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PolyU projects garner top funding in Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao Science and Technology Programme

Six research projects from PolyU have been awarded funding under the 2025 Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao Science and Technology Programme (Category C Projects).  PolyU has secured the highest number of selected projects among institutions in Hong Kong and Macao.  Each of the six projects has received close to the maximum funding amount of RMB 3 million, with total funding reaching RMB 17.79 million.  Two project leaders are members of RISUD.   This remarkable achievement underscores PolyU’s leading position in research translation and collaborative innovation in the Greater Bay Area.  The funded projects are dedicated to advancing innovative development in high-tech fields, including battery technology, marine engineering coating materials, aircraft engine repair technology, artificial intelligence-driven tactile sensing, diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, and construction safety in the low-altitude economy.   The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao Science and Technology Programme (Category C Projects) administered by the Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Bureau, is a flagship research funding initiative for technological innovation cooperation in the Greater Bay Area.  The programme aims to encourage universities, research institutions, and enterprises in Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macao to leverage their strengths, engage in deep industry-academia collaboration, and catalyse research outcomes with global impact.   Project Leader Affiliations with PAIR Project Title Funding Amount (RMB) 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 Management Committee Member of RISE, Member of RISUD Development of key technologies for lightweight, high-performance proton-conducting fuel cells or electrolysers towards the additive manufacturing for carriers and portable devices 3 million Prof. YI Wen Assistant Professor in the Department of Building and Real Estate Member of RISUD Research on high-altitude construction safety inspection for smart cities admidst low-altitude economy 2.8 million   Online coverage: Toutiao - https://polyu.me/4qqHUrs (Chinese only)   香港理工大學（理大）的六個科研項目獲2025深港澳科技計劃（C類項目）資助。 理大本年度入選項目數量在香港及澳門地區院校中居首。六個項目均獲接近最高資助金額人民幣300萬元，總資助金額達人民幣1,779萬元。兩位項目負責人為理大可持續城市發展研究院成員。   此項佳績突顯理大在科研成果轉化及大灣區協同創新的領先地位。獲資助項目致力於推動高新技術的創新發展，涵蓋電池技術、海洋工程塗層材料、航空發動機修復技術、人工智慧觸覺感測、診療內視鏡，以及低空經濟下的施工安全等。   深圳市科技創新局的深港澳科技計劃（C類項目）是推動大灣區科技創新合作的旗艦級科研基金計劃，旨在鼓勵大灣區內深圳、香港、澳門三地的大學、科研機構和企業發揮優勢，進行深度的產學合作，加快實現具有全球影響力的科研成果。   項目負責人 理大高等研究院隸屬單位 項目名稱 資助金額（人民幣） 倪萌教授 建設及環境學院副院長、建築環境及能源工程學系主任、能源科學與技術講座教授 潘樂陶慈善基金智慧能源研究院管理委員會成員及可持續城市發展研究院成員 載具及便攜設備的增材製造輕質高性能質子導體燃料電池或電解池關鍵技術開發 300萬元 伊文教授 建築及房地產學系副教授 可持續城市發展研究院成員 低空經濟背景下面向智慧城市的高空施工安全巡檢研究 280萬元   網上報導： 今日頭條 - https://polyu.me/4qqHUrs  

World's Top 2% Scientists (2025 Career Long & Single Year)

We are proud to announce that 45 scholars from RISUD have been ranked among the "World's Top 2% Most-cited Scientists (Career Long)" and 52 scholars from RISUD have been ranked among the "World's Top 2% Most-cited Scientists (Single Year)" in the latest report released by Stanford University.   The report, prepared by a team of experts led by Prof. John Ioannidis, an eminent professor at Stanford University, recognises researchers who have demonstrated exceptional influence in their fields. Scholars were included in the "Career-Long Impact" and "Single Year Impact" lists based on their citation impact as of 2024, reflecting their sustained contributions to advancing knowledge and research excellence.   We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the scholars for achieving this remarkable recognition.   List of scholars from RISUD in the report:   World's Top 2% Scientists (2025 Career Long) | Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development World's Top 2% Scientists (2025 Single Year) | Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development     (As per the data published by Elsevier on 19 September 2025 (version):  https://elsevier.digitalcommonsdata.com/datasets/btchxktzyw/8)

Prof. Nathanael JIN Ling’s study reveals public health risks of drug-resistant Candida in cities

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 a pioneering research in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, shedding light on the public health risks posed by airborne Candida species in densely populated urban areas.​ The key findings of the study are as follows:​ • Drug-Resistant Candida in Urban Air: The study detected viable, drug-resistant strains of Candida parapsilosis, Candida albicans, and Candida tropicalis in city air samples—strains that were notably absent in coastal environments. • Genetic Similarity to Clinical Strains: Airborne isolates exhibited a high degree of genetic similarity to those found in clinical settings, suggesting that community-acquired infections could occur through inhalation or skin contact. • Multidrug Resistance: Of particular concern was the discovery of multidrug resistance in C. parapsilosis, raising questions about the role of urban pollution and climate change in driving antifungal resistance.​ Candida species are classified as WHO fungal priority pathogens due to their severe health impacts.  Prof. Jin’s research highlights the urgent need to recognise urban air as a significant medium for the spread of antifungal-resistant strains.  Looking ahead, his research team plans to expand their work to larger, multi-site studies to better understand fungal transmission pathways, investigate urban reservoirs of drug-resistant fungi and strengthen One Health approach to combat the global threat of fungal resistance.​ Read the full article: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.5c00795   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，近日在《Environmental Science & Technology Letters》發表了開創性研究，揭示了念珠菌可在人口稠密的城市裡通過空氣傳播，構成公共衛生風險。研究的主要發現如下：• 城市空氣中存有抗藥性念珠菌：研究在城市空氣樣本中檢測到具有活性及抗藥性的近平滑念珠菌、白色念珠菌及熱帶念珠菌菌株，而這些菌株在沿海環境中並未發現。 • 與臨床菌株的基因相似性：從空氣中提取的菌株與臨床菌株具有高度基因相似性，顯示社區傳染可能通過吸入或皮膚接觸所引起。 • 多重抗藥性問題：值得關注的是，在近平滑念珠菌中發現了多重抗藥性，這惹來推測城市污染和氣候變化在促進抗菌素耐藥性形成的作用。念珠菌嚴重危害健康，被世界衛生組織列為重點真菌病原體。金教授的研究提出，列明城市空氣是傳播抗菌素耐藥性菌株的重要媒介已經刻不容缓。展望未來，他的研究團隊計劃擴大研究規模，進行更大型的多地研究，以更全面了解真菌傳播途徑，研究城市裡的抗藥性真菌宿主，並加強以「健康一體化」概念，應對真菌抗藥性所帶來的全球威脅。閱讀研究全文: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.5c00795 (只有英文)

Prof. NI Meng co-authors paper on enhancing the durability of high-temperature ceramic fuel cells in Nature Communications

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 researchers from Shenzhen University, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Nanjing Tech University and Curtin University, published a paper titled “Interfacial oxide wedging for mechanical-robust electrode in high-temperature ceramic cells” in Nature Communications recently.   Delamination and cracking of air electrodes are two mechanical factors contributing to the degradation of high-temperature electrochemical ceramic cells. While the incorporation of negative thermal expansion (NTE) materials can address delamination by reducing the thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) of the air electrode, it may exacerbate cracking due to significant thermal stress between particles of NTE and positive thermal expansion perovskites (PTE). The research team has introduced interfacial oxides to “wedge” the NTE-PTE interface, thereby resisting cracking within the bulk of the air electrode through reactive calcination at near-melting temperatures.   The study demonstrated that that oxide wedging, which utilises the thermal expansion offset provided by a NTE component to greatly enhance interface multiphase binding, can serve as an effective strategy for developing mechanically robust electrodes for high-temperature electrochemical cells. Enhanced bulk modulus (by 102%), hardness (by 138%), and reduced TEC (by 35%) are simultaneously achieved, significantly improving the durability of the air electrode over 40 rigorous thermal cycles between 600 °C and 300 °C, with no degradation observed even after two years of exposure to ambient air.   Prof. NI Meng is currently Management Committee Member of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) and Member of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD).   Read the full paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-63719-1  

Prof. XIA Yong receives Structural Health Monitoring Person of the Year Award 2025

Prof. XIA Yong, Member of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) and Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE) and Professor of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has been selected by the editorial board of the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) journal for the Structural Health Monitoring Person of the Year Award 2025.  The Award recognises individuals worldwide who have made outstanding contributions to structural health monitoring for the benefit of society.  It honours excellence in theory, analysis, applications, education or other advancements within the field, with a particular focus on achievements in recent years.  Notably, PolyU is the only university in Hong Kong to have received this distinction and Prof. Xia is the third scholar from PolyU to be recognised with this accolade since its establishment 20 years ago. Prof. Xia specialises in large-scale civil engineering structural health monitoring, structural damage identification and substructure methods for large structures.  As an expert in the field, his pioneering technologies have been applied to numerous prominent projects, including the Tsing Ma Bridge, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Shanghai Tower, among others, contributing significantly to the advancement of science and technology in SHM.    

Four RISUD Members win PolyU Patents Achievement Award 2024

Launched in 2023, the PolyU Patents Achievement Award aims to honour the exceptional achievements of departments and inventors who actively contribute to intellectual property (IP), research commercialisation and knowledge transfer. This year, 11 scholars have been recognised with individual awards.  Among them, four are RISUD members (in alphabetical order of surname):   Top Patents Filing Award and Most Active Patents Filing Award Prof. HUANG Xinyan Associate Professor of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering Member of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI) Member of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) Member of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) Member of RCRE   Top Patents Filing Award Ir Prof. NI Yiqing Yim, Mak, Kwok & Chung Professor in Smart Structures Chair Professor of Smart Structures and Rail Transit Member of RISUD   Prof. John SHI Wenzhong Chair Professor of Geographical Information Science and Remote Sensing Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Professor in Urban Informatics Director of SCRI Member of RISUD   Ir Prof. YANG Hongxing Professor of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering Management Committee Member of RISUD Member of RISE  

Acenaphthene-induced two-step crystallisation achieves record efficiency in binary organic solar cells

Prof. LI Gang, Chair Professor of Energy Conversion Technology and Sir Sze-yuen Chung Endowed Professor in Renewable Energy of the PolyU Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and his research team have published a paper titled “Two-step crystallisation modulated through acenaphthene enabling 21% binary organic solar cells and 83.2% fill factor” in Nature Energy. The crystallisation dynamics of non-fullerene acceptors influences the morphology and charge dynamics of organic solar cells, ultimately determining device performance.  However, optimising the molecular arrangement of donor and acceptor materials within the active layer remains a considerable challenge.  In this study, the research team controlled the crystallisation kinetics of non-fullerene acceptors with a crystallisation-regulating agent, acenaphthene.  Acenaphthene alters the self-organisation of acceptor molecules by inducing a two-step crystallisation process: it initially fixes the packing motif of the acceptor, and subsequently refines the crystallised framework, resulting in highly oriented acceptors within the active layer. This approach establishes multiple charge-transport pathways, thereby enhancing the charge-transport properties of the device.  As a result, power conversion efficiencies of 20.9% (20.4% certified) and 21% (20.5% certified) were achieved in D18/L8-BO and PM1/L8-BO-X binary organic solar cells, respectively, with a maximum fill factor of 83.2% (82.2% certified).  These findings represent a significant advancement in the development of high-performance organic solar cells. This innovative strategy paves the way for further breakthroughs in the efficiency and commercial viability of next-generation organic photovoltaic technologies. Read the full paper:https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-025-01862-1   香港理工大學電機及電子工程學系能源轉換技術講座教授、鍾士元爵士可再生能源教授李剛教授及其研究團隊，於《Nature Energy》發表了題為「Two-step crystallisation modulated through acenaphthene enabling 21% binary organic solar cells and 83.2% fill factor」（通過苊調控兩步結晶，實現21%雙面有機太陽能電池及83.2%填充因子）的研究論文。 非富勒烯受體的結晶動力學會影響有機太陽能電池活性層形貌及電荷傳輸特性，進而決定器件的光電轉換效率。然而，如何優化供體與受體材料在活性層中的分子排列，仍然是一項重大挑戰。在本研究中，團隊利用結晶調控劑「苊」，精確控制非富勒烯受體的結晶動力學。苊透過誘導兩步驟結晶過程，改變受體分子的自組裝行為：苊分子首先固定受體的堆積模式，隨後進一步令結晶框架更精細，最終在活性層中形成長程有序的受體結構。 此創新方法通過構建了多重電荷傳輸通道，顯著提升器件的電荷傳輸效率。研究結果顯示，在D18/L8-BO及PM1/L8-BO-X雙元有機太陽能電池中，分別實現了20.9%（認證值20.4%）及21%（認證值20.5%）的光電轉換效率，最高填充因子達83.2%（認證值82.2%）。這些成果標誌著高性能有機太陽能電池發展的重要突破。 這項創新策略為新一代有機光伏技術的效率提升及商業化應用奠定了堅實基礎，並開啟了更多技術突破的可能性。​ 閱讀論文全文：https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-025-01862-1  

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