News

Celebrating Mathematical Excellence: Professor Defeng Sun Joins AMS Fellows Class of 2026

In a testament to his ground-breaking contributions to the field of applied mathematics, Chair Professor Defeng Sun—Head of the Department of Applied Mathematics and a core member of RCTFF—has been named a 2026 Fellow of the American Mathematical Society (AMS).  This prestigious honour, bestowed by peers in the global mathematical community, recognizes Professor Sun's exceptional leadership, scholarly excellence, and profound influence on the profession. The AMS Fellows program, established in 2010, celebrates individuals who have made significant impacts in mathematics research, education, and service. Professor Sun joins an elite cohort of 68 distinguished mathematicians in the 2026 class, underscoring his role as a driving force in advancing optimization techniques that bridge theory and real-world applications, including those with interdisciplinary relevance to textiles, fashion, and sustainable innovation at RCTFF.

PolyU research delegation visits Jiangxi

A 17-member PolyU delegation, led by Prof. WANG Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation), Dean of Graduate School, Kuok Group Professor in Nature-Inspired Engineering and Chair Professor of Nature-Inspired Engineering, visited Jiangxi from 26 to 29 September 2025, with the aim of further expanding PolyU’s technological collaboration in the province. The delegation comprised scholars from various PAIR constituent units, including the Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM), Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT), Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI), Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports), Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT), Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE), and Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF).   During the visit, the delegation toured several enterprises, including Jiujiang Amber New Materials, Jiujiang Hengtong Automatic Controllers, Jiangxi HAC General SemiTech , Jiangxi Lianchuang Optoelectronics Technology, Danbach Robot Jiangxi, Jiangxi JinKong Technology Industry Group, Jiangxi Digital Industry Group, Jiujiang De’an Huayuan Knitting, Jiujiang De’an Yiyang Textiles, and Jiangxi Nanfang Velcro. They also engaged in exploratory talks with institutions such as Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Beihang University, China Mobile VR Innovation Centre, Nanchang Virtual Reality Research Institute, Jiangxi Provincial Science and Technology Infrastructure Platform Centre, and Jiangxi Institute of Fashion Technology.   The delegation conducted in-depth visits to numerous high-tech enterprises and research institutions, actively promoting technological cooperation and exchange between Jiangxi and Hong Kong. Their efforts have laid a solid foundation for future industry-academia-research collaboration between the two regions, fostering deeper tri-sector integration.

PolyU Successfully Hosts The Fiber Society’s Spring 2025 Conference

Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF), Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), Joint Research Centre for Fiber Innovations and Renewable Materials (JRC-FIRM), PolyU-Xingguo Technology and Innovation Research Institute (XGRI), and School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT) co-hosted The Fiber Society’s Spring 2025 Conference from 21–23 May. Themed “Future Fibers for Wellbeing, Intelligence, and Sustainability”, the Conference attracted an international group of individuals representing all areas of fiber science, gathered to facilitate the exchange of new ideas and discoveries through oral talks, poster presentations, exhibitions, and social engagements.   The Fiber Society was founded in 1941, incorporated as a not-for-profit professional and scientific association, dedicated to the advancement of scientific knowledge pertaining to fibers, fiber-based products, and fibrous materials. The Society is composed of members who are chemists, physicists, and engineers with interests in the field of fiber science engineering and technology.

Prof. Guo Liejin visited RCTFF

Prof. Liejin Guo, Engineering Thermophysics and Energy Utilization Scientist, Academic Divisions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, visited Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF) on May 22nd. Prof. Jintu Fan, Director of RCTFF, and his team introduced the latest developments in textile materials and technologies and exchanged views with Prof. Guo.

RCTFF Hosted the International Advisory Committee Meeting

Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF) successfully hosted the 2nd International Advisory Committee Meeting on 19th May 2025. During the meeting, Prof. Jintu Fan, Director of RCTFF reported on the research activities of the centre over the past year. Four project leaders/representatives also presented their latest research developments. The committee shared valuable advice on the future direction of RCTFF and its individual projects.

DoRCTFF and Member Appointed to Leadership Positions in Mainland Translational Research Institute

Prof. Jintu Fan, Director of Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF), and Prof. Dahua Shou, Member of RCTFF, have been appointed as the Director and Associate Director of PolyU-Xingguo Technology and Innovation Research Institute. PolyU-Xingguo Technology and Innovation Research Institute was incorporated on 11 February 2025.  It is dedicated to advancing cutting-edge research and innovation in textile and fashion technology, intelligent wearable systems, smart manufacturing and sustainability.  The Institute leverages PolyU’s expertise in technology transfer and incubation to drive the development of Mainland China’s textile and fashion industries through empowering Xingguo to become a regional and national manufacturing and innovation hub.

Delegation from PAIR International Advisory Committee visited RCTFF

Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF) welcomed delegates from PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) International Advisory Committee on February 21st. Prof. Jintu Fan, Director of RCTFF, and his team introduced the latest research developments of RCTFF.

Delegation from University of California Davis visited RCTFF

Dean Estella Atekwana, from the College of Letters and Science Professor Gozde Goncu Berk, from the Department of Design and founding director of the Institute of Sustainable Design, Fashion, and Textiles at the University of California Davis visited RCTFF on December 11th. Prof. Jintu Fan, Director of RCTFF, welcomed the delegates and exchanged views on the development of research institute.

Delegation from NIKE and Shenzhou International Group Holdings Limited visited RCTFF

Prof. Jintu Fan, Director of RCTFF, welcomed the delegation from NIKE and Shenzhou International Group Holdings Limited during their visit to PolyU on December 10th. The visit aimed to identify potential areas for future collaborations. During the visit, Prof. Fan's research team introduced and demonstrated the latest research achievements of RCTFF.      

RCTFF Successfully Hosts the Intelligent Healthcare Textile and Wearable Technology Symposium at the 14th China Textile Academic Conference

Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF) hosted the 14th China Textile Academic Conference - Intelligent Healthcare Textile and Wearable Technology Symposium on 26 October 2024. The symposium was organised by Dr Dahua Shou, Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies and Associate Professor of School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). Prof. Xiaoming Tao, Vincent and Lily Woo Professor in Textiles Technology and Chair Professor of SFT, PolyU, and Dr Dahua Shou were invited to be symposium chairs.   Prof. Xiaoming Tao from PolyU, Prof. Guangming Tao from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Prof. Wei Zhang from Nantong University, Prof. Li Liu from Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, Prof. Hongzhi Wang from Donghua University/Shanghai DianJi University, Prof. Mingwei Tian from Qingdao University, Prof. Wei Chen from Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, and Prof. Xianfeng Wang from Donghua University gave their respective presentations, covering the latest advancements and application transformations in areas such as intelligent wearable technology, optoelectronic functional fibres, moisture-induced electric generation, smart fibres, and wearable ion gel. The symposium attracted over 150 attendees, participants and speakers engaged in in-depth discussion, sharing their expertise and experiences.   The China Textile Academic Conference is an authoritative platform for high-end academic exchange, recognition of high-level innovative talents, and publication of excellent scientific research achievements, constructed by the China Textile Engineering Society. It has been selected multiple times for the "Guide to Key Academic Conferences" directory by the China Association for Science and Technology and has built a professional academic conference system encompassing main venues, thematic sub-venues, special forums, awards recognition, and exhibitions since its inception in 2011.