News

Prof. Bo Fang receives Materials Scientist Award at International Conference in Singapore

Prof. Bo Fang was invited to provide a talk on extreme-performance fibres, textiles and devices at the 6th International Conference on Materials Science, Engineering and Technology in Singapore, which took place from 5 to 7 May 2026. At the conference, Prof. Fang shared the latest work of his research group with global experts and scholars on the continuous fabrication of next-generation extreme-performance fibrous materials and fibre transistor array-based artificial olfactory sensors. Prof. Fang has authored a number of top scientific publications and patents and secured important research funds in the field of extreme-performance fibres and fibre-based smart devices. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the advancement of materials science, engineering and technology, particularly in the area of fibre sciences, Prof.Fang was awarded the Materials Scientist Award by the conference committee.

MSc students advance intelligent wearable technology translation

Three MSc in Intelligent Wearable Technology students, namely Zhao Ge, Zhang Xinyue and Chen Yige, have been developing AirMass Wear under the guidance of Prof. Shou Dahua. AirMass Wear is an intelligent wearable pneumatic massage garment for relieving muscle fatigue, encouraging office wellness, and facilitating post-exercise recovery. The project involves soft textile design, pneumatic actuation, physiological sensing, and AI-enabled adaptive control to deliver personalised massage support in a lightweight wearable format. With the support of PolyU’s innovation and entrepreneurship resources, the team has developed a first-generation prototype and received university-level seed funding, including funds from the Micro Fund Scheme and Ideation Fund. Zhao Ge also represented PolyU in the 2026 Zhejiang Tour for Hong Kong and Macao Youth, where she presented the AirMass Wear project and exchanged ideas with young innovators and industry experts. During the event, she had the opportunity to meet Mrs Carrie Lam, former Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR, with whom she shared his experience in smart wearable innovation and technology translation. These achievements highlight the role of the MSc programme in nurturing interdisciplinary talents and promoting the translation of intelligent wearable technologies into real-world applications.

Knitwear study tour to Chinese Mainland 2026

Sponsored by Mr Anthony Keung, President and CEO of Fenix Group, Dr Lo Kawai and Mr Calvin Tiu led a group of 14 BA students who are majoring in knitwear design on a seven-day study tour to Chinese Mainland in August 2026 to explore yarn spinning, dyeing, innovative knitwear production, and the latest design trends. During the trip, the group visited a well-known yarn manufacturer, the Consinee Group in Ningbo and the Cixing R&D Center in Shanghai. The students had the opportunity to observe the different spinning, dyeing and weaving techniques, notably Consinee’s automated production lines. They were also very impressed by the advanced machine knitting technologies at the Cixing R&D Center, particularly its innovative scan-to-order sweater production service. These visits provided valuable firsthand experience in terms of the integration of cutting-edge digital and intelligent technology in modern textile production. The group also attended the Shanghai SPINEXPOTM which took place from 25 to 27 August. They were inspired by the trend forum and noted the latest trends in yarn at the different in-booth presentations including those of Consinee, ICCI, M.ORO Cashmere, Shanghai Shi-Kwan, TopLine and Xinao Textiles. Special thanks to Ms Bernia Chan, Founder of F. I. T. Knit-tech Limited, for her instrumental support in coordinating the sponsorship.

Wang Jiayu and Xue Hanfei receive Award for Outstanding Excellence

Congratulations to two of our PhD students in fashion business, Wang Jiayu, Violet and Xue Hanfei, Sophie, on receiving the Award for Outstanding Excellence for their research  work presented at the 31st International Costume Congress. The event was held in Taiwan from 24 to 26 August 2026. Supervised by Profs. Chloe Ki and Christina Wong, the award-winning study, “Virtual vs. Human Influencers: Which Type Captures Consumer Minds and Shapes Behavior, and How Does Content Moderate Their Impact?”, was recognised as the top Oral Presentation at the conference.  With only one Award for Outstanding Excellence presented in each of the three categories — oral presentation, poster presentation and exhibition, this achievement represents a significant recognition of their academic excellence and research contribution.

Prof. Xu Bingang Editor of New Book: Electrical Textiles for Intelligent Applications

Prof. Xu Bingang has edited a new scholarly book entitled Electrical Textiles for Intelligent Applications, which will be published by Springer Singapore. The hardcover edition (ISBN: 978-981-92-2095-3) is scheduled for release in Sep 2026 and will comprise about 379 pages with 135 colour illustrations. The book presents the latest advancements in intelligent electrical textiles. The fundamental principles, material and structural design strategies, fabrication methodologies, performance evaluations, and emerging intelligent applications are covered in the book. Key topics include energy-harvesting, energy-storage, electrochromic, electrodeformation, thermal-regulation, and self-powered intelligent textiles, as well as textile-based sensing technologies and multifunctional integration. With the rapid development of wearable technologies, the demand for textiles that offer functions beyond traditional ones has increased significantly. Electrical Textiles for Intelligent Applications addresses this evolving landscape by exploring how textiles can incorporate self-powering features, sensing capabilities, and intelligent functionalities to support next-generation portable electronics and smart systems. This book highlights current challenges in the field and outlines future research directions, thus serving as a valuable resource for students, scholars, and researchers in smart and functional textiles, wearable technologies, self-powered devices, and intelligent systems. This publication reflects Prof. Xu’s continued leadership in advancing intelligent textile technologies and further strengthens the School’s global research impact in smart textiles and wearable innovation.

SFT welcomes high school talents to PolyU Summer Institute 2026

SFT proudly welcomed over 40 local and international high school students to the PolyU Summer Institute 2026, which was held from 27 July to 7 August. This immersion programme offers prospective students a comprehensive picture of university life while encouraging creative and technological exploration in fashion and textiles. In the programme, the students got creative by crafting customised bags and mastering photography in hands-on workshops. Alongside exploring our campus through facility tours, they stepped outside for a site visit to the DX Design Hub, which gave them good insights into this innovative hub dedicated to empowering Hong Kong’s next generation of design talents. Another group of students attended the “Designing Smart Wearables” class, which gave them a firsthand look into intelligent wearable technologies. This direct experience helped them to unleash their interdisciplinary creativity and envision real-world applications for smart designs. The PolyU Summer Institute provides secondary school students with a valuable opportunity to explore their academic interests and experience SFT’s vibrant learning environment. SFT extends its sincere appreciation to all participants for their active engagement, which contributed to the resounding success of the event. 

SFT secures key distinctions in IP commercialisation at PolyU Patents Achievement Award 2025

SFT is proud to announce that the PolyU Patents Achievement Award (PPAA) 2025 gave dual recognition to our outstanding achievements. It honours academic departments and faculty members for their exceptional commitment to translating research breakthroughs into practical, commercial solutions. First, SFT was awarded the Most Active IP Commercialisation Award which acknowledges our active role in technology transfer and research impact. Adding to this success, Prof. Tao Xiaoming, Director of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearables (RI-IWEAR) and Chair Professor of Textile Technology, received the prestigious Outstanding IP Commercialisation Award 2025. These awards celebrate SFT’s significant contributions to global innovation, industry collaborations, and economic development, while reinforcing PolyU’s vibrant culture of high-impact research.Moving forward, SFT remains dedicated to advancing cutting-edge textile and fashion technologies, fostering cross-disciplinary research, and maximising the commercial and societal values of its intellectual property.

SFT faculty and alumni excel at inaugural global "AI + Fashion" Innovation Application Competition

SFT colleagues, PhD students and knitwear design alumni shone at the inaugural Global “AI+Fashion” Innovation Application Competition in Shenzhen in July 2026. Led by Prof. Yadie Yang, PhD students Luo Jinbo and Xu Zhaoxiang reached the finals with their project, EasyFashion: An AI-Powered Fashion Design and Pattern-Making Platform. Their innovative platform utilises artificial intelligence to transform fashion design ideas and body photos into production-ready sewing patterns and realistic fitting previews. SFT alumni Mr Jonathan Yip (BA, 2012) and Mr Andy Chiu (BA, 2012) teamed up and won the Gold Spoonbill Award (Innovative Solutions Track) with their project, KnitGenius AI. The project pioneers a “data-to-image” approach that enables a seamless design-to-production process, thus making AI designs immediately production-ready. They also secured the Bronze Award (Creative Design Track) with another project, KNIT.exe. Reprogramming textile logic is a fashion design project developed under the theme of “Future Fashion and Expression”. This project explores how knitting can evolve from a traditional craft into a programmable and generative structural system. Organised under the overarching theme “AI New Fashion, Digital Intelligence Creates the Future,” this competition featured two distinct tracks: the Creative Design Track, which challenged participants to utilise AI in constructing a virtual fashion show, and the Innovative Solutions Track, which focused on solving real world operational challenges for fashion brands. Attracting nearly 5,000 entrants from over 10 countries and regions, the global competition highlighted the pivotal role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of fashion design, technology, and manufacturing. SFT extends its warmest congratulations to all the awardees! 

Wong Kai-yu and Ng Shu-ching showcase creative knitwear collections in Florence, Italy

Led by Prof. Yadie Yang, SFT Assistant Professor, two talented BA knitwear design students, Wong Kai-yu and Ng Shu-ching, presented their creative collections in Florence, Italy, in June 2026, with the generous sponsorship of M.ORO Cashmere and Lai’s Knitters Limited. Drawing inspiration from furry culture and traditional tie-dye craftsmanship, two collections explore identity, self-expression and personal growth through innovative knitwear design. Following their presentation in Florence, the collections will also be showcased in China and the United States later this year. "Fursona" by Wong Kai-yu “Fursona” is a term used in furry culture to describe a personalised furry character through which an individual expresses their identity, personality and imagined story. The collection explores the sincerity, openness and individuality of the furry community. Although the culture is sometimes misunderstood, its members continue to express their values and authentic selves through the distinctive characters and costumes that they create. Inspired by the idea that elaborate outward appearances can reveal something precious and genuine inside, the collection translates the unique visual language of furry culture into knitwear. The recurring eye motif symbolises the belief that a person’s true character and inner spirit can be seen through their eyes. "Tie-Dye: A Journey of Growth" by Ng Shu-ching Tie-dyeing is a traditional dyeing technique in which every step of the process has its own distinctive character and beauty. Inspired by the different steps and techniques involved in traditional tie-dyeing, the collection draws a parallel between the dyeing process and the various stages of personal growth. Each garment represents a different stage in the journey from childhood to young adulthood. Through changes in colour, pattern and form, the collection narrates the experience of growing up and the gradual shaping of one’s identity. By transforming the tie-dyeing processes into a visual and tactile design language, the collection celebrates the beauty of traditional craftsmanship while offering a thoughtful reflection on life, transformation and self-discovery.

SFT secures RGC funding for six research projects in 2026/27

We are thrilled to celebrate with our SFT academic staff who have successfully secured prestigious funding from the General Research Fund (GRF) under the Research Grants Council (RGC) for 2026/27. They are the recipients of a total of $4.56 million in research funding across six projects. Our heartiest congratulations to the following academic staff: Principal Investigator Co-Investigator Project Title Prof. Chen Jianming Prof. Liu Wei, Shenzhen PKU-HKUST Medical Center Prof. Zhang Yaopeng, Donghua University Innovative expression system and liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS)-mediated spinning for artificial spider silk Prof. Fan Di Prof. Yiu Daphne Wing-Yee, Singapore Management University Entangled at Global Geopolitical Chokepoints: How Third-Country Firms Reconfigure for Strategic Resilience in the Era of Politicized Global Economy Prof. Magnum Lam Prof. Christina Wong, SFT Solutions for Post-Consumer Garment Waste Management: An Investigation of Sorting Mechanism for Reuse Prof. Pu Junhong  Prof. Tao Xiaoming, SFT Hierarchical Textile Dielectric Elastomer Actuators for Low-Voltage, High-Integration, and High-Force Artificial Muscles Dr Alice Yao N/A Design of an Innovative Size-free Co-knit Weaving System for Sustainable Production Prof. Annie Yu Prof. Yick Kit-lun, SFT Dr Ng Sun-pui, PolyU CPCE Prof. Leong Hio Teng, Rehabilitation Sciences Gradient 3D Knitting of Stretchable Cushion for Knee Protection of the Elderly .telerik-reTable-2 { border-collapse: collapse; border: solid 0px; font-family: Tahoma; } .telerik-reTable-2 tr.telerik-reTableHeaderRow-2 { border-width: 1.0pt 1.0pt 3.0pt 1.0pt; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; width: 119.7pt; border: solid white 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; background: #4F81BD; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; color: #FFFFFF; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableHeaderFirstCol-2 { border-width: 1.0pt 1.0pt 3.0pt 1.0pt; border: solid white 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableHeaderLastCol-2 { border-width: 1.0pt 1.0pt 3.0pt 1.0pt; border: solid white 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableHeaderOddCol-2 { border-width: 1.0pt 1.0pt 3.0pt 1.0pt; border: solid white 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableHeaderEvenCol-2 { border-width: 1.0pt 1.0pt 3.0pt 1.0pt; border: solid white 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 tr.telerik-reTableOddRow-2 { color: #666666; background-color: #F2F3F4; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: top; } .telerik-reTable-2 tr.telerik-reTableEvenRow-2 { color: #666666; background-color: #E7EBF7; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: top; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableFirstCol-2 { margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; width: 119.7pt; border-top: none; border-left: solid white 1.0pt; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 3.0pt; background: #4F81BD; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; color: #FFFFFF; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableLastCol-2 { padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableOddCol-2 { padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableEvenCol-2 { padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 tr.telerik-reTableFooterRow-2 { color: #666666; background-color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: top; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableFooterFirstCol-2 { margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; width: 119.7pt; border-top: none; border-left: solid white 1.0pt; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 3.0pt; background: #4F81BD; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; color: #FFFFFF; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableFooterLastCol-2 { padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableFooterOddCol-2 { padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableFooterEvenCol-2 { padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } These achievements underscore SFT’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence and pioneering research. Kudos to our colleagues for continuously pushing the boundaries of fashion and textile innovation, and bringing meaningful benefits to Hong Kong society and beyond!