Prof. DING Xiaoli, Director of Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Chair Professor of Geomatics at PolyU, led the project “PipeInspect: Cutting-Edge Inspection on Water Distribution Network with Fiber-optic Positioning” which was honoured with the Silver Award at the 5th Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions Hong Kong (AEII 2025). The event took place on 4–5 December 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and featured around 140 innovative projects from across Asia. AEII is a prestigious annual exhibition and competition organised by The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association in partnership with Palexpo, the organiser of the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva.
At the exhibition, RILS showcased PolyU’s latest advancements in optical fiber sensing technologies for real-time water mains leakage detection and health monitoring. This innovative solution addresses critical urban infrastructure challenges by enabling early detection and prevention of water loss in distribution networks. Live demonstrations highlighted how distributed fiber sensing can continuously monitor strain, temperature, and acoustic signals along pipelines, facilitating precise leak detection, early anomaly identification, and predictive maintenance. This proactive approach not only reduces non-revenue water but also enhances the resilience and sustainability of water supply systems.A key feature of the technology is the integration of sensing data with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), digital twins, and advanced analytics. This enables operators to visualize pipeline conditions, simulate scenarios, and optimize asset management, bridging the gap between physical infrastructure and digital intelligence. Such research is paving the way for smarter cities and more sustainable resource management.The exhibition provided an excellent platform to engage with international visitors and industry stakeholders, whose feedback reinforced the global relevance of fiber sensing solutions in addressing water scarcity and infrastructure challenges.
RILS remains dedicated to advancing research in land and space applications, delivering solutions that safeguard critical infrastructure and improve quality of life. Together, we are shaping the future of intelligent water management and contributing to a more resilient and sustainable world.
| Research Units | Research Institute for Land and Space |
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