News

The Atmospheric Environmental Remote Sensing Society (AERSS) Annual Meeting 2024 was successfully held

The 2nd International Annual Conference of Atmospheric Environmental Remote Sensing Society (AERSS) was held in Hong Kong, China, from 1 to 4 December 2024. The conference was co-organized by the AERSS and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). The Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI) and the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) of PolyU jointly organized the event. The conference received strong support from several universities and institutions, including the Faculty of Construction and Environment (FCE) and the Mainland Development Office (MDO) of PolyU, the Jiangsu-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance, the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China University of Mining and Technology, etc.   Focusing on the theme of "Remote Sensing and Sustainability", the conference attracted over 260 attendees from 15 countries and regions worldwide, including scholars from scientific research institutions and universities, as well as representatives from enterprises and organizations. The event provided a cutting-edge dialogue platform on the collision of ideas and integration of industry and research. As well, participants also exchanged the latest achievements and promoted the development of the atmospheric environmental remote sensing industry.

The 4th International Symposium of Water Disaster Mitigation and Water Environment Regulation cum the 14th South China Sea Tsunami Workshop was successfully held

The 4th International Symposium of Water Disaster Mitigation and Water Environment Regulation cum the 14th South China Sea Tsunami Workshop were successfully held in Hong Kong from 29 November to 2 December 2024. This joint event was co-organized by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Sichuan University, Sun Yat-sen University, Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), and supported by IAHR-HK Chapter, IAHR-China Chapter and relevant government departments of Hong Kong SAR. The four-day event, themed "Coastal and Urban Resilience under Climate Change," brought together 208 participants from 21 countries and regions to explore five key topics: "Extreme Weather under Climate Change", "Water-related Disasters", "Infrastructure Resilience", "Hydro-environment and Eco-hydraulics", and "AI and IoT Applications". The event commenced with welcome addresses from Prof. Xiangdong LI (Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Environment, DoRISUD) and Prof. Xiaoli DING (DoRILS). A total of 43 plenary and keynote speeches were delivered by distinguished experts in hydraulic and environmental engineering. These insightful presentations fostered in-depth discussions on cutting-edge issues such as monitoring and forecasting extreme climate events, mitigating water-related hazards in the context of climate change, and enhancing water environment management. Valuable recommendations were provided for strengthening infrastructure resilience and integrating data science into water engineering practices. Additionally, the conference featured 73 oral presentations and 39 posters, showcasing the latest research and injecting fresh momentum into synergistic innovation and sustainable development in this field. This joint event offered fresh perspectives and innovative solutions for tackling climate change and enhancing coastal and urban resilience. It significantly bolstered international collaboration and innovation in water resource management and disaster prevention. We extend our heartful gratitude to all the speakers and participants for their active contributions, which were instrumental in making this event a resounding success towards global cooperation and innovation in water disaster mitigation, water environment management, and climate change adaptation.

Prof. George LIU Zhizhao appointed as Chief Scientist of Meteorological Observation Center of China Meteorological Administration

Congratulations to Prof. George LIU Zhizhao, Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), and Associate Head (Partnership) of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, for being appointed as the Chief Scientist of the Meteorological Observation Center, China Meteorological Administration (CMA).   Prof. LIU is an internationally renowned scholar in geomatics research and application. Over the years, his laboratory, the Micro-Laboratory of Atmospheric Research and Geomatics Engineering (Micro-LARGE), has conducted academic research in the field of geomatics and developed related technologies that significantly contribute to important aspects of society. These include precise positioning algorithms and data quality analysis for Global Positioning System (GPS)/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), ionosphere scintillation monitoring and 3D Total Electron Content (TEC) modelling, impact of space weather on satellite navigation and flight operation, monitoring of atmospheric water vapor and 3D modelling, retrieval and calibration of satellite remote sensing water vapor data, and assimilation of atmospheric water vapor into Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models, etc.

Prof. Jianli CHEN co-authored study reveals summer meltwater storage in Greenland ice sheet

Prof. Jianli CHEN, Core Member of the RILS and Professor in the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, and an international group of researchers published a study in Nature that unveils a substantial amount of meltwater being temporarily stored within the Greenland ice sheet during summer.   The study was led by Dr Jiangjun RAN, Associate Professor at the Southern University of Science and Technology. For the first time, the team quantified meltwater storage using positioning data. The researchers employed data from the Greenland GPS Network (GNET), a network comprising dozens of stations in Greenland, to continuously monitor the vertical displacements of bedrock at different stages of the melt season. The mass of meltwater is a factor that causes the bedrock to shift downwards. The team developed an innovative method for explaining the detected vertical shifts based on the meltwater mass.   The Greenland ice sheet is currently the largest contributor to global sea level rise. If it completely melts, it can potentially raise the mean sea level by seven meters. The study provides a new perspective on the movement and storage of meltwater within the ice sheet during the summer months, bringing important discoveries for addressing pressing environmental challenges on Earth.   Read more: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08096-3

Dr James FANG shares PolyU’s research efforts for sustainable marine development in newspaper article

Dr James FANG Kar-hei, Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Associate Professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, published an article in the education section of Sing Tao Daily earlier, sharing on PolyU’s research in marine pollution monitoring technology and seafood sustainability. In the article, Dr Fang shared that his team utilised 3D technology to monitor the impact of pearl oyster reefs on local biodiversity, hoping to improve water quality through assessing the level of marine pollution in Hong Kong. The team has also collaborated with local fishermen on aquaculture techniques to support the sustainable development of fisheries.   Online review: Sing Tao Daily - https://bit.ly/3TwPthv (Chinese only)

Prof. Charles WONG receives Smart Traffic Fund for research on enhancing traffic efficiency

Prof. Charles Man-sing WONG, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Environment and Management Committee Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), has been awarded HK$5.3 million for his project titled “A study on public transport re-routing, with a healthy ‘Wait-to-Ride’ trip mode for optimizing public transportation routes and improving traffic congestion”.   The project aims to analyse the routes and stops of road public transportation. A spatio-temporal environmental database will be developed for providing suggestions on reorganising public transport routes in over-served areas with duplicated routes, with the aim of easing road traffic congestion and enhancing the efficiency of the road network.   Further reading: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/en/media/media-releases/2024/0923_three-polyu-projects-supported-by-smart-traffic-fund/   Online coverage: Mirage News - https://polyu.me/47JRrB2

Prof. Jianli CHEN elected as the AGU Fellow

Prof. Jianli CHEN, Professor in the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics and core member of RILS, has been elected as an American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fellow. Prior to joining PolyU under the Strategic Hiring Scheme in 2022, Prof. CHEN dedicated 28 years of his academic career to the University of Texas at Austin. He is a world-renowned expert in space geodesy and its applications in Earth sciences. In 2005, he received the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor in the United States for early career scientists and engineers, making him the first recipient in the field of geodesy.   Prof. CHEN joins a prestigious group of 53 individuals in the 2024 Class of AGU Fellows. The American Geophysical Union (AGU), the world's largest Earth and space science association, annually bestows this distinguished honor on a select number of individuals who have made exceptional contributions to their fields. Since its inception in 1962, less than 0.1% of AGU members have been selected as Fellows each year.   AGU Fellows are recognized for their scientific eminence, demonstrated through breakthroughs, discoveries, or innovations that advance Earth and space sciences. They also serve as external experts, advising government agencies and other organizations upon request. Prof. CHEN was selected for his exemplary leadership and outstanding scientific achievements, which have significantly advanced our understanding of space geodesy and global climate change.   Honorees will be recognized at AGU24, which will convene more than 25,000 attendees from over 100 countries in Washington, D.C., and online from December 9-13, 2024. Reflecting the theme 'What's Next for Science,' the Honors Reception will celebrate groundbreaking achievements that illustrate the continual advancement of science, inspiring the AGU community with their stories and successes.

Research by ADoRILS, Prof. Qihao WENG, idenifies effective heat indices for detecting dangerous outdoor conditions

We are delighted to announce that the research team led by Prof. Qihao WENG, Associate Director of RILS and Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence in the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI), has published a groundbreaking study. This research addresses the need for developing global heat wave frameworks to effectively identify dangerous outdoor conditions across diverse climatic and geographic regions. These developments will assist climate scientists, health professionals, policymakers, and communities in creating mitigation strategies and raising awareness about heat risks. The article, titled “Comparing Existing Heat Wave Indices in Identifying Dangerous Heat Wave Outdoor Conditions,” was published on 7 August 2024, in the journal Nexus of Cell Press. Dr. Pir MOHAMMAD, a postdoctoral research fellow in the JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations at PolyU, is the first author, while Prof. WENG serves as the corresponding author. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of commonly used heat wave indices in identifying dangerous outdoor conditions, using recent heat wave events observed in Asia, Europe, and North America as case studies. The results underscore the necessity for a global heat risk framework and nomenclature for heat risk early warning systems. Additionally, they highlight the need for local authorities to adopt more sophisticated heat stress mitigation and adaptation measures in the face of rapid global warming. This study encourages a broader discussion on the feasibility of using existing heat stress indices to accurately assess and respond to dangerous heat stress scenarios across various climatic, geographic, and meteorological contexts. The discussion surrounding the development of a heat risk framework closely aligns with the World Health Organization’s call for action on extreme heat. For more information, please visit the publication: DOI: 10.1016/j.ynexs.2024.100027 Congratulations to Prof. WENG and his team on this remarkable achievement! Online Coverage: EurekAlert! by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science Daily The Economic Times Science Magazine Eurasia Review

Sr Prof. Charles WONG Man-sing appointed as Member of Energy Advisory Committee of the Environment and Ecology Bureau by the HKSAR government

Sr Prof. Charles WONG Man-sing, Management Committee Member of RILS and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Environment, was appointed as a Member of the Energy Advisory Committee of the Environment and Ecology Bureau by the HKSAR government, for a term of two years, with effect from 15 July 2024. The Committee advises the government on energy policy, including policy matters concerning energy supply and demand, energy conservation and efficiency, and other related matters. HKSAR Government press release: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202407/15/P2024071500801.htm

RILS member Prof. Zhen LENG awarded ACSE’s 2024 Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize

Congratulations to Prof. Zhen LENG, Associate Director of the Research Centre for Resources Engineering for Carbon Neutrality (RCRE) and Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), for receiving the 2024 Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize (Huber Award) by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) for his innovative research in developing durable, low-carbon, cost-effective pavement materials and technologies.   The Huber Award is the highest-level mid-career research award given annually to individuals with notable achievements and contributions in research with respect to all disciplines of civil engineering.