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PAIR Newsletter · Issue 15 · September 2025 is now available

We are excited to release the latest issue of the PAIR Newsletter! As Issue 15 is published, our brand-new initiative, the PAIR Advanced Education Programme, also commences.  Offered in dual mode and designed for learners from all backgrounds, our Programme addresses some of the biggest societal challenges facing the world today and the solutions to these problems.  Please stay tuned for news about our upcoming courses and join us on a scientific learning journey. This Issue presents a collection of compelling articles and important academy updates.  The Feature Stories section includes interviews of three leading scholars from distinct disciplines, who offer their perspectives on mental health research, photonics development and clean air actions.  Prof. QIU Anqi, Director of Mental Health Research Centre, explains how mental health diagnosis and intervention can be supported by engineering and data-driven approaches. PAIR Senior Fellow, Prof. YAO Jianping of the University of Ottawa, Canada, addresses the current development in and challenges facing the photonics industry. Prof. David PUI, also a PAIR Senior Fellow, describes how the giant air cleaning towers he and his collaborators designed help contribute to cleaner air in China and India. The Research Achievements section takes a closer look at several studies at PAIR which bring unique insights into sustainability, cultural heritage and human health.  The News & Events section summarises the latest knowledge-exchange activities, including international conferences, lectures and seminars conducted by PAIR and its constituent units. The Knowledge Transfer section highlights healthy ageing technologies developed by PAIR researchers that integrate medical engineering and artificial intelligence. The People section reports on the recent achievements by our scholars, including recognition as tech leaders and best scientists in their respective fields. Read on to discover the latest updates at PAIR! PAIR Newsletter · Issue 15: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/pair/publications/issue-15/

Prof. CAO Jiannong visits China Mobile IoT and appointed as Chief Visiting Expert

Prof. CAO Jiannong, Acting Vice President (Education), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Professor in Data Science, Chair Professor of Distributed and Mobile Computing, and Director of Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT), paid a visit to China Mobile IoT Company Limited (CMIoT) on 24 August 2025. During the visit, both parties engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as industrial application of large AI models, key technologies for passive IoT and mechanisms for joint university-enterprise research initiatives. They reached a consensus to embark on substantive cooperation in areas including national strategic research projects, cultivation of high-end talent, and the formulation of international technical standards, working together to promote the development of national strategic emerging industries and their expansion into global markets. Prof. Cao was also appointed as Chief Visiting Expert, with an appointment ceremony held on the same day. CMIoT highly commended Prof. Cao’s reputation in the fields of distributed systems, wireless sensing and networks, big data, and artificial intelligence, noting that his research directions are closely aligned with CMIoT’s strategic focus on large AI models and passive IoT. This exchange not only deepened mutual trust and understanding between the two parties, but also strengthened collaboration in innovative research and high-end talent development, laying a solid foundation for future joint laboratory establishment, collaborative research projects, and the transformation of scientific research achievements.   Online coverage: youth.cn - https://polyu.me/41pPN5y Toutiao - https://www.toutiao.com/article/7543071590293733942/?channel=&source=search_tab

RiFood member launches start-up for functional drink “Mushroom Coffee”

Dr Nano CHENG Wai-yin, Member of Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) and Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, has co-founded a PolyU start-up, Mushroom Innovation Tech Limited, to develop the novel beverage “Mushroom Coffee”.  This coffee blends extracts from various mushrooms, delivering the natural energising effects of coffee while reducing the common side effects associated with caffeine.   With comprehensive support from PolyVentures, PolyU start-ups have been empowered to develop innovative ideas and pioneering solutions.  This innovation has already been successfully commercialised, with a couple physical stores in Hong Kong acting as distributors, and two bars within Hotel ICON also adopting the products.  This serves as a solid case of cutting-edge research being translated into practical applications.   Online Coverage: Ming Pao Daily - https://news.mingpao.com/  

Two PolyU education research projects awarded under Theme-based Exercise of Public Policy Research Funding Scheme

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to leveraging its outstanding research capacity to make a profound impact on the development of education in society. PolyU has secured support for two projects through the Theme-based Exercise specially launched under the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS) 2025/26 of the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit (CEPU). A total of eight projects received funding under the scheme focusing on education-related policies. Among all applicant institutions, PolyU ranked first in both the number of funded projects and the awarded amount. The two projects, led by scholars from the Department of Applied Social Sciences and the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC), have collectively received approximately HK$1.6 million. They are recognised as being aligned with the future strategic positioning and development needs of Hong Kong. The two PolyU projects are (by project number): Principal Investigator Prof. YU Lu Associate Head and Associate Professor of the Department of Applied Social Sciences at PolyU Co-Investigators Prof GU Mingyue (Professor and Dean of Graduate School, EdUHK) Dr WU Ka-yu Florence (Section Head (Counselling and Wellness), Student Affairs Office, PolyU) Prof. HE Jingwei (Associate Professor, Division of Public Policy, HKUST) Prof. Ronnel Bornasal KING (Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, CUHK) Prof. LIN Li (Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, LU) Prof. PAN Jiayan (Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, BU) Prof. YE Shengquan (Associate Professor, Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, CUHK) Prof. ZENG Min (Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, HKU) Project Title Enhancing Adaptation, Integration, and Career Development of Non-local University Students in Hong Kong Funded Amount HK$905,993.00 Duration 12 months   Principal Investigator Prof. CHEN Xiaohua Sylvia Associate Dean Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Chair Professor of Social and Cultural Psychology of the Department of Applied Social Sciences at PolyU Co-investigators Prof. NG Chi Kit Jacky (Assistant Professor, APSS, PolyU) Dr AU Kit Yee Algae (Research Assistant Professor, APSS, PolyU) Dr LU Yiqing Erin (Senior Research Fellow, APSS, PolyU) Dr WU Ka-yu Florence (Section Head (Counselling and Wellness), Student Affairs Office, PolyU) Project Title Enhancing Cultural Integration for Non-local Students in Hong Kong: A Multicultural Acquisition Approach to Policy Development Funded Amount HK$694,257.55 Duration 12 months The PPRFS aims to encourage local think tank experts and scholars (including universities and civil society think tanks) to apply their expertise to conduct evidence-based research on key public policy issues, facilitate the knowledge transfer of research findings to policy considerations, and serve as a channel for the Government to tap into the public policy research expertise of society.

RiFood members featured on HOY TV’s programme on novel fungus-based fat replacer and new food regulations

Prof. Amber CHIOU Jiachi, Associate Director of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), Associate Head and Associate Professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, and Dr Gail CHANG Jinhui, Research Assistant Professor in the same department and Member of RiFood, were featured on HOY TV’s programme “InnoAction”, where they introduced AkkMore™, a novel fungus-based fat replacer developed by their research team.  Dr Chang explained, “Mushrooms have a very low fat content, typically only 0.5% to 3%. Our primary focus is on high-fat foods, and we are trialling the use of AkkMore™ in biscuits. This fat replacer can reduce the fat content in biscuits by half, and in cream cakes and similar products, it can reduce fat by 25%. It is user-friendly and suitable for any factory or home kitchen; simply add the powder during food preparation process.” Prof. Chiou added, “AkkMore™ can help reduce calorie intake. Furthermore, it can promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut. In our experiments on mice, we observed that obese mice exhibited anxiety symptoms showed alleviation of symptoms after consuming our formula. Their overall health also improved notably, with better control of blood sugar and lipid levels.” The two researchers noted that some fat substitutes currently available on the market may not be easily accepted by consumers due to factors such as their ingredients and taste. They will continue to research this mushroom-derived fat substitute, with the aim of bringing more innovative and healthy foods to consumers. Given that novel foods are expected to become a major trend in the future food market, Prof. Kevin KWOK, also Associate Director of RiFood, Associate Head and Associate Professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, commented during the interview that whether new regulations are needed for such foods depends on their ingredient composition and production methods.   Online coverage: HOY TV - https://www.i-cable.com/%E6%96%B0%E8%81%9E%E8%B3%87%E8%A8%8A/380837/%E6%99%BA%E5%89%B5%E6%9C%AA%E4%BE%86-%E6%96%B0%E9%A3%9F%E6%9D%90-%E6%96%B0%E5%81%A5%E5%BA%B7 (14:58-17:13 and 20:48-22:55) (Chinese only)    

Dr LI Ming featured in Hong Kong Commercial Daily on real-world assets development

Dr LI Ming, Associate Researcher of Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT) and Executive Chairman of Hong Kong Web3.0 Standardisation Association, recently gave an exclusive interview to the Hong Kong Commercial Daily, in which he provided an in-depth analysis of the development trends and standardisation efforts in the Real-World Asset (RWA) sector. He pointed out that RWA tokenisation is developing rapidly, with legislation related to stablecoins also progressing at pace. RWA has now moved from the exploratory stage to practical application, with numerous projects urgently requiring standardised models and technical support to facilitate financing and ecosystem expansion. Dr Li emphasised that stablecoins and RWA are currently the two hottest topics in the industry, but they are fundamentally different: RWA leans towards project-level financial services and requires a comprehensive business model for support, whereas stablecoins are payment tools rather than investment assets. He reminded the public not to misunderstand the purpose of stablecoins, stressing that their core value lies in payment scenarios. The industry should strengthen public education to address misconceptions. Regarding the development of stablecoins, Dr Li proposed three main pathways: inter-institutional clearing and settlement; cross-border supply chains; and consumer-facing transfers and payments. He believes that stablecoin applications require an entirely new technological infrastructure, which traditional finance cannot achieve. Related business systems must find balance between regulatory compliance and innovation. In the future, large-scale technology integration service companies are expected to emerge, integrating resources from law firms and securities brokers to provide one-stop services including rights confirmation, valuation, issuance, and circulation. On the regulatory front, RWA presents new opportunities. Regulators are gradually establishing transparent regulatory principles and sandbox testing mechanisms, providing a compliant path for industry innovation. Most countries are adopting transparent regulation, establishing licensing regimes and regulatory sandboxes to offer a controlled testing environment for innovative applications. Hong Kong’s sandbox mechanism has become a key driver in promoting standards. Dr Li revealed that joint formulation of technical and business standards has already commenced, with over a dozen industry proposals under discussion. The standard documents are expected to be released next year, expecting to reach a consensus on industry self-regulation before further communication with the SAR government on related implementation. For enterprises interested in entering the RWA field, Dr Li recommends clarifying their business models and further streamlining the stablecoin industry chain. The emergence of integrated service providers will benefit the sector. The core value of Web3.0 lies in improving the efficiency of business model cycles, supporting financing and scale expansion. Building a clear, trustworthy, and transparent docking platform is crucial. Dr Li concluded by stating that stablecoin legislation, licensing, technological implementation, and business innovation all require long-term effort, and the healthy development of the industry depends on standardisation and rational understanding.   Online coverage: Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/4fIzEy2 (Chinese only)

Prof. YANG Guang and Prof. LI Gang publish review article on perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells

A review article titled “Towards efficient, scalable and stable perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells” co-authored by Prof. YANG Guang, Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Prof. LI Gang, Chair Professor in the same department, was recently published in the Nature Photonics. Perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells (TSCs) have emerged as a highly promising technology for photovoltaic energy harvesting, already surpassing the efficiency limits of traditional single-junction solar cells. Although recent power conversion efficiencies have approached 35%, perovskite/silicon TSCs still face a significant gap compared to their theoretical maximum. Additionally, challenges related to long-term operational stability and large-scale manufacturing must be overcome before this technology can be widely commercialised. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in perovskite/silicon TSCs, with a particular focus on three critical aspects: efficiency, stability, and scalability. The authors also offer a critical assessment of the remaining challenges and discuss the prospects for the future development of this technology. Prof. Yang is currently a Member of the Photonics Research Institute (PRI), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) and Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM). Prof. Li serves as the Associate Director of RISE, Management Committee Member of PRI, and Member of Research Institute for Intelligence Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD). Read the full paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41566-025-01732-y

Prof. CAI Jing pioneer safer, AI-powered MRI imaging for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

PolyU researchers have made a breakthrough in MRI imaging for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Traditionally, MRI scans for NPC rely on gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) to enhance tumour visibility. However, GBCAs pose health risks, including nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and potential accumulation of gadolinium in human brain. Led by Prof. CAI Jing, Management Committee Member of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA), Professor and Head of Department of Health Technology and Informatics, and his team have developed an AI-powered, contrast-free MRI imaging, offering a safer diagnostic alternative. Their innovative Multimodality-Guided Synergistic Neural Network (MMgSN-Net) synthesises virtual contrast-enhanced images using information from T1- and T2-weighted scans, eliminating the use of GBCAs. Building on this, the team has introduced the Pixelwise Gradient Model with Generative Adversarial Network for Virtual Contrast Enhancement (PGMGVCE), which further improves image texture and detail. Comparative studies show that PGMGVCE matches MMgSN-Net in accuracy and excels in texture representation, which is crucial for precisely delineating the boundaries of NPC tumours. The findings highlight the importance of integrating multiple imaging modalities and advanced AI techniques to enhance diagnostic quality. These advancements promise safer MRI procedures for NPC patients, particularly those experiencing side-effects from contrast agents, and pave the way for improved cancer diagnosis and treatment planning. Future research will focus on expanding datasets and incorporating more MRI modalities to further boost diagnostic capabilities. Online coverage: Eurek Alert - https://polyu.me/45hPQ5R Bioengineer - https://polyu.me/413mNAp Technology Network - https://polyu.me/4mH2bWU Mirage News - https://polyu.me/3UsjhvF

Prof. WENG Qihao publishes comment article on urban visual-spatial intelligence

Prof. WENG Qihao, Associate Director of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence and Global STEM Scholar in the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, together with his research team has recently published an article titled “Urban visual-spatial intelligence: linking human and sensor perception for sustainable urban development” in npj Urban Sustainability.  The article points out that UVSI integrates human perception with advanced sensor technologies, moving beyond traditional smart city models that prioritise technology alone. By combining data from sources such as satellite imagery, IoT sensors, mobile devices, and social media, UVSI provides a real-time, multi-dimensional understanding of urban environments. A central feature of UVSI is its collaborative framework, ensuring continuous feedback between residents, technology, and urban spaces. This adaptive approach supports dynamic urban management and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11 for sustainable cities. UVSI informs policy-making, infrastructure planning, disaster monitoring, and climate action, while upholding privacy and public trust. Nonetheless, challenges persist, especially the integration of diverse types of data across geographical contexts and addressing associated biases. The research team believes that future research will focus on open-source models, digital twins, and ethical, AI-driven urban planning. As cities expand, UVSI’s holistic method promises more resilient, inclusive, and liveable urban environments by bridging technology and human experience, ensuring urban development remains responsive to the needs of all communities. Read the full paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42949-025-00256-2

PolyU research achieves record efficiency in semi-transparent solar cells, advancing the development of building-integrated photovoltaics

Prof. LI Gang, Chair Professor of Energy Conversion Technology and Sir Sze-yuen Chung Endowed Professor in Renewable Energy of the PolyU Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, together with Research Fellow Dr YU Jiangsheng, have recently developed an innovative parameter to evaluate the potential of photoactive materials for ST-OPVs. By screening for the most promising materials and their combinations, the research has advanced the development of high-performance ST-OPVs and paved the way for their widespread applications in smart windows and sustainable buildings. With their unique discrete absorption, low-cost production and environmental sustainability, ST-OPVs have very significant development potential in the field of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). To fully realise their potential in the BIPV market and beyond, scientists have combined different materials and leveraged advanced device engineering technologies to enhance the efficiency and stability of ST-OPVs, while ensuring that the colour of the product appears natural under sunlight so that the photovoltaic system does not compromise the building’s visual appeal. They introduced a dimensionless parameter, FoMLUE, to screen a series of classic photoactive materials. It takes into account the materials’ average visual transmittance, bandgap and current density by investigating their normalised absorbance. The researchers found that ST-OPVs based on the ternary materials with the highest FoMLUE values demonstrated enhanced thermal insulation and operational stability compared with their counterparts, and achieved record light utilisation efficiency of 6.05% - the highest figure of merit reported for any semi-transparent solar cell. Their research additionally revealed the influence of geographical factors on ST-OPV performance. To explore the power generation and energy-saving performance of ST-OPV glazed windows, the research team developed a transient model to simulate power output and assess its impact on building space cooling and heating loads. The model, applied in 371 cities across China, has shown that over 90% achieved annual load reductions. Geographical analysis has further indicated that regions with hot summers and warm winters are the most suitable for the installation of ST-OPV glazed windows, with the annual total energy saving in these regions reaching up to 1.43 GJ m ⁻². A paper reporting the research, “Semitransparent organic photovoltaics with wide geographical adaptability as sustainable smart windows,” has been published in Nature Communications. Moving forward, the research team will continue to enhance the long-term stability of ST-OPVs and scale up development to large-area solar modules, both of which are essential for achieving commercialisation. Prof. Li is currently the Associate Director of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), Management Committee Member of Photonics Research Institute (PRI), and Member of Research Institute for Intelligence Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD).   Press release: https://polyu.me/3LnaOZi Full paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-62546-8 Online coverage: Tech Xplore - https://polyu.me/3IXUcH1 Mirage - https://polyu.me/3WiQSsY Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/3L46BJY (Chinese only) Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/3WNvlZA (Chinese only) Eurek Alert - https://polyu.me/4oy1Tm9 Bauhinia - https://polyu.me/47Cz16B (Chinese only) Unwire.hk - https://polyu.me/3WksS8Y (Chinese only) Science Net - https://polyu.me/4o6YyLa (Chinese only)