Climate change, resource scarcity and the need for more sustainable manufacturing are among the defining challenges of our era. Tackling them requires more than incremental improvements. It calls for bold solutions, fresh perspectives and researchers willing to push beyond conventional boundaries.

This spirit of innovation is exemplified by two young scholars from PolyU, who have recently earned international recognition on the 2025 MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 China (TR35 China) list. Professor Tsz-woon Benedict Lo, Associate Head and Associate Professor of the Department of Chemistry, was honoured in the “Visionaries” category, while Dr Jiaxin Lv, Research Assistant Professor of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, was recognised in the “Inventors” category. Their achievements highlight the growing influence of PolyU’s young researchers in addressing some of the defining challenges of our time.

Although they work in different disciplines, both researchers share a common goal in transforming scientific breakthroughs into tangible benefits for society. For Professor Lo, that journey begins at the atomic scale. In an international first, he developed synchrotron resonant soft X-ray diffraction techniques that enable scientists to map the three-dimensional distribution of aluminium atoms inside industrial-grade zeolite catalysts in three dimensions at atomic resolution. The breakthrough, reported in Science in 2025, sheds light on a decades-old mystery surrounding the internal structure of these catalysts, often described as a “black box” in the field. By helping researchers better understand and design catalysts, the discovery could improve carbon-resource conversion and enable more precise, energy-efficient industrial processes. Its potential has already been demonstrated through industry collaborations.

While Professor Lo’s work unlocks new scientific understanding, Dr Lv’s innovation is reshaping manufacturing itself. She developed Multi-container Extrusion (MCE) technology, a novel process that makes it possible to manufacture ultra-wide, thin-walled light alloy components in a single integrated process. By dramatically reducing extrusion pressure by 70% to 90% and increasing manufacturing efficiency, the technology opens new possibilities for producing lightweight structures used in transportation and other industries. Commercialised in 2024, the innovation has already led to the establishment of a 6,500-ton industrial production line. When applied to passenger vehicles, the technology offers the potential to reduce component weight by up to 50% and lower carbon emissions by approximately 30%.

Established by MIT Technology Review, the TR35 China list honours outstanding young innovators shaping the future of science and industry. PolyU secured two of the five places awarded to Hong Kong university scholars this year, highlighting the University’s success in nurturing emerging research talent and advancing frontier innovation.