News

Exercise in pregnancy may protect offspring against stress-related depression

Maternal physical activity during pregnancy has been shown to confer benefits on the brain functions of children.  A recent study led by Prof. Sonata YAU, Member of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC), Associate Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, PolyU, explored whether maternal physical activity benefits offspring’s resilience against stress. The research investigated the positive effects of maternal exercise during pregnancy on enhancing hippocampal synaptic plasticity and resilience to stress-induced depressive behaviour.  In a mouse study, pregnant mothers that engaged in voluntary wheel running produced adult offspring with stronger hippocampal synaptic plasticity compared with those born to sedentary dams.  Researchers found that maternal exercise enhanced long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampal dentate gyrus in offspring of both sexes.  The offspring’s brains also showed higher levels of key synaptic and plasticity markers, as indicated by the increased expression brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and synaptic proteins.  Most importantly, offspring from exercised dams showed less depression-like behaviour after exposed to chronic unpredictable stress. Overall, the findings suggest maternal physical activity during pregnancy may promote offspring’s long-term stress resilience.  The paper was published in the prestigious journal Scientific Reports (Nature) under the title “Maternal exercise enhances hippocampal plasticity and resilience against stress-induced depressive behaviors in adult offspring”.   Read the full research paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-48292-x

HMRF supports Prof. Wayne CHAN’s study on exergaming for fall prevention in older adults

Congratulations to Prof. Wayne L. S. CHAN, Member of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) and Assistant Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, on receiving HK$1.5 million in funding from the Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF) of the HKSAR Government, for his research project aimed at evaluating the effects of exergaming on balance and other related outcomes among community-dwelling older adults with recurrent falls. The HMRF aims to build research capacity and to encourage, facilitate and support health and medical research to inform health policies, improve population health, strengthen the healthcare system, enhance healthcare practices, advance standard and quality of care, and promote clinical excellence, through generation and application of evidence-based scientific knowledge derived from local research in health and medicine.    

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)

PolyU supports seven innovative research projects to advance campus-wide sustainability

To proactively address pressing global challenges such as climate change, PolyU launched the Carbon Neutrality Funding Scheme in 2022 to support PolyU researchers in developing impactful technologies for climate change mitigation and adaptation, and translating carbon neutrality research outcomes into practical applications on the PolyU campus, thereby advancing PolyU’s carbon neutrality goals. Under the Carbon Neutrality Funding Scheme 2025/26, seven research projects have been awarded over HK$12.5 million in total. All funded projects are led by PAIR researchers. Funding proposals are assessed based on three core criteria, including the potential to reduce carbon emissions, effectiveness in addressing societal concerns, and ability to generate tangible University R&D outcomes. Each funded project may receive up to HK$2 million, inclusive of matching funds provided by the respective Faculty, School or Department, and may run for a maximum of two years.   Carbon Neutrality Funding Scheme 2025/26 List of Awardees: Principal Investigator Project Title Awarded Amount (HK$) Prof. JIANG Liming Member of Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM) and Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), Associate Head (Partnership) and Associate Professor of Department of Building Environment and Energy Building Bring Low-carbon Timber-integrated Design to PolyU Campus Powered by Architecture-driven Timber-3DCPSteel Composite Construction 1,900,000 Prof. Jerry YAN Jinyue Associate Director and Management Committee Member of Research Centre for Environmental, Social, and Governance Advancement (RCESGA), Management Committee Member of RISUD, Member of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), Chair Professor of Department of Building Environment and Energy Building Accelerating PolyU Campus Carbon Neutrality through Digital Carbon Inventory and Pilot Market 1,880,000 Prof. WANG Yuhong Management Committee Member of RISUD, Member of Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), RISE and Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE), Professor of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Development of a Lightweight Roof-top Cool Canopy Based on Climbing Plants for Effective Building Cooling, Energy Saving, and GHG Reduction 1,458,100 Prof. Charles WONG Man Sing Associate Director of RISUD, Management Committee Member of RILS, Member of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI) and Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT), Associate Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment and Professor of Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics From Data to Credits: Smart Monitoring and Economic Optimization for Carbon Neutrality at PolyU 1,912,000 Prof. XU Zhenglong Management Committee Member of Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), Member of RIAM, Photonic Research Institute (PRI) and RISE, Associate Professor of Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering Intelligent Zero-Carbon Mobile Charging Station Enabled by Upcycling Spent Alkaline Batteries into Solar-Rechargeable Aqueous Zn-ion Batteries 1,592,000 Prof. LAU Shu Ping Associate Director of PRI, Management Committee Member of RISE, Member of RIAM, RCDSE, RCRE, Chair Professor of Nanomaterials of Department of Applied Physics On-Site CO2 Capture and Closed-Loop Carbonation for Sustainable Sparkling Beverages 1,900,000 Prof. FEI Bin Management Committee Member of RCRE, Member of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), PRI, Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF), Professor of School of Fashion and Textiles Smart-Coat PolyU: Retrofitting Campus Envelopes with Cooling Aerogel Skins for Year-Round Decarbonization 1,876,000

PolyU-developed, Hong Kong’s first integrated LEO communication and navigation satellite payload launched, supporting smart city and low-altitude economy development

PolyU has a longstanding commitment to space technology, underpinned by a strong track record of ground-breaking research outcomes.  A research team led by Prof. WEN Chih-yung, Member of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE) and Chair Professor of Aeronautical Engineering in the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering, has developed Hong Kong’s first integrated low-Earth-orbit (LEO) communication and navigation satellite payload, “LEO CNAV”.  The payload was recently successfully launched aboard the Yuxing-3 No. 05 satellite (also known as “Tech-Innovation-1”) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Gansu, and will soon undergo in-orbit testing. This breakthrough marks a historic milestone for PolyU in satellite technology and space applications and highlights Hong Kong’s leading position in home-grown space technology, injecting fresh impetus into the development of smart cities and the low-altitude economy. LEO CNAV offers four key technological advantages, namely, functional integration, high-precision positioning, low-cost deployment, and broad application potential, providing comprehensive support for future smart city infrastructure.  As regards functional integration, conventional communication and navigation have relied on two separate systems operating independently.  LEO CNAV overcomes this limitation by greatly simplifying system design to enable the delivery of communication, navigation and timing services on a single platform.  In future, users will need only one receiver to access both functions simultaneously.  This innovative breakthrough has earned international recognition, including a Gold Medal at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva.  The research team has also filed patent applications for the related core technologies. In terms of positioning performance, LEO CNAV can be used alongside existing Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), such as GPS, to improve positioning accuracy in dense urban environments dominated by high-rise buildings.  Traditional GPS satellites operate at an altitude of around 20,000 km, resulting in relatively weak signals that are vulnerable to interference and “spoofing attacks”, which can pose safety risks for autonomous vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles.  By contrast, operating in low Earth orbit at only a few hundred kilometres above the ground, LEO CNAV provides much stronger signals.  Combined with a uniquely designed signal scheme developed by the team, it can effectively enhance resistance to interference and spoofing, enabling highly accurate navigation for smart mobility and related applications. The design of LEO CNAV is tailored to meet the practical needs of the commercial space sector.  The payload consumes only around 23 watts of power, lower than that of a typical mobile phone charger, and is compact enough for nano-satellites and other small satellite platforms.  Its modular design allows it to be “ride-shared” on a range of commercial satellites, requiring only around 30 watts of power and basic interfaces for deployment.  By using commercial off-the-shelf components and cost-control strategies for hardware, the team has significantly reduced launch costs, laying the foundation for future large-scale constellation deployment. LEO CNAV represents a major advance in positioning and navigation technologies and has wide-ranging applications in both smart city and low-altitude economy scenarios.  Potential uses include enabling lane-level positioning for autonomous vehicles, providing precise navigation for UAV logistics and urban air mobility, and supporting urban infrastructure monitoring and emergency response dispatch. Looking ahead, the team plans to launch additional satellites equipped with LEO CNAV in order to gradually establish a LEO constellation network to support the advancement of smart transportation. Press release: https://polyu.me/47Zu2Nh   Online coverage: Mirage - https://polyu.me/41AHqUw Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/4tTIizK (subscription required) Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/4cd52oj Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/4sBbr1q (subscription required) Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/4sFGRnx; https://polyu.me/4tih9Xc Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/4cwoVWk Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4tSQHn1 HK01 - https://polyu.me/4tMIMY2 Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/4cqq6X1 Headline for HK - https://polyu.me/3OCPCk9 Lion Rock Daily - https://polyu.me/4u5brbi

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles poised to drive Hong Kong’s new energy transition, says Prof. BU Siqi

Prof. BU Siqi, Member of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), Associate Head (Research) and Professor of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, recently gave an interview to Wen Wei Po, in which he shared professional views on the development prospects of hydrogen-powered vehicles. As hydrogen energy gradually becomes an important direction for Hong Kong’s new energy development, the city now has 35 pilot projects under way or in preparation.  These projects cover a wide range of applications, including hydrogen buses, street-washing vehicles, power generation equipment for construction sites, and public hydrogen refuelling stations.  Prof. Bu noted that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can help overcome some of the limitations of battery electric vehicles, offering advantages such as rapid refuelling and longer driving range.  These features make them particularly suitable for heavy-duty vehicles and long-haul transport.  He also observed that the development of hydrogen energy still faces challenges in terms of cost and efficiency.  In particular, the production of green hydrogen remains expensive, while energy losses during the conversion process are still relatively high.  He expects that only after 2040 will green hydrogen costs gradually become comparable to those of diesel.  Nevertheless, hydrogen has the potential to store surplus electricity generated from solar and wind power, which could help improve the overall utilisation and effectiveness of renewable energy. In addition to hydrogen, ammonia energy is also regarded as an alternative fuel with considerable development potential.  Prof. Bu pointed out that ammonia is more widely available and relatively chemically stable, and is less prone to explosion.  In the event of leakage, its strong and distinctive smell also makes it easier to detect at an early stage, offering greater safety.  However, he stressed that ammonia-related technologies are still at an early stage of research and will require further development before wider adoption becomes feasible.  Prof. Bu believes that there remains considerable scope to improve conversion efficiency in both the production and use of green hydrogen. To drive innovation in hydrogen technologies, products and business models, the Environment and Ecology Bureau has established the Low-carbon Green Research Fund and the New Energy Transport Fund to support research institutions and industry in carrying out relevant green technology research and pilot projects.  The Bureau will organise Hydrogen Week in May to promote exchange and collaboration between Hong Kong and the Mainland in related fields.   Online coverage: Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4vl750S

Prof. WONG Ka-hing named Lifetime Fellow of International Association of Advanced Materials

Congratulations to Prof. WONG Ka-hing, Director of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), on being named a Lifetime Fellow of the International Association of Advanced Materials (IAAM). This prestigious honour recognises Prof. Wong’s outstanding academic achievements and visionary leadership in advancing interdisciplinary innovation.  Under his leadership, RiFood has successfully translated multiple cutting-edge research findings in food and materials science into impactful real-world applications, and has played an active role in promoting sustainability and social responsibility across the industry. Looking ahead, RiFood will continue to advance future food development through innovation, creating lasting and positive societal impact through promoting human health and environmental sustainability.

PolyU study urges smarter transport governance, with three recommendations to advance smart circular city development

A study led by Prof. Mike LAI Kee-hung, Co-Director of the Research Centre for Environmental, Social, and Governance Advancement (RCESGA), Associate Dean (Academic Support) of the Faculty of Business, Interim Head of the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, and Chair Professor of Shipping and Logistics, points out that urban transport governance should no longer be confined to fragmented and reactive management practices.  Instead, it should adopt a more systematic and targeted, tiered policy approach to address transport issues at different levels. The study notes that, in the face of increasingly severe road congestion, road expansion and widening alone cannot fundamentally relieve transport pressure.  If there is insufficient integration among different modes of transport, including buses, the MTR, cycling, walking and shared mobility, increasing road capacity alone is unlikely to bring meaningful improvements to the overall travel convenience for the public. The research further argues that promoting the development of a “circular city” requires going beyond a narrow focus on road congestion when addressing transport issues.  It requires a comprehensive response to six major challenges: traffic congestion, air pollution, inadequate public transport efficiency, poor connectivity between transport links, ageing infrastructure and a heavy reliance on fossil fuels.  Prof. Lai believes that urban transport governance should move away from a fragmented response model towards a tiered strategy based on the nature of different problems, supported by appropriate technological tools to enhance overall governance effectiveness. Prof. Lai added that, compared with tackling congestion in isolation, issues such as air pollution and transport mode integration should be treated as more pressing priorities, as they directly affect the public’s daily travel experience, public health and quality of life.  The study suggests that artificial intelligence can be applied to traffic flow forecasting, real-time monitoring, demand analysis and multimodal connection optimisation.  Blockchain technology, meanwhile, can help facilitate transparent data sharing, emissions tracking, smart contract execution, and the establishment and development of carbon credit mechanisms. At the policy level, the study proposes three recommendations.  First, policymaking should be guided by a problem-oriented approach, with appropriate matching of technologies to identified issues.  Second, a unified data platform should be established to strengthen collaboration across government departments and transport operators.  Third, procurement and performance evaluation mechanisms should be reformed, shifting away from a system that prioritises equipment acquisition to one based on outcomes. Prof. Lai emphasised that cities seeking to advance smart mobility should adopt a pilot-first and progressive implementation strategy.  By integrating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, transport governance can evolve from a short-term, emergency-response model into a long-term, low-carbon and resilient circular city governance system.   Online coverage: Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/3Q9gg4u

From one-way caregiving to intergenerational inclusion: Prof. JIN Ying of University of Cambridge on reimagining cities amid the longevity revolution

On 14 April 2026, Prof. JIN Ying, Professor of Architecture and Urbanism and Director of Studies for Robinson College of the University of Cambridge, delivered a PAIR Seminar titled “What does improving longevity mean for the future of our cities?” at the PolyU campus. The seminar attracted nearly 100 entrepreneurs, scholars, researchers and students joining onsite, and over 16,400 online viewers across various social media platforms to explore how the global “longevity revolution” is reshaping urban space, cultural activities, and socio-economic development. Prof. Jin opened the seminar by highlighting that 2026 marks an important tipping point in the global demographic landscape, as the global median age reaches 31.1 years. He noted that while ageing is a global trend, East Asian countries are experiencing a markedly faster pace of population ageing than Western nations. Prof. Jin further emphasised that although increased life expectancy is often regarded as a healthcare or public health issue, in reality, it is closely intertwined with city planning and urban design. He highlighted that macro-economists often describe population ageing as a “Grey Rhino”, implying that it is a highly probable yet long-ignored threat associated with a series of consequences, including rising dependency ratios, shrinking workforces, and escalating healthcare expenditures. One of the core themes of the presentation was the need for society to undergo a fundamental shift from “caregiving” to “inclusion”. Prof. Jin argued that society must move beyond the entrenched mindset of older adults as “care recipients” or “social burdens”. Drawing on the philosophical perspectives of Confucius’ concept of filial piety and Zhuangzi’s notion of aligning with nature, he emphasised that how a society treats its older population fundamentally reflects its core societal values. As such, city transformation goes beyond improvements in urban infrastructure and represents a shift in values. To truly improve “health expectancy”, Prof. Jin emphasised that reshaping urban design is critical, not only to foster greater independence across generations but also to strengthen intergenerational relationships, ensuring that both urban environments and humanistic values evolve in tandem with demographic changes. Prof. Jin also discussed the importance of “spatial balance” in urban planning. Using the United Kingdom as a case study, he demonstrated how the excessive concentration of jobs and wealth in a small number of urban hubs exacerbates regional inequality. He argued that longevity should not be understood solely as the extension of life span, but also as a process in which people of all generations can equitably enjoy quality of life and development opportunities. He advocated for fostering inclusive and equitable business and employment environments to ensure that cities remain vibrant and resilient, even as populations continue to age. In his concluding remarks, Prof. Jin summarised that while population ageing is often perceived as a pressing problem, it is also an opportunity that should be embraced. He warned that because of persistently declining birth rates, particularly in East Asia, this “urban revolution” must take place before today’s younger generations enter old age. He cautioned that forward-looking planning, individual responsibility and government-community collaboration are essential; without them, demographic imbalance will become an irreversible crisis. The seminar concluded with a highly interactive Q&A session, during which participants and the speaker engaged in in-depth discussions on several practical challenges. Addressing the varying societal responses to policy measures, Prof. Jin elaborated on differences in perceptions across social groups. When asked how less-wealthy countries can cope with population ageing under resource constraints, he acknowledged the difficulty but emphasised that continued technological advancement will play a crucial role. Furthermore, the discussion explored the link between health and longevity for active retirees. Prof. Jin noted that by building supportive networks, young-old adults can continue to play an active and meaningful role in society, thereby pointing to a development pathway for the longevity era in which resilience and community support go hand-in-hand. Please click here for an online review.

PolyU redefines 3D glass nanomanufacturing with a thousand-fold precision gain

Prof. WEN Xiewen, Member of Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM) and Assistant Professor of Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, was recently interviewed on the RTHK programme “Under the Sun”, where he introduced his team’s newly developed 3D glass nanofabrication technology. Prof. Wen explained that his team has successfully developed a 3D glass nanofabrication technique that overcomes the limitations of the traditional subtractive processing approach used in semiconductor fabrication.  Instead, it adopts an additive manufacturing method to directly produce high-precision glass nanostructures.  Compared with earlier glass 3D printing technologies, the manufacturing precision has improved by a factor of 100, and it has been further enhanced by up to 1,000 times according to the latest research. He noted that the development of this technology involved challenges across multiple stages, including materials development, laser processing and post-processing.  From the synthesis of glass raw materials and the development of a specialised non-linear laser system to post-processing techniques designed to prevent deformation, all key technologies were developed in-house.  As a result, the team has established a complete vertically integrated technology chain. Prof. Wen added that this new technology has wide-ranging applications in areas such as precision optics, biochips and advanced packaging, and is expected to reduce production costs significantly.  For example, producing a wafer-level glass device measuring 1 cm2 using conventional methods can cost several thousand to as much as HK$10,000, whereas the team’s technique reduces it to just one percent. The team has established a company and is now actively improving process yield and accelerating technology industrialisation, while also exploring broader application areas such as glass-based optical data storage.   Online coverage: RTHK - https://polyu.me/4mJjTdT (04:26 - 23:36) (Chinese only)