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PolyU initiates cognitive remediation programme using memory encoding strategies to provide early intervention for people with mild cognitive impairment

With its ageing population, the prevalence of dementia in Hong Kong is expected to increase. Healthcare researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have developed an innovative mobile application-based cognitive remediation programme, Enhancing Memory in Daily Life (E-MinD Life), targeting those who experience memory complaints, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia. The programme, leveraging memory encoding strategies, provides early intervention to delay the functional deterioration associated with cognitive decline, supporting these individuals’ independent living and enhancing their quality of life. As individuals age, cognitive functions and memory gradually decline, affecting their ability to perform daily activities independently. Such memory decline is more pronounced in people with MCI. MCI is a significant area of interest in ageing and dementia research, and, more importantly, various studies suggest that it can indicate early dementia-related neuropathological changes years before a clinical diagnosis of dementia. Among the three stages of memory, namely encoding, storage and retrieval, the encoding stage is often the first to be affected in people with MCI, causing memory decline. Developed by Prof. Karen LIU, Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at PolyU, in collaboration with Dr Nikki TULLIANI, Associate Lecturer at Western Sydney University, the E-MinD Life programme is built on the principles of semantic and perceptual memory encoding, and innovatively integrates cognitive remediation into daily activities. As an early intervention, it aims to train older adults in the early stages of cognitive decline, while they still have the capacity to learn new skills and adopt memory strategies to better manage daily activities. The programme lasts for nine weeks, with three 60-minute sessions per week: one individualised therapist-led meeting followed by two self-administered sessions. Humans can register new information to memory through semantic encoding and perceptual encoding of information. Prof. Karen Liu elaborated, “Semantic-based memory, also referred to as conceptual knowledge or declarative memory, encompasses our long-term understanding of objects, word meanings, facts, concepts, rules and people, acquired through our lifetime experiences. While these knowledges are organised into networks of connected ideas or concepts, semantic memory encoding enables us to associate new information with what we already know and remember it more efficiently. Perceptual-based memory encoding, on the other hand, involves capturing and storing visual information, such as images, in memory to help with recall.” As memory decline sets in, people with MCI often have difficulties with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), involving essential tasks such as household chores, shopping and managing finances, which are crucial for maintaining their independence in both home and community living. E-MinD Life incorporates semantic and perceptual encoding techniques into 12 common IADLs. These IADLs are categorised into three blocks: “meal preparation and clean-up activities”, “laundry activities” and “communication and community activities,” each comprising four tasks. By engaging participants in these structured tasks, the programme shows significant potential in fostering cognitive engagement and practical learning. The encoding techniques enable participants to organise pertinent aspects like person, place, time and object, and establish connections between these concepts, enhancing learning and memory. The techniques include “visual imagery” and the “method of loci,” which help participants connect visual information from memory; “chunking,” which requires them to break down the IADL into different steps, give context to the chunks of information and then form a contextual story; and “self-generation,” which asks them to use their own words to describe the IADL. Based on a user-friendly mobile application, E-MinD Life utilises knowledge and methods derived from previous research, allows tailoring of the programme to meet participants’ individual needs, and provides real-time feedback. In addition, by reaching out to larger populations, E-MinD Life is able to provide community-based interventions, extending the impact of cognitive remediation programmes beyond professional-led training. Prof. Liu added, “Non-pharmacological treatments are essential for alleviating the decline in memory and cognitive abilities through effective preventive and early intervention measures. Enabling older adults and MCI individuals to easily use E-MinD Life at home, we aspire to create a cost-effective, self-administered and time-flexible means for personalised interventions. By teaching participants to apply semantic and perceptual encoding principles in everyday tasks, the programme supports individuals in overcoming challenges associated with memory decline. This initiative also marks a notable advancement in leveraging memory encoding to facilitate cognitive remediation.” To further refine the administration of E-MinD Life, focus groups and expert reviews were conducted to gain insights from healthcare professionals, as well as from older adult participants and their caregivers. A pilot study on E-MinD Life was conducted in Australia to evaluate its usability. The qualitative analysis revealed that participants found the programme enjoyable and beneficial. Specifically, it increased memory awareness in daily life, stimulated the learning of new skills and technology, and provided an appropriate level of challenge. A Chinese version of E-MinD Life is currently being developed for trial use in Hong Kong. Inspired by their prior endeavours in stroke rehabilitation, Prof. Liu and her team have explored memory encoding for older adults since 2006. After conducting a series of studies to understand the neuro-mechanisms associated with these memory encoding techniques, the findings were translated into clinical projects to assess their applicability within the clinical population. Subsequently, E-MinD Life has been developed with a commitment to promoting cognitive training for older adults in home settings.

PolyU scholar recognised among the Top 50 Most Productive Marketing Scholars in the World

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to advancing innovative research across diverse disciplines to address the various needs of society. Prof. JIANG Yuwei, Chair Professor of Marketing and Associate Head of the Department of Management and Marketing, has earned global recognition as one of the Top 50 Most Productive Marketing Scholars in the world. According to the American Marketing Association (AMA) DocSIG Research Productivity Report, Prof. Jiang ranks #18 globally this year. He is the only marketing scholar in Asia included on the list. This recognition is based on the number of publications Prof. Jiang has contributed to premier marketing journals, including Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of Marketing, and Marketing Science, over the period from 2015 to 2024, as calculated by the AMA. This honour reflects his exceptional scholarly contributions and lasting impact on the field of marketing research. Prof. Jiang’s research interests lie in consumer psychology, with a particular focus on how social influence, self-concept, and visual marketing information shape consumers’ judgments and decisions. In response to rapid changes in technology and the marketplace, one of his recent research directions explores the effects of marketing interactions, such as human-business and human-machine communication, on consumer cognition and behaviour, along with the theoretical mechanisms that drive these effects. Building on this work, Prof. Jiang also proposes policy and management recommendations and will further explore the impact of multi-dimensional digital identities on other consumers, artificial intelligence, brand interactions, and decision-making. In recognition of his significant contributions, Prof. Jiang has received several prestigious honors, including the NSFC Distinguished Young Scholar, the Marketing Science Institute (MSI) Scholar, and the JCR Outstanding Reviewer Award.

PolyU researchers unveil novel strategy to achieve both strength and toughness in 2D materials design, advancing applications in electronic and photonic devices

The mechanical strength and toughness of engineering materials are often mutually exclusive, posing challenges for material design and selection. To address this, a research team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has uncovered an innovative strategy: by simply twisting the layers of 2D materials, they can enhance toughness without compromising material’s strength. This breakthrough facilitates the design of strong and tough new 2D materials, promoting their broader applications in photonic and electronic devices. The findings have been published in the international journal Nature Materials. While 2D materials often exhibit exceptional strength, they are extremely brittle. Fractures in materials are also typically irreversible. These attributes limit the use of 2D materials in devices that require repeated deformation, such as high-power devices, flexible electronics and wearables. Efforts to improve toughness by introducing defects, such as vacancies and grain boundaries, often degrade intrinsic electrical properties, leading to a trade-off between mechanical durability and electronic performance. Therefore, enhancing both the strength and toughness of bulk materials for engineering applications has remained a significant challenge. To overcome these limitations, a research team led by Prof. Jiong ZHAO, Professor of the PolyU Department of Applied Physics, has pioneered a novel twisting engineering approach whereby twisted bilayer structures enable sequential fracture events, addressing the conflict between strength and toughness in 2D materials. The finding was supported by nanoindentation and theoretical analysis. Typical transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) is a class of 2D materials known for their unique electronic, optical and mechanical properties. These characteristics enable their diverse application in electronics and optoelectronics, energy storage and conversion, sensors and biomedical devices, quantum technologies, mechanics and tribology. By focusing on TMDs, such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) and tungsten disulfide (WS₂), the team discovered a new fracture mechanism in twisted bilayers. Using in situ transmission electron microscopy, the team found that when cracks propagate in twisted bilayer structures, the lattice orientation mismatch between the upper and lower layers leads to the formation of interlocking crack paths. Following the initial fracture, the crack edges in both layers spontaneously form stable grain boundary structures through interlayer self-assembly. This distinctive “crack self-healing” mechanism protects subsequent fracture tips from stress concentration, effectively preventing further crack propagation. Notably, this process consumes more energy than conventional fracture, and the degree of toughness enhancement can be tuned by adjusting the twist and twist angle. Prof. Jiong Zhao said, “By breaking through the framework of conventional fracture mechanics theory, this study presents the first demonstration of autonomous damage suppression in 2D materials, establishing a groundbreaking strategy for designing integrated novel strong-and-tough 2D materials. This research also extends the application of twistronics to mechanical performance design, such as with regard to material strength, opening exciting possibilities for the development of future electronic and photonic devices. As fabrication techniques for twisted 2D materials continue to mature, a new generation of smart materials combining superior mechanical properties with exotic electrical characteristics, holds great promise for technological innovation in the fields of flexible electronics, energy conversion, quantum technology and sensing.”

PolyU three projects enhancing driving safety and traffic management awarded Smart Traffic Fund

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) continues to lead in pioneering cutting-edge technologies that drive safer and more efficient mobility solutions. Three PolyU projects have recently been awarded a total grant of approximately HK$10.6 million from the Smart Traffic Fund for their innovative approaches to enhancing road safety, optimising traffic management, and promoting sustainable transport. These projects focus on developing automated traffic data monitoring, intelligent systems for speed guidance of heavy goods vehicle, and AI-powered smart route planning, each contributing to a more efficient and secure transportation ecosystem in Hong Kong. Led by Dr Yue YU, Research Assistant Professor of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics at PolyU, the project titled “Smart Route Planning System” has been awarded about HK$3.53 million for a duration of 21 months. This project aims to develop an AI-driven energy consumption estimation model by considering factors such as road environment, average speed, and different vehicle types and years. The model will provide more accurate and localised estimations, thereby optimising route planning for fuel-powered, electric and hybrid vehicles. Led by Prof. Edward Chin Shin CHUNG, Professor of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at PolyU, the project titled “Automated Monitoring Traffic Data System for Detector Status and Non-recurrent Events” has been awarded about HK$2.22 million for a duration of 24 months. This project aims to develop an automated system to monitor the changes in the status of the traffic detectors including sensors, auxiliary equipment such as video cameras, or non-recurrent traffic events. The system will enable timely recommendations for maintenance and traffic data processing. It will provide real-time alerts and regular reports on detector operational status, thereby enhancing data quality and improving traffic management efficiency. Led by Prof. Hailong HUANG, Assistant Professor of the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering at PolyU, the project titled “Driving and Speed Guidance System for Heavy Goods Vehicles” has been awarded about HK$4.84 million for a duration of 24 months. This project aims to develop a vehicle speed guidance system for heavy goods vehicle drivers by analysing road conditions, vehicle dynamics, front-view imagery, real-time centre of gravity estimation, and driving style. The system will deliver speed recommendations to reduce risks such as rollovers and enhance driving safety. PolyU has long been committed to the research and application of vehicle-related innovation and technology, with a total of 26 projects supported by the Smart Traffic Fund to date. The Smart Traffic Fund provides funding support to local organisations and enterprises for conducting research and applying innovation and technology with the objectives of enhancing commuting convenience, enhancing efficiency of the road network or road space, and improving driving safety.

BrainCo Visits PolyU to Promote Brain-Computer Interface Collaboration

BrainCo and the New Industrialisation Development Office of Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) delegation visited PolyU on 10 July 2025 to engage in in-depth discussions on the research and application of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, actively promoting integration among academia, industry, and research. Ir Professor ZHENG Yongping, Chair Professor and Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering, and Director of the Research Institute for Smart Ageing at PolyU,  gave a comprehensive presentation on PolyU’s achievements in academic research, technological innovation, and industry-academia collaboration. He also highlighted PolyU’s contributions  to prosthetics and orthotics education and research, BCI-related development, and its accomplishments in medicine-engineering integration. In addition, Prof. Marco Pang, Chair Professor of Neurorehabilitation and Head, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences of PolyU, and Prof. Kenneth Fong, Associate Head (Research, Innovation, and Knowledge Transfer), Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, and Director of the Research Centre for Assistive Technology of PolyU, introduced the department’s research on applying BCI technology to stroke rehabilitation and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Dr Ming Ge, Commissioner for Industry (Innovation and Technology) of ITIB, introduced the current development of new industrialisation in Hong Kong and highlighted Hong Kong’s unique advantages and strategic position in helping enterprises with research and development of innovation and technology products and in facilitating their global expansion.  Dr Nyx He, Partner of BrainCo, then shared the company’s technology edge of in products such as intelligent prosthetic bionic hands, as well as innovative application solutions in rehabilitation, sports health, and education. PolyU scholars from the Department of Health Technology and Informatics and the Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies also shared their research, demonstrating the broad potential for integration with BCI technology. After the meeting, the delegation visited the Prosthetics and Orthotics Laboratories at PolyU to gain deeper insights into the university’s research facilities. This exchange further underscored the vast potential for collaboration between BrainCo and PolyU in the field of BCI technology. It is hoped that both parties will work together to advance the development of BCI technology and achieve fruitful outcomes in the near future.

PolyU secures RGC Theme-based Research Scheme funding to develop cost-effective and sustainable Co-GenAI model

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to driving cutting-edge research that creates societal impact and technological advancement. Prof. YANG Hongxia, Executive Director of the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence, Associate Dean (Global Engagement) of the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, and Professor of the Department of Computing, has received funding from the Theme-based Research Scheme 2025/26 under the Research Grants Council for her pioneering project, “Collaborative Generative AI (Co-GenAI)”. The project has been awarded total funding of HK$62.6 million, with HK$41.79 million provided by the RGC and the remaining amount matched by PolyU and other participating universities. This initiative is aimed at reshaping the landscape of GenAI through a decentralised way. The research holds significant potential to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a global leader in GenAI development, with real-world applications in healthcare and technology. Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), said, “We are delighted that our scholar has received this significant support. This pioneering project exemplifies the University’s commitment to advancing cutting-edge AI research, alongside our emphasis on inclusive and sustainable technological development. PolyU will continue to leverage its world-class research capabilities to make a profound impact on the future development of Hong Kong and the global community. With the launch of the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence, we are poised to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and unlock new frontiers in AI applications.” The project, led by Prof. Yang Hongxia, aims to develop a novel collaborative GenAI paradigm known as Co-GenAI. The system evolves through the integration of several hundred domain-specific models to create a foundation model designed to achieve artificial general intelligence (AGI) with significantly reduced centralised computational demand. By addressing the current constraints imposed by graphics processing unit (GPU) monopolies, this innovative approach is set to democratise AI development and enable broader participation in GenAI research and deployment. Co-GenAI is tailored to enhance different domains and collaborations, with the long-term goal of creating a versatile platform for the next generation of GenAI ecosystem. The project’s key tasks include the development of domain-adaptive continual pre-training infrastructure and the design of a robust, generalisable model ranking methodology. In addition, an advanced model fusion approach will be implemented to merge heterogeneous top-ranked domain-specific models. Prof. Yang expressed her gratitude for the RGC’s support and said, “Backed by a team of world-renowned researchers with extensive expertise, we believe Co-GenAI will play a transformative role in advancing the democratisation of AI, expanding its accessibility across disciplines and enhancing cost-effectiveness. We are confident that this novel paradigm will spark greater innovation and diversity in the field, ultimately paving the way for the development of a global foundation model that is both sustainable and inclusive.” To evaluate Co-GenAI, the research team will implement and deploy the system across a wide range of applications in collaboration with industry partners including Cyberport, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Alibaba, and leading hospitals such as Huashan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, Shandong Cancer Hospital, and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. The RGC’s Theme-based Research Scheme aims to pool the academic research efforts of UGC-funded universities to conduct research on topics of strategic importance to Hong Kong’s long-term development. Evaluation criteria include qualification as world-leading by international standards and the potential impact on Hong Kong.

PolyU signs MoU with Peking Union Medical College Hospital to advance AI-powered precision diagnosis and treatment for tumors and nurture outstanding medical talent

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PolyU and amfori gather experts to unlock sustainable supply chain opportunities

Organised by amfori and supported by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the seminar “Unlocking Opportunities and Managing Challenges in Sustainable Supply Chain Management” was successfully held on 9 July. Over 70 industry leaders, buyers, and key stakeholders gathered to explore the latest trends, regulatory challenges, and practical solutions in sustainable supply chain management. Prof. Amanda Wang, Professor and Associate Head of the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies of PolyU, delivered a keynote speech providing an in-depth analysis of the regionalisation of global supply chains network. Additionally, Prof. Jimmy Jin, Assistant Dean (Fund-raising and Development) and Associate Professor of School of Accounting and Finance of PolyU, participated in the panel discussion to elaborate on the major challenges facing global sustainable supply chain management from an academic perspective. The panel session was further enriched from industry experts, including Mr Stafford Lau, Director of Prosperity Textile (H.K.) Limited and Stella Blu Textile Limited, and Mr Chris Wong, Global Head of Compliance of Otto International (HK) Limited, who shared valuable real-world experiences and practical viewpoints. The seminar concluded with closing remarks from Prof. Eric Chui, Head of Department of Applied Social Sciences of PolyU and Co-Director of PReCIT, alongside Ms. Joyce Chau, Director APAC of amfori. Participants also enjoyed an exclusive lab tour at PolyU Materials Resource Centre and University Research Facility in 3D Printing (U3DP), exploring the cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions driving sustainable development.

PolyU awarded RGC Strategic Topics Grant for advancing next-generation immunotherapy technologies

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has received funding support from the Strategic Topics Grant (STG) 2025/26 of the Research Grants Council (RGC) to support a multidisciplinary biomedical project aimed at developing an integrated technology platform for next-generation cancer immunotherapy. This pioneering research, which seeks to address some of the most pressing challenges in cancer treatment, has been awarded RGC funding of HK$32.4 million. Although cancer immunotherapy represents a major breakthrough in clinical oncology, it still faces significant challenges. To address some of these, Prof. ZHAO Yanxiang, Associate Head and Professor of the PolyU Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, is leading a multidisciplinary research team to develop a novel integrated approach to unlock the enormous potential of cancer immunotherapy. The project, “An integrated technology platform for next-generation cancer immunotherapy - from identification of tumor neoantigens to development of novel therapeutic vaccine modalities,” has received a total funded budget of HK$36 million, of which RGC funds 90% of the project cost with the remaining 10% matched by the participating universities, over a period of five years. Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), said, “PolyU is at the forefront of medical research and technological innovation, harnessing the strengths of our dedicated scholars, interdisciplinary research excellence, and state-of-the-art facilities and resources. This major funding from the RGC highlights our strong academic and innovative capabilities, particularly in the integration of biomedical technologies and AI-powered healthcare advancements.” Immunotherapy has revolutionised cancer treatment by using the body’s immune system to eliminate tumour cells. Antibodies that function as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and chimeric antigen receptor-T cell therapy (CAR-T) have achieved remarkable clinical success, particularly in prolonging survival for some patients. However, these treatment options still face limitations as many cancer types are refractory to ICIs, and CAR-T is mostly effective in blood cancers but not in solid tumours. Recently, neoantigen-based therapeutic vaccine has emerged as a promising new modality in cancer immunotherapy. Some leading candidates, particularly mRNA-based vaccines, have shown encouraging result in early-stage clinical trials. However, challenges such as insufficient immunogenicity of neoantigens and the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment remain as major hurdles for this approach. To overcome these challenges, Prof. Zhao and the research team proposes to build an integrated technological platform to develop Peptide-based Immunogenic Neoantigen Vaccines (PIN-Vax). This proposed platform has received support from STG under the project topic “Using advanced technology to advance health care challenge.” The platform comprises four interconnected modules that collectively cover the full preclinical development cycle and make use of advanced artificial intelligence technology in an integrated approach. The project plans to first apply the PIN-Vax platform to HPV-associated cervical cancer and HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma, as both cancers contain virus-derived neoantigens suitable for vaccine development. The research team will develop a robust pipeline of PIN-Vax candidates and evaluate their anti-tumour efficacy. Combing PIN-Vax candidates with ICIs is also planned to explore further synergistic effect. For future studies, this PIN-Vax platform will be applied in other cancer types, especially those showing limited response to existing ICIs or CAR-T therapy. Prof. Zhao said, “We have brought together an interdisciplinary team of academic researchers, clinicians and industry partners to build the PIN-Vax platform. Our track record and preliminary studies demonstrate the feasibility of this project. Our long-term goal is to transform this platform into an innovative engine for next-generation cancer immunotherapy, benefiting cancer patients.” STG has been set up to support collaborative research in specific areas which can help Hong Kong overcome imminent challenges and tap fast-evolving opportunities. The maximum duration of a project is five years. The ceiling of project cost per project to be awarded by the RGC is $40 million (excluding on-costs).

China Aviation Technology Industry Delegation Visit PolyU

A delegation from China Aviation Technology Industry (Hong Kong) (AVIC) visited PolyU to engage in in-depth discussions on collaboration in aviation technology and artificial intelligence, fostering industry-academia-research integration. PolyU’s Research and Innovation Office showcased the University’s exceptional achievements in academic research, technological innovation, and industry-academia partnerships during the meeting. Prof. HUANG Hailong and Prof. GUAN Yu, both Assistant Professor of the PolyU Department of Aeronautics and Aviation Engineering, along with Prof. ZHANG Xiaoge, Assistant Professor of the PolyU Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, participated in the meeting. They presented cutting-edge advancements in safe low-altitude flight technology, solutions for thermoacoustic instability, and reliability engineering and trustworthiness assurance for AI-powered intelligent systems, highlighting PolyU’s leadership in these research domains. Mr HAO Weidi, Executive Director and General Manager of AVIC, outlined the company’s strategic priorities and innovative solutions for the low-altitude economy. Mr TAN Fei, Planning Director of Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG), shared insights into the current state and challenges of the aviation industry.  Following the meeting, the delegation toured PolyU’s Aviation Engineering Laboratory, Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things, and Aviation Services Research Centre, gaining a deeper understanding of the University’s state-of-the-art facilities and research achievements. This visit established a robust communication platform between AVIC and PolyU, laying a strong foundation for future collaboration in research and technology transfer.