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PolyU and Wuhan government to establish Technology and Innovation Research Institute

A delegation led by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) visited the Wuhan Municipal People’s Government and met with Dr GUO Yuanqiang, Member of the Standing Committee of Hubei Communist Party Committee and Communist Party Secretary of Wuhan City, and Mr CHENG Yongwen, Communist Party Deputy Secretary of Wuhan City and Mayor of Wuhan Municipal People’s Government, with a view to exploring and strengthening cooperation between Hubei and Hong Kong. Prof. Teng in his speech highlighted PolyU’s proactive efforts in promoting interdisciplinary research in recent years by establishing institutes, which have seen significant results in the realms of technological innovation and knowledge transfer. To further this goal, PolyU will connect research outcomes with industrial development to generate tangible social value. Acknowledging Wuhan’s favourable location and robust industrial development, the establishment of the joint PolyU-Wuhan Technology and Innovation Research Institute aims to strengthen cooperation with Wuhan in technological innovation, knowledge transfer and talent development spanning life sciences, new energy, new materials, smart cities and the artificial intelligence industry, so as to make greater contributions to the high-quality development of Mainland China. Dr Guo stated that the Wuhan Municipal Government had prioritised innovation-driven development as a key strategy for city development. Significant efforts have been made to leverage the city’s advantages in terms of scientific and educational talents for fostering innovation, and to capitalise on its advantageous transportation system and location to enhance domestic and international connectivity, creating a favourable environment for deeper cooperation between the two parties. Dr Guo also expressed the desire to establish a regular mechanism for exchange and collaboration with PolyU, aiming to attract and drive more innovative talents and resources to gather in Wuhan. They will partner with local universities, institutes and enterprises to facilitate research innovation, promote transformation and commercialisation of research achievements, developing Wuhan into a nationally recognised innovation and technology hub with a modern industrial system. The framework agreement between the Wuhan Municipal People’s Government and PolyU on the establishment of the PolyU-Wuhan Technology and Innovation Research Institute was signed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), and Mr MENG Hui, Vice Mayor of Wuhan Municipal People’s Government. Guests attending included Mr Franco KWOK, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Wuhan; Ms ZHANG Xiaomei, Director-General of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Hubei Provincial People’s Government; Mr Irons SZE, Permanent Honorary President of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong (CMA); and Dr WONG Chun, the former Vice-President of the CMA. PolyU is the first university in Hong Kong to collaborate with the Hubei Provincial Government in setting up a Technology and Innovation Research Institute in Wuhan. During this visit, the PolyU delegation also visited universities in Wuhan for in-depth discussions and exchanges to explore collaboration opportunities.

Propelling Biomaterial Innovations for Advanced Cell Therapy

At the heart of biomaterials research lies the pursuit of enhancing human well-being.  Translational regenerative medicine is a dynamic and rapidly advancing field that requires multi-disciplinary research approaches to develop innovative clinical solutions, therapies, and devices to improve human health and well-being. Dr Xin ZHAO, Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Associate Professor in Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), is at the forefront of this field.  Dr ZHAO's research interests involve the integration of multidisciplinary approaches, combining various fields such as material science, cell biology, engineering and medicine. The focus of her studies is on modulating cell microenvironments, manipulating cell behaviours and advancing tissue-engineered organ development. To synthesise patient-oriented biomaterials with unique structures and properties, her research team actively investigates how cells sense, interact and develop with biomaterials to regenerate damaged or diseased tissues.  Dr ZHAO said, “I begin by conducting a comprehensive study of the needs and developing a fundamental understanding of the clinical problem. I then design biomaterials with tailored features and structures to provide effective solutions.”  Specifically, photocrosslinkable polymers play a pivotal role in the research. They have garnered significant attention in the field of regenerative medicine due to their mild polymerization conditions, highly tunable physical properties, excellent biocompatibility and precise spatiotemporal control. These polymers offer immense potential for replacing or regenerating diseased or damaged tissues, such as skin and bone. In her research journey, Dr Zhao endeavours to develop and advance the revolutionary application potential of these materials for tissue engineering.   Uncovering practical uniqueness  Dr ZHAO’s discovery of the Photocrosslinkable Gelatin (GelMA) hydrogel offers a breakthrough solution in epidermal tissue engineering, which exceeds the conventional limitations of collagen- or gelatin-based hydrogels. Due to its tunable mechanical, degradation, and biological properties, GelMA hydrogel emerges as a promising option for various applications, such as epidermal substitutes, wound dressings, or substrates, to construct various in vitro skin models.  The research “Photocrosslinkable Gelatin Hydrogel for Epidermal Tissue Engineering” was published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, and has garnered widespread citations.1  The ability of cells to attach, spread and grow on hydrogels is fundamentally important to tissue development. Photocrosslinkable GelMA hydrogel with tunable mechanical and degradation features ideally makes it suited for skin-tissue engineering scaffolds. By varying the concentration of GelMA prepolymer solution, the physical and biological properties of the resulting hydrogels could be adequately controlled to meet the requirement for epidermis formation.  Hydrogels of higher concentrations display improved material mechanical and degradation properties for cell adhesion and keratinocyte monolayer formation. Also, GelMA hydrogels support the formation of a stratified epidermis with certain barrier functions such as electrical resistance and prevention of water loss.    Persistent pursuit of novel approaches Dr ZHAO and her research team have showcased the exceptional processability of photocrosslinkable polymers, rendering them inherently compatible with a diverse range of biomanufacturing technologies. Their groundbreaking work has unveiled a multitude of new possibilities in this field.  Stem cell transplantation has emerged as a promising treatment for various injuries ranging from bone fractures to bone cancers and for other disorders. Very often, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are used for bone regeneration due to their osteogenic differentiation potential. In this research area, Dr ZHAO presents a strategy of microfluidics-assisted technology encapsulating BMSCs and growth factors in photocrosslinkable GelMA microspheres to ultimately generate injectable osteogenic tissues constructs.  The findings were published in Advanced Functional Materials, titled “Injectable Stem Cell-Laden Photocrosslinkable Microspheres Fabricated Using Microfluidics for Rapid Generation of Osteogenic Tissue Constructs”. The research demonstrated that the GelMA microspheres can sustain stem cell viability and proliferation, support cell spreading inside the microspheres, and facilitate migration from the interior to the surface.2 In vitro and in vivo studies showed that BMSCs encapsulated GelMA microspheres exhibit enhanced osteogenesis. This approach holds promise for facilitating bone regeneration with minimum invasiveness and can potentially be combined with other matrices for broader applications.  Putting patients at the centre “Scientific research is a highly dynamic field that demands continuous innovation. It allows us to delve into fascinating new phenomena and discover unexplored realms that undoubtedly broaden our horizons,” said Dr ZHAO.  Large-scale bone defects caused by injuries, diseases, or trauma impose significant challenges in orthopaedic surgery due to the limited capacity of damaged bone tissues for self-repair and complete remodelling. Dr ZHAO has persistently investigated a new approach to advance therapeutic development in this area. In particular, for 3D printing, it shows great potential in the rapid and accurate fabrication of bone tissue engineering scaffolds to the patients’ needs.  Dr ZHAO’s team envisions the novel photocrosslinkable nanocomposite ink as an ideal candidate for 3D printing bone grafts. The research “Photocrosslinkable nanocomposite ink for printing strong, biodegradable and bioactive bone graft” was published in Biomaterials and has received significant attention.3 Compared with commonly used polymer or composite inks, the proposed material holds great promise in the 3D printing of bone grafts tailored to meet the specific needs of patients. This is attributed to its suitable rheological characteristics, rapid photocrosslinking solidification, adequate mechanical strength and toughness, tunable degradation rate and excellent bioactivity. Both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and osteogenic potential of the printed nanocomposite scaffolds.  Dr ZHAO said, “I believe that accumulating numerous citations is a cherished goal for every researcher. By making a high impact with research, it inspires further exploration and expands the functionality and applications of the developed materials. These collective efforts foster the development of superior materials and innovative solutions to clinical challenges.” Research Interests: Biomaterials, Drug Delivery, Tissue Engineering, Cell Micro-environment, Microfluidics Highly Cited Researcher: 2022 (Clarivate Analytics) Selected Highly Cited Publications: X. Zhao, Q. Lang, L. Yildirimer, Z. Lin, et.al., Photocrosslinkable Gelatin Hydrogel for Epidermal Tissue Engineering, Advanced Healthcare Mater, vol 5, Jan 2016 X. Zhao, S. Liu, L. Yildirimer, H. Zhao, et.al., Injectable Stem Cell-Laden Photocrosslinkable Microspheres Fabricated Using Microfluidics for Rapid Generation of Osteogenic Tissue Constructs, Advanced Function Mater, vol 26, May 2016 X. Zhao, Y. Yang, Q. Zhang, T. Xu, et.al., Photocrosslinkable nanocomposite ink for printing strong, biodegradable and bioactive bone graft, Biomaterials, vol 263, Dec 2020 Download Version

Media interview: Prof. Zuankai WANG Award-winning breakthroughs contribute groundbreaking discoveries for the world

Professor Wang Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Chair Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering of PolyU, has made groundbreaking discoveries for the world. His research on inhibiting the Leidenfrost effect above 1,000°C for sustained thermal cooling tackles the longstanding challenges posed by the Leidenfrost effect since 1756. He shared his remarkable discovery which has enabled the development of new materials that reduce the contact time between drops and surfaces, leading to revolutionary advancements in scientific knowledge and practical applications, in an interview with Hong Kong Commercial Daily. Please click here for details. For more about Prof Wang's research: Drawing inspiration from nature to advance established scientific knowledge PolyU scholar’s transformative work on the Leidenfrost effect wins the Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year 2023

CEVR provides eye care tips for you on World Sight Day

The second Thursday of October each year is the World Sight Day, aiming to raise awareness and action for eye health and vision care. This year's theme is "Love Your Eyes at Work."  Dry Eye Disease affects over 340 million people worldwide and has become increasingly prevalent among individuals who use electronic devices for prolonged periods, especially in work environments. To commemorate this significant day, the Centre for Eye and Vision Research is delighted to offer comprehensive information on the causes of Dry Eye Disease, the function of the tear film, various types of Dry Eye Disease, diagnostic methods, available treatment options in the market, and valuable tips for preventing Dry Eye Disease. Join us in leveraging this remarkable occasion to enhance awareness and understanding of Dry Eye Disease, empowering individuals to prioritise the health of their eyes and foster a more eye-friendly work environment.  

PolyU and Rohto join forces to establish the Centre of Research Excellence for Eye Care

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) partnered with Rohto, an eye care brand under Mentholatum, to establish the PolyU-Rohto Centre of Research Excellence for Eye Care (“the Centre”). The Centre’s inauguration took place at the “Leading Research in Eye Fatigue, Empowering the Joy of Seeing” launch ceremony held in Hong Kong. During the event, PolyU and Rohto also jointly released the “Promoting Healthy Vision and Prioritizing Standardised Diagnosis of Eye Fatigue” advocacy paper, which aims to enhance eye health within the broader community. Honourable guests witnessing this significant event included Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation), Prof. ZuanKai WANG, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation), Prof. David SHUM, Dean of Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Prof. Mingguang HE, Director of the PolyU-Rohto Centre of Research Excellence for Eye Care and Chair Professor of Experimental Ophthalmology School of Optometry, Mr Michael SIN, President of Mentholatum Asia Pacific, and Mr Wesley CHAN, General Manager of Sales and Marketing, Mentholatum (China) Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Establishment of The PolyU-Rohto Centre of Research Excellence for Eye Care marks a breakthrough for the optometry industry At the launch ceremony, Prof. Teng, said, "The University's School of Optometry is one of the world's leading institutions in optometry and vision science, and PolyU is the only university in Hong Kong offering optometry education. We have established several research centres related to ophthalmology, including the Centre for Eye and Vision Research launched with the University of Waterloo in Canada and supported by the HKSAR Government, as well as the Centre for Vision Science Research under the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research. The partnership with Rohto represents a powerful alliance in eye care." Moving forward, the Centre will gather teams of ophthalmic experts to conduct research and testing in multiple locations and establish collaborative networks with various regions to develop eye health and care technologies, aiming to provide comprehensive medical and care solutions for eye fatigue. Early attention is crucial in the face of rising eye fatigue cases Prof. Mingguang He, Director of the PolyU-Rohto Centre of Research Excellence for Eye Care and renowned scholar in the international optometry field, corroborated these findings at the launch ceremony, stating “Due to society’s digital transformation and fast-paced lifestyles, eye-fatigue problems are increasingly prevalent. This problem can significantly impact both quality of life and work efficiency, but the majority of people tend to overlook its significance.” Prof. Mingguang He also noted that eye fatigue is caused by prolonged eye usage, leading to tiredness and discomfort. It already affects approximately 20-30% of children and adolescents and 50-80% of adults, including university students and office workers who use computers extensively. However, the establishment of an innovative and standardised treatment system for eye fatigue is still a work in progress. Currently, the traditional diagnosis of eye fatigue relies heavily on subjective questionnaires, while treatment methods vary, lacking a unified objective diagnostic standard and evaluation. As a result, eye fatigue is often overlooked by patients and clinical practitioners, leading to a relatively limited understanding of this condition in terms of both public awareness and academic research. It is crucial to prioritise high-quality research into and resolution of eye fatigue issues. Rohto partners with PolyU to introduce Eye Fatigue advocacy: Enhancing public eye health in four key areas The low level of public awareness of eye fatigue and the existing diagnosis system being ill-prepared to effectively tackle this issue are of growing concern. Mr Michael Sin, President of Mentholatum Asia Pacific, said, "Mentholatum holds a strong commitment to scientific research, grounding its practices in scientific principles and relying on experimental evidence. It prides itself on introducing products of the highest quality. The Rohto brand is recognised as the world's leading eye-care brand. Over the years, Mentholatum has been dedicated to promoting eye health, particularly through the development and introduction of a range of eye drops targeting eye fatigue. We are honoured to collaborate with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in establishing the PolyU-Rohto Centre of Research Excellence for Eye Care. We share a common vision in promoting research into eye fatigue, recruiting talented individuals, and focusing on the study of eye-fatigue technology to aid in treatment and alleviate the impact of eye fatigue, allowing us to appreciate the world with our eyes to the fullest.” On this occasion, Rohto and PolyU also jointly announced the launch of the "Promoting Healthy Vision and Prioritizing Standardised Diagnosis of Eye Fatigue" advocacy paper." This advocacy, centred around the "Know-Diagnose-Explore-Engage" framework, aims to enhance public awareness of eye fatigue. Its objectives are to establish and promote globally unified diagnostic standards and develop a multi-level diagnosis system. It also seeks to explore new prevention methods and treatment approaches. Through collaboration with various sectors, the Centre is dedicated to creating a healthy environment for eye health, cultivating healthy eye habits, and mitigating the impact of visual fatigue on public eye health, thereby improving individuals' quality of life.

PolyU achieves the landmark membership in the International Astronautical Federation as the first education institution in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has achieved a significant milestone by securing its membership in the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). The membership was attained at the 74th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2023) held in Baku from October 2 to 6, 2023. This historic achievement establishes PolyU as the first educational institution in Hong Kong to gain entry into this esteemed international organisation. Established in 1951, the IAF stands as the preeminent global advocate for space exploration, boasting a diverse membership of 468 organizations spanning across 75 countries. This esteemed roster includes leading space agencies, corporations, research institutions, universities, societies, associations, institutes, and museums worldwide. Ir Prof. YUNG, Kai Leung, BBS, Director of Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor in Precision Engineering, Chair Professor of Precision Engineering and Associate Head of ISE at PolyU, the distinguished representative of PolyU at the 74th International Astronautical Congress said "National space missions are key subjects of scientific researches. We are delighted to become a member of IAF and play a more active role in this international platform of research collaborations. PolyU will continue to leverage its scientific research capabilities and actively participate in the international collaborations of National aerospace research". In the same event, IAC2023, Chang'e-5 team has been awarded the Laurels for Team Achievement, the highest award presented by the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), at the academy's annual meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan on 1st October, 2023. PolyU research excellence contributed to China’s Chang’e 5 mission, which successfully collected lunar samples from the Moon and brought them back to Earth for the first time in the Nation’s history. Lead by Prof Yung, the PolyU research team contributed to the Chang’e 5 mission in designed and manufactured the “Surface Sampling and Packing System”, a state-of-the-art innovation that uses robotics for lunar sample acquisition and packaging. The invention was developed and made in Hong Kong, the achievement not only reflects PolyU’s capabilities, but those of the Hong Kong community as a whole. In 2020, Chang' e-4 lunar landing mission had won the highest award by the IAF – the IAF World Space Award. Prof. Yung and his team has played a crucial role in supporting the space mission by developing the Camera Pointing System. This system was mounted on the upper part of Chang’e-4 assisted the capturing of images around the lander giving a 360 degree view of the lunar farside and the movement of the lunar rover. PolyU's membership in the International Astronautical Federation is a testament to its dedication to academic excellence, research, and its ongoing commitment to contribute to the advancement of space science and technology on a global scale.

Pixels of PolyU Photo Competition Winners Capture the essence of STEAM on campus

The 14 winners of the Pixel of PolyU (PoP) Photo Competition capture the essence of STEAM elements on campus through the lens of art and creativity.  Research and Innovation Office of PolyU organised the PoP Photo Competition this summer to encourage the PolyU community to draw inspiration from various aspects of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics). The competition attracts over 250 photo submissions capturing the STEAM elements on the PolyU campus.  The champion of the PoP Photo competition is Yiping XIAO of Department of Applied Physics. The winning photo’s theme is “Four-probe test.” The photo depicts that the electronic device is measured by four probes with Keithley 4200a-scs semiconductor parameter analyzer in the UMF cleanroom.  To view the photos of the 14 winners, click here  

PolyU researchers receive the Healthy Longevity Catalyst Awards to create virtual garden for the elderly in residential care homes

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) researchers have developed a virtual therapeutic garden for the elderly in residents care homes. This project has received support from the Healthy Longevity Catalyst Awards (Hong Kong) (HLCA (HK)) in 2023.  Dr Esther H.K. YUNG, Associate Professor of Department of Building and Real Estate at PolyU, has led the project titled “A Cave Automatic Virtual Therapeutic Garden for Residential Care Homes for the Elderly,” and it has received the HLCA (HK).  The Research Grants Council (RGC) has collaborated with the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) of the United States for the HLCA (HK). The award aims to encourage bold and innovative ideas from any discipline that have the potential to extend the human healthspan. The RGC offers ten Catalyst Awards in the HLCA (HK) each year with a cash prize of approximately HK$389,000 at a maximum for a period of 12 months.  Given that older people living in Residential Care Homes for the Elderly (RCHEs) have limited opportunity to access to public open space due to the mobility impairments or chronic illness, the project can provide them with a simulated experience of natural healing elements. This initiative aims to  reduce stress and improve psychological and emotional well-being. Besides, due to the limited land resources in Hong Kong, it is difficult to allocate space for an outdoor garden within RCHEs.  The awarded project innovatively applies the concept of a therapeutic garden by using Cave Automatic Virtual Environment to build a virtual therapeutic garden within RCHEs. Experimental design workshops will be organised with the residents to decide the key design elements of the therapeutic garden. Also, the study will analyse the residents’ perceived stress and psychological well-being during their use of therapeutic garden. The research team of this project also includes Prof. Angela LEUNG, Associate Head (Research) & Professor of School of Nursing at PolyU, Dr Sun YI, Associate Head (Partnership) and Associate Professor of Department of Building and Real Estate at PolyU, Dr Wayne CHAN, Assistant Professor of Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at PolyU, and Dr Siqiang WANG, Postdoctoral Fellow of the Department of Building and Real Estate at PolyU.   

PolyU Recognises Outstanding Young Scholars and Fosters Creativity in the Research and Innovation Ceremony 2023

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) held the PolyU Research and Innovation Ceremony 2023 on campus to recognise impactful young scholars and foster innovation and creativity in the PolyU community. The ceremony presented awards to the six winners of the PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award (YIRA) 2023 and 14 winners of the Pixels of PolyU (PoP) Photo Competition. The young generation is spearheading a new wave of innovations and technologies, serving as a growing force that will change our perception of future society. YIRA is a university-level award that pays tribute to young faculty members’ exceptional efforts and passion for scientific research. Since its inception in 2022, YIRA has received exceptional submissions from PolyU researchers under the age of 35, making it a platform for innovators to showcase their talents. Professor Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, Prof. Christina WONG, Director of Research and Innovation of PolyU, Mr. HUANG Haibo, Deputy Head of Phoenix Chinese Channel, Mr. Ming Leung TANG, Professional Photographer and PolyU Alumni, and Mr. LI Lok, PolyU Alumnus, Former President of FOTOSOC are the honourable guests of the ceremony. Professor Jin-Guang Teng, President of PolyU congratulated the awardees and said, “The YIRA underscores PolyU’s commitment to the pursuit of innovation, excellence and impact in our research endeavors for the benefit of society. Our young researchers’ work illustrates their immense potential.” The ceremony also celebrates the creativity and aesthetics of PolyU staff and students. Research and Innovation Office has hosted the Pixels of PolyU Photo Competition this summer to encourage the PolyU community to draw inspiration from various aspects of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics). The competition attracts over 250 photo submissions capturing the STEAM elements on the PolyU campus. To view the video of Six Outstanding Young Scholars with the Young Innovative Research Award 2023 (YIRA), click here. To view the photos of the 14 winners, click here. The six awardees of the Young Innovative Researcher Award 2023 Dr Cai Songhua Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Physics Research Focus: Towards next-generation halide perovskites: in situ STEM characterizations assisted structure engineering This project aims to improve the lifespan and efficiency of perovskite solar cells by revealing the microscopic mechanisms that cause perovskite solar cell performance degradation in the working environment. The research results are expected to equip the industry with the necessary experience for promoting the practical application of perovskite solar cells. Dr Kelvin Heung Ho-lam Research Assistant Professor, Department of Building and Real Estate Research Focus: Robot-assisted recovery system for survivors with stroke The project focuses on developing a lightweight, wearable, easy-to-use medical-grade rehabilitation robotic exoskeleton. The system is designed to detect the movement intent of users and provide adaptive assistive force to empower joint movement. Regular use during rehabilitation training can aid reorganising the brain cortex and recovery of mobility. Dr Heung is the co-founder of Fleming MedLab, which was named in "Forbes Asia 100 to Watch 2023". Dr Kathy Leng Kai Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Physics Research Focus: Scalable growth of 2D hybrid perovskite film A set of nanotechnology tools and methods has been developed for the molecularly thin 2D hybrid perovskite, including preparation, materials transfer, atomic characterization, and nano-device fabrication. Her team currently focuses on achieving scalable growth for hybrid 2D perovskite monolayers and their integration into large-scale devices, to further enable the realisation of their grand-scale applications. Dr Ma Yuan Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering Research Focus: Flexible surface haptics technology for aiding the visually impaired population To help individuals with visual impairment interact with digital devices and the digital world more easily, this project aims to develop a novel touch feedback technology on soft materials that can generate various touch sensations. Advanced haptic technologies and artificial intelligence algorithms will be combined to create a more efficient and userfriendly experience.  Dr Zhang Shuowen Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Research Focus: Smart and reconfigurable 6G wireless networks aided by intelligent reflecting surface With the rise of mobile data traffic and the emergence of mobile applications like virtual reality, this research focuses on intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS) as a pivotal technology to achieve high data rates in 6G wireless communication networks. This project also aims to devise efficient IRS phase shift optimisation algorithms, thereby approaching the data rate limits of IRS-aided 6G networks in practice.  Ir Dr Zheng Pai Assistant Professor, Department of Industrial and Systems EngineeringResearch Focus: Towards futuristic humanmachine symbiotic manufacturing system This project aims to establish a holistic humanmachine symbiotic manufacturing environment by exploring manufacturing system technologies, immersive human-robot interaction mechanisms and robot learning methods. The environment will enable humans and machines/ robotics to more effectively and efficiently co-exist, collaborate and evolve together through improved collaborative intelligence.  

PolyU six projects on innovative railway technologies supported by MTR Research Funding Scheme

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has received funding from the MTR Academy’s 2023 MTR Research Funding Scheme for six forward-looking research projects aimed at exploring advanced railway technology applications. PolyU researchers from Faculty of Construction and Environment and Faculty of Engineering lead these innovative research projects to initiate cutting-edge technologies for the future advancement of railways. These six projects have received total funding of HK$7.25 million.  Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, said, “PolyU has consistently demonstrated strong research capabilities in the field of smart railways, dedicating itself to providing comprehensive and practical innovative solutions to the industry. The MTR Research Funding Scheme plays a crucial role in supporting these transformative advancements. We will continue to drive innovation, delivering long-term benefits to the railway development of Hong Kong, the nation, and even the global stage.” The awarded research projects encompass a broad spectrum of potential applications for environmental, social and governance aspects of rail operators and smart community development. Leveraging PolyU’s academic and research excellence in construction, environment and engineering, these projects initiate innovative solutions for emergency evacuation, achieving sustainable development goals, noise control in railway engineering, autonomous modularised trains and fire resilience.  Launched by MTR Academy on February 2023, MTR Research Funding (MRF) Scheme supports forward-looking research projects to explore, shape and realise the mass public transport systems of tomorrow, breach the boundaries of current solutions and thinking, and offer insights into achieving services and operational excellence for tomorrow's transport. Maximum total funding of each proposal up to HK$1.5 million for 3 years.    PolyU Projects Supported by MTR Research Funding Scheme 2023 Faculty of Construction and Environment Principal Investigator Project Title Project Abstract Dr Xinyan HUANG Associate Professor of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering Intelligent Emergency Digital Twin System in Metro Station for Fire Evacuation The proposed intelligent safety monitoring system employs top-notch technologies, including AIoT, computer vision, and deep learning, to achieve a smart fire emergency response and evacuation. It can predict the dynamic flow of occupants and the risk of a stampede in a fire emergency, and can provide onsite evacuation guidance by dynamic exit sign systems. Moreover, it can recognise the status and behaviours of occupants to identify those who need immediate help near the fire incident and transfer real-time information to firefighters and rescue teams. Dr Anthony Chun Yin YUEN Assistant Professor, Presential Young Scholar, Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering Coupling Fire and Toxicty Predictions Using CFD-MD Simulations for Enhanced Pedestrian Movement Modelling and Fire Resilience Designs of Metro Stations The identification of parental combustion fuel gases, which are essential for toxicity, such as the pyrolysis and combustion releases resulting from the burning of specific building and furnishing materials, are yet to be characterized. This project will develop a new strategy to incorporate the coupled and non-linear pyrolysis-combustion kinetics via Molecular Dynamics (MD) characterisation of the thermal degradation process validated by thermal gravimetry (TG) data. It considers the formation pathways and predictions of toxic chemical species and smoke/soot particulates, contributing to firefighting and egress system designs. Dr Siu Kai LAI Associate Professor of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Development of a New Inerter-based Rail Damper to Mitigate Railway-induced Ground-borne Noise by a Physics-informed Deep Learning Framework Using rail dampers is an effective mitigation measure to reduce the impact of structure-borne noise caused by railway vehicles. However, their installation difficulty and working performance pose limitations. To overcome these challenges, this project proposes a new inerter-based rail damper in metamaterial structure. This design aims to enhance the force transfer characteristics of a mechanical system. In addition, a time-sequencing physics-informed neural network (TS-PINN) approach will be employed to optimise the structural design. Faculty of Engineering Principal Investigator Project Title Project Abstract Prof. Chi-yung CHUNG Head of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Chair Professor of Power Systems Engineering Developing an Electromagnetic Energy Harvesting System to Energize Monitoring Systems in the Hong Kong MTR System This project aims to develop a sustainable energy supply system for wireless sensor networks (WSNs) devices by utilizing electromagnetic energy harvesting (EMEH) techniques without interfering with the operation of the railroad system. WSNs energized with the EMEH techniques will offer a long-lasting and comprehensive monitoring network while paving the way towards sustainable smart railway systems. A cost-effective, efficient, reliable, scalable, and sustainable smart solution for energizing monitoring and condition assessment systems on railways is proposed. Dr Hongbo YE Research Assistant Professor of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Planning and Operation of Future Railway System with Autonomous Modularized Trains and Virtual Coupling Signaling This project proposes a vision of future railway systems, realised by autonomous modularised trains running under virtual coupling signaling, in order to handle the tempo-spatial variation of passenger demand. The proposal consists of three phases: developing optimisation models and algorithms for scheduling, investigating rescheduling methods, and exploring energy-efficient trajectory planning. Dr Jingzheng REN Associate Professor of Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering Promoting Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) in MTR for Pursuing Sustainable Development Goals and Better Service Quality This project aims to establish a scientific and comprehensive criteria system for performance assessment regarding ESG and sustainable development goals (SDGs). By combining multi-criteria decision-making methods and systems dynamics, the proposed novel multi-dimensional assessment tool can incorporate the interdependences and interactions among the ESG and SDGs for identifying the complex cause-effect relationships and the critical factors, and it can further map and analyse them in both qualitative and quantitative ways. This new tool for performance assessment and improvement related to ESG and SDGs not only can use for Metro/Rail operators, but also can implement in other fields and cities.