News

PolyU research reveals rising soil nitrous acid emissions driven by climate and fertilisation change accelerate global ozone pollution

PolyU research reveals rising soil nitrous acid emissions driven by climate and fertilisation change accelerate global ozone pollution A study led by Prof. WANG Tao, an Executive Committee member of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), Chair Professor of Atmospheric Environment in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, along with his research team, has unveiled the pivotal role that soil nitrous acid (HONO) emissions play in the increase of the ozone mixing ratio in the air and their negative impact on vegetation. The team analysed global soil HONO emissions data from 1980 to 2016. The researchers found that soil HONO emissions have increased from 9.4 Tg N in 1980 to 11.5 Tg N in 2016. Using the chemistry-climate model to simulate the impact of these emissions on atmospheric composition, they discovered an average 2.5% rise annually in the global surface ozone mixing ratio, with localised increases reaching up to 29%. The team pointed out that soil HONO emissions are influenced by the combined effects of nitrogen fertiliser usage and climate factors such as soil temperature and soil water content, resulting in seasonal and geographical variations. The research established a comprehensive dataset by integrating multiple variables, including climate factors like soil temperature, soil water content, and fertiliser type and application rates into the parameterization scheme. For unquantifiable factors such as microbial activities, land use, and soil texture, the team applied diverse parameters based on latitude, longitude, and land use data of the corresponding soil samples. The findings have been published in Nature Communications.Read the full paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57161-6 理大研究揭示化肥及氣候變化導致土壤亞硝酸排放上升，加劇全球臭氧污染​可持續城市發展研究院成員、土木及環境工程學系大氣環境講座教授王韜教授帶領團隊進行的一項研究揭示，土壤亞硝酸（HONO）排放是導致臭氧濃度上升的重要原因，並會對植被帶來負面影響。 研究團隊分析了1980至2016年間全球土壤亞硝酸排放數據。研究指出，全球土壤亞硝酸排放量從1980年的9.4 太克氮（Tg N）升至2016年的11.5 太克氮。團隊利用化學氣候模型模擬這些排放對大氣成分的影響，發現全球表面臭氧濃度會因此每年平均上升2.5%，局部區域的增幅更高達29%。團隊亦指出，土壤亞硝酸排放受氮肥使用及土壤溫度、土壤水分含量等氣候因素的共同影響，排放量因而有明顯的季候性及地域性差異。 研究通過將多項變量，包括土壤溫度、土壤含水量等氣候因素以及肥料類型及施用量納入參數化方案，成功建立了全面的數據集。針對微生物活動、土地利用及土壤質地等難以量化的因素，團隊基於相應土壤樣本的緯度、經度和土地利用數據應用不同的參數。相關研究成果已發表於《Nature Communications》。 閱讀全文：https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57161-6（只供英文） 

RISUD researchers shine at International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) achieved remarkable success at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, securing a total of 36 awards for its innovative research projects. RISUD-affiliated researchers were recognised for their ground-breaking work in sustainable urban solutions, earning multiple accolades across various categories. Congratulations to all awardees. Press release: https://polyu.me/4ii7Sb7 Online coverage: The Standard - https://polyu.me/4ijMEKe Ming Pao Daily News - https://polyu.me/44s3T8L Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/3Re2Fq3 Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/4lJ7ndo Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/42HIWW1 Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/44s3e7h; https://polyu.me/3RL0hHo Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/3EjtdTP Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/4j6SVKe Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/3G7yWwy (subscription required) HK01 - https://polyu.me/4jkux8b Award  Project Principal Investigator who are the member of RISUD Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury Smart Fire Extinguisher for Spacecraft Prof. HUANG Xinyan Gold Medal A Multi-objective Yaw-control System for Wind Farm Optimisation Based on Novel 3D Wake Model Prof. YANG Hongxing  AI-empowered Digital Twin for Smart Building Management Prof. XIAO Fu Smart Structural Integrity Monitoring Syste Prof. WONG Man-sing Charles Silver Medal Last-centimetre Drone Delivery in Urban Environments Prof. HUANG Hailong IHAC Film: Intelligent Humidity Control and Atmospheric Water Collection Film Prof. YAN Jinyue Jerry AI-based Railway Obstacle Intrusion Detection System with Multimodal Transformers Prof. NI Yiqing Bronze Medal Advanced Self-cleaning Oil Fume Purification System for Commercial Kitchens Prof. LEE Shun-cheng

RISUD Member Honored with ASHRAE Fellowship Award

Prof. Linda Fu Xiao, Member of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), a distinguished academic staff member of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has been awarded the prestigious ASHRAE Fellowship Award. This accolade recognizes her outstanding contributions to the field of HVAC&R and the built environment.   Prof. Xiao, who also serves as the Associate Dean (Partnership) of the Faculty of Construction and Environment, has dedicated over 20 years to pioneering research in dynamic modeling, optimal control, and fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) of HVAC&R systems. Her groundbreaking work in leveraging big data and AI technologies has significantly advanced building energy efficiency and resilience, bridging the gap between innovative research methodologies and their practical applications in real-world settings.   The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), established in 1894, is a global society comprising over 50,000 professionals from more than 132 countries. ASHRAE is committed to advancing the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world.   Prof. Xiao's recognition as an ASHRAE Fellow highlights her substantial contributions to education, research, engineering design, consultation, and mentoring within the HVAC&R community. Her work exemplifies the spirit of innovation and excellence that ASHRAE seeks to honor.   Congratulations to Prof. Linda Fu Xiao on this well-deserved recognition. Her achievements continue to inspire and pave the way for future advancements in building energy efficiency.  

Prof. NI Meng, RISUD member, discusses hydrogen energy development on RTHK TV programme

Prof. NI Meng, Management Committee Member of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), Member of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Construction and Environment and Chair Professor of Energy Science and Technology, shared his expertise on hydrogen energy in a recent interview with RTHK TV programme Hong Kong Connection. Prof. Ni elaborated on the benefits and limitations of grey, blue and green hydrogen, emphasising their important roles in the global transition to sustainable energy systems. He also pointed out that renewable energy supply and demand are not always matched, resulting in the generation of more renewable energy than needed, hence causing renewable energy being wasted; if the excess renewable energy can be used to produce hydrogen, this can not only avoid energy waste, but also truly achieve zero-emission hydrogen production, contributing to carbon neutrality and sustainability. Online coverage: RTHK - https://polyu.me/4hcfKKX (06:39 - 08:53; 15:05 - 16:23)（Chinese only）

Professor FRANGOPOL, RISUD’s IAC member, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE)

Professor Dan M. FRANGOPOL, an Honorary Professor and member of the International Advisory Committee at the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) in recognition of his contributions to life-cycle civil engineering and his leadership in advancing its global development and adoption. NAE membership is one of the highest honors in engineering, awarded to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to engineering practice, research, and education; pioneered new and emerging technological fields; significantly advanced traditional engineering disciplines; or developed and implemented innovative approaches to engineering education and leadership. Prof. FRANGOPOL, the inaugural Fazlur R. Khan Endowed Chair of Structural Engineering and Architecture at Lehigh University, is internationally renowned for pioneering life-cycle civil engineering. His work has laid the foundation for the field and facilitated its integration into civil engineering practice worldwide. He holds five honorary doctorates, 14 honorary professorships, and membership in eight academies across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Japan, Belgium, Romania, and Europe, among others. His research focuses on the development and application of probabilistic and optimization methods in civil and marine engineering within a life-cycle framework. His key areas of expertise include life-cycle cost analysis; probability-based assessment, design, and multi-criteria life-cycle optimization of structures and infrastructure systems; structural health monitoring; maintenance and management of structures and distributed infrastructure under extreme events (such as tsunamis, hurricanes, and floods); sustainability and resilience of infrastructure; and climate change adaptation. Prof. FRANGOPOL’s contributions have been recognized with numerous awards for research, education, and service, including the ASCE OPAL Lifetime Achievement Award in Education. He has been honored by several prestigious organizations, such as the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE), the International Association for Structural Safety and Reliability (IASSAR), the International Society for Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure (ISHMII), and the International Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE International). In 2023, ASCE established the Dan M. FRANGOPOL Medal for Life-Cycle Engineering of Civil Structures to commemorate his groundbreaking work. In addition to his academic and research achievements, Prof. FRANGOPOL is the founding president of two major international associations: the International Association for Bridge Maintenance and Safety (IABMAS) and the International Association for Life-Cycle Civil Engineering (IALCCE). These organizations, which collectively have over 3,000 members from 75 countries, promote global collaboration and the advancement of societal well-being through their biennial conferences, typically held on different continents. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, a respected international peer-reviewed journal launched in 2005. Congratulations to Prof. FRANGOPOL!

RISUD member honoured with “2024 Dayu Water Conservancy Science and Technology Progress Award”

Congratulations to Prof. DUAN Huan-feng, Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, on receiving the “2024 Dayu Water Conservancy Science and Technology Progress Award (2nd Class)” by the Ministry of Water Resources of China, for his project titled “Key Technologies for Real-time Hydraulic Simulation and Precise Regulation of Complex Urban Water Supply Networks”. This accolade is given to individuals who have made exceptional technological innovations and significant contributions to the advancement of water science and technology, bringing substantial economic and social benefits. Prof. Duan’s research focuses on the critical areas of hydraulics and water resources, including urban hydraulics, urban asset management, coastal urban flooding, hydro-environmental management and computational fluid mechanics. He has spearheaded numerous significant research projects and secured grants from various funding bodies in Hong Kong and the Mainland China.

RISUD member receives Smart Traffic Fund to develop AI-enabled parking garage vacancy prediction service

Prof. MA Wei, Member of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), Assistant Professor of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of PolyU, has been awarded a funding of about HK$2.9 million from the Smart Traffic Fund for a period of 18 months, for his project titled “Parking Garage Vacancy Prediction Services in Hong Kong: AI-enabled Solutions for Enhanced Reliability and Extensibility”.     This project aims to develop a deep learning-based parking garage vacation prediction service for off street carparks in Hong Kong. By leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technology and combining big data with real time data, the service will predict parking vacancy and estimate queuing times for fully occupied garages, helping to reduce motorists’ cruising time and enhance road efficiency.   Read more: http://www.polyu.edu.hk/rio/news/2025/20250127---smart-traffic-fund/      

RISUD member receives AAEES “40 Under 40 Recognition Program” Award 2025

Prof. Nathanael JIN Ling, Member of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), and Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Health Technology and Informatics, has been recognised by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) as one of the recipients of the “40 Under 40 Recognition Program” Award for 2025.   Prof. JIN’s interdisciplinary research focuses on the intersection of environmental chemistry, toxicology and microbiology. His works addresses critical planetary health challenges, including air pollution’s impact on human health and marine pollution’s effects on wildlife. Prof. JIN’s research has been recognised by multiple Best Paper and Most Popular Paper Awards. He was invited by Nature to contribute commentaries to discuss global issues such as microbial hazards in plastic waste and health disparities from air pollution.   Full list of the award recipients: https://www.aaees.org/40under40

Prof. Nathanael JIN writes commentary on microbial risks of plastic pollution for Nature prediction service

Prof. Nathanael JIN Ling, Member of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), and Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Health Technology and Informatics, was invited by Nature to contribute a commentary titled “What harmful microbes are lurking in the world’s 7 billion tonnes of plastic waste?”.   In the paper, Prof. JIN and his team highlighted the microbial risks associated with plastic pollution and proposed a global strategy to address these challenges. Plastic debris creates a new ecological niche for microorganisms, forming a new ecosystem known as the “plastisphere”. The paper outlines the potential risks of plastisphere microbiomes pose to ecosystem functioning and the health of humans and other organisms. To develop a comprehensive global strategy, the paper suggests six priorities: quantifying effects, redefining plastic pollution, sustaining funding, establishing expert panels, adjusting management strategies and protecting people.   Read the full paper: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-03150-6  

Prof. Vivien LU integrates green radiative cooling coating with photovoltaics for energy saving in buildings

The PolyU Carbon Neutrality Funding Scheme aims to support the application of university research outcomes and to take the campus as a testbed to apply research solutions, with a goal of achieving carbon neutrality on campus and supporting Hong Kong’s goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. With support from the Scheme, Prof. Vivien LU Lin, Member of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) and Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE), and Professor of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, and her research team, has integrated the solar-driven adaptive radiative cooling (SARC) coating they developed, with bifacial solar photovoltaics (PV) to achieve synergistic enhancement in thermal management and power generation, transforming buildings from energy consumers into energy harvesters. The team is planning to install bifacial PV panels on the rooftops of the under-construction PolyU Kowloon Tong Student Hostel, with new coating applied on the corresponding area under the panels, to enhance power generation while radiatively cooling the buildings.   The carbon dots (CDs)-driven photoluminescent radiative cooling nanocoating can be applied to building rooftops and exterior walls. This novel coating can automatically adjust its absorption and emission of solar and thermal radiation in response to changes in environmental temperature or light conditions, helping to mitigate the heat island effect caused by building materials. It uses photoluminescence technology to convert ultraviolet light into visible light, thereby improving the absorption and utilisation of light by PV and increasing its conversion efficiency.   Compared to traditional coatings, this novel coating can effectively improve effective daytime solar reflectance from 92.5% to 95%, increase the cooling effect by 10% to 20%, and reduce the temperature by up to 25°C when applied to concrete rooftops. This nanocoating is environmentally friendly, water-soluble, volatile organic compounds (VOCs)-free, and can be produced in various colours, thus demonstrating significant application potential.   Press Release: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/media/media-releases/2024/0924_polyu-researchers-unveil-novel-carbon-dots-driven-green-radiative-cooling-coating/ Online coverage: Sing Tao Headline - https://polyu.me/4hofXLG (Chinese only)