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PolyU research teams and startups shine at CES 2026, winning three prestigious innovation awards

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) led 19 startups to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026, held from 6 to 9 January. Alongside the groundbreaking technologies presented by participating startups, the University also showcased its research achievements, covering fields such as human security, digital health and energy optimisation. PolyU delivered an outstanding performance at this year’s Show, with three projects winning one “Best of Innovation Award” and two “Innovation Awards”. This not only marks the University’s best result since it first took part in this event, but also accounts for two-thirds of all awards received by the Hong Kong startup delegation, underscoring PolyU excellence in research, innovation and entrepreneurship. Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), remarked, “PolyU is committed to nurturing innovative research talent with both national and international outlooks. We empower our teams by leading them to major international innovation events and fostering close collaboration among industry, academia, research and investment sectors on a global level, creating opportunities for the overseas expansion of PolyU startups. PolyU was the sole university from Hong Kong to exhibit at the event, with its participating teams making up 30% of the Hong Kong delegation, contributing to Hong Kong’s advancement into an international innovation and technology hub. Our record-breaking performance at this year’s CES affirms international recognition of PolyU research and innovation, propelling our teams to continue striving along the path of innovation and technology to create even more profound social impact.” Leveraging its robust research strengths and its unique startup ecosystem, PolyVentures, the University actively supports its research teams and startups in developing innovative technologies, bringing Hong Kong research achievements to the global stage. The Smart Firefighting Robot, developed by Mr WANG Meng, a PhD candidate of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering as well as Founder of PolyU startup Widemount Dynamics Tech Limited, along with his team, achieved the highest score in the “Products in Support of Human Security for All” category and earned the prestigious “Best of Innovation Award”. The Powered Rehab Skateboard, developed by Prof. Kenneth FONG, Associate Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, received an “Innovation Award” in the “Accessibility and Longevity” category. The FattaLab® Fatty Liver Diagnostic Device, developed by a team spearheaded by Prof. ZHENG Yongping, Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering, Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering, and Founder and Chief Scientist of PolyU startup Eieling Technology Limited, also won an “Innovation Award” in the “Digital Health” category.  The three award-winning innovations aim to enhance human security or health through cutting-edge technologies. The AI-driven Smart Firefighting Robot features autonomous patrol, burning materials classification, fire extinguishing and real-time data sharing functions in smoke-filled environments, protecting firefighters and the public simultaneously. The Powered Rehab Skateboard is a portable and cost-effective robotic system that supports home-based and community rehabilitation for stroke patients. The skateboard facilitates motor recovery in hemiparetic upper limbs and allows users to engage in effective therapy. The FattaLab® Fatty Liver Diagnostic Device is the world’s first lightweight intelligent assessment system for fatty liver detection. Weighs only 120 grams, the device can complete fatty liver assessment within 30 seconds, achieving detection accuracy at medical-grade standards.  Organised by the Consumer Technology Association, CES is one of the world’s largest and most influential consumer electronics exhibitions, spotlighting cutting-edge technologies for modern living. This year, CES attracted over 4,500 exhibitors from around the globe. The PolyU startups participating in the exhibition were as follows: PolyU Startups FeaturedInnovations Company Representatives AniMed Technology Limited Contactless real-time AI-driven health monitoring Dr LYU Weimin Co-founder and CEO, AniMed Technology Limited CyanSE Smart Energy Tech Limited AI-powered energy optimisation platforms for smart buildings Ms Amber ZHANG Co-founder, CyanSE Smart Energy Tech Limited DRESIO Limited AI-powered physiotherapy assessments software solution Mr Alexander YING CEO, DRESIO Limited Eieling Technology Limited FattaLab® Fatty Liver Diagnostic Device (CES 2026 Innovation Award) Prof. ZHENG Yongping Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering, Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering, PolyU; Founder and Chief Scientist, Eieling Technology Limited Entoptica Limited Cutting-edge ophthalmic diagnostic technologies Dr Mukhit KULMAGANBETOV Senior Research Fellow, InnoHK Centre for Eye and Vision Research; CEO, Entoptica Limited Feelings Group Limited AI-powered computer vision solution Dr WONG Wing-sze Research Assistant Professor, Department of Language Science and Technology, PolyU; Clinical Consultant and Co-inventor, Feelings Group Limited   Ms YIP Chi-hay Partner, Feelings Group Limited Gembody Limited Next-generation portable AI ultrasound system Ms MAO Qian CEO, Gembody Limited     Dr YANG Fan CTO, Gembody Limited ImageVector MedTech Limited AI-Vision for Joint Degeneration   Dr JIANG Tianshu Executive Director, ImageVector MedTech Limited Immune Materials Limited Innovative long-lasting antimicrobial self-disinfection materials Prof. Chris LO Kwan-yu Professor, Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, PolyU; Co-founder, Immune Materials Limited     Prof. KAN Chi-wai Associate Dean and Professor, School of Fashion and Textiles, PolyU; Co-founder, Immune Materials Limited Innobound Limited Portable smart terminal for emotional interaction, health monitoring and daily living assistance Ms GAO Lan CEO and Founder, Innobound Limited MedVision Limited AI-powered medical imaging solution Prof. CAI Jing Head and Professor, Department of Health Technology and Informatics, PolyU; Consultant, MedVision Limited   Dr MA Zongrui Postdoctoral Fellow，Department of Health Technology and Informatics, PolyU; Founder, MedVision Limited Mirror Caring Limited Knee health management solution Prof. Stephen WANG Jia Professor, School of Design, PolyU; Founder, Mirror Caring Limited Nuvatech Limited Next-Gen Fashion OS powered by Multi-modal AI Mr DENG Yanheng Founder, Nuvatech Limited On-Skin Wearable Technology Limited Wearable Biomedical Electronic Device Dr Rayman GONG Founder and CEO, On-Skin Wearable Technology Limited ReSaTech Limited AI solutions for product reliability Mr Ricky LAW CEO, ReSaTech Limited UbiquiTech Innovations Limited Edge-AI robot for autonomous inspection and cleaning in confined spaces Prof. CAO Jiannong Vice President (Education), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Professor in Data Science, Chair Professor of Distributed and Mobile Computing, PolyU; Founder and Chief Scientist, UbiquiTech Innovations Limited     Dr LIANG Zhixuan Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Computing, PolyU; Founder and CEO, UbiquiTech Innovations Limited Vcare Vision Technology Limited Non-invasive myopia prevention solution Dr TANG Yuk-ming Senior Lecturer, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, PolyU; Co-founder, Vcare Vision Technology Limited Widemount Dynamics Tech Limited Smart Firefighting Robot (CES 2026 Best of Innovation Award) Mr WANG Meng PhD candidate, Building Environment and Energy Engineering, PolyU; Founder, Widemount Dynamics Tech Limited XOXO Beverages Limited Automated Cocktail Machine for improvements event and hospitality efficiency Mr Nicholas YU Wo-ping Founder, XOXO Beverages Limited The Smart Firefighting Robot received the highest score in the “Products in Support of Human Security for All” category and earned the prestigious “Best of Innovation Award”. The Powered Rehab Skateboard received an “Innovation Award” in the “Accessibility and Longevity” category. The FattaLab® Fatty Liver Diagnostic Device won an “Innovation Award” in the “Digital Health” category.

PolyU research finds frequent Arctic wildfires could cut snow cover by 18 days, impacting global climate and ecology

The correlation between Arctic wildfires and abnormal snow cover under global warming is of growing concern. A comprehensive quantitative assessment by researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has shown that increasingly frequent seasonal wildland fires across the Arctic in recent years have delayed snow cover formation by at least five days and could lead to a future 18-day reduction of snow cover duration, with implications for global ecosystems. Against the backdrop of the United Nation’s “Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences”, this study not only underscores the urgency of addressing climate change, but also provides critical scientific evidence to inform global climate adaptation strategies. Snow cover in the Arctic plays a key role in the global climate system. It reflects solar radiation back into space thus keeping the surface cool, while its meltwater is an important source of freshwater. Snow is therefore central to the planet’s energy balance, hydrological cycles and weather patterns. Anomalies such as delayed snow formation or earlier melt can intensify warming, affect water supplies, and reduce forest ecosystem productivity and carbon sequestration beyond the Arctic, ultimately disrupting global ecosystems and biodiversity. Led by Prof. Shuo WANG, Associate Professor of the PolyU Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, a core member of the Research Institute for Land and Space, and a member of the State Key Laboratory of Climate Resilience for Coastal Cities, the study is conducted in collaboration with international researchers from the University of California, Irvine, and Columbia University. The findings have been published in the international journal Nature Climate Change. Prof. Wang elaborated, “Global warming has intensified Arctic wildland fires, making such fires increasingly frequent, larger in scale and in some cases more intense. In 2023, Canada experienced record-breaking fires, with over 45 million acres burned - nearly 10 times the average annual burned area over the past 40 years. This research aims to quantify the links among wildfires, snow formation and snow cover duration, thereby advancing our understanding of land-atmosphere interactions under climate change.” The research team compiled long-term satellite remote sensing data of the burned area together with the start day and end day of snow cover in the Arctic from 1982 to 2018. They integrated these data with an artificial intelligence model built on the state-of-the-art XGBoost machine learning algorithms, incorporating a range of climate factors before, during and after fires (such as albedo, surface temperature and air temperature), as well as fire location, to evaluate the influence of these variables on snow cover. The satellite data indicated that as burned area in the Arctic increased, the duration of snow cover decreased. Between 2001 and 2018, the average snow cover lasted 205 days, 10 days shorter than that from 1982 to 2000. The team further utilised the CMIP6 climate model projections to simulate future changes in Arctic wildfires and snow under different emission scenarios. They discovered that, under the high-emission scenario SSP5-8.5, the annual burned area of the Arctic could expand by 2.6 times by year 2100, while snow duration may shrink to about 130 days — approximately 18 days shorter than the historical average from 1950 to 2014. The study also found that major wildland fires significantly delay the formation of snow cover. Through regional impact analysis, the team determined that in the first year following a major wildfire, the snow start date is postponed by more than five days compared with the three-year average prior to the fire; moreover, the larger the burned area, the longer the delay. The research team identified the underlying physical mechanism as the deposition and persistence of black carbon on the ground after fires, which reduces surface albedo and enhances the absorption of solar radiation. This additional energy increases both land surface temperature and near-surface air temperature, thereby suppressing effective snow accumulation and ultimately postponing snow formation.  “Wildland fires alter surface properties in the Arctic and subsequently shorten the duration of regional snow cover,” Prof. Wang added. “The reduction of snow cover further disrupts surface energy balance, prolongs land exposure, and leads to warmer, drier surfaces, which create favourable conditions for an earlier start and broader spread of fires. Such a feedback loop underscores the vulnerability of Arctic ecosystems to cascading climate impacts.” The research team envisions these findings will not only provide solid evidence for predicting the future hydrological cycle and climate dynamics of the Arctic, but also offer scientific guidance for assessing ecosystem resilience and formulating effective climate adaptation strategies to help mitigate the chain effect of climate change.

PolyU researchers reveal hidden health risks from urban air microbes, mapping their sources, pathways and health impacts

Air pollution poses a widespread threat to human health, particularly due to its strong link to respiratory diseases. Airborne microbes, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and cellular debris, are estimated to account for approximately 25% of atmospheric particulate matter (PM), some of which are pathogenic to humans. Researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University have conducted a groundbreaking investigation into the sources, composition and health-related toxicity of these microbial particles, revealing concerning connections between air pollution and its impact on human health.  The contribution of microbial components and their sources to the bioactivity of airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) remains unclear. To address this research gap, Prof. JIN Ling Nathanael, Assistant Professor of the PolyU Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Department of Health Technology and Informatics, and Prof. Polly Hang Mei Leung, Professor of the PolyU Department of Health Technology and Informatics, along with their jointly supervised PhD student, Ms Jinyan YU,  and other well-known international scholars, have systematically assessed bacterial endotoxin in PM2.5 and traced its association with inflammatory response of bronchial epithelial cells.The research, titled, “Disproportionately higher contribution of endotoxin to PM2.5 bioactivity than its mass share highlights the need to identify low-concentration, high-potency components” was published in Environmental Science & Technology. After regularly collecting airborne PM2.5 samples, the research team examined their components to identify those responsible for triggering the production of inflammation-related proteins in bronchial epithelial cells. Endotoxins are found to account for up to 17% of the inflammation response, despite making up less than 0.0001% of PM2.5’s total mass. They exhibit low concentration and high potency characteristics. Notably, endotoxins show the highest toxicity-to-mass contribution ratio among all PM2.5 components with known related data. These finding suggest that reducing PM2.5 toxicity may not require a proportional reduction in its overall mass, and identifying and controlling high potency components should be the priority.  The research assessed the toxic effects of inhalable microbial components, revealing that bacteria, particularly Gram-negative species, dominated the atmospheric microbial community. Endotoxin, a structural component of Gram-negative bacterial cell walls, was identified as a key contributor. Notably, the sources of coastal site Gram-negative bacteria mainly originate from the natural environment, but their sources in the urban area increasingly shifts to anthropogenic contributions, including those from the built environment, sewage treatment and human activity.  Prof. JIN said, “Accurately identifying toxic components and sources is key to effective air quality management and health protection. We link endotoxin toxicity to its bacterial origin through microbial source tracking of its Gram-negative bacterial producers. As major pollution sources such as industrial and vehicular emissions decline due to global clean-air initiatives, previously overlooked high potency components will become increasingly importance in health risk management.” Ms YU noted, “This study provides a novel method to assess the role of microbial compounds in PM2.5-induced human immune response. It lays the foundation for identifying and measuring various toxic substances in air pollution.”  Enhancing public health protection requires an integrated framework that links air pollutants, its sources and health risks. In another recent study, Prof. JIN and Dr Franklin Wang Ngai CHOW, Research Assistant Professor of the PolyU Department of Health Technology and Informatics, along with their jointly supervised Postdoctoral Fellow Dr Chunlan FAN and PhD student Mr Tian CHEN, and other well-known international scholars, have focused on a group of airborne fungi called Candida.  They are the largest genus of yeasts, which can cause infections ranging from mild to life-threatening, found in respirable suspended particulate (PM10) from urban areas. The research titled, “Public health implications of airborne Candida: viability, drug resistance, and genetic links to clinical strains,” were published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters.  Candida species are classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as priority pathogens due to their server health impacts, drawing global attention on potential health risk. The team identified multidrug-resistant Candida parapsilosis in urban air and revealed its close genetic links to clinical strains from infected individuals. This suggests that people may be exposed to drug-resistant fungi through inhalation or skin contact, raising concerns that urban pollutants may promote antifungal resistance. The research highlights the urgent need to recognise urban air as a significant medium for the spread of antifungal-resistant strains.  The research also revealed that Candida species are seasonally prevalent in urban ambient air. Viable Candida were detected in air of anthropogenic settings such as wastewater treatment facilities, healthcare environments and ventilation systems of residential buildings. Notably, Candida parapsilosis showed consistent abundance throughout the year, highlighting its strong environmental resilience and widespread occurrence in urban areas. It was also identified as the most dominant Candida and most antifungal-resistant species.  Significantly, the research provides a systematic investigation into how airborne Candida may spread in the community, including how it is carried, transmitted, and causes infection. Prof. JIN said, “The spread of drug-resistant fungi in both environmental and clinical settings, alongside a growing at-risk population, highlights antifungal resistance as a critical global environmental health issue. Moving forward, it is important to identify urban-specific reservoirs, investigate conditions that promote resistance, and model airborne transmission pathways.”    

PolyU project secures support from NSFC’s Original Exploration Program, the sole institution awarded from Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) remains committed to pioneering innovative research and contributing to the nation's science and technology development. Prof. WANG Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research), Dean of Graduate School, Director of Research Center for Nature-Inspired Science and Engineering, Kuok Group Professor in Nature-Inspired Engineering, and Chair Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, has secured support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)'s 2025 Original Exploration Program for his groundbreaking research in thermal management. The Original Exploration Program aims to cultivate pioneering achievements from the ground up and supports projects that address scientific challenges, lead research directions, or pioneer new research fields, thereby driving the high-quality development of national basic research. PolyU is the only Hong Kong higher education institution selected for the program this year. Prof. WANG's research project, which focuses on design and optimisation of chip cooling systems based on fluid-thermal field matching principle (基於流-熱場匹配的芯片散熱系統優化研究), has been approved for RMB 3 million in funding under the “New Mechanisms and Strategies for Thermal Management in Extreme Environments” initiative within the Program. The project will be initiated by the Shenzhen Research Institute of PolyU (SZRI). As PolyU’s extended campus in Shenzhen, the SZRI has been integrated into the University's strategy in all aspects of space deployment, management, and research. It undertakes research projects for national, provincial, and municipal governments, as well as industry partners. Learn more about Prof WANG's research achievements: PolyU develops ultra-stable, mucus-inspired hydrogel to boost gastrointestinal wound healing PolyU researchers develop breakthrough method for self-stimulated ejection of freezing droplets, unlocking cost-effective applications in de-icing PolyU scholar’s transformative work on the Leidenfrost effect wins the Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year 2023 Meet PolyU Academician: Prof. WANG Zuankai

Next generation of stablecoins: safer, smarter and more transparent

Cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, are often too volatile for everyday use. Stablecoins, digital coins linked to steady assets like the US dollar, make using crypto for daily payments more practical. Prof. Min DAI, Chair Professor in Applied Statistics and Financial Mathematics at the Department of Applied Mathematics, and Director of The Research Centre for Blockchain Technology at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, presents a robust stablecoin design using option pricing theory and smart contracts on Ethereum. The dual-class structure delivers fixed-income and stablecoin options, effectively separates speculation from real usage and demonstrates resilience to extreme market event.  Over the past decade, the cryptocurrency market has experienced explosive growth, evolving from a niche innovation into a global financial phenomenon. However, the prices of cryptocurrencies remain highly volatile, limiting their effectiveness as reliable means of payment or stores of value. In response, stablecoins have rapidly emerged as a crucial solution, offering price stability and fostering broader adoption within the digital economy.    By using the option pricing theory and the Ethereum (ETH) platform that allows the running of smart contracts, Prof. DAI and his research team have spearheaded a pioneering study on the design of fixed-income-like stablecoins. This research integrates rigorous mathematical modelling with economic theory to address the challenge of achieving price stability in decentralised currencies.   Broadly, stablecoins can be categorised into two main types. The first type, exemplified by USDT and USDC, is fiat-collateralised. The second major category is crypto-collateralised stablecoins, with DAI being the most prominent example.    While these models promise improved capital efficiency and flexibility, their long-term stability is highly dependent on the robustness of their hedging strategies and the prevailing market conditions, introducing new layers of risk that must be carefully managed.   To tackle these challenges, Prof. Dai's research team has proposed a novel stablecoin architecture inspired by option pricing theory and implemented via smart contracts. The core innovation lies in a dual-class structure combined with automated upward and downward reset mechanisms. This structure not only enhances capital efficiency by allowing more flexible use of collateral, but also enables dynamic risk allocation through automated upward and downward reset mechanisms. These automated resets help isolate risk, enhance resilience, and ensure the stablecoin's value remains robust even during extreme market movements. The team’s analysis based on numerical tests confirms that the dual-class structure and reset mechanisms provide strong stability and resilience, outperforming traditional stablecoins like DAI, especially during extreme market events.   The dual-class structure presents a compelling and forward-thinking framework for achieving price stability in the highly volatile cryptocurrency landscape. By integrating risk tranching, automated upward and downward resets, and smart contract-based governance, this system not only isolates market risk but also significantly improves capital efficiency. The design enables differentiated exposure for investors, allowing conservative participants to enjoy fixed-income-like returns while risk-tolerant users pursue leveraged gains. This innovative architecture addresses key shortcomings of traditional stablecoins, such as their opacity and rigidity, and offers a scalable, transparent and decentralised solution that aligns with the evolving needs of modern financial ecosystems.   Source: Innovation Digest Issue 5  

PolyU scholar elected Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering

Prof. Jianguo LIN, Chair Professor of Materials Technologies of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has been elected as a Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering (HKAE). This prestigious honour recognises his distinguished expertise and impactful contributions to the advancement of engineering. Prof. LIN is an internationally renowned expert in materials modelling, advanced metal forming technologies, and sustainable manufacturing processes. The HKAE acknowledges his pioneering work in developing innovative theories and transformative technologies for lightweight alloys, which have enabled the production of complex, lightweight components for vehicles. These advancements have significantly reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions in transportation and related industries. Prof. LIN’s research has revolutionised the commercial manufacturing of complex‑shaped lightweight components once considered impossible, exemplifying the integration of fundamental breakthroughs with industrial applications. He has developed more than 20 patented technologies, including HFQ®, Flextrude®, and WiExtrude®, widely adopted in industry. He pioneered the use of state‑variable material descriptions combined with calibrated ordinary differential equations to integrate classical mechanics with physical metallurgy. This breakthrough has enabled the simulation of diverse high‑temperature metal‑forming processes and the precise control of metallurgical states and mechanical properties within components. His work spanned alloys such as aluminium and magnesium (150–550°C), ultra‑high strength steels (480–950°C), and titanium and nickel superalloys (850–1,050°C) for turbine blades. These efforts not only overcame long‑standing barriers to forming complex structural parts but also enabled accurate prediction, tailored microstructure, and low energy consumption during manufacturing. These advances are consolidated in his landmark book Fundamentals of Materials Modelling for Metals Processing Technologies. As a world-leading scholar in materials technologies, Prof. LIN has published over 300 refereed journal papers and influential books, including Fundamentals of Materials Modelling for Metals Processing Technologies. He established and led the UK’s largest university‑based metal forming research group at Imperial College London, which received two Imperial President’s Medals for its partnership engagement and research capabilities. He also founded four industry‑sponsored research centres there, securing over HK$250 million in support. In addition, Prof. LIN is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and a Member of the European Academy of Sciences. He has coordinated large projects across nine countries with up to 20 partners and secured over HK$500 million in government‑sponsored research funding, underscoring that these innovations have delivered substantial industrial impact, enabled energy-efficient production processes, and reduced carbon emissions across the global transportation sector. The HKAE aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and excellence in engineering, thereby advancing society and developing Hong Kong and the Nation. It comprises a distinguished group of Fellows from various disciplines, recognised as leaders in their fields, with remarkable achievements in engineering science and its applications. Learn more: Meet PolyU Academicians— Professor Jianguo LIN

Two PolyU scholars honored as IEEE Fellow 2026

Two distinguished scholars from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have been elected as Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Class of 2026, in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the fields of distributed artificial intelligence and wireless communication. Prof. ZHANG Chengqi, Chair Professor of Artificial Intelligence of the PolyU Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence and Director of Shenzhen Research Institute, has been honoured for his outstanding achievements in graph neural networks and time series analysis. His research has significantly advanced data mining and intelligent data processing, with applications spanning finance, healthcare, urban computing and beyond. Prof. ZHANG has published more than 400 research papers with more than 35,000 citations in international journals and conference proceedings, and received numerous accolades, including the NSW Science and Engineering Award and the IEEE ICDM Outstanding Service Award. His election as an IEEE Fellow underscore both his individual academic leadership and the research excellence of PolyU’s artificial intelligence initiatives. Prof. Liang LIU, Associate Professor of the PolyU Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, has been recognised for his influential contributions to next generation cellular network, particularly in the areas of 6G integrated sensing and communication and massive IoT connectivity. His pioneering research enables future networks to transmit data while simultaneously sensing environments, supporting applications such as drone detection in the era of low-altitude economy, robotic navigation, and smart city infrastructure. Prof. LIU has received several high-profile honours including the IEEE Signal Processing Best Paper Award and the recognition as a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate Analytics. He currently serves as an IEEE Communications Society Distinguished Lecturer. Through this program, he is sponsored to share his research achievements worldwide by delivering a series of invited talks. His research on 6G is funded by Hong Kong RGC Collaborative Research Fund Young Collaborative Research Grant. IEEE Fellow is the highest grade of membership within IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional organisation dedicated to advancing technology for humanity. This prestigious distinction recognizes individuals whose extraordinary accomplishments have significantly advanced engineering, science, and technology worldwide.

PolyU presents 28 high-quality material sciences research at Advanced Materials

Celebrate 30th anniversary of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) with a special Advanced Materials issue ! Featuring 28 top-notch papers in materials science, showcasing PolyU's excellence in education, research, and global reach!  Ranked 54th in the QS World University Rankings 2026, PolyU boasts 420+ scholars among the top 2% most-cited scientists worldwide. We demonstrate a strong commitment to innovation and societal impact, supported by extensive research infrastructure and global partnerships. Dive into this special issue of Advanced Materials! 19 reviews, 8 research articles, and 1 perspective explore cutting-edge materials science: advanced manufacturing, electronic materials, energy solutions, and wearable technologies!  Emphasizing PolyU's vision, we bridge theory with technology, fostering collaborations and pushing boundaries in materials science. Thanks to all contributors for making this issue special !  Read the full issue: Special Issue: Materials Research at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Advanced Materials: Volume 37, Issue 48)  

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University accelerates research and innovation across the Mainland

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has successfully established 2 research institutes in Shenzhen (Nanshan and Futian), 12 translational research institutes across the Mainland and one translational research centre by the end of 2025. PolyU is committed to fostering innovation to drive the transformation of research outcomes into applications, serving the high-quality economic and social development. More information

PolyU scholar elected member of The Hong Kong Academy of Sciences

Prof. Raymond Wai-Yeung WONG, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Associate Director of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy, Clarea Au Professor in Energy and Chair Professor of Chemical Technology at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has been elected a member of The Hong Kong Academy of Sciences (ASHK). This honour recognises his leadership in chemical technology and long‑standing contributions to advancing sustainable energy solutions and promoting scientific innovation for societal benefit. Prof. WONG is an internationally renowned chemist whose research focuses on the design and synthesis of molecular functional materials and metallopolymers (1D and 2D) with photofunctional properties for energy applications. His work underpins major advancements in technologies for light and electricity conversion, supporting more efficient solar energy utilisation and paving the way for next‑generation organic solar cells and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Among his significant research achievements is the development of flexible, low‑cost OLED light sources that outperform traditional LCDs in energy efficiency. These OLED light sources can be printed onto surfaces using inkjet or screen‑printing technologies and are compatible with curved digital display screens, opening new possibilities for advanced display systems. His leadership also extends to strengthening Hong Kong’s research infrastructure. He spearheaded the establishment of Hong Kong's first Fourier‑transform Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (FT‑EPR) spectrometer facility, enhancing interdisciplinary research capacity and collaboration. Prof. WONG’s research excellence is widely recognised internationally. He has been ranked as the 26th most‑cited scientist globally in inorganic and nuclear chemistry by a Stanford University index, with an extensive publication record of over 900 scientific articles in international journals and an h‑index of 101 (Scopus). His distinguished career has earned him numerous prestigious honours, including the Croucher Senior Research Fellow Award (2009), Chemistry of the Transition Metals Award by the Royal Society of Chemistry (2010), First Class Prize (2010) and Second Class Prize (2022) in Natural Science Award from the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, FACS Distinguished Young Chemist Award (2011), Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation Prize for Scientific and Technological Innovation (2012), Second Class Prize in State Natural Science Award of the People’s Republic of China (2013), the inaugural Research Grant Council (RGC) Senior Research Fellow Award (2020), and Foreign Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences.