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Prof. WANG Shuo’s team uncovers feedback loop between wildland fires and Arctic snow cover loss

Prof. WANG Shuo, Member of Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI), and Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), and Associate Professor of Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, and his research team have conducted a study on wildland fires in seasonally snow-covered regions.  Their findings were published in Nature Climate Change under the title “Delayed formation of Arctic snow cover in response to wildland fires in a warming climate”. This work was also highlighted in a Research Briefing.   Utilising long-term satellite data, the team discovered that between 1982 and 2018, the burned area in the Arctic increased significantly, while the duration of snow cover decreased markedly.  An XGBoost machine learning model and causal analysis confirmed the role of wildland fires in delaying the formation of snow cover, with this effect strongly associated with fire-induced reductions in albedo and increases in temperature.  Furthermore, the team observed a delay of more than five days in snow cover formation following major wildland fires.  Their projections under a high-emissions scenario (Shared Socioeconomic Pathway, SSP 5–8.5) suggested that the burned area could increase by a factor of 2.6 and the annual mean snow cover duration could decrease by nearly 18 days between 2015 and 2100 compared with the historical average.   Prof. Wang’s research provides a more comprehensive understanding of the feedback loop between intensifying wildfires and reduced snow cover.  As climate change increases both fire activity and snow cover loss, insights into the interplay between the two factors are crucial for predicting future impacts and developing mitigation strategies.   Read the full paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-025-02443-6 Read the research briefing: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-025-02444-5   土地及空間研究院、潘樂陶慈善基金智慧城市研究院及可持續城市發展研究院成員兼土地測量及地理資訊學系副教授王碩及其研究團隊，針對季節性積雪地區的野火進行了研究。研究成果以「Delayed formation of Arctic snow cover in response to wildland fires in a warming climate」（氣候暖化下野火對北極積雪形成延遲的影響）為題，已發表於《Nature Climate Change》期刊，期刊編輯還以研究簡報形式對該成果進行了解讀與科普。   研究團隊分析歷史衛星數據，發現在1982年至2018年間，北極地區的燒毀面積顯著增加，而積雪覆蓋的持續時間則明顯縮短。團隊通過XGBoost機器學習模型及因果分析，證實了野火導致積雪形成延遲，這一影響與野火所致的地表反照率降低及氣溫上升密切相關。此外，團隊觀察到在發生大型野火後，積雪覆蓋的形成時間平均延遲五天以上。團隊的推算模型預測，在極高溫室氣體排放情景（SSP5至8.5）下，2015年至2100年間的燒毀面積可能增加2.6倍，年度平均積雪覆蓋持續時間則可能比歷史平均紀錄短近18天。  

PolyU’s study reveals potential planetary health impacts of the airborne plastisphere

Prof. Nathanael JIN Ling, Member of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) and the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC), and Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Health Technology and Informatics, has recently published an invited review paper in One Earth by Cell Press, examining the planetary health impacts of the airborne plastisphere. Microplastics are a ubiquitous yet long-overlooked component of airborne particulate matter.  The surface of these plastic particles provides a unique niche for microorganisms, collectively referred to as the plastisphere.  In aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, the plastisphere harbours microbial communities with distinct compositions, structures and functional profiles, posing potential risks to planetary health.  However, the characteristics, fate and impacts of the microbiome associated with airborne microplastics remain largely unknown. In this review, the team addressed these knowledge gaps by exploring how airborne microplastics serve as key habitats for microorganisms and the potential implications for planetary health.  They demonstrated that microplastics are likely to transport and sustain microorganisms over long distances and timescales in the atmosphere, potentially dispersing pathogens, antibiotic resistance genes and other bioactive agents across ecosystems.  Such interactions may disrupt ecological processes and biological health on a planetary scale.  Prof. JIN emphasised that interdisciplinary research and innovative methodologies are urgently required to better understand and mitigate the risks associated with the airborne plastisphere. Read the full paper: https://www.cell.com/one-earth/fulltext/S2590-3322%2825%2900272-6 未來食品研究院、可持續城市發展研究院及精神健康研究中心成員兼土木及環境工程學系及醫療科技及資訊學系助理教授金靈，最近在Cell Press旗下期刊《One Earth》發表特邀綜述論文，探討空氣懸浮塑膠生物圈對地球健康的影響。 微塑膠是常見的空氣懸浮粒子成分，長期以來卻未受到足夠關注。這些塑膠粒子的表面為微生物提供了獨特的生存空間，統稱為「塑膠生物圈」。在水域及陸地生態系統中，塑膠生物圈孕育著具有獨特組成、結構和功能特徵的微生物群落，對地球健康構成潛在風險。然而，關於空氣懸浮中微塑膠相關微生物群落的特性、命運及其影響，目前仍知之甚少。 在這篇綜述中，研究團隊通過探討空氣懸浮微塑膠如何成為微生物的主要棲息地，以及其對地球健康的潛在影響，填補了相關知識空白。他們指出，微塑膠很可能導致微生物在大氣中長距離、長時間傳播並存活，進而將病原體、抗生素抗性基因及其他生物活性因子傳播至整個生態系統。這些相互作用可能在全球範圍內擾亂生態過程及生物健康。金靈教授強調，急需交叉學科研究及創新方法，以更好地理解並減緩空氣懸浮塑膠生物圈的相關風險。 閱讀論文全文：https://www.cell.com/one-earth/fulltext/S2590-3322%2825%2900272-6（只有英文）

Prof. NI Meng conducts research on zinc-air seawater batteries and publishes findings in Nano Materials Science

Prof. NI Meng, Associate Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment, Head of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering and Chair Professor of Energy Science and Technology of PolyU, in collaboration with the State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and City University of Hong Kong, has conducted a study on zinc-air seawater batteries and recently published a paper titled “Turning seawater chloride ion from corrosion agent to OER accelerator and stabiliser via oxygen vacancy engineering and application in zinc-air seawater batteries” in Nano Materials Science.   Zinc–air seawater batteries (ZASBs) represent a promising technology due to their high energy density, environmentally friendly nature, and low cost. However, their performance is hindered by the slow oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and rapid deactivation of OER electrocatalysts caused by chloride ion (Cl−) corrosion. The research team has proposed an innovative oxygen vacancy (Ov) strategy that not only mitigates Cl− corrosion but also utilises Cl− as an OER accelerator and catalyst protector. Specifically, oxygen vacancies are introduced into NiFe2O4 via in situ growth on self-supported carbon substrates. These vacancies enhance Cl− adsorption, forming Cl−-OV-NiFe2O4 catalyst. This synergistic interaction enables superior OER activity, achieving a low overpotential of 285 mV at 100 mA cm−2 in alkaline seawater, whereas pristine NiFe2O4 is unable to reach this current density threshold.   The enhanced ZASB achieves a lifespan exceeding 400 cycles, which is 45 times greater than that of pristine NiFe2O4 (9 cycles). The proposed oxygen vacancy strategy not only advances the practical application of ZASBs, but also provides valuable insights for the development of seawater battery technologies.   Prof. NI Meng is currently Management Committee Member of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), Member of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD).   Read the full paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589965125000820?via%3Dihub    

RISUD Member Featured on RTHK Radio on Smart City Index

Prof. John SHI Wenzhong, Member of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), Chair Professor of Geographical Information Science and Remote Sensing, and President of the International Society for Urban Informatics, was recently interviewed on RTHK’s radio programmes “Hong Kong Today” and “Open Line Open View”. During the interviews, he discussed the Smart City Index, developed by Prof. Shi and his team, which is designed to support cities worldwide in formulating sustainable smart city development strategies. Notably, Hong Kong ranked eighth globally, making it the second-highest performing Asian city in the index. Online coverage: RTHK Hong Kong Today - https://polyu.me/3UlPgO9 (40:28 - 44:01) RTHK Open Line Open View - https://polyu.me/4foflFS (1:06:30 - 1:16:17)

RISUD member ranked nation’s top scientist in Engineering and Technology by Research.com

Prof. LI Heng, Member of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) and Chair Professor of Construction Informatics, has been ranked first in China and 21st globally in Engineering and Technology,in the 2025 Best Scientists Rankings by Research.com. The ranking is determined by a scientist’s D-index (Discipline H-index), which evaluates a scientist’s scholarly impact through discipline-specific publications and citation metrics. This international recognition underscores Prof. Li’s exceptional contributions to the fields of engineering and technology, as well as the profound societal impact of his research.  Prof. Li has conducted many funded research projects related to the innovative application and transfer of construction information technologies. His research interests include digital construction, smart construction, ergonomics and robotics. With an extensive research career spanning more than two decades, Prof. Li has steered the development of a diverse range of products, encompassing computer-aided drawing systems, construction planning and management systems, and sophisticated intelligent safety systems. In recent years, his research efforts have been intently directed towards the realms of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and applications in the Internet of Things (IoT).     Online coverage: Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4mVG3ct (Chinese only)  

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!