News

Congratulations to Our Associate Director and Members on HKAE Young Member Section Appointments

We are delighted to announce that our Associate Director, Prof. DUAN Huan-Feng, and two of our distinguished members, Prof. YANG Hongxia, and Prof. ZHOU Chao, have been appointed to the Young Member Section (YMS) of The Hong Kong Academy of Engineering (HKAE). This honor reflects their exceptional research accomplishments, technical expertise, and dedication to engineering innovation. In their new roles within YMS, our members will shoulder vital responsibilities aimed at advancing the discipline. They will actively facilitate translational research, aid in process and product development, and support startup ventures and funding initiatives for post-doctoral academics and young engineers. Furthermore, through their involvement in sub-committees and leadership, they will engage with external stakeholders to strengthen strategic partnerships, promote knowledge exchange, and drive technological solutions that benefit society. Please join us in warmly congratulating Prof. DUAN Huan-Feng, Prof. YANG Hongxia, and Prof. ZHOU Chao on this outstanding achievement and wishing them continued success in their new roles.

Congratulations to Prof. NI Yiqing on Receiving the PolyU Patents Achievement Award 2025

We are delighted to share that Prof. NI Yi-Qing, Chair Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), has been awarded the prestigious Top Patents Filing Award (Individual Category) under the PolyU Patents Achievement Award (PPAA) 2025. The PPAA is a university-level accolade established to recognise faculty members and departments for their outstanding commitment to intellectual property (IP) creation, knowledge transfer, and research impact. The Top Patents Filing Award specifically honors exceptional IP filing activities accomplished over the past three years (2022–2025). Prof. NI’s achievement highlights his dedication to advancing innovation and translating high-impact research into valuable intellectual property. Adding to this success, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) was also recognised with the Top Patents Filing Award and the Most Active Patents Filing Award in the departmental categories. Please join us in warmly congratulating Prof. NI Yi-Qing on this well-deserved recognition and wishing him continued success in his research and innovation endeavors!

Research Feature: Prof. ZAYED Tarek’s Work Recognised by Croucher Foundation

We are pleased to share that the innovative research led by Prof. ZAYED Tarek, Professor of Department of Construction Management and Intelligence, has been featured on the Croucher Foundation website. Titled "AI goes underground to track sewer risks," the feature highlights how Prof. ZAYED and his team are leveraging advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to revolutionise urban sewer management. Their breakthrough system helps cities predict pipe leakages, prevent blockages, and optimize maintenance—ultimately protecting public health and building smarter, more resilient urban infrastructure. To read the full article and learn more about Prof. ZAYED's impactful research, please visit the Croucher Foundation website https://croucher.org.hk/en/news/ai-goes-underground-to-track-sewer-risks. We extend our warm congratulations to Prof. ZAYED and his research team on this well-deserved feature!

Regional Excellence: Our Member Prof. BI Kaiming Honored with the Prestigious EASEC Nishino Prize 2026

We are proud to share that our member, Prof. BI Kaiming, Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), has been named the recipient of the highly coveted Nishino Prize at the 19th East Asia-Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction (EASEC-19) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Since its inception in 1986, EASEC has served as a premier regional platform for advancing structural design and construction sciences. To commemorate the vision of its founder, the conference presents the Nishino Prize to an outstanding young engineer (under the age of 45) within the Asia-Pacific region who exhibits exceptional promise and has delivered impactful contributions to the discipline. Prof. BI was selected for this accolade in recognition of his transformative work in earthquake engineering and structural vibration control. His investigations into seismic simulation, structural resilience, and vibration mitigation have bridged the gap between academic theory and industry practice, with several of his methodologies integrated into real-world projects and modern seismic design codes. An active leader in the academic community, Prof. BI has authored more than 220 papers in top-tier international journals, earning over 11,000 Google Scholar citations and an H-index of 56. His scientific standing is further underscored by his editorial leadership as an Associate Editor for Engineering Structures, a flagship journal in the field. This prestigious award is a testament to the caliber of research being conducted within our department. We celebrate Prof. BI’s landmark achievement and look forward to his future breakthroughs in enhancing the resilience of the built environment.   Online coverage: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/cee/news-and-events/news/2026/20260724_news/  

Global Recognition: Our Member Prof. Weng Qihao Elected as Prestigious ISPRS Fellow 2026

Our esteemed member, Prof. Weng Qihao, has achieved a major international milestone by being elected as a Fellow of the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) for 2026. This rare accolade is bestowed upon a select few—with a strict global cap of just five inductees at each ISPRS General Assembly—celebrating individuals who have left an indelible mark on the geospatial science community through sustained scientific leadership. As a pioneering figure in geomatics and artificial intelligence, Prof. Weng serves as Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence in the Department of Land Surveying and Geospatial Science (LSGS). His visionary work in urban remote sensing and AI-powered Earth observation has been instrumental in providing vital, data-driven frameworks to address global climate challenges, urban microclimates, and sustainable metropolitan development. This latest honor highlights a stellar career marked by extensive global recognition. Prof. Weng is already a Foreign Member of Academia Europaea and holds fellowships in multiple premier scientific bodies worldwide. His influence in shaping the future of the field is further reflected in his role as the Editor-in-Chief of the prestigious ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing and his leadership in the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) global urban initiatives. We offer our warmest congratulations to Prof. Weng on this exceptional international tribute. His dedication to pushing the frontiers of GeoAI not only elevates our institute's research standing but also inspires our academic community to pursue impactful, world-changing scientific discoveries.   Online coverage: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/lsgs/news-and-events/news/2026/0713-prof-weng-prestigious-isprs-fellow/

Prof. Cao Junji Discusses AI-Driven Weather Nowcasting and Urban Resilience at Our Institute

We had the pleasure of inviting the distinguished scholar Prof. Cao Junji to deliver an insightful presentation on his team’s cutting-edge research, titled "R2PCast (Radar-to-Precipitation NowCasting System)," introducing a highly advanced approach to real-time weather forecasting on 15 July 2026 to our key members.  The R2PCast system utilises Diffusion Model technology as its core engine to drastically improve the precision of short-term weather predictions. By fusing frontier artificial intelligence with high-performance computing, this operational intelligent nowcasting system achieves highly refined radar echo extrapolation and localized precipitation forecasting. This technological leap addresses critical gaps in predicting sudden, severe convective weather, providing invaluable lead time for emergency response and disaster mitigation. Prof. Cao’s presentation was highly informative and inspiring, offering deep relevance to our institute's core research focuses. The advanced forecasting capabilities of R2PCast directly align with our work in Climate Change and Extreme Weather—particularly in understanding climate mechanisms, compound events, and urban-rural microclimates. Furthermore, its high-precision predictive data is incredibly valuable for our research on Urban Infrastructure and Resilience, especially regarding compound disaster processes and the design of resilient "green-grey-blue" infrastructure. Looking ahead, this meeting has opened up exciting opportunities for future synergy. By combining Prof. Cao’s pioneering work in AI-driven meteorological forecasting with our institute's multidisciplinary strengths, we see significant potential for joint research projects. We extend our sincere gratitude to Prof. Cao Junji for accepting our invitation and look forward to the impactful collaborative opportunities this partnership will bring.

Outstanding Achievement: Our Member Prof. Ni Yiqing Honored with the Prestigious 16th Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award

On 9 July, 2026, the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) announced the winners of the 16th Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award in Beijing. We are thrilled and immensely proud to announce that our distinguished member, Prof. Ni Yiqing, was selected as one of the few elite recipients of this highly prestigious national honor. The Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award, established in 1995 and administered by the CAE, is regarded as one of the highest honors in China’s engineering and technology community. Awarded biennially, it recognises scientists who have made outstanding contributions and groundbreaking achievements in engineering technology and engineering management. This year, the final 40 winners were rigorously selected from a highly competitive pool of 471 candidates across the nation, with only five experts selected from Hong Kong and Macau. Prof. Ni Yiqing, Chair Professor of Smart Structures and Rail Transit, was recognised for his pioneering contributions and expertise in structural health monitoring technology. His research has been instrumental in advancing the safety, reliability, and smart management of critical rail transit systems and large-scale infrastructure. Prof. Ni’s selection for this award highlights his world-class engineering expertise and his dedication to bridging theoretical research with impactful, real-world engineering solutions. This recognition not only honors Prof. Ni's exceptional career and scientific contributions but also reflects the high-caliber research and academic excellence nurtured within our institute. We extend our heartiest congratulations to Prof. Ni Yiqing on this monumental achievement! His success serves as an inspiration to our entire research community as we continue to push the boundaries of engineering, innovation, and technological resilience. Online coverage: Wen Wei Po - 為國家科技進步與產業發展作出突出貢獻 光華工程科技獎揭曉 港三學者獲「中國工程界最高獎項」 - 內地 - 香港文匯報; 【特稿】「『雙軌驅動』力量 讓我們屢創突破」 - 內地 - 香港文匯報 Ta Kung Pao - 港澳光華工程科技獎獲獎者簡介 - 大公報; https://polyu.me/4bzXQBN Lion Rock Daily - https://polyu.me/44ojtkF China News - https://polyu.me/3Tt14AL Sina - 中国40位专家荣获光华工程科技奖 包括5位港澳专家_新浪财经_新浪网 China Daily - Five HK, Macao scholars win top national engineering prize People.cn - 中国40位专家荣获光华工程科技奖 包括5位港澳专家--经济·科技--人民网 Dot Dot News - 為國家作出突出貢獻 香港三學者獲「中國工程界最高獎項」 Qiaobaous - 中国40位专家荣获光华工程科技奖 包括5位港澳专家—侨报网 World Journal - https://polyu.me/4w2CWDC Rednet.com - https://polyu.me/4yvvt1E  

RICRI Hosts Distinguished Lecture on Global Infrastructure Resilience in the Face of Polycrisis

RICRI hosted a distinguished lecture on 3 June 2026, featuring Prof. Jim HALL, Fellow of the Royal Society, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Professor of Climate and Environmental Risks, University of Oxford, as speaker. The event was also attended by key members of the RICRI Steering Committee, including Dr. Otto POON and Ir Prof. Frank CHAN. Dr Otto POON delivered a warm welcome speech to kick off the event. Titled “Bouncing Back From Polycrisis: The Resilience of Global Infrastructure Systems to Climate and Other Shocks”, the lecture brought together Steering Committee members, faculty, researchers, students, and practitioners to discuss how to safeguard critical global networks under mounting pressures. Prof. Jim HALL highlighted the growing vulnerability of the highly interconnected infrastructure networks that support the global economy. Pointing to recent disruptive events—such as droughts impacting the Panama Canal, maritime accidents in the port of Baltimore and the Suez Canal, and geopolitical conflict in the Strait of Hormuz—he illustrated the fragility of these global corridors. To counter these threats, Prof. HALL emphasised how leveraging newly available datasets, satellite observation, and artificial intelligence (AI) can enable us to analyse network vulnerabilities and predict resilience in unprecedented ways, providing critical evidence to guide infrastructure systems through an uncertain future. The lecture was well received and reflected RICRI’s commitment to advancing dialogue on infrastructure resilience, climate adaptation, and sustainable global development.

Building Climate-Resilient Agriculture: RICRI Member Prof. Wang Shuo’s Research on Snow Droughts Published in Nature Food

A breakthrough study published in Nature Food by Prof. Wang Shuo, a key member of Otto Poon Research Institute for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure, reveals that rising global temperatures are fueling "snow droughts" that threaten global food security. Winter wheat relies on snow cover for insulation and moisture. Using an innovative machine learning framework (XGB-SHAP), Prof. Wang’s team found that snow droughts now affect 70–99% of Northern Hemisphere croplands (up from 46–54% in the 1960s), with 45% of these areas suffering significant yield losses. Pathways to Climate Resilience To safeguard global food systems against this growing climate risk, the study calls for an urgent shift toward climate-resilient agricultural practices: Climate-Smart Crops: Breeding winter wheat varieties with dual tolerance to both extreme cold and drought. Precision Farming: Transitioning from fertilizer-heavy practices to sustainable nutrient management to reduce crop vulnerability. Early Warning Systems: Integrating satellite snow-cover monitoring into agricultural risk assessments to help farmers proactively adapt. "As global warming accelerates, we must shift from reactive crisis management to proactive, climate-resilient agricultural planning," says Prof. Wang. This research underscores Otto Poon Research Institute for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure’s commitment to pioneering scientific solutions that strengthen global climate resilience and protect sustainable development.

Prof. Huang Xinyan Honored with the Prestigious 2026 Hiroshi Tsuji Early Career Researcher Award

We extend our warmest congratulations to our member, Prof. Huang Xinyan, Associate Professor in the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE), for receiving the prestigious 2026 Hiroshi Tsuji Early Career Researcher Award from The Combustion Institute. Co-sponsored by Elsevier and The Combustion Institute, this highly competitive annual award recognizes significant advancements in fundamental or applied combustion science. Prof. Huang is one of only three early-career scholars globally to receive this honor in 2026, alongside researchers from Politecnico di Milano and the National University of Singapore. Named after Professor Hiroshi Tsuji—whose pioneering counterflow burner configuration revolutionized combustion studies—the award honors researchers who have made profound contributions within four to ten years of completing their PhD. Prof. Huang, who earned his PhD from Imperial College London and completed postdoctoral training at UC Berkeley, has co-authored over 200 journal papers spanning smoldering dynamics, wildland fires, microgravity combustion, battery safety, and AI-powered fire resilience. He currently serves as an Associate Editor of the Proceedings of the Combustion Institute. This global accolade adds to Prof. Huang’s stellar track record of academic and entrepreneurial excellence. His previous honors include the NSFC Excellent Young Scientists Fund, the Bernard Lewis Fellowship, and early-career awards from both the International Association of Fire Safety Science and the International Association of Wildland Fire. Beyond academia, Prof. Huang has successfully bridged the gap between research and industry by co-founding two innovative startups: WideMount Dynamics, which specializes in advanced firefighting robots, and GABES, which develops intelligent fire service systems. Upon receiving the award, Prof. Huang shared: “I am incredibly thrilled and honored to receive the 2026 Hiroshi Tsuji Early Career Researcher Award. I am grateful to my mentors, colleagues, and collaborators, who have shaped my career. I also dedicate this award to my current and past students and postdocs who always create brilliant ideas and challenge hard questions through their innovative thinking and hard work. Finally, I would like to thank NSFC, RGC, ITC, and PolyU for supporting my research and team over the last decade.” Our Institute celebrates this remarkable international recognition of Prof. Huang's pioneering contributions to combustion science and fire safety engineering. We are proud to support our members as they continue to drive scientific breakthroughs with profound global and practical impacts.