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Two PolyU innovations in energy and new materials awarded TechConnect 2023 Innovation Awards

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has won two prestigious TechConnect World Innovation Conference and Expo 2023 (TechConnect) Global Innovation Awards in the areas of energy and new materials. TechConnect is the world’s largest multi-sector event for fostering translational innovations and technology commercialization. This year, marking the seventh consecutive year that the University has received such recognition, PolyU is the only higher education institution in Hong Kong to have snatched awards. PolyU’s winning innovation in the area of “energy, efficiency and environmental” is the world’s first ammonia-powered electric vehicle that can achieve zero-carbon emission while delivering higher efficiency and ensuring safer energy storage than conventional electric vehicles, thereby providing a more sustainable solution to long-term transportation issues. The other award-winning PolyU project, in the area of “medical devices and materials”, has developed novel Photocrosslinkable nanocomposite materials for bone graft applications, providing a highly efficient solution for bone healing. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU congratulated the winning teams and said, “PolyU strives to nurture global scholars through excellence in teaching and learning, research and knowledge transfer. The award-winning technologies showcased at TechConnect will continue to inspire PolyU to develop impactful research and innovations. We are committed to addressing global challenges facing mankind through interdisciplinary research and international collaboration.” Details of the two PolyU award-winning innovations are below: 1. Ammonia Powered Fuel Cell-based Electric Vehicle project, led by Prof. Eric CHENG Ka-Wai, Professor of the Department of Electrical Engineering The ammonia-powered fuel cell based electric vehicle adopted ammonia-to-wheel energy conversion where liquid ammonia stored inside a cylinder is broken down into nitrogen and hydrogen by catalysts to generate electricity, and achieves zero carbon emission. In this project, hydrogen is produced from ammonia on the vehicle for feeding fuel cells. A large storage of hydrogen is not needed as the hydrogen is consumed immediately. There are no hazardous issues from the hydrogen. Hence, it is safer and can be managed more easily. 2. Biomimicking Photocrosslinkable Nanocomposite Bone Grafts project, led by Dr Xin ZHAO, Associate Professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering Biomimicking Photocrosslinkable Nanocomposite Bone Grafts mirror the structure of natural bone. They can load and release bioactive molecules and activate cell-signaling pathways to simultaneously promote osteogenesis and angiogenesis while providing optimal mechanical support to the injured area in order to expedite the bone healing process. The product can compete in the growing market and serve a huge number of patients who are receiving orthopedic surgeries. The TechConnect conference will be held in Washington, D.C. from 19 to 21 June, 2023. PolyU’s delegation will showcase various innovative projects and meet with technology prospectors with a view to potential collaboration. For details of TechConnect 2023 Innovation Awardees, please visit: https://www.techconnectworld.com/World2023/participate/innovation/awards.html

PolyU and Red Date Technology Sign MoU to Foster Blockchain Development

On 14 June 2023, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)  and Red Date Technology Limited (Red Date Technology) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore opportunities for collaboration in the field of blockchain.  Integrating the strengths of two innovative and forward-thinking organisations, the MoU serves as a framework for further cooperation on blockchain research, application and education, addressing practical needs and popularisation of blockchain. This collaboration will be led by Department of Computing (COMP) and Research Centre for Blockchain Technology at PolyU. Prof. LI Qing, Chair Professor and Head of COMP, and Mr Tim BAILEY, Vice President of Global Sales of Red Date Technology, signed the MoU at the ceremony, witnessed by Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President of PolyU; Ir Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU; Mr Yifan HE, CEO of Red Date Technology and Dr David Chung, founder of ImpactD.  Prof CHAO said in the welcome remark, “PolyU and Red Date share a commitment to advancing blockchain technology and its applications. This MoU is an excellent opportunity for us to explore potential cooperation between academia and the industry.” In Mr HE’s congratulatory speech, he stated, “Red Date is proud to collaborate with a leading institution such as PolyU to advance important technologies like blockchain and help develop future talent for Hong Kong.”  Prof. LI pointed out in his speech that this partnership would undoubtedly leverage the strengths and expertise of both parties to drive innovation and progress in this field. The MoU signing ceremony concluded with a panel discussion on the BSN (Blockchain-based Service Network) Spartan experience sharing, moderated by Dr Henry CHAN, Associate Professor and Associate Head (Partnership & Collaboration) of COMP. Other panel speakers included Prof. Allen AU, Professor of COMP, Mr Tim BAILEY, and representatives from Prenetics and Fujifilm.  By integrating knowledge and expertise of PolyU and Red Date Technology, this MoU aims to foster the development of blockchain and make a significant contribution to the field.  

PolyU collaborates with Tianjin Medical University to establish scientific collaborative research platform to identify causes of eye disease and construct screening system

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has joined with Tianjin Medical University (TMU) to nurture talents, build research teams, conduct scientific research and develop a scientific collaborative research platform in the next five years. The two universities will combine their research strengths to identify causes of eye disease and the possible solutions. They will also adopt artificial intelligence technology and leverage extensive clinical data databases to construct a screening system for eye disease. The partnership brings together the complementary strengths of the world-leading research capability of PolyU’s School of Optometry (with its research impact ranking first in Asia according to Clinical and Experimental Optometry) and TMU’s excellent research and teaching capability, which has enabled it to rank sixth among the 85 medical schools in the country. A signing ceremony was held on the PolyU campus. Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, and Prof. YAN Hua, Party Secretary of TMU, signed the memorandum of understanding. Prof. David SHUM, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of PolyU and Prof. YU Ying, Vice President of TMU, signed the strategic cooperation agreement. Prof. Wong said, “TMU is a well-known medical university in China. Its teaching achievements and research projects have won many awards and national support. PolyU is glad to be able to promote strategic cooperation with TMU with a view to enhancing scientific research and academic talent training and jointly contribute to the development of optometry and vision science in the country and the world.” Prof. Yan remarked, “I am very pleased that TMU and PolyU have reached another level of cooperation in academic exchange and research. In line with the principle of “complementary advantages, coordinated development and mutual benefit”, we will enable advanced cooperation in the fields of optometry and vision science, and cultivate first-class students. We aim to produce top-level scientific research outputs and jointly develop an innovative teaching and scientific collaborative research platform.” The PolyU School of Optometry has collaborated with institutions worldwide to build interdisciplinary research teams and promote high-impact vision science research. With strategic cooperation with TMU, both institutions will have increase their competitiveness. Prof. Shum noted, “PolyU’s School of Optometry and TMU jointly establishing a scientific collaborative research platform will help to solicit increased research funding, develop clinical application systems and contribute to enhancing eye-care services in Hong Kong and the country.” The two institutions have carried out academic and research cooperation since 2004. In 2019, the two universities jointly established the “TMU-PolyU Optometry and Vision Science Joint Laboratory”, contributing to basic scientific research and facilitating knowledge transfer outcomes.

PolyU Scholar honoured with National Award for Excellence in Innovation

Prof. K. F. CHUNG, Director of the Chinese National Engineering Research Centre for Steel Construction (Hong Kong Branch) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has been bestowed a Certificate of Merit at the 3rd National Award for Excellence in Innovation. Prof. Chung is the only recipient from Hong Kong this year. Prof. Chung is professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at PolyU. As an expert in structural steel engineering, he has contributed to research and application of principal theories in structural steel engineering. This award not only demonstrates PolyU's strength in research and technology development, but also supports Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation hub. Prof. Chung specialises in research into the performance and cost challenges for large steel structures, along with the environmental issue of the high carbon footprint of construction. He has conducted cross-disciplinary research in various areas such as materials, welding, as well as the mechanical properties and structural performance of high-strength steel structures, providing solutions for the Nation’s development of a “dual carbon” strategy in engineering construction. In the field of steel structures internationally, Prof. Chung has made substantial impacts with his development of a series of fundamental theories and key technologies for application in domestic high-strength steel structures. His studies have been the focus of a number of high-level academic papers. Practically, his research outputs have been applied in several major construction projects such as the double-arch steel bridge of the Cross Bay Link in Tseung Kwan O in Hong Kong and the Quarta Ponte Marítima Macau-Taipa. These innovations generate significant economic and social benefits, with significant cost saving in construction. Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), said, “The award is highly encouraging and affirms PolyU’s strong scientific research capabilities. PolyU strives to be an innovative world-class university and will continue to promote research in a wide range of areas, with the goal of playing a significant role in the national scientific research development for supporting innovation and technology applications in China and the world.” The National Award for Excellence in Innovation was jointly organised by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, China Association for Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, and State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. The Award aims at recognising outstanding technology scientists and teams who have made significant contributions to frontier research, construction and engineering technology, innovative technology and knowledge transfer, technology entrepreneurship, innovation and social services. The Award is organised every three years, with honours awarded to no more than 300 science and technology talents.

PolyU showcases at BIO International Convention

PolyU joined as an exhibitor at the BIO International Convention (BIO2023) held in Boston on 5-8 June to showcase our research expertise in Life Sciences and explore new opportunities for global partnerships. This year’s event attracted more than 15,000 attendees from 7,000 companies and 84 countries for a variety of business meetings and conferences over the past week. As the only University in Hong Kong exhibiting at this annual largest biotechnology meeting, we showcased PolyU’s capabilities in drug discovery and development, biomedical engineering, diagnostics, material science etc. The delegation was joined by three academics including Prof. Pei LI (ABCT), Dr. Xin ZHAO (BME) and Dr. Gilman SIU (HTI) to connect with industry leaders and learn best practices. It has been an inspiring experience to meet with great minds of the biotech industry across the world, and we are committed to further facilitate opportunities for international collaborations and partnerships. Looking forward to seeing you again at BIO2024 in San Diego!

PolyU researchers develop optoelectronic graded neurons for perceiving dynamic motion

The tiny visual systems of flying insects have inspired researchers of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) to develop optoelectronic graded neurons for perceiving dynamic motion, enriching the functions of vision sensors for agile response. Biological visual systems can effectively perceive motion in a complicated environment with high energy efficiency. Particularly, flying insects have high flicker function frequency (FFF) and could perceive objects with high motion speeds. This nature inspiration leads to advancing machine vision systems with very economical hardware resource. Conventional machine vision system for action recognition typically involves complex artificial neural networks such as “spatial” and “temporal” stream computation architectures. Led by Prof. Yang CHAI, Associate Dean of Faculty of Science and Professor in Department of Applied Physics at PolyU, the research team showed that optoelectronic graded neurons can perform high information transmission rate (>1000 bit/s) and fuse spatial and temporal information at sensory terminals. Significantly, the research finding empowers the functionalities that are unavailable in conventional image sensors. Prof. CHAI, said, “This research fundamentally deepens our understanding on bioinspired computing. The study finding contributes to potential applications on autonomous vehicles, which need to recognize high-speed motion on road traffic. Also, the technology may be used for some surveillance systems.” Bioinspired in-sensor computing Machine vision systems usually consist of hardware with physically separated image sensors and processing units. However, most sensors can only output “spatial” frames without fusing “temporal” information. Acute motion recognition requires “spatial” and “temporal” stream information to be transferred to and fused in the processing units. Therefore, this bioinspired in-sensor motion perception brings the progress in motion processing, which have been a computational challenge with considerable demands on computational resources. The PolyU research “Optoelectronic graded neurons for bioinspired in-sensor motion perception” is published on Nature Nanotechnology. The research team has focused on studies on in-sensor computing to process visual information at sensory terminals. In other previous studies, the team demonstrated the contrast enhancement of static images and visual adaptation to different light intensities. Prof. CHAI, noted, “We have been working on artificial vision for years. Previously, we only used sensor arrays to perceive static images in different environments and enhance their features. We further look into the question whether we can use a sensor array to perceive dynamic motion. However, sensory terminals cannot afford complicated hardware. Therefore, we choose to investigate the tiny visual systems such as those of flying insects which can agilely perceive dynamic motion.” Flying insects such as Drosophila with a tiny vision system can agilely recognize a moving object much faster than human. Specifically, its visual system consists of non-spiking graded neurons (retina-lamina) that have a much higher information transmission rate (R) than the spiking neurons in the human visual system. The tiny vision system of insect greatly decreases the signal transmission distance between the retina (sensor) and brain (computation unit). Essentially, the graded neurons enable efficient encoding of temporal information at sensory terminals, which reduces the transfer of abundant vision data of fusing spatiotemporal (spatial and temporal) information in a computation unit. This bioinspired agile motion perception leads to the research team to develop artificially optoelectronic graded neurons for in-sensor motion perception. Highly accurate motion recognition High accurate motion recognition is essential for machine applications such as for automated vehicles and surveillance systems. The research found that the charge dynamics of shallow trapping centres in MoS2 phototransistors emulate the characteristics of graded neurons, showing an information transmission rate of 1,200 bit s−1 and effectively encoding temporal light information. By encoding the spatiotemporal information and feeding the compressive images into an artificial neural network, the accuracy of action recognition reaches 99.2%, much higher than the recognition achieved with conventional image sensors (~50%). The research unleashes challenge in motion processing which demands considerable computational resources. Now, the artificially graded neurons enable direct sensing and encoding of the temporal information. The bioinspired vision sensor array can encode spatiotemporal visual information and display the contour of the trajectory, enable the perception of motion with limited hardware resources. Getting inspiration from agile motion perception of the insect visual systems, the research brings significant progress in the transmission speed and processing of integrated static and dynamic motion for machine vision systems in an intelligent way.

PolyU and Jinjiang Government to establish joint technology and innovation research institute

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Jinjiang Municipal People’s Government have reached an agreement to establish the PolyU-Jinjiang Technology and Innovation Research Institute, aiming to strengthen and facilitate research collaboration among industries, academia and research organisations in Hong Kong and Jinjiang. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, and Mr WANG Mingyuan, Mayor of Jinjiang, signed the relevant agreement at an event held in the Quanzhou Nanyi National High-tech Zone on 2 June. The research institute will leverage PolyU’s research strengths and achievements to meet Jinjiang’s industrial needs and facilitate the city’s industrial transformation. PolyU and Jinjiang city will partner in various fields such as new textile materials, fashion design, intelligent wearable systems, microelectronics, future food, and public policy. The two parties will also nurture entrepreneurial talents with innovative technological knowledge and a global perspective. Capitalising on PolyU’s research excellence and Jinjiang’s industrial strengths and resources, the collaboration between the two parties will support Jinjiang’s development into a top-notch innovation hub, jointly promote the two-way integration of the industrial chain and the innovation chain, and inject new impetus into the development of local high-tech industries.

PolyU researchers achieve record 19.31% efficiency with organic solar cells

Researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have achieved a breakthrough power-conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.31% with organic solar cells (OSCs), also known as polymer solar cells. This remarkable binary OSC efficiency will help enhance applications of these advanced solar energy devices. The PCE, a measure of the power generated from a given solar irradiation, is considered a significant benchmark for the performance of photovoltaics (PVs), or solar panels, in power generation. The improved efficiency of over 19% that was achieved by the PolyU researchers constitutes a record for binary OSCs, which have one donor and one acceptor in the photo-active layer. Led by Prof. LI Gang, Chair Professor of Energy Conversion Technology and Sir Sze-Yuen Chung Endowed Professor in Renewable Energy at PolyU, the research team invented a novel OSC morphology-regulating technique by using 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene as a crystallisation regulator. This new technique boosts OSC efficiency and stability. The team developed a non-monotonic intermediated state manipulation (ISM) strategy to manipulate the bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) OS morphology and simultaneously optimise the crystallisation dynamics and energy loss of non-fullerene OSCs. Unlike the strategy of using traditional solvent additives, which is based on excessive molecular aggregation in films, the ISM strategy promotes the formation of more ordered molecular stacking and favourable molecular aggregation. As a result, the PCE was considerably increased and the undesirable non-radiative recombination loss was reduced. Notably, non-radiative recombination lowers the light generation efficiency and increases the heat loss. The research team’s findings are described in the study “19.3% Binary Organic Solar Cell and Low Non-Radiative Recombination Enabled by Non-Monotonic Intermediate State Transition” published in Nature Communications . The conversion of solar energy to electricity is an essential technology for achieving a sustainable environment. Although OSCs are promising devices that harness solar energy cost-effectively, their efficiency must be improved if they are to be used widely in practical applications. Prof. Li said, “Challenges in research came from the existing additive-based benchmark morphology control methods, which suffer from non-radiative recombination loss, thus lowering the open-circuit voltage due to excessive aggregation.” The research team took about two years to devise a non-monotonic ISM strategy for increasing the OSC efficiency and lowering the non-radiative recombination loss. The publication of the study promises to galvanise OSC research. Prof. Li said, “The new finding will make OSC research an exciting field, and this will likely create tremendous opportunities in applications like portable electronics and building-integrated PVs.” The new door will open when low cost single-junction OSCs can achieve a PCE of over 20%, along with more stable performance and other unique advantages such as flexibility, transparency, stretchability, low weight and tuneable colour. Prof. Li has been recognised as a Highly Cited Researcher 9 years in a row since 2014, which testifies to his significant impact on global research. His pioneering contributions to research on polymer solar cells since 2005 have brought sustainable influence on printable solar energy development with global recognition. Prof. Li said, “The latest study shows a record low non-radiative recombination loss of 0.168 eV in a binary OSC with a PCE of over 19%. This is a very encouraging result for the long-standing research on OSCs that I have conducted over the past two decades. We have already achieved better OSC efficiency, and this will subsequently help accelerate the applications of solar energy.”

PolyU project Co-Building Kuk Po awarded the Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme to revitalise village

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has received a funding support of HK$3 million from Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme (CCFS) for a cultural rehabilitation / revitalisation project on “Co-Building Kuk Po: Creating, Sharing, Learning & Enjoying” with a duration of 18 months. Led by Mr Michael Chan, Senior Teaching Fellow in School of Design at PolyU, the project aims at revitalizing the Kuk Po village, strengthening connections between the villagers and community and sharing history and stories of Kuk Po.  Kuk Po village has great potential to foster development of diversified industries, such as education, agriculture, catering, craftsmanship and tourism. The project will design directory signs to provide information and direction, along with creation of studied history and stories about the village. A new hiking route at Sheck Nga Tau for elaborating a historical story board, as well as mobile public rest area for tourists and old villagers will be constructed. Also, the project team and villagers will co-organise a series of workshops for the public. Traditional festivals like Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival will be celebrated in a modern way on carnival festivity for the gathering of villagers.  Co-learning ambassador team will be formed to attract new generations of the village and local people on conservation activity and contribution. These innovative activities aim to increase public awareness on Kuk Po and its sustainable development, together with promotion of art education on local community.  Implemented under the Countryside Conservation Office (CCO) in Environment Branch of the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the CCFS is dedicated to support sustainable and holistic conservation efforts in Hong Kong’s rural countryside through an integrated funding source covering a wide spectrum of areas on different levels ranging from natural environment/habitats, non-graded built heritage to cultural and historic assets, etc. 

PolyU and Wenzhou government sign agreement to drive the establishment of a joint technology and innovation research institute

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Wenzhou Municipal People’s Government have reached an agreement to drive the formation of the PolyU-Wenzhou Technology and Innovation Research Institute, with the aim of promoting Wenzhou to become a key innovation and technology hub for entrepreneurs and talents. Through this innovation platform which is the result of government-academia collaboration, both sides will partner in the research of core technologies in various fields including new energy, advanced materials, intelligent wearable devices, maritime engineering equipment, offshore wind power, blockchain, and fashion design. PolyU will leverage its research excellence to support Wenzhou’s development into a top-notch technology innovation base, through fostering the city’s translational research and commercialisation of research and innovation. Both sides will also join hands to nurture innovative and entrepreneurial talents who are knowledgeable about critical technologies of the future and possess a global outlook. The framework agreement was signed on PolyU’s campus on 22 May 2023 by Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU’s Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Mr WANG Zhenyong, Vice Mayor of Wenzhou. The signing was witnessed by Dr LAM Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU; Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President of PolyU; together with Mr LIU Xiaotao, Standing Committee Member of the Zhejiang Provincial Communist Party Committee and the Party Secretary of Wenzhou; Mr WANG Jun, Secretary General of the Wenzhou Municipal Communist Party Committee; and Mr WANG Chi, Head of the United Front Work Department of the Wenzhou Party Committee. PolyU has established strong partnerships with universities and research institutes in the Mainland. The University also collaborates with Mainland businesses and local authorities in the promotion of translational research and knowledge transfer, while actively encouraging its students to learn about the development trends and opportunities in the Mainland. Recently, PolyU has engaged numerous local governments to discuss establishing joint technology and innovation research institutes, which connect PolyU’s capabilities and achievements in basic research to the needs of local industries. These collaborations would contribute to the Nation’s self-reliance in its pursuit of technological advancement and benefit the development of local manufacturing sectors.