News

Dr Xiang LIU shared insights during PRI – EEE Research Seminar on 11 December 2025

The “Photonics Research Institute (PRI) – Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) Research Seminar:  International Optical Networks towards 2030 and Beyond (ION-2030) for the AI Era” was successfully held on 11 December 2025 (Thursday).   Dr Xiang LIU, Chief Scientist of Optical Standards, Huawei Technologies, delivered an enlightening speech and shared his valuable experiences to PolyU Staff, Students and PRI scholars.    We would like to express our gratitude to Prof. LAU Pak Tao, Alan and all the participants, ensuring that the success of the seminar.

Prof. TAM Hwa Yaw featured in 21st Century Business Herald: Reflecting on thirty years of fibre optics research and start-up incubation

Prof. TAM Hwa Yaw, Associate Director of Photonics Research Institute (PRI) and Chair Professor of Photonics, was recently featured in 21st Century Business Herald.  He shared insights from more than thirty years of dedicated research and application in fibre optic technology, as well as his experience in successfully incubating seven companies. Prof. Tam candidly remarked, “It wasn’t that I chose fibre optics, but rather that fibre optics chose me.” This statement reveals the profound bond he has with the technology.  Born in Brunei and raised in Malaysia, Prof. Tam once faced the challenge of being stateless and without a passport due to his unique circumstances.  To broaden his career prospects, he switched from physics to electronic engineering, and it was at the University of Manchester in the UK that he first encountered fibre optic communications—thus beginning his academic and industrial journey. In 2014, Prof. Tam led his team to establish the world’s first city-scale fibre optic sensing network, covering 90% of Hong Kong’s railways, and later expanding the technology to Singapore, the Netherlands, Australia, and other regions.  His railway laser sensing technology earned him the Berthold Leibinger Innovationspreis, one of the highest-prized international innovation awards in laser technology.  In recent years, Prof. Tam has further applied fibre optic sensing technology to the medical field, collaborating with the university and hospital in Australia to develop plastic fibre optic sensors for cochlear implant surgery, significantly enhancing the safety and precision of the procedure.  This technology is now entering clinical trials. Prof. Tam places great emphasis on the integration of academia, industry and research, encouraging students to engage in hands-on practice.  He founded the Engineering Entrepreneurship Club to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation among undergraduate students. Speaking on the transformation of research into industry in Hong Kong, he believes that government policy support is crucial, and suggests that young scholars should focus on research, while senior academics should actively drive the industrialisation of research outcomes.  Prof. Tam’s journey exemplifies innovative breakthroughs and outstanding contributions, spanning from academia to industry, and from large-scale railway systems to microscopic medical applications. Online coverage: The 21st Century Business Herald - https://polyu.me/4rsJNV9

SPIE-CLP Conference on Advanced Photonics 2025 Successfully Held on 14-16 November 2025

We are pleased to share that the SPIE-CLP Conference on Advanced Photonics 2025 (AP Conference 2025) was successfully held at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) on 14–16 November. The Conference was co-organised by the Chinese Laser Press (CLP), the Academy of Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) of PolyU, the Photonic Research Institute (PRI) of PolyU, and SPIE. We would like to thank Professor Zuankai Wang, our Associate Vice President (Research), and Professor Qingyan Chen, Director of PAIR, for delivering the welcome remarks and opening speeches. The Conference brought together over 200 experts and scholars from more than ten countries, including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Poland, Italy, Korea, Japan, Russia and Singapore, to exchange insights and foster collaboration. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on key themes such as AI Photonics, Lasers and Nonlinear Optics, Nanophotonics and Quantum Optics, and Sensing and Imaging, exploring future directions and emerging opportunities in the field of photonics. Conference details: https://www.researching.cn/conference/AP2025

Prof TAM Hwa-yaw featured in HOY TVs programme on ultrafine high-sensitivity optical fibre sensor

Prof. TAM Hwa-yaw, Associate Director of Photonics Research Institute and Chair Professor of Photonics of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was featured in HOY TV’s programme “Health Concern Group” to introduce the optical fibre sensor developed by his team. The ultrafine, biocompatible plastic optical fibre sensor can improve surgical navigation, monitor contact forces and reduce trauma during cochlear implantation, thereby significantly enhancing the procedure’s safety and precision. This innovative sensing technology is expected to bring breakthrough improvements to precision procedures like cochlear implantation. Prof. Tam’s team is collaborating with the renowned implantable hearing solutions company Cochlear Limited, The University of Melbourne, and The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, where clinical trials will commence next year, to promote the practical application of the technology, offering a “win-win” solution for health professionals and patients. Online coverage: HOY TV - https://polyu.me/4kobWYH (Ep. 373) (08:31 - 11:23) (Chinese only)

Prof. YAO Jianping shared insights during PRI Research Seminar on 12 June 2025

The “Photonics Research Institute (PRI) Research Seminar Series: Microwave Photonics for AI: Challenges and Opportunities” was successfully held on 12 June 2025 (Thursday).   Prof. YAO Jianping, Distinguished University Professor; University Research Chair in Microwave Photonics, University of Ottawa, Canada, delivered an enlightening speech and shared his valuable experiences to PolyU Staff, Students and PRI scholars.    We would like to express our gratitude to Prof. LAU Shu Ping, Daniel and all the participants, ensuring that the success of the seminar.

Prof. CHEN Nanguang shared insights during PRI Research Seminar on 10 December 2024

The “Photonics Research Institute (PRI) Research Seminar Series: Deep learning approaches to advancing biomedical optical imaging techniques” was successfully held on 10 December 2024 (Tuesday).   Prof. CHEN Nanguang, Associate Professor, National University of Singapore, delivered an enlightening speech and shared his valuable experiences to PolyU Staff, Students and PRI scholars.    We would like to express our gratitude to Prof. CHEN and all the participants, ensuring that the success of the seminar.

Prof. CHAI Yang named IEEE Fellow

Prof. CHAI Yang, Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Science, Professor of the Department of Applied Physics and Member of the Photonics Research Institute (PRI), has been selected into the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Fellow Class of 2025 for his contributions to bioinspired in-sensor computing. The grade of Fellow recognises unusual distinction in the profession and is reserved for a person with an outstanding record of accomplishments in any of the IEEE fields of interest.   The IEEE Fellow grade honors professionals with outstanding achievements in engineering, science, and technology, benefiting society. This prestigious title, awarded to less than 0.1% of members annually, marks a significant milestone.   Online coverage: The Paper - https://polyu.me/3ZJRtXf NetEase - https://polyu.me/41lYdeY Sina - https://polyu.me/3ZKXrXW Sohu - https://polyu.me/4f4aub7 qq - https://polyu.me/3OHl90P

Six PRI scholars recognised amongst the world’s most highly cited researchers in 2024

Six Photonics Research Institute (PRI) scholars have been recognised in the list of “Highly Cited Researchers 2024” by Clarivate Analytics.   This annual list recognises researchers for significant impact in their respective research fields. Each researcher selected has authored multiple highly-cited papers that have ranked in the top 1% by citations for their fields and publication year in the Web of Science over the past 11 years. This year, a total of 6,636 researchers from 59 countries and regions from a diverse range of fields have been named as Highly Cited Researchers.   *list in alphabetical order Name Title and Faculty/Department/School Prof. CHAI Yang Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Science Professor of the Department of Applied Physics Member of PRI Prof. HUANG Haitao Professor of the Department of Applied Physics Member of PRI Prof. LI Gang Chair Professor of Energy Conversion Technology, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering  Management Committee Member of PRI Prof. LOH Kian Ping# Chair Professor of Materials Physics and Chemistry, Department of Applied Physics  Member of PRI Prof. Tom Tao WU Chair Professor of Frontier Materials, Department of Applied Physics Member of PRI Prof. YAN Feng  Chair Professor of Organic Electronics, Department of Applied Physics  Member of PRI #Primary affiliation is with National University of Singapore.  

Prof. CHAI Yang has been awarded the BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize 2024

Congratulations to Prof. CHAI Yang, Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Science, Professor of the Department of Applied Physics and Member of the Photonics Research Institute (PRI), has been awarded the BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize 2024 in the category of “Artificial Intelligence and Robotics”.   The BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize hosted by the Hong Kong Alliance of Technology and Innovation and sponsored by the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, is a non-governmental merit-based award. It aims to reward outstanding scientists and research teams in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area for their significant achievements in scientific and technological innovation and transformation.

Sharing of Research and Application on Photonic Crystal Fiber Waves by Prof. Philip Russell

Prof. Philip RUSSELL, Scientific Director of the Russell Centre for Advanced Lightwave Science (RCALS), Hangzhou, China, delivered the 30th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Three decades riding the photonic crystal fibre wave” on 5 November 2024 on the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted over 80 participants to join in person and captivated an online viewing audience of over 12,500 from different countries and regions to watch the live broadcast on multiple social media platforms, including Bilibili, WeChat, Weibo and YouTube.   The lecture commenced with a warm welcome and brief speaker introduction by Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PAIR. Prof. Russell kickstarted his presentation by giving a brief overview of the historical development of photonic crystal fibre (PCF), highlighting how advancements in optical fibres, Bragg scattering, photonic bandgaps and drawing towers laid the foundation for PCF breakthroughs. Prof. Russell shared that he proposed in 1991 a glass fibre with a periodic array of microscopic hollow channels running along its length might guide light in novel ways, and many PCFs emerged from drawing towers at universities in subsequent years. Next, he elaborated on the advantages of PCF, explaining how it offers enhanced control over the propagation light, and how this property has enabled valuable applications. He shared his research in light-guiding PCF, hollow core PCF filled with gas, and twisted PCF, reviewing how some of the scientific discoveries made possible by PCF have evolved into real-world applications.   Following the presentation was a lively and insightful question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. LU Chao, Director of the Photonics Research Institute (PRI) and Chair Professor of Fiber Optics. The audience engaged in a productive discussion with Prof. Russell.