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HKAE and PolyU PReCIT co-organise the Hong Kong Engineering Science and Technology Award Ceremony cum Distinguished Lectures, celebrating excellence in engineering innovation

The Hong Kong Engineering Science and Technology (HKEST) Award Ceremony cum Distinguished Lectures, organised by the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering (HKAE) and co-organised by the Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), was successfully held at PolyU campus yesterday. The ceremony was officiated by Prof. SUN Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, along with Ir Dr Alex CHAN, President of the HKAE and Ir Dr Humphrey LEUNG, Chair of the HKEST Award Selection Committee and Court Member of PolyU, and was attended by Ir Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President of the HKAE, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT, and Prof. Eric CHUI, Head of the Department of Applied Social Sciences and Co-Director of PReCIT. The event brought together representatives from government, industry, academia, and research sectors to celebrate the awardees’ achievements in the field of engineering science and technology. The third HKEST Award has attracted broader support than in previous years with government departments and more R&D institutions joining as nominating organisations. The number of nominations reached a record high this year, reflecting the growing recognition and interest that the Award has received from the engineering and technology community. Following a rigorous review process conducted by the Selection Committee, six outstanding individuals and teams were recognised for their significant contributions to engineering science and technology. Ir Dr Alex Chan officiated at the ceremony and delivered the welcoming speech. He emphasised the exceptional talent and dedication of this year’s laureates, adding, “It is our hope that the HKEST awards gain more recognition within industry and academia, enhancing competitiveness and fostering a more productive environment.” Prof. Sun Dong then expressed his pleasure in celebrating the success of the laureates during his opening remarks and noted that “This award is much more than just recognition. It plays a pivotal role in identifying the engineering and technology talent and strengthening Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) landscape. This mission aligns seamlessly with the government’s strategic vision of creating a vibrant I&T ecosystem and expanding our talent pool, thereby developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre.” Following the award presentation, each laureate delivered a Distinguished Lecture, showcasing their innovative work and its impact in their respective fields. The event concluded with closing remarks by Ir Dr Humphrey Leung, who thanked the nominating organisations, selection panel and supporting partners for their contributions to the success of this year’s Award.   Winners of the HKEST Award 2024-25 Winners (in alphabetical order) Organisations Prof. Allen AU Man Ho Professor and Associate Head (Research and Development), Department of Computing The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Prof. Jonathan CHOI Chung Hang Professor and Vice-Chairman (Undergraduate), Department of Biomedical Engineering The Chinese University of Hong Kong Prof. Kevin TSIA Kin Man Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Program Director, Biomedical Engineering Program; Associate Dean (Teaching & Learning - UG), Faculty of Engineering The University of Hong Kong Ir Prof. Edwin TSO Chi Yan Associate Dean (Internationalisation and Outreach) and Associate Professor, School of Energy and Environment; Co-Founder, i2Cool Limited City University of Hong Kong Prof. WANG Han Professor and Associate Head, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Director, Center for Advanced Semiconductors and Integrated Circuits The University of Hong Kong Airport Authority Hong Kong (Team) Ms Nicola LU Yuk Ying Manager, Airport Autonomous Transportation System Mr Jeff LAI Tsz Fai Project Engineer Mr Tom MOK Ying Yiu Assistant Engineer Airport Authority Hong Kong For more information on the HKEST Award 2024-25 and laureate bios, please visit: https://hkestaward.hkae.hk/. About the HKEST Award The Hong Kong Engineering Science and Technology (HKEST) Award was established in 2022 to recognize and honour the exceptional accomplishments of young scientists, engineers, and technologists (aged 45 or below) who have demonstrated remarkable talent, dedication, and influence in the field of engineering science and technology within Hong Kong. With the support of the Innovation and Technology Commission, HKSAR, the award has now entered its third round, with a total of 14 outstanding laureates recognized since 2022. All laureates are emerging leaders, talented scholars, engineers, and industrial experts who have made profound impacts in engineering science and technology across various sectors. About the Organiser — HKAE Founded in 1994, the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering (HKAE) is a prestigious organisation dedicated to the promotion and advancement of the field of engineering in Hong Kong. HKAE aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and excellence in engineering, contributing to the advancement of society and the development of Hong Kong and our Nation. It comprises a distinguished group of Fellows from various disciplines, recognized as leaders in their professions, with remarkable achievements in engineering sciences and applications. For more information, please visit the HKAE website: https://hkae.hk. About the Co-organiser — PReCIT, PolyU The Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is dedicated to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration for impactful research in innovation, technology and policy, recommending actionable solutions to significant societal challenges. This synergises with the HKEST Award’s commitment to honoring young scientists and engineers whose achievements align with HKAE's mission of advancing engineering excellence to create real-world impact. For more information, please visit the PReCIT website: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/precit/.

PolyU-Qianhai Disruptive Technology and Innovation Research Centre and PolyU Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (Qianhai) officially unveiled

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PolyU hosted The Fiber Society 2025 Spring Conference, showcasing the future of fiber technology

The leading global event in fiber science and technology—The Fiber Society 2025 Spring Conference successfully concluded at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) from 21 to 23 May. Held under the theme "Future Fibers for Wellbeing, Intelligence, and Sustainability," the conference brought together over 300 scholars, experts, and industry representatives from approximately 20 countries and regions. A total of 200 high-quality academic presentations were delivered, showcasing the latest advancements in fiber science. The conference attracted a diverse audience, including renowned scholars from prestigious universities, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Oxford, Cornell University, Tsinghua University, and Peking University, alongside representatives from major international companies in the fiber, textile, and apparel industries. It served as a vital platform for exchanging knowledge and insights on cutting-edge advancements and future trends in fiber science and technology. The event was jointly supported by PolyU School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT), Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF), Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, Joint Research Centre for Fiber Innovations and Sustainable Materials, and PolyU-Xingguo Technology and Innovation Research Institute (XGRI), along with the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Fiber Materials at Donghua University and the flagship journal Advanced Fiber Materials, further demonstrating the collective commitment to advancing fiber science and technology. Prof. Dahua SHOU, Conference Chair, Associate Director of RCTFF and XGRI, Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies and Associate Professor of SFT, gave the welcoming remarks. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, and Prof. Meifang ZHU, President of the Fiber Society, Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Professor of Donghua University, respectfully delivered the opening presentations. They also shared their perspectives on the future of fiber innovation and technological translation. The conference programme featured six plenary lectures delivered by world-renowned scholars, addressing cutting-edge advancements in fiber materials, intelligent technologies, and their applications in energy and safety. The plenary sessions were moderated by Prof. Xungai WANG, Associate Dean and Chair Professor of SFT, Prof. Jintu FAN, Chair Professor of Fiber Science and Apparel Engineering of SFT and Director of RCTFF and Prof. Shou. The conference comprised 11 thematic breakout sessions covering a wide range of topics, including advanced fiber materials, intelligent wearable technologies, healthcare and biomedical applications, energy and environmental fibers, sustainable textiles, and fiber composites and industrial textiles. In addition, the conference explored several emerging areas of significant interest, including fiber-based sensors, actuators and batteries, fiber modelling and mechanics, and new applications of fiber technology in artificial intelligence, robotics, and the metaverse, highlighting the diverse applications of fiber technology. During the conference banquet, Prof. Xiangwu ZHANG, Vice President of The Fiber Society and Professor of North Carolina State University, announced the poster competition winners. The awards were presented by Prof. Liejin GUO, Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Professor of Xi’an Jiaotong University, who was joined by Prof. Zhuankai WANG, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, along with other distinguished plenary and keynote speakers for a group photo. In addition, Prof. Jintu Fan delivered a special presentation, sharing valuable insights into the historical development and innovative trajectory of Hong Kong's textile industry. Conference Chair Prof. Shou is dedicated to the research and development of fiber materials and wearable technologies. His research breakthroughs in personal thermal and moisture management, intelligent wearables, and soft robotics have led to the practical application of these technologies. His work has been recognised with prestigious awards, including the Distinguished Achievement Award from The Fiber Society in 2023 and the PolyU Graduate School Outstanding Research Postgraduate Young Alumni Award in 2024.

PolyU scientist develops next generation of space-qualified navigational cameras supported by Innovation and Technology Fund

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has a strong research track record in space technology, with its researchers involved in several national and international space exploration projects. A PolyU project has recently been awarded the Innovation and Technology Fund under the Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITSP) for key space technology capability research and development with application in terrain cameras. Led by Ir Prof. Kai-leung Yung, Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor in Precision Engineering, Chair Professor of Precision Engineering and Associate Head of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and Director of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations at PolyU, the project “Key space technology capability research and development with application to terrain cameras” has received a grant of HK$32 million by the Innovation and Technology Fund. The project aims to advance PolyU's contributions to the nation's future space missions, building on the university's past successes with the Chang’e-3, 4, 5, 6, and Tianwen-1 missions. This research focuses on developing next-generation space-qualified navigational cameras designed for future deep space missions. Prof. YUNG and his team will tackle several technological challenges, including the development of new materials and processes that offer high strength-to-weight ratios, high thermal conductivity, and controllable optical properties such as absorptivity, reflectivity, emissivity, and refractivity. The project will also address space weather mitigation characteristics, including radiation resistance and chemical compatibility in the space environment, as well as manufacturability factors like void-free 3D printing. Additionally, the research will explore key technologies related to image capturing and processing, including thermal modelling to maintain neutral optical performance under extreme temperature fluctuations, and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for terrain identification and navigation on the lunar surface under varying sunlight conditions. Prof. YUNG expressed his gratitude for the support and said, "This encourages us to continue pushing the boundaries of space technology for the advancement of aerospace science. It is anticipated that the key technologies can be demonstrated through new camera designs, ready to support the nation's future missions.” ITF, administered by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), aims to increase the added value, productivity and competitiveness of economic activities. ITSP was introduced to encourage universities funded by the University Grants Committee to collaborate with leading research institutes worldwide to conduct more theme-based interdisciplinary and translational R&D work in focused technology areas.

PolyU research overcomes major obstacle to solar technology development, achieving record 33.89% power-conversion efficiency in solar cells

Significantly surpassing their single-junction counterparts in power-conversion efficiency (PCE), two-terminal perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells have emerged as a game-changer in photovoltaics. However, due to the lack of effective optimisation of the device interface to maximise charge extraction efficiency and reduce energy loss, their widespread application has been limited. Researchers of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have pioneered a novel bilayer interface passivation strategy to develop tandem solar cells that achieve a record-high PCE of 33.89%, representing a milestone in the development of solar technology. Interfacial recombination at the perovskite/electron transport layer interface has long been considered a major obstacle to enhancing the efficiency of perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells. Prof. YIN Jun, Assistant Professor of the Department of Applied Physics at PolyU, and his research team have made a breakthrough in interface engineering towards addressing this critical challenge. They have integrated advanced material design and a device optimisation strategy to develop high-efficiency perovskite/silicon tandem devices. This research was conducted in partnership with LONGI Green Energy Technology Co. Ltd and Soochow University. The findings have been published in the international journal Nature. The team introduced a nanoscale, discretely distributed ultrathin lithium fluoride (LiF) layer combined with a short-chain ethylenediammonium diiodide (EDAI) molecule deposition, inducing field-effect and chemical passivation simultaneously and thereby achieving a bilayer-intertwined passivation. This strategy significantly improved electron extraction and effectively suppressed non-radiative recombination. The researchers then applied the strategy to perovskite stacked on a double-textured silicon heterojunction cell, which featured a mildly textured front surface and a heavily textured rear surface, and successfully constructed the perovskite/silicon tandem devices. This unique design can enhance photocurrent while also maintaining robust rear passivation, effectively optimising both light absorption and power transfer. The resulting perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells have achieved an independently certified PCE of 33.89%, marking the first reported certified efficiency of a two-junction solar cell that exceeds the single-junction Shockley-Queisser limit of 33.7%. In addition to their record-breaking efficiency, the cells demonstrate an impressive fill factor of 83%, an open-circuit voltage approaching 1.97 V, as well as significantly improved long-term stability.  This breakthrough helps overcome long-standing efficiency barriers to improving power-conversion efficiency of solar cells and unlocks the application potential of perovskite technologies in photovoltaics. It also serves as a strong motivation for continued innovation and advancement in solar technology, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and energy-efficient future. Prof. Yin said, “Our research is driven by the vision of breaking traditional efficiency barriers in solar cells. By integrating advanced materials like perovskites with established silicon technologies, we harness the best of both worlds to redefine solar cell performance. This multidisciplinary approach not only showcases the tremendous potential of photovoltaic technology, but also lays a solid foundation for the development of renewable energy and new quality productive forces.” Prof. Yin has been awarded the Excellent Young Scientists Fund for 2024 by the National Natural Science Foundation of China for his outstanding contributions to materials science. Moving forward, he and his research team will continue to explore the optoelectronic properties of advanced perovskite materials and their applications in next-generation photovoltaic devices.

PolyU scholar honoured among Top 50 Asia Women Tech Leaders 2025 for advancing mental health and brain research

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) takes pride in its diverse research community, whose innovative work drives impactful societal and global advancements. Prof. QIU Anqi, Professor of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics at PolyU and Global STEM Scholar, has been recognised as one of the “Top 50 Asia Women Tech Leaders 2025”. This recognition stands as a testament to Prof. Qiu's outstanding contributions to the fields of neuroimaging and biomedical engineering, particularly in advancing research on mental health and brain development. Prof. Qiu has spearheaded groundbreaking projects utilising advanced neuroimaging and computational techniques, significantly advancing research on early brain development. Her innovative approach has uncovered critical insights into how maternal mood influences fetal brain health, leading to transformative changes in prenatal mental health screening. Additionally, she pioneered a non-invasive imaging method that enhances MRI safety for pediatric patients, setting new standards in the field. Moreover, Prof. Qiu has introduced novel research that advances our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying the relationship between obesity and its implications on cognitive health in adults. The research underscores the clinical importance of a multifaceted approach to the long-term monitoring and management of obesity. It reveals a distinct and progressive pattern of brain deterioration linked to obesity, suggesting that sustained obesity may accelerate brain ageing. Beyond Prof. Qiu’s professional achievements, this award also recognises her remarkable leadership. As a dedicated mentor, she continues to inspire and empower women in STEM. Her influence and commitment to fostering the next generation of female technology leaders are commendable. The Asia Women Tech Leaders Awards was recently held in Singapore. Its “Top 50 Asia Women Tech Leaders” aims to honor women who drive technological innovation, lead research, and manage complex tech projects with expertise and operational excellence. For more about Prof. Qiu’s impactful research: PolyU research reveals sustained obesity may accelerate brain ageing PolyU scholar confirms maternal positive mental health correlated to children’s brain development  

PolyU harnesses AI and data science to enhance maritime and shipping management and foster sustainable development within the industry

Facing a complex and ever-changing international environment, the maritime and shipping industry requires more efficient and precise data collection and analysis technologies to enhance management efficiency. A  research team at The Maritime Data and Sustainable Development Centre (PMDC) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed a series of innovative artificial intelligence (AI) and big data driven tools, including advanced technology for estimating the supply and demand for typhoon shelter berths in Hong Kong to improve vessel monitoring and emergency response, a shipping data analytics platform that uses the Automatic Identification System (AIS) to assess real-time port congestion index and other maritime statistical indicators, and a trajectory analysis technology to effectively detect illegal fishing activities. These innovations not only provide governments and industry stakeholders with cutting-edge management solutions but also drive the sector’s digital transformation and sustainable development. Automatically identifying vessels and estimating the supply and demand for typhoon shelter berths As a coastal city frequently affected by typhoons, Hong Kong must take effective preventive measures to ensure the safety of vessels. The research team, led by Prof. YANG Dong, Associate Head and Associate Professor of the PolyU Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies and Director of the PMDC, has collaborated with the Hong Kong Marine Department to develop an innovative monitoring technology. It utilises images of local vessels captured by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), combined with deep learning-based computer vision algorithms to automatically identify and classify ships, achieving an accuracy rate of 98.6%. This new technology is used to predict the supply and demand for local vessel typhoon shelter berths from 2022 to 2035, optimising the design of berth management plans. The method significantly enhances the government’s monitoring and emergency management efficiency for local vessels and typhoon shelters while greatly reducing labour and time costs. The research results have been adopted by the Hong Kong Marine Department as a technical reference for local typhoon shelter planning, assisting the government in developing shelter facility plans and establishing benchmarks for the digital management of coastal vessels. The technology has broad applications in port state control inspections and port congestion management. Looking ahead, the team plans to develop techniques for data collection and processing based on videos and images, integrating deep learning algorithms to create an intelligent regulatory system for vessels and navigation areas. To date, the team has collected over 50,000 images of local vessels, laying a solid foundation for future research and analysis. Utilising intelligent algorithms to calculate port congestion index Accurately and timely obtaining maritime statistical indicators, such as port congestion index and shipping line connectivity index, remains a major challenge for the maritime industry. Traditional manual data collection methods are error-prone, and the macro information released by administrative agencies or port departments often suffers from delays and lacks comprehensiveness. To address this, Prof. Yang Dong and his team have collaborated with researchers from Tsinghua University to develop advanced big data analysis algorithms for processing AIS data. They constructed a global, multi-level shipping and trade network database and created an online platform capable of calculating key indicators in real-time, such as port congestion index, port connectivity index, and port turnover rate. This research substantially broadens the application scenarios of maritime big data technologies, enabling the current shipping analysis from micro to macro levels, accurately capturing industry dynamics, and providing a reliable basis for maritime operational analysis and decision-making, thereby supporting the sustainable development of the industry. Analysing trajectories to identify illegal fishing vessels In the past, combating illegal fishing primarily relied on random sea patrol, which is costly and inefficient. To enhance the management efficiency of fishing vessels in Hong Kong waters, Prof. Yang Dong and his team developed a fishing vessel behaviour pattern recognition model by applying a novel trajectory feature engineering method combined with a semi-supervised machine learning framework. This model effectively identifies abnormal fishing behaviours with an accuracy rate of up to 90%. This technology integrates maritime domain knowledge with AI algorithms to establish precise distinctions in vessel trajectory features under different navigation states. It greatly reduces the time and labour required for manual data collection and labelling process and can be flexibly adapted for vessel trajectory prediction and emissions monitoring. The team has collaborated with the Hong Kong Tourism Commission and the Marine Department to assess the risks associated with large cruise ships navigating Hong Kong’s central channel using multi-source maritime data such as AIS, maritime radar, and CCTV footage. Recently, the team have utilised graph neural networks to accurately predict the future trajectories of multiple vessels in Hong Kong’s busy waterways, further strengthening real-time navigation safety supervision. Prof. Yang Dong said, “AI and big data technologies are bringing revolutionary changes to the maritime and shipping industry. These innovative assessment and monitoring tools combine domain knowledge in the maritime field with cutting-edge technology, significantly improving the speed, quality, and accuracy of data collection. They also address key operational challenges faced by the industry and make substantial contributions to academic research in related fields, promoting the intelligent development of maritime operations and further solidifying Hong Kong’s position as an international maritime centre.”

PolyU research reveals sharp depletion in soil moisture, driving land water to flow into the oceans and contributing to a rise in sea levels

The increasing frequency of once-in-a-decade agricultural and ecological drought has underscored the urgency of studying hydrological changes. A research team from the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-informatics of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has collaborated with international experts to analyse the estimated changes in land water storage over the past 40 years by utilising space geodetic observation technology and global hydrological change data. This innovative method has revealed a rapid depletion in global soil moisture, resulting in a significant amount of water flowing into the oceans, leading to a rise in sea levels. The research provides new insights into the driving factors behind the alarming reduction in terrestrial water storage and rise in sea levels. The findings have been published in the international journal Science. Since polar motion reflects mass redistribution within the Earth system, integrating models and observations across the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere is crucial. However, previous challenges in measuring terrestrial water storage, particularly groundwater and root zone soil moisture, limited understanding of hydrological depletion at continental scales. Prof. Jianli CHEN, Professor of the PolyU Department of Land Surveying and Geo-informatics and core member of the Research Institute for Land and Space and the international team employed satellite altimetry and gravity missions, including the Gravity Recovery and Satellite Experiment (GRACE), and GRACE Follow-On, to enable continental-scale observations of terrestrial water storage variations. By integrating this with global mean sea levels and polar motion data, the team has explored terrestrial water storage depletion patterns. Notably, this study introduced novel methods for estimating global soil moisture, which improves the accuracy of continental and global scale modeling to enable a more effective understanding of soil moisture variations under climate change. The melting of Greenland’s ice sheet is recognised as the largest single contributor to the rise in global sea levels, adding approximately 0.8mm annually. This study reveals that between 2000 and 2002, the global terrestrial water storage significantly declined, with a total of 1,614 billion tons of water lost to the oceans, which is twice as much as resulting from the current melting of Greenland ice, and equivalent to a 4.5mm rise in sea levels. Since then, the rapid loss of terrestrial water storage has been followed by a more gradual but continuous depletion, with no signs of recovery. In addition, compared to the period from 1979 to 1999, a notable decline in global average soil moisture was observed from 2003 to 2021. Between 2003 and 2011, the Earth’s pole shifted 58cm toward 93° East Longitude, demonstrating that the continued decline in soil moisture is leading to a reduction in terrestrial water storage. The team also pointed out that precipitation deficits and stable evapotranspiration caused by global warming, changing rainfall patterns and increasing ocean temperatures are likely the key factors for the abrupt decline in terrestrial water storage. The ERA5-Land soil moisture data of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts’ corroborates these findings, showing substantial terrestrial water storage losses in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. In Asia and Europe, the affected areas expanded from northeastern Asia and eastern Europe to broader regions across East and Central Asia, as well as Central Europe, following the sharp water storage depletion observed between 2000 and 2002. With increasing agricultural irrigation in regions such as northeast China and the western United States, and global greening, soil moisture may further diminish in semi-arid areas with intensive agriculture and high levels of greening. The team suggests the need for improved land surface models which consider these factors for a more comprehensive understanding of long- term changes in terrestrial water storage. Prof. Jianli Chen said, “Sea level change and Earth rotation serve as indicators of large-scale mass changes in the Earth system. Accurately measured sea level change and variation in Earth rotation provide a unique tool for monitoring large-scale mass changes in the global water cycle. By integrating multiple modern space geodetic observations, it enables comprehensive analysis of the driving factors behind changes in terrestrial water storage and sea level rise. This, in turn, provides reliable data for climate and Earth system science experts to further investigate drought issues, aiding authorities in formulating water resource management and climate change mitigation strategies to address new challenges posed by climate change.”

PolyU journal Nexus hosts forum on smart sustainable development promoting interdisciplinary research and innovation

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Cell Press co-hosted the Nexus Forum 2025 from 8 to 10 May. Themed “Collaborative Innovation for Smart Sustainable Development”, the Forum served as a vital platform for promoting exchange and collaboration in interdisciplinary research and innovation, facilitating the advancement of smart technology and sustainable development. The three-day Forum featured keynote speeches, a panel discussion, oral and poster presentations, and an editorial workshop, attracting over 170 participants, including academic experts and authors, as well as consulate and industry representatives from Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, and mainland China. Additionally, over 300 PolyU faculty members and students also participated in the event. During the opening ceremony,  Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation); Prof. Qingyan CHEN, Chair Professor of Building Thermal Science and Director of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR); and Prof. Jerry YAN, Chair Professor of Energy and Buildings and Editor-in-Chief of Nexus, warmly welcomed the participants from around the world. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng remarked, “In celebrating the first anniversary of Nexus, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing innovative research in applied sciences, engineering, technology, and inter- and multi-disciplinary fields to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. This forum and Nexus reflect PolyU’s unwavering dedication to pioneering research and scholarship that directly benefits society. Looking ahead, PolyU will continue to champion transformative research through strategic platforms including the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research, which conducts breakthrough interdisciplinary research in frontier domains of socioeconomic importance; the newly established PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence (PAAI), which strengthens our leadership in cutting-edge AI research and applications; and our network of translational research institutes across various cities in mainland China that address local industrial and societal needs.” The Forum featured three inspiring keynote speeches centred around three core themes: innovative techniques for sustainable cities, industrial and interdisciplinary solutions for sustainability, and carbon neutrality and energy system transformation. The speeches sparked thought-provoking discussion on the latest technologies and industry developments in these areas, highlighting how collaborative innovation and research can help shape a sustainable future for all. The distinguished keynote speakers included Prof. Michael OBERSTEINER, Director of Environmental Change Institute of University of Oxford; Prof. HE Kebin and Prof. TU Shandong, Members of Chinese Academy of Engineering; Ms Louise BERGHOLM, Consul General of Sweden to Hong Kong and Macau; Prof. YANG Hongxia, Executive Director of PAAI; as well as scholars and representatives from Tsinghua University, San Diego State University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, East China University of Science and Technology, The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Lingnan University, CLP Power Hong Kong, HK Electric, the Hong Kong Green Building Council, and Strategy Department of Tencent. The first two keynote speeches covered topics such as Sweden’s best practices in developing sustainable cities, generative AI applications, innovative engineering solutions for sustainable built environments, and breakthroughs in electric vehicle battery storage technology. The third keynote, themed “Carbon Neutrality and Energy System Transformation”, is co-organised by the PolyU International Centre of Urban Energy Nexus and the Tsinghua University Institute for Carbon Neutrality. It focused on the latest achievements in cutting-edge multidisciplinary research in carbon and earth sciences, environmental science, energy and power engineering, data science, and intelligent technology. Topics included climate risk mitigation strategies, sustainable Modular Integrated Construction, and AI-driven co-simulation in power and carbon markets. At the panel discussion titled “Technology Innovation for Decarbonisation of the Power Sector”, scholars from PolyU, local, mainland China, and overseas universities, as well as representatives from two local power companies introduced and explored the research projects supported by the Strategic Topics Grant under the Hong Kong Research Grants Council. In addition, multiple oral and poster sessions were organised to allow participants to share their views and exchange research findings on different topics, thereby facilitating knowledge exchange and transfer. The editing workshop, co-organised by the PolyU Graduate School, drew over 180 PolyU postgraduate and undergraduate students. Editors-in-chief and editors from seven academic journals, including Nexus and Nature Energy, introduced young researchers to the skills and tools necessary for writing scientific papers. The workshop aimed to enhance the readability and impact of their manuscripts, and to demonstrate the skills of integrating advanced technologies into research. Nexus is Cell Press’s first partner journal in cross-disciplinary subjects and the first title published in collaboration with a university. To learn more, please visit https://www.cell.com/nexus/home.

PolyU and EVOC partner to establish joint research laboratory supporting Greater Bay Area growth

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