News

Harnessing sensors and AI for sustainable urban futures: Insights from Prof. Banthia’s distinguished lecture

Prof. Nemkumar BANTHIA of The University of British Columbia, Canada, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Toward Carbon-Neutral Cities: Sensors and Cyber-Physical Networks for Green Infrastructure” on 17 December 2025.  The event attracted over 90 in-person participants and an online audience of more than 17,900 across various social media platforms. Prof. Banthia commenced his presentation by emphasising the contribution of construction and building operations to global carbon emissions, and the urgent need for data-driven mitigation strategies.  He cited statistics indicating that the built environment accounts for at least 51% of annual global CO2 emissions.  He warned that, if current practices persist and no action is taken, many regions—including Vancouver—could be submerged by 2100.  He then explored how sensor networks underpin the digital economy and facilitate the transition towards smarter, greener, and more energy-efficient urban systems.  Prof. Banthia further highlighted the role of environmental and occupancy sensors in optimising building performance, enhancing user comfort, and reducing operational carbon.  He discussed how advancements in machine learning, such as edge computing, data integration, and cloud platform updates, enable more accurate real-time detection.  He explained that digital twins of building energy systems support data-driven modelling, operational forecasting and control, anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, and multi-objective optimisation of building systems. The lecture continued with an overview of sensor technologies for assessing structural integrity, extending service life, and reducing embodied carbon through informed maintenance and retrofitting.  Prof. Banthia underscored the importance of real-time monitoring and predictive analytics for anticipating and mitigating both natural and human-induced hazards, citing a case study of damage monitoring to a university building in Chile following the 2010 earthquake.  He proposed integrated frameworks that combine operational, structural, and resilience monitoring for holistic carbon management and enhanced infrastructure performance.  He also reviewed significant datasets obtained from currently monitored structures, assessing their implications for carbon reduction, safety, and resilience.   In conclusion, Prof. Banthia introduced emerging approaches for leveraging sensor data, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital twins to enable carbon-neutral, smart, and resilient infrastructure systems.  He stressed that digital infrastructure equipped with Internet-of-things (IoT) enabled sensors represents the future—enabling minimised life-cycle costs, prudent asset management, and carbon neutrality.  He noted that substantial data are essential for machine learning and AI to reach their full potential. After the presentation, Ir Prof. POON Chi-sun, Director of Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE), moderated a dynamic question-and-answer session. The audience participated actively in a thoughtful exchange with Prof. Banthia. Please click here for an online review.

PolyU wins 18 awards at Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) achieved noteworthy results at the 5th Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions Hong Kong (AEII), taking home 18 accolades from 16 participating projects and retaining the event’s Grand Award for the second consecutive year. The PolyU haul comprised one Grand Award, one Special Award, two Gold Medals with Congratulations of Jury, five Gold Medals, eight Silver Medals and one Bronze Medal. Among them, 11 projects were led by PAIR members: Project Principal Investigator PAIR Constituent Research Unit Grand Award and Gold Medal with Congratulations of Jury Viromids: A Redosable, Low-Cost Gene-Delivery Platform for Ocular Therapy Prof. HUANG Chien-ling Associate Professor, Department of Health Technology and Informatics Management Committee Member of Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) 1st Prize of Inventions Geneva Award and Gold Medal with Congratulations of Jury PD-001R: A New Breakthrough for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases Prof. Simon LEE Ming-yuen Cally Kwong Mei Wan Professor in Biomedical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Innovation; Chair Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Food Science and Nutrition Management Committee Member of Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI); Member of RiFood, Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA) and Member of Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) Gold Medal PolyPi: Edge-AI Empowered Autonomous Robot for Pipeline Inspection and Maintenance Prof. CAO Jiannong Vice President (Education); Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Professor in Data Science; Chair Professor of Distributed and Mobile Computing, Department of Computing Founding Director of Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT); Management Committee Member of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD); Member of RiFood, Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), RISA, Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI) and Research Institute for Quantum Technology (RIQT) Intelligent Driving Training and Evaluation System for Heavy-duty Trucks Prof. FU Xiaowen Professor and Head, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering Management Committee Member of Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM); Member of SCRI, Research Centre for Environmental, Social, and Governance Advancement (RCESGA) and Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT) Silver Medal ProMuki — Wearable Ultrasound Monitoring and Analysing of Muscle Activities for Fitness, Sports, and Rehabilitation Prof. ZHENG Yongping Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering; Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering Director of RISA; Member of RI-IWEAR, Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) and Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV) MetaBridge: A 3D Gaussian Splatting and Blockchain Platform for Cultural Heritage Digital Assetisation and Immersive Experience Prof. Peter NG Hiu-fung Assistant Professor, Department of Computing and Department of Rehabilitation Sciences Member of RISports and MHRC A Proactive Early Warning System for Structural Health Monitoring of Wind Turbine Blades and Towers Based on Finite Element Simulation, Fiber Bragg Grating Sensing and Reinforcement Learning Prof. YU Changyuan Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Management Committee Member of Photonics Research Institute (PRI); Member of RISports, RI-IWEAR and Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE) PipeInspect: Cutting-Edge Inspection on Water Distribution Network with Fiber-optic Positioning Prof. DING Xiaoli Chair Professor of Geomatics, Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics Director of Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Member of SCRI Automated Freeform Eyeglass for Instant Refractive Control Dr Elie Aymard Jonathan de LESTRANGE-ANGINIEUR Research Fellow, School of Optometry Prof. George WOO Emeritus Professor and Senior Advisor, School of Optometry Member of RCSV Biomimetics Nanoplatform for the Treatment of Retinal Diseases Prof. DO Chi-wai Associate Professor, School of Optometry Member of RiFood, RISA, RCMI and RCSV Bronze Medal Non-invasive, Ultrasensitive and Portable Saliva Glucose Sensors Prof. YAN Feng Chair Professor of Organic Electronics, Department of Applied Physics Associate Director of RI-IWEAR; Member of PRI, RISE, RISUD and RISports Press release: https://polyu.me/457hCkP Online coverage: Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3Yv8ouV; https://polyu.me/4pIdpN2; https://polyu.me/3MBgX52 Bauhinia - https://polyu.me/4rZgWb7                

Prof. Raymond WONG elected member of The Hong Kong Academy of Sciences

Congratulations to Prof. Raymond WONG Wai-yeung, Dean of Faculty of Science, Clarea Au Professor in Energy and Chair Professor of Chemical Technology, on his election as a new member of The Hong Kong Academy of Sciences (ASHK). Prof. Wong is a distinguished scholar in the field of advanced materials and energy science. His research focuses on the design and synthesis of molecular functional materials and one‑ and two‑dimensional metallopolymers with photofunctional properties and energy applications.  His team is committed to transforming cutting-edge chemistry research into meaningful solutions for sustainable energy. Prof. Wong is currently Associate Director of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), Member of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports). Explore more about Prof. Wong’s research: https://polyu.hk/HRubO Press release of ASHK: Hong Kong Academy of Sciences Elects Five New Members – The Hong Kong Academy of Sciences Online coverage (Chinese only): Bauhinia - https://polyu.me/3KVZqE0 Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4iOcVlE Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/3XOTn73

Harvard expert Prof. John D. Spengler discusses climate crisis and cooling innovations at PAIR Seminar

On 9 December 2025, Prof. John D. SPENGLER from Harvard University delivered a PAIR Seminar titled “If you think it is hot now – just wait a few years”. The seminar explored innovative approaches to cooling neighbourhoods, saving lives, and strengthening local economies. The event attracted over 70 in-person participants and an online audience of more than 13,000 across various social media platforms. Prof. Spengler began his presentation by highlighting warnings from experts regarding the climate crisis and global warming. He emphasised that transitioning from fossil fuels—such as coal, oil and natural gas—to renewable energy, including wind, solar and other green alternatives, is a key solution to these challenges. Using the analogy of the Earth as a patient visiting a doctor, Prof. Spengler described how his team and collaborators monitor the planet’s vital signs. This includes measuring ground and sea temperatures; collecting fluid samples from seas, lakes, rivers and water pipes; and monitoring moisture and relative humidity. The findings indicate that a significant portion of the world’s population will experience, for the first time in human history, prolonged exposures to uncompensable extreme moist heat. As urban heat islands contribute to increased heat-related mortality, Prof. Spengler warned that the widespread use of air-conditioning, dark surfaces and high glaze materials are among the main culprits. To address these issues, he advocated for the adoption of smart surfaces, such as trees, solar panels, bioswales, urban meadows, porous pavements, reflective pavements and cool roofs. Prof. Spengler went on to share recent collaborations with industry partners and universities on smart surface projects. He asserted that smart surfaces offer cost-effective and scalable tools for climate adaptation, and that global urban adoption of current reflective surface technologies could reduce up to 78 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). Smart surfaces can also cool cities by up to 5°F, providing a powerful, systemic public health intervention. These measures help protect outdoor workers, reduce electricity costs for families and businesses, and sustain economic activities such as tourism, construction and recreation. Furthermore, under-invested, low-income communities and communities of colour are typically 10–15°F hotter than wealthier areas; smart surfaces can help redress these inequalities. Prof. Spengler emphasised the importance of working together with young people and the wider community to create a cooler world. The objectives are to assess the accrued health benefits and costs for cities adopting extreme heat mitigation strategies, as well as to examine differential impacts and benefits through the lens of environmental justice. Following the presentation was a lively question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PAIR. Both the on-site and online audiences engaged in a productive discussion with Prof. Spengler. Please click here for an online review.

Prof. CHAI Yang receives Croucher Senior Research Fellowship 2026 for revolutionising AI computation

Prof. CHAI Yang, Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Science and Chair Professor of Semiconductor Physics, has been awarded the prestigious Croucher Senior Research Fellowship 2026 in recognition of his outstanding achievements in revolutionising artificial intelligence (AI) computation at the sensor level.  Each recipient of the Senior Research Fellowship receives up to HK$3 million in funding to support their research. Prof. Chai’s research focuses on bioinspired computing and semiconductor devices.  He has pioneered a disruptive in-sensor computing paradigm that revolutionises AI computation at the sensor level and has actualised this paradigm through hardware implementation for vision sensors. His innovative research on sensory AI contributes to the advancement in machine vision with enhanced image recognition, visual adaptation in extremely dim or bright lighting, and agile perception of dynamic motion. Prof. Chai is currently Management Committee Member of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), Member of the Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT) and the Photonics Research Institute (PRI). Press release: https://polyu.me/3MoIA0Y   Online coverage: Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/44ktP5s Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4q2OoMf Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/3XJs6D6 Ming Pao Daily News - https://polyu.me/48sXbB5 Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/48JuEGq (subscription required) Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/4pppdTT Australian Chinese Daily - https://polyu.me/4ab928g Mingpao Canada - https://polyu.me/455jQRI  

Supporting future-ready cities: PolyU launches free advanced education course on sustainable city developments

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) continues to advance interdisciplinary learning with the launch of its second course under the Advanced Education Programme, offered by the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR). Beginning in Spring 2026, the new course, “Sustainable Cities”, will run for thirteen weeks and cover five applied science areas, including urban informatics, sustainable urban systems and technologies, smart energy systems, land and environmental management, and resource engineering with carbon neutrality.  Designed by PolyU experts, the programme equips learners with knowledge of pressing global challenges, PolyU-led innovations addressing them, and technological challenges in related fields. The course is open free of charge to eligible members of the public, requires no prior background, and is available in dual mode — in-person or online — to accommodate learners in Hong Kong and abroad.  Participants who meet attendance requirements may apply for a certificate of completion. Enrolment closes on 31 December 2025, with limited quota for physical attendance and online places available on a first-come, first-served basis. For details and registration, please visit: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/pair/education/. Online coverage: etnet - https://polyu.me/3YfGCm3 Taiwan Business News - https://polyu.me/4ppupXT Line Today - https://polyu.me/4iJml1H Weekender Singapore - https://polyu.me/4iPEoDB Thailand Business News - https://polyu.me/491zLTy Yahoo Finance - https://polyu.me/4pZJCit am730 - https://polyu.me/4iLGBjr Macau Monthly - https://polyu.me/44eWvwO Insight News Network - https://polyu.me/4pSRwKh The Hub News - https://polyu.me/4pVUcXJ Big Times - https://polyu.me/44gi7J9 Sina HK - https://polyu.me/44gfRl9

PAIR Newsletter · Issue 16 · December 2025 is now available

We are excited to release the latest issue of the PAIR Newsletter! In Issue 16, we proudly introduce “Impact Stories”, a new article series dedicated to the work of PAIR researchers who are making a positive difference in the world.  Selected PolyU innovations for this issue include colour management technologies, novel fungus-based fat replacer, smart city index, and cooling clothes—research achievements that combinedly help improve our health, advance technologies and optimise living spaces. This issue’s Feature Stories delve into pressing issues in two very different scientific fields: geographical information science and energy science.  Pioneering geographer Prof. Michael GOODCHILD discusses the continuing problem of “uncertainty” in modern-day maps and geospatial data, alongside the booming development of AI.  E-fuel developer Prof. ZHAO Tianshou explains how his innovation provides a “two birds one stone” strategy for the energy sector. Furthermore, multiple PAIR constituent research units have established partnerships with industry and governments for influential collaborations in a variety of fields spanning sports science, healthcare, smart city, and sustainable agriculture and fisheries. Read on to discover the latest updates at PAIR! PAIR Newsletter · Issue 16: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/pair/publications/issue-16/

From hospital to home: AI ultrasound technology popularises swallowing disorder assessment

Prof. Elaine KWONG Yee-lan, Associate Director of Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA), Associate Professor in the Department of Language Science and Technology and a speech therapist, was recently interviewed on HOY TV’s programme “Health Concern Group”, where she explained in detailed the portable artificial intelligence ultrasound swallowing assessment technology developed by her and her team. Traditionally, swallowing disorder assessments require patients to make in-person visits to hospitals or clinics for X-ray imaging or invasive endoscopic swallowing examinations administered by healthcare professionals or speech therapists. This ground-breaking AI-powered ultrasound solution harnesses advanced algorithms to overcome these limitations, enabling objective swallowing assessments in community settings or at home, greatly improving diagnostic efficiency and accuracy, and allowing patients to receive timely and appropriate treatment. Online coverage: HOY TV - https://polyu.me/4ajgJJi (8:07 - 12:04)

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

Gerontech for smart ageing: how AI-powered assistive technology empowers ageing-in-place and elderly care

At the PAIR Seminar on 26 November 2025, Prof. Alex MIHAILIDIS from the University of Toronto shared his latest tech-enabled rehabilitation projects at the AgeTech Futures Institute (AgeTech).  His presentation, titled “Supporting and rehabilitating older adults through AgeTech: from prevention to personalised care” explored how technology and artificial intelligence (AI) drive elderly care and rehabilitation services to go beyond the institution-based, recovery-focused model and move towards home-based, personalised care, while also providing support to caregivers and alleviating their burden.  The seminar attracted over 110 in-person participants and an online audience of more than 13,000 across various social media platforms. Prof. Mihailidis began his presentation by highlighting AgeTech’s pioneering projects, which include sensors for fall detection and home safety; a home-based reminder system called “Remindful” for people living with dementia and their caregivers; AI-driven predictive systems; and AI-driven solutions for generating synthetic memories for helping people with dementia to reclaim lost memories and improve cognitive functions.  Drawing on practical case studies and early machine-learning insights, he demonstrated how integrated data, user-centred design and systems-level approaches can shift rehabilitation from a passive, reactive model to an active, anticipatory one. Prof. Mihailidis further explained how AgeTech, as an independent think tank, is advancing global policy, education and partnerships to scale equitable, human-centred innovation.  Collectively, these efforts outline a path towards a more responsive and empowering future of ageing—one in which technology complements, rather than replaces, care and supports older adults in leading healthier, more connected lives. Following the presentation was a lively question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. Arnold WONG, Associate Director of Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA) and Professor of Department of Rehabilitation Sciences.  Both the on-site and online audiences engaged in a productive discussion with Prof. Mihailidis. Please click here for an online review.