News

RIAM Director Prof. George Q. HUANG Secures Areas of Excellence (AoE) Project to Advance Smart Manufacturing

The Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM) is delighted to announce that its Director, Prof. George Q. Huang, has successfully secured an Areas of Excellence (AoE) project of approximately HK$47.88 million, marking a significant milestone for RIAM’s development within the advanced manufacturing research community.   The AoE Scheme aims to provide support to universities funded by the University Grants Committee to build upon their existing strengths and develop them into areas of excellence. The success of this project reflects the research strength, leadership, and collaborative capacity of Prof. Huang and his team in addressing important scientific and technological challenges in smart manufacturing.   This project aims to establish the Centre of Smart Manufacturing to pioneer next‑generation Industry 4.0 technologies. It introduces two foundational breakthroughs: Cyber‑Physical Computers (CPCs) and the Cyber‑Physical Internet, orchestrated by a Cyber‑Physical Operating System. CPCs computerise smart micro‑factories under a typical computer architecture, enabling operations to be processed like CPU instructions with cyber‑physical visibility and spatial‑temporal traceability. Crucially, CPCs incorporate Out‑of‑Order Execution algorithms to optimise workflows and minimise uncertainties through an in‑memory "look around" mechanism.   Driven by a federated architecture of multidisciplinary Generative AI models and a unique group‑chat prompt-engineering framework, the system enables real‑time collaborative decision‑making between AI and human experts. Pilot studies deploying "Factory on Chips" scenarios will demonstrate enhanced efficiency and resilience across interconnected supply networks, creating strategic impact on Hong Kong's logistics, trading and producer services, and reinforcing the City's role as a hub for smart manufacturing‑enabled economic growth.   The project brings together researchers from different departments of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and involves close collaboration with leading external universities, including The University of Hong Kong and City University of Hong Kong, as well as universities in Mainland China, France, Sweden, Germany, and the United States. This extensive network will enable the project team to draw on diverse expertise, promote knowledge exchange, and accelerate research impact across regions.   RIAM warmly congratulates Prof. George Q. Huang and the project team on this outstanding achievement. The successful award of the AoE project represents a major step forward in RIAM’s mission to advance research excellence, foster collaboration, and contribute to the future of advanced manufacturing in Hong Kong, China, and worldwide.     Press release: https://polyu.me/4hnG7S3   Online coverage: South China Morning Post - https://polyu.me/44SgFwq Mirage News - https://polyu.me/4yI56W9 Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4bl1pvL; https://polyu.me/3U1ixk2 Bauhinia - https://polyu.me/4h45uYT

Prof. Lin Jianguo discusses breakthroughs in lightweight metal technologies and the importance of research commercialisation in Phoenix TV Interview

Prof. Lin Jianguo, Associate Director of RIAM, Chair Professor of Materials Technologies, Director of Baosteel-PolyU Joint Research Centre, and Director of CRRC-Sifang - PolyU Innovation Centre for Future Manufacturing of Ultra-high-speed Trains, was recently interviewed by Phoenix TV. In the interview, he discussed his innovative technologies for forming lightweight metals and emphasised the importance of commercialising research outcomes. Prof. Lin also shared that he was drawn to PolyU because of its strong scientific research capabilities and practical applications. He underscored that solving complex problems in modern science requires the joint efforts of several disciplines, and that interdisciplinary collaboration is vital for fostering scientific innovation.   Online coverage (Chinese only): Phoenix TV - https://polyu.me/4qqtren                        https://polyu.me/4p79M1I 

Prof. LIN Jianguo elected as HKAE Fellow

Congratulations to Prof. LIN Jianguo, Associate Director of the Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM) and Chair Professor of Materials Technologies, on being elected as one of the 2025 Fellows of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering (HKAE). Prof. Lin is a leading expert in metal forming, materials technologies, and process modelling.  His research focuses on developing models that simulate microstructural evolution and material formability during metals processing for a wide range of engineering materials and applications.  He pioneered Hot Form Quench (HFQâ) Technology, which has been used in automotive and aerospace industries.  This breakthrough process enables the production of complex-shaped, high-strength aluminium components for vehicles, contributing to lighter and more environmentally friendly designs.  Prof. Lin’s engineering excellence has been widely recognised.  In 2021, he was awarded a Gold Medal by the Institute of Sheet Metal Engineering for his outstanding contribution to the UK sheet metal industry.  His significant contributions to the field have also earned him recognition among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists, according to an index compiled by Stanford University. He was elected as a Fellow of Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng) in 2013. 

PolyU builds advanced human-robot collaboration system, empowering high-end manufacturing tasks

Prof. ZHENG Pai, Member of Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing, Wong Tit Shing Young Scholar in Smart Robotics and Associate Professor of Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, together with his research team, has developed the “Mutual Cognitive Human-Robot Collaboration Manufacturing System” (MC-HRCMS).   This innovative system enables real-time perception of complex environments, accurate interpretation of operators’ intentions, and skill transfer through simple demonstrations. It can autonomously generate process codes and execute high-precision tasks, and is already being applied in advanced manufacturing scenarios such as autonomous aircraft drilling and electric vehicle battery disassembly.   The MC-HRCMS utilises advanced machine learning and 3D scene perception to enhance efficiency, safety, and seamless human-robot interaction in complex scenarios. Through industry collaborations, the team has customised and deployed these systems for leading enterprises, addressing demanding requirements for precision and complexity.   To tackle challenges in semi-structured and unstructured production, the team introduced a novel vision-language-guided planning framework that integrates Large Language Models, Deep Reinforcement Learning, and Mixed-Reality Head-Mounted Displays. This allows robots to analyse visual and linguistic cues, understand complex tasks, and collaborate with humans more effectively. The head-mounted device offers real-time data and guidance, redefining human-machine interaction.   Press Release: https://polyu.hk/GaibX

Four RIAM members featured in 2025 Highly Cited Researchers

Congratulations to the four RIAM members named to Clarivate Analytics’ Highly Cited Researchers 2025 list, with one scholar recognised in two categories. This prestigious recognition places them among the top 1% of researchers by citations in their fields over the past 11 years, affirming their broad and sustained impact on scholarship and innovation. Of the world’s population of scientists and social scientists, Highly Cited Researchers are 1 in 1,000.   RIAM’s four honourees exemplify international research excellence and the power of collaborative, interdisciplinary work. We applaud their dedication, leadership, and contributions that elevate PolyU’s global standing and deliver real-world benefits to Hong Kong, the Nation, and the world.   In alphabetical order of last name: RIAM Member Category Title and Faculty/Department/School Prof. Daniel S.P. LAU Cross-Field Chair Professor of Nanomaterials of the Department of Applied Physics Prof. YANG Guang Cross-Field Assistant Professor of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Prof. ZHANG Xiao Cross-Field, Materials Science Assistant Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering Ir Prof. ZHENG Pai Engineering Associate Professor of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Wong Tit Shing Young Scholar in Smart Robotics   PolyU Media Release: English

Prof. ZHAO Jiong honoured as RGC Research Fellow for outstanding research achievements

Prof. ZHAO Jiong, Member of the Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM), Professor of the Department of Applied Physics of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has been awarded a fellowship under the Research Grants Council’s (RGC) Research Fellow Scheme (RFS) 2025/26, in recognition of his exceptional research in advanced materials.   His RFS project, “From slidetronics to twistronics: a twisting platform for dissipationless ferroelectricity”, focuses on Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and 2D materials. Prof. Zhao’s team has made significant progress in structural characterisations and physical field measurement using advanced techniques such as in situ TEM, STEM, and 4D-STEM. By integrating these methods with synthesis, device fabrication and theoretical frameworks, the project aims to enhance material quality and enable new device applications. These innovations in 2D materials and 2D ferroelectric materials have the potential to revolutionize future electronics and optoelectronics.   The RFS provides sustained support to outstanding researchers at UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong. The scheme provides ten fellowships annually across all disciplines, with funding support for a period of 60 months. The supporting university will receive a fellowship grant of approximately HK$5.5 million for an RFS project.   PolyU Media Release: English Online coverage: Dot Dot News - https://polyu.me/419eoeA (Chinese version) hkong.hk - https://polyu.me/46VZ2hh (Chinese version)

Ir Dr ZHENG Pai honoured with “HKIE Young Engineer of the Year Award 2025”

Congratulations to Ir Dr ZHENG Pai, Member of the Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM), Wong Tit Shing Young Scholar in Smart Robotics and Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, on being conferred the Young Engineer of the Year Award 2025 by The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE).  The award presentation took place at the HKIE Grand 50th Annual Dinner on 3 April 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.   The Award is organised to recognise local outstanding young engineers who have made valuable contributions to the continuous development of Hong Kong through their engineering achievements.  It stands as a prestigious accolade within the engineering profession, honouring the dedication and innovation of emerging leaders in the field.

Ir Prof. ZHENG Pai receives Smart Traffic Fund to develop smart driving assistant

Congratulations to Ir Prof. ZHENG Pai, Member of the Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM), Wong Tit Shing Young Scholar in Smart Robotics and Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and his team, on receiving over HK$5 million in funding from the Smart Traffic Fund under the Transport Department of the HKSAR Government for the two-year project titled “Develop a Vision-Language Model-based Smart Driving Assistant for Enhancing Safety and Convenience of Motorists”.   The project aims to develop a smart driving assistant for vehicle cockpits leveraging vision-language models, which can analyse the environment in real time and drivers’ needs to offer appropriate interactive strategy for improving driver safety and convenience. This innovative approach promises to unlock new possibilities for enhancing driver-assistance technologies, reinforcing advancements in road safety and intelligent transport solutions.

RIAM Member made breakthrough discovery in structure and synthesis of 2D ferroelectrics

A research team led by Prof. ZHAO Jiong, Member of the Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM), Associate Professor of the Department of Applied Physics of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has made significant advancements in the study and synthesis of 2D van der Waals materials, particularly 2D ferroelectrics. Their work has potential applications in microelectronics, artificial intelligence, and quantum information, with promising uses in high-density memory devices and energy systems. The team successfully developed a method for large-scale synthesis of 2D ferroelectrics, such as Indium Selenide (In2Se3), using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to achieve precise structural control. Their research, published in Nature Nanotechnology, Nature Materials, and Science, also explores novel 2D materials and their properties, including plastic deformation and polar vortices. These discoveries could revolutionize microelectronics and lead to more efficient and flexible electronic devices. The research was supported by PolyU's Atomic Transmission Electron Microscopy Laboratory and contributions of the research team of Prof. Daniel LAU Shu Ping, Chair Professor of Nanomaterials and Head of the PolyU Department of Applied Physics; Prof. Ming YANG, Assistant Professor of the PolyU Department of Applied Physics; and Prof. LY Thuc Hue, Associate Professor of the Department of Chemistry of City University of Hong Kong.   PolyU Media Release: English | 中文

15 RIAM Members Ranked Among the World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists (2024)

Congratulations to our 15 RIAM members who are ranked among the “World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists 2024” in the latest report released by Stanford University. These RIAM scholars were included in the “Career-long Impact” list based on their career-long citation impact.   The report was prepared by a team of experts led by Prof. John Ioannidis, the eminent Professor at the Stanford University. The database provides standardized information on various metrics, including citations, h-index, co-authorship adjusted hm-index, citations to papers in different authorship positions, and a composite indicator (c-score).   Data published by Elsevier on 16 September 2024 (version 7):  https://elsevier.digitalcommonsdata.com/datasets/btchxktzyw/7   No Name Subject field 1 Prof. HUANG Guoquan, George Operations Research 2 Ir Prof. MAN Hau Chung Materials 3 Prof. LAU Shu Ping, Daniel Applied Physics 4 Ir Prof. CHAN Kang Cheung, Keith Materials 5 Prof. FU Mingwang Materials 6 Dr AN Liang Energy 7 Prof. Benny CHEUNG Chi-fai Industrial Engineering & Automation 8 Prof. HUANG Haitao Nanoscience & Nanotechnology 9 Dr REN Jingzheng Energy 10 Prof. TANG Chak-yin Materials 11 Prof. Asif Sohail USMANI Civil Engineering 12 Prof. ZHANG Dan Industrial Engineering & Automation 13 Dr ZHANG Biao Nanoscience & Nanotechnology 14 Dr ZHANG Xiao Nanoscience & Nanotechnology 15 Prof. ZHENG Guangping Materials