術改變了藥物篩選、微藻篩選、醫學診斷和細胞培養的方式，徹底革新了這些任務的執行方式，簡化並使先進的生物技術任務更加易於操作。   Online coverage: 信報財經新聞  青協N世代創科獎  AI秒速測四大眼疾          12 Jul 2024

AP's Borderless Lab receives HK$14 million Government funding

Dr Jim Kwok-lung, Lecturer of the Department of Applied Physics (AP), introduced the “Borderless Lab” developed by AP in a media interview. The web-based remote laboratory platform enables anyone to perform experiments anytime, anywhere. The programme has secured a funding of about HK$14 million from the Government’s e-Learning Ancillary Facilities Programme. The platform is expected to launch in 2026/27 and will be made available to secondary and primary school students for STEAM activities. Online coverage: Oriental Daily News 自主學習資源優化 鼓勵中小生戶外考察 06 May 2024 Ming Pao Daily News 大學獲1400萬資助研發 助中學生在家遙距實驗 06 May 2024 Hong Kong Economic Times 1400萬開發遙距實驗平台供學生在家做實驗 學者冀開放跨校平台減實驗設計成本 06 May 2024 Sing Tao Daily 電子學習配套計劃380校參與 06 May 2024 Headline Daily 電子學習配套計劃380校參與 06 May 2024 Wen Wei Po 理大獲1400萬資助 建校園遙距實驗室平台 06 May 2024 HK01 中大VR系統助學生體驗虛擬戶外考察 獲教局資助近千萬研新功能 06 May 2024 Line Today 智能系統設題讓學生作答 分析表現助教師了解互外學習進度 06 May 2024  

Wong James Wai Bong Awarded HSBC Hong Kong Scholarship 2023/24

We are pleased to announce that Year 1 student WONG James Wai Bong has been awarded the prestigious HSBC Hong Kong Scholarship 2023/24 with a value of HK$50,000. James is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Physics with a Secondary Major in Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics (AIDA) or Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IE) in the Department of Applied Physics at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The HSBC Hong Kong Scholarship aims to award and recognize students who have outstanding academic performance and encourage them to continue their academic pursuit. It is one of HSBC's six flagship scholarship programmes in Hong Kong, which seek to enrich the young talent pool with opportunities to grow. The Department of Applied Physics congratulates James on this remarkable accomplishment!   一年級學生王湋邦獲頒滙豐香港獎學金 2023/24，獎學金金額為港幣50,000元。王湋邦現於香港理工大學應用物理學系修讀物理學(榮譽)理學士副主修人工智能及數據分析 / 創新及創業。 滙豐香港獎學金旨在嘉許及鼓勵學業表現出色的學生繼續追求學業發展。該獎學金屬於滙豐六大旗艦獎學金計劃之一，旨在為年輕人才提供成長機會。 本學系祝賀王湋邦取得這項傑出成就！

Dr Jiewei CHEN won the PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award 2024

Congratulations to Dr Jiewei Chen, a Research Assistant Professor from the Department of Applied Physics at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), on being awarded the PolyU Young Innovative Research Award (YIRA) for 2024. This accolade recognizes Dr Chen's groundbreaking work and innovative thinking as a young researcher under the age of 35. Dr Chen's award-winning project, "Integration of Optoelectronics and Optical Fibers for Robust In-Sensor Computing," exemplifies his ability to tackle real-world challenges through cutting-edge technology. By developing novel topological devices with innovative physical mechanisms in the post-processing units of AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) systems, Dr Chen has made significant strides in reducing computational energy consumption while minimizing unnecessary data transmission. His research has led to remarkable improvements in intelligent sensing, pre-processing, and information extraction capabilities. PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award (YIRA) aims to honor young PolyU researchers under the age of 35 who have made outstanding research achievements, contributed to technological advancements, and propelled transformative innovation to address societal problems. The awardees should demonstrate a vision for positive change and provide innovative solutions that shape the future. Let us applaud Dr Chen's outstanding achievements and commitment to pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding! 

Prof LOH Kian Ping and Dr Kathy LENG create 2D all-organic perovskites and demonstrate potential use in 2D electronics

Led by Prof. Loh Kian Ping, the research team from the Department of Applied Physics at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University has made a significant advancement in the field of perovskites, a class of materials with diverse applications in solar cells, lighting, and catalysis. The team has achieved a groundbreaking accomplishment by successfully synthesizing all-organic two-dimensional perovskites, extending the field into the exciting realm of 2D materials. Historically, the synthesis of all-organic three-dimensional perovskites has posed challenges due to the limited selection of organic molecules that can fit the crystal structure. To overcome this limitation, the researchers devised an innovative approach: they opted to synthesize all-organic perovskites in the form of two-dimensional layers instead of 3D crystals. This strategic shift enabled them to incorporate a broader range of organic ions, unlocking the emergence of novel and extraordinary properties. The team developed a new class of layered organic perovskites, dubbed the "Choi-Loh-v phase" (CL-v), which comprise molecularly thin layers held together by van der Waals forces. These two-dimensional organic perovskites exhibit a fundamental difference from traditional three-dimensional minerals, as they are single-crystalline in two dimensions and can be easily exfoliated. Notably, the CL-v phase demonstrated dielectric constants surpassing those of commonly used materials, presenting a promising pathway for their integration into two-dimensional electronic devices as a high-performance dielectric layer. The team successfully showcased the application of CL-v as the top gate dielectric in a transistor, achieving superior performance compared to conventional silicon oxide. This breakthrough not only establishes a new class of all-organic perovskites but also highlights their potential to enhance the efficiency and versatility of electronic systems through advanced fabrication techniques. Read the full research paper in Science. Press release: English | Chinese Online coverage: Science Daily PolyU Researchers Create 2D All-Organic Perovskites and Demonstrate Potential Use in 2D Electronics 09 May 2024 Semiconductor Digest PolyU researchers create 2D all-organic perovskites and demonstrate potential use in 2D electronics 09 May 2024 Bioengineer PolyU researchers create 2D all-organic perovskites and demonstrate potential use in 2D electronics 09 May 2024 Eurek Alert PolyU researchers create 2D all-organic perovskites and demonstrate potential use in 2D electronics 09 May 2024 Nano werk Researchers create 2D all-organic perovskites and demonstrate potential use in 2D electronics 09 May 2024 ETNet PolyU researchers create 2D all-organic perovskites and demonstrate potential use in 2D electronics 06 May 2024 Yahoo US PolyU researchers create 2D all-organic perovskites and demonstrate potential use in 2D electronics 06 May 2024 Washington Citypaper PolyU researchers create 2D all-organic perovskites and demonstrate potential use in 2D electronics 05 May 2024 Weekender Singapore PolyU researchers create 2D all-organic perovskites and demonstrate potential use in 2D electronics 05 May 2024 Macau Business PolyU researchers create 2D all-organic perovskites and demonstrate potential use in 2D electronics 06 May 2024 Sina HK PolyU researchers create 2D all-organic perovskites and demonstrate potential use in 2D electronics 06 May 2024 Ticker Technologies PolyU researchers create 2D all-organic perovskites and demonstrate potential use in 2D electronics 05 May 2024 One News Page PolyU researchers create 2D all-organic perovskites and demonstrate potential use in 2D electronics 06 May 2024 Hong Kong China News Agency 港理大研究：首度製備二維全有機鈣鈦礦 06 May 2024  

AP establishes the Research Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology with Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology of Waterloo

The Department of Applied Physics at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU AP) has partnered with the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) at the University of Waterloo, Canada's largest nanotechnology institute, to establish the Joint Research Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. The new Research Centre aims to advance fundamental knowledge in nanoscience and nanotechnology, initiate collaborative research activities focused on cutting-edge applications, and promote knowledge transfer between the two institutions. Key areas of collaborative research will include functional devices, clean energy and environmental applications, and biomedical and health technologies. The collaboration will also involve joint publications, workshops, international conferences and symposia, and coordinating joint research proposals. Through this partnership, PolyU AP and the WIN are poised to make significant contributions towards solving pressing global challenges in the areas of functional devices, clean energy and environmental applications, and biomedical and health technologies. Link to the Research Centre: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/rcnn/