News

Prof. Lei WEI delivered a speech during the PRI Research Seminar on 21 April 2026

The “Photonics Research Institute (PRI) Research Seminar Series: Advanced Functional Fibers for a Human-Centric Digital Society” was successfully held on 21 April 2026 (Tuesday). Prof. Lei WEI, Professor and Provost’s Chair Professor at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), delivered an insightful seminar and shared valuable perspectives with PolyU staff, students and PRI members. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Prof. Lei WEI and all participants for contributing to the success of the seminar.

Prof. YU Changyuan wins BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Award for advanced manufacturing excellence

The Alliance of Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation has recently unveiled the winners of the 4th BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Award, title-sponsored by Bank of China (Hong Kong). As a prestigious award in the innovation and technology sector in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, this year’s programme covers five major fields.  Each prize winner or group will receive a cash prize of HK$2 million, bringing the total prize pool to HK$10 million.  The award recognises their outstanding scientific research achievements and the successful translation of these achievements into practical applications. Prof. YU Changyuan, Chair Professor of Photonic Information Systems of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Management Committee Member of the Photonics Research Institute (PRI), won the award in the Advanced Manufacturing category.  Over the years, Prof. Yu has dedicated himself to the research, development and application of photonic information systems.  Under his leadership, his research team has achieved pioneering breakthroughs in key optical communication technologies, including carrier recovery, signal compensation and optical performance monitoring, and has successfully developed an artificial intelligence-assisted fibre sensing system. In addition, Prof. Yu has pioneered a range of metamaterial photonic devices and chips, actively promoting the industrialisation of research outcomes and injecting fresh impetus into innovation in photonic manufacturing technologies.  His outstanding contributions have not only strengthened Hong Kong’s international competitiveness in advanced manufacturing and optical communications, but have also further advanced collaborative innovation and technological development across the Greater Bay Area. Press release: https://polyu.me/4mQnsic   Online coverage: Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/4toR3BH (subscription required) am730 - https://polyu.me/4covOdp Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/4dW0Dr3; https://polyu.me/4crt5zS Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4cWV6zo; https://polyu.me/4d25nth Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/4vJGT08 Dot Dot News - https://polyu.me/4tq75LR Orange News - https://polyu.me/4sQz6v4 Bauhinia - https://polyu.me/4vFkeSR etnet - https://polyu.me/4u1nYw6 Sina HK - https://polyu.me/4cYk7KB Jinghai Media - https://polyu.me/4tu04JY PC Home - https://polyu.me/4vGXbXA Tech Now - https://polyu.me/4cHT3hy Quamnet - https://polyu.me/4tYnAyt PR Newswire - https://polyu.me/4sRZMvo The Hub News - https://polyu.me/4czRXnN DB Power - https://polyu.me/4tlDKlz Taiwan Business News - https://polyu.me/42ljuVg Business News - https://polyu.me/3QRFogm The Taipei Post - https://polyu.me/42nxzBE Insight News Network - https://polyu.me/4u5ImMU Right Media - https://polyu.me/4u5BIpS Big Times - https://polyu.me/4eBf04c Formosa Live - https://polyu.me/4sOctXU E-Creative Media - https://polyu.me/4cCDdVr Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/4vJFFSG 鉅聞天下 - https://polyu.me/48Vs6Wj 台灣新聞雲報 - https://polyu.me/4sJKlp3 記者爆料網 - https://polyu.me/4cX0NgJ Bauhinia - https://polyu.me/3QM7sSo AM730 - https://polyu.me/4usCVrI Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/3RpW4vU; https://polyu.me/4v3Qqho Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3Rtlvg4; https://polyu.me/49JEUj6 Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/49fsD5M Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/4uZ6z7S Dot Dot News - https://polyu.me/4urDF0t Orange News - https://polyu.me/4uVLMSw Bauhinia - https://polyu.me/4tWi3bk Business Focus - https://polyu.me/4f04xzL Quamnet - https://polyu.me/3RhjWC1 The Hub News - https://polyu.me/49SFET5 China News Service - https://polyu.me/4wZQ25A Sina - https://polyu.me/

PolyU and CLP Power co-develop smart “Generator Inspection Robot”, spearheading innovative solutions through academia-industry synergy to drive research translation and talent development

PolyU and CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP Power) have jointly developed a smart “Generator Inspection Robot”. By integrating robotics with fibre-optic sensing technology for generator inspections, the project overcomes traditional manual inspection limitations, significantly enhancing the efficiency of inspections and operational safety. The project won a Gold Medal and a special prize—Best International Invention & Innovation, from the National Research Council of Thailand—at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva. This international recognition testifies to the achievements of PolyU and CLP Power in fostering industry-academia-research collaboration, injecting momentum into Hong Kong’s development in innovative technology and research talent. A highly reliable electricity supply is vital to the city’s social and economic development. As a core facility of the power system, generator inspection and maintenance always require a high level of technical expertise and stringent safety standards. A generator primarily comprises the stationary outer component “stator” and the internal rotating component “rotor”. Traditional inspections require the removal of the rotor that weighs approximately 50 tonnes, a complex process involving heavy lifting operations and extensive logistical arrangements. In light of the unique design of some gas-fired generators at CLP Power’s Black Point Power Station, which incorporate internal ventilation baffles, no suitable robotic inspection solutions had previously been available on the market. In response to this operational need, Prof. TAM Hwa-yaw, Associate Director of the Photonics Research Institute (PRI) and Chair Professor of Photonics of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, led a team of researchers and undergraduates to collaborate with CLP Power’s Generation Business Group to develop a 36‑millimetre‑thick “Generator Inspection Robot” specifically designed to suit the structural characteristics of the generators concerned. The robot can flexibly navigate the narrow air gaps between the rotor and the stator, and cross the ventilation baffles inside to automatically complete major inspection tasks without removing the rotor. These inspections include visual checks of ventilation ducts, assessing the insulation condition of stator core laminations and conducting wedge tightness inspections through tapping. Compared to manual inspection, the robot helps enhance inspection efficiency while optimising long-term maintenance arrangements. The robot is also equipped with a fibre-optic sensing network to monitor the operational status of its own key components. This ensures its operational stability while navigating the generator’s air gaps, ensuring smooth progression of inspection tasks. Press release: https://polyu.me/4sD8Ioc   Online coverage: Now TV - https://polyu.me/481p96s RTHK - https://polyu.me/4mJA2jh China Daily - https://polyu.me/4czExZ9 Mirage - https://polyu.me/4tQc2NN Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/3OsW7Ww (subscription required); https://polyu.me/4thV4b6 Oriental Daily News - https://polyu.me/41HVw6u Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/41zxlap (subscription required) Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/4dRpwUT Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4vxRXgK; https://polyu.me/4dO4VAN Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/4sF68xU HK01 - https://polyu.me/4tPsbCW Hong Kong China News Agency - https://polyu.me/4tkiU6e; https://polyu.me/3Ok2kEl; https://polyu.me/3OlI9G7 aastocks - https://polyu.me/3OGugCt Jornal Va Kio - https://polyu.me/4cwsCeu Phoenix TV - https://polyu.me/4tiFKev aastocks - https://polyu.me/4sEhIt2 (English) Ming Pao Daily News - https://polyu.me/4sMubv9; (Finance) https://polyu.me/4mYlbSp Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/4vD7YSD (subscription required) Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/41Jp5of Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/4dUSMKh Bauhinia - https://polyu.me/4csz1r1; https://polyu.me/3OwLsdE etnet - https://polyu.me/41F20mM Quamnet - https://polyu.me/3QMtNz6 Guangzhou Daily - https://polyu.me/4sEiA0M RTHK - https://polyu.me/4tsqRGB (42:47 - 54:29); https://polyu.me/4tsqRGB (42:47 - 54:29)

From emissions to fuels: Advanced electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction demonstrates economic viability for large-scale carbon-neutral fuel and chemical production

Electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction (ECO₂R) offers a sustainable pathway to industrial decarbonisation by converting carbon dioxide (CO₂) into carbon-neutral fuels and chemicals. Despite significant advances in catalyst design, industrial scalability has been constrained by slow mass-transfer kinetics. A research team led by Prof. Daniel LAU Shu-ping, Associate Director of Photonics Research Institute (PRI) and Chair Professor of Nanomaterials, has introduced a high-diffusion-flux gas diffusion electrode (HDF-GDE) that overcomes this limitation in alkali-cation-free systems, achieving CO₂ conversion rates at industrial current densities. Kinetic analysis reveals that conversion is governed by mass transfer efficiency rather than flow rate. By optimising the GDE structure to maximise CO₂ diffusion and GDE utilisation, the team has realised a kW-scale ECO₂R system with long-term stability (1000 hours), capable of producing carbon monoxide (CO) or ethylene (C₂H₄) depending on the catalyst employed. Operating with a 3 L/min CO₂ flow rate, the system delivers 144 kg of CO (1.29 kW) or 17 kg of C₂H₄ (1.95 kW) over 1000 hours. The alkali-cation-free ECO2R system, equipped with HDF-GDEs, demonstrates economic viability for large-scale ECO2R-to-CO/C2H4 production. These findings bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and real-world deployment, advancing the manufacturing of carbon-neutral fuels and chemicals. This breakthrough not only addresses key challenges in mass transfer and system stability but also paves the way for the practical implementation of ECO₂R technology in industrial settings. By demonstrating both technical and economic feasibility, the research sets a new benchmark for scalable carbon-neutral fuel and chemical production, supporting global efforts toward sustainable energy and climate change mitigation. The results have been published in Nature Communications under the title “Kilowatt-scale alkali-cation-free CO2 electrolysis via accelerating mass transfer”. Read the full article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-69175-9

Prof. Xiaodan PANG shared insights during PRI Research Seminar on 3 February 2026

The “Photonics Research Institute (PRI) Research Seminar Series: Application of Semiconductor Lasers and Modulators in Fiber-optic and Free-space Communications” was successfully held on 3 February 2026 (Tuesday). Prof. Xiaodan PANG, Qiushi Distinguished Professor, Zhejiang University, China, 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. ZHONG Kangping and all the participants, ensuring that the success of the seminar.

Prof. Weichang LI delivered a speech during the PRI Research Seminar Series

The “Photonics Research Institute (PRI) Research Seminar Series: Distributed Sensing Intelligence: Learning Across Wavefields in Fiber-Optic DAS” was successfully held on 15 January 2026 (Thursday). Prof. Weichang LI, Chair Professor at Zhejiang University, delivered an insightful seminar and shared valuable perspectives with PolyU staff, students and PRI members. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Prof. Weichang LI and all participants for contributing to the success of the seminar.

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)