News

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.

Prof. Hsu Shu-Chien Secures HK$800,000 from Innovation and Technology Fund for Sustainable Waste-to-Shield Concrete Project

We are proud to announce that our member, Prof. Hsu Shu-Chien, Associate Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has secured HK$800,000 in funding under the Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITSP) of the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF), administered by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) of the HKSAR Government. Prof. Hsu’s project, titled “From Waste to Shield: High-Value Utilization of Incineration Ash and C&D Waste in Sustainable Radiation-Shielding Concrete,” addresses the critical municipal challenge of managing incineration residues and construction waste in Hong Kong. The research introduces an innovative "detoxification-to-valorization" strategy using geopolymer-based stabilization. This technology safely locks in hazardous heavy metals while utilizing the naturally occurring heavy elements—such as lead, iron, and nickel—within the waste to block radiation. By developing sustainable, X-ray-shielding recycled concrete for medical infrastructure, this pioneering study offers a high-value recycling solution that supports Hong Kong’s transition toward green construction, a circular economy, and carbon neutrality. This prestigious funding from the ITSP is designed to support applied research and development projects that transfer advanced R&D results directly to local industries, enhancing Hong Kong's overall productivity and competitiveness. We extend our warmest congratulations to Prof. Hsu on this outstanding achievement, which highlights our Institute’s commitment to turning academic innovation into practical, sustainable solutions for society.  

Prof. Liu Tao Receives PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award (YIRA) 2026

Prof. Liu Tao, Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has been awarded the Young Innovative Researcher Award (YIRA) 2026 by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). He is one of only six rising scholars university-wide to receive this honour, which recognizes outstanding researchers under the age of 35 who demonstrate exceptional potential in driving high-impact, interdisciplinary innovation. The Awarded Project Project Title: Net-Zero Wastewater Management through Circular Resource Utilisation Project Description: Developing circular, net-zero wastewater systems through integrated carbon management, in-situ resource recovery and system-wide technological innovation. About the YIRA The YIRA recognizes researchers under the age of 35 who exhibit exceptional potential, supporting them in pursuing high-impact, interdisciplinary research through dedicated funding and personal recognition. The award aims to help young researchers translate academic theory into practical solutions that align with the evolving needs of society. Congratulations to Prof. Liu on receiving this award.

Prof. Ni Yiqing’s Team Publishes Nature Communications Study on the Inland Shift of Tropical Cyclone Rainfall and Flood Risks

We are pleased to highlight a groundbreaking climate study co-authored by our member, Prof. Ni Yi-Qing, Chair Professor of CEE, and Dr. E Deng, CEE Research Fellow, published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications. The study, titled “Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Extends Inland,” reveals that heavy rainfall from tropical cyclones has been extending further inland globally. Along the continental coasts of the Northern Hemisphere, this landward reach has increased at an estimated rate of 3.8 km per decade, bringing severe storm impacts to inland regions historically considered less vulnerable to coastal weather. Through satellite observations and climate modeling, the research team identified nearshore sea-surface warming and rapid coastal urbanization as the key drivers behind this shift. Ocean warming increases atmospheric moisture, while expanding urban areas increase surface roughness. This physical friction forces moist air upward, creating a dynamical effect that intensifies heavy rainfall over inland areas. This trend significantly escalates flood risks, exposing an additional 2.6 million people per decade to inland flooding in the Western North Pacific alone. By demonstrating that tropical cyclone threats are moving deeper inland, this research offers critical, data-driven insights for policymakers and urban planners to design climate-resilient infrastructure in expanding inland zones. Read the full paper in Nature Communications: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-70647-1    

Prof. Chen Jianli's Greenland Ice Melt Study Honoured in PolyU’s Top 10 Research Stories of the Year

PolyU recently held its inaugural “Top 10 Research & Innovation Stories of the Year” campaign. Selected through public voting and expert evaluation, this initiative spotlights outstanding research driving global progress and societal well-being. We are proud to share that our member, Prof. Jianli Chen, Chair Professor of Space Geodesy and Earth Sciences, has been honoured in this prestigious selection for his pioneering work in climate resilience. Published in the renowned journal Nature, Prof. Chen’s study addresses the critical global challenge of climate change. The Greenland ice sheet is currently the primary driver of global sea-level rise; if fully melted, it could raise sea levels by seven meters. To better understand this threat, Prof. Chen’s international team integrated advanced space geodetic techniques, combining satellite positioning data (GNSS) with NASA’s satellite gravity measurements. By monitoring the vertical displacement of bedrock beneath the ice sheet, the team successfully quantified summer meltwater storage. The study revealed that extreme summer heatwaves caused the bedrock to subside by up to 14 millimeters, providing crucial, unprecedented data on how meltwater behaves before reaching the ocean. This breakthrough significantly improves the accuracy of regional climate models, offering vital insights to help coastal cities project sea-level rise and build stronger global climate resilience. We extend our warmest congratulations to Prof. Chen on this well-deserved recognition of his impactful research.

PolyU Advances Smart Sewage Management Through Innovative Research

Climate change is intensifying extreme weather events, putting growing pressure on urban infrastructure such as sewer systems. To address these challenges, researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have developed an innovative smart sewage management model to enhance the resilience, efficiency and sustainability of underground sewerage networks. Led by Prof. Tarek ZAYED, a member of RICRI and Professor of the Department of Building and Real Estate, the research team developed a model that uses deep learning algorithms to analyse sewer pipeline conditions with high accuracy. The system helps infrastructure operators detect deterioration, defects and potential blockages at an early stage, enabling more timely and effective maintenance. The study responds to the urgent need for smarter infrastructure management in dense urban environments, where ageing sewer systems are increasingly vulnerable to extreme rainfall and other climate-related pressures. By integrating intelligent assessment, real-time monitoring and predictive analysis, the model supports a proactive approach to sewer inspection and maintenance. This data-driven solution can help reduce service disruptions, lower operational risks and improve resource allocation. It also highlights the transformative potential of digital technologies in infrastructure management by supporting preventive maintenance and evidence-based decision-making. As cities face the combined pressures of climate change, urbanisation and ageing infrastructure, such innovations will be vital in strengthening urban resilience.

Congratulations to Prof. Albert Chan on Receiving the 2026 Adelaide University International Fellows Award

We are delighted to extend our warmest congratulations to Prof. Albert Chan, MH, Distinguished Research Professor of BRE, on receiving the prestigious Adelaide University International Fellows Award. This inaugural fellowship recognises leading global researchers to forge international partnerships and address key global challenges. Out of a highly competitive global pool, Prof. Chan is one of only 13 successful fellows selected worldwide. Through this fellowship, Prof. Chan will collaborate with Adelaide University researchers to develop a comparative integration and success framework. This innovative project will integrate circular economy principles and Building Information Modelling (BIM) for the architecture, engineering, construction, and operation (AECO) industries in both Australia and Hong Kong SAR. As part of his fellowship, Prof. Chan will visit Adelaide in 2026 to engage with students, deliver a public lecture, and work with academic hosts on key research initiatives. This honour highlights Prof. Chan’s steadfast pursuit of research excellence and his dedication to a more sustainable future. Please join us in celebrating this outstanding achievement and wishing him success in this global collaboration.

Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Distinguished Lecture Series

RICRI hosted a distinguished lecture in January, featuring Prof. WANG Huijun, Director of the State Key Laboratory of Climate System Prediction and Risk Management, Professor in the School of Atmospheric Sciences at Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, and Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, as keynote speaker. Titled “Challenges of the Accelerated Global Warming and the Intensification of Climate Extremity”, the lecture brought together faculty members, researchers, students and practitioners to discuss one of the most urgent issues facing the world today. Prof. WANG highlighted the growing risks of heatwaves, droughts, heavy precipitation and compound extreme events, and their impacts on public health, ecosystems, agriculture, water security and renewable energy infrastructure. He emphasised the need to strengthen understanding of climate extremes through integrated Earth system research and to improve climate prediction by combining statistical-dynamic models with artificial intelligence. The lecture was well received and reflected RICRI’s commitment to advancing dialogue on climate resilience and sustainability.