News

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

PolyU and Nanjing Zhuling signed MoU to establish joint laboratory on industrialised construction

Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Mr DAI Angang, Chief Executive Officer of Nanjing Zhuling Technology Co., Ltd. signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 25 July to build a joint laboratory on industrialised construction. The joint lab will focus on research directions such as construction digitalisation in the industrial metaverse, digital twins, construction robotics, smart building systems as well as advanced automation and AI-driven solutions. By harnessing the advantages of both parties in terms of research resources, testing environments and application scenarios, it is aimed for enhancing the safety and efficiency of the construction process.  Breakthrough research results could be achieved to enable digital transformation of the construction industry.   The joint lab will be led by Dr ZHAO Zhiheng , Member of the Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM), Research Assistant Professor in Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and Dr LIU Hengzhi, Chief Operating Officer and Product Director of Nanjing Zhuling Technology Co., Ltd. The first collaborative research project, “Development of Construction Robots Digitalization System for Industry Metaverse” will be carried out under RIAM.   The collaboration will involve applying the research outcomes generated in the project “Industry 4.0 Smart Prefabrication Yard for Modular Construction Fitout”, which is led by Prof. George Q. HUANG, Director of RIAM, to promote innovative development in the construction field, foster new quality productive forces and inject new momentum into the industry.

PAIR young scholar receives SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award

Congratulations to Dr ZHENG Pai, Member of the Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM), Wong Tit Shing Young Scholar in Smart Robotics and Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, for being honoured with the 2024 Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME).   The SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award recognises manufacturing engineers aged 35 or younger who have made exceptional contributions and accomplishments in the manufacturing industry.   Dr Zheng’s research is at the frontier of the fields of smart manufacturing and robotic systems, and focuses on human-robot collaboration, smart product-service systems, and engineering design informatics. The inventions he developed have been patented and licensed for translation into practical applications, bringing significant contributions to the industry.   Dr Zheng is committed to nurturing the next generation of talent. He has led his student teams to excel in many major competitions, garnering prizes including the Winner Award of the 21st Asia-Pacific Information and Communications Technology Alliance (Student—Tertiary Technology), Gold Award of the 8th China International College Students’ “Internet+” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, and Grand Award of Hong Kong ICT Awards 2022—Student Innovation Award. Dr Zheng is also the winner of the PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award (YIRA) 2023.

RIAM co-organises 3D scanning and printing demonstration for secondary and primary school students

The Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM) and the University Research Facility in 3D Printing (U3DP) successfully co-organised a 3D scanning and printing demonstration session for a group of students from Po Leung Kuk Laws Foundation College and Po Leung Kuk Luk Hing Too Primary School on 22 March 2024. Prior to the workshop, the U3DP had received an invitation from the College to help the school in reconstructing a dolphin skeleton which the school had received from Ocean Park using PolyU’s advanced manufacturing technologies. The 3D-printed replica of the dolphin skeleton will be used as an exhibit. RIAM and U3DP arranged a demonstration session for the students, demonstrating the replication of the dolphin skull using 3D scanning and printing technologies. The U3DP team employed specialised 3D structured light scanners, which capture the intricate details of the original dolphin skeleton from multiple angles, to generate a highly detailed and accurate digital 3D model of the skeleton. After the 3D scanning process, U3DP replicated the dolphin skeleton using Stereolithography (SLA) printing technology. This technology uses a liquid resin material that is selectively cured layer by layer using a laser. As each layer is cured, the replica of the dolphin skeleton gradually takes shape. The SLA printing process ensures that the replica closely resembles the original skeleton in terms of its geometry and surface characteristics. The level of detail and accuracy achieved through this technologyallows for a faithful representation of the dolphin skeleton. The replicated dolphin skeleton can be used for various purposes, including educational displays, scientific research, museum exhibits, or even as a visual aid in veterinary or marine biology studies. It provides a tangible and accurate representation of the original skeleton without the need to handle or potentially damage the fragile original specimen. U3DP’s combination of 3D scanning and SLA printing technologies offers a practical and efficient solution for creating replicas of complex skeletal structures like the dolphin skeleton. Watch the video via Pinterest

PAIR research projects shine in RGC Collaborative Research Fund 2023/24 exercise

In the Collaborative Research Fund (CRF) 2023/24 exercise of the Research Grant Committee (RGC), PolyU has 9 projects granted with a total of HK$55.491 million from the Collaborative Research Project Grant (CRPG), ranking first among Hong Kong universities in the amount of CRPG funding awarded; and 2 projects granted with a total of $9.435 million from the Young Collaborative Research Grant (YCRG). Among them, eight CRPG projects and both YCRG projects are led by PAIR researchers.   Name of PI Title(s) and Constituent Research Unit(s) Research Project Amount PAIR projects supported by CRPG Prof XIA Yong Management Committee Member of RIAIoT Member of RISUD and RCDSE Towards future climate-resilient sea-crossing bridges via intelligent learning of long-term real monitoring data $5,056,919 Prof YANG Mo Member of PRI and RISports High-resolution single-cell multi-omics: Joint profiling of multiple types of biomolecules in the same single cell $6,412,248 Prof CHEN Jianli Member of RILS Multi-sensor monitoring, geophysical interpretation and prediction of sea level rise in Hong Kong $6,567,108 Dr TAN Youhua Member of RISA and RCSV The roles of mechanically heterogeneous local niches within primary tumors in metastatic organotropism $5,985,252 Prof. CAO Jiannong Director of RIAIoT Management Committee Member of RISUD Member of RiFood, RI-IWEAR, RISE, RISA and SCRI Heterogeneity-aware collaborative edgeAIacceleration $7,364,305 Prof. WANG Yuhong Member of RILS, RISE, RISUD and RCRE Improving the health and stability of roadside trees in compact urban development through novel road systems and tree root “training” $5,407,780 Dr CHENG King Yip Kenneth Member of RiFood and RCMI White adipose tissue (fat) dysfunction in ageing and its related metabolic diseases: New insights and therapeutic potential $8,166,029 Dr ZHAO Jiong Member of RIAM Scalable two-dimensional polymorphic ferroelectrics towards in-memory processing $4,100,714 PAIR projects supported by YCRG Dr Bolton CHAU Associate Director of MHRC The role of the human frontopolar cortex in complex decision making: Neural network modelling, aging, and enhancement $4,591,504 Dr LIU Liang Member of RIAIoT Sensing in 6G cellular networks $4,843,318  

PAIR researcher receives national outstanding impact award

Congratulations to Dr ZHANG Xiao, Member of the Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM) and the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), and Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, for winning the “2023 China Rising Stars in Science and Technology – Outstanding Impact Award”. The results of this year’s selection were announced at the China New Technology Forum held in Zhejiang on 14 December 2023. Launched by ScholarSet in 2015, the programme elects winners of the “2023 China Top Ten Rising Stars in Science and Technology Award” and other special prizes, based on public and experts’ votes, to recognise outstanding young scholars in China for their remarkable achievements in scientific research and promoting the transformation and popularisation of scientific research outcomes. Online coverage: QQ - https://polyu.me/48g4QQ5