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PolyU unveils Patriotic Education Base (Hong Kong) with Xi’an Jiaotong University to nurture youth with an affection for the Nation and Hong Kong

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PolyU achieves impressive results in THE World University Rankings by Subject 2026, with six subjects ranking in global top 100; Business and Economics placed in global top 25 and first in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has excelled in the newly released Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2026, with six subjects ranked among the world’s top 100, including Business and Economics (25th), Engineering (43rd), Social Sciences (52nd), Computer Science (70th), Arts and Humanities (77th) and Physical Sciences (99th). These results reflect the international recognition PolyU has earned for its academic and research strengths across disciplines. Multiple PolyU subjects achieved encouraging results in local rankings. Notably, Business and Economics was ranked first in Hong Kong, Social Sciences was joint second, while Engineering, Arts and Humanities, and Medical and Health were ranked third respectively. As an innovative world-class university, PolyU is committed to pursuing excellence in education, research and knowledge transfer for the benefit of society. Moving forward, the University will continue to expand its global collaborative network, aiming to play a pivotal role in the global higher education landscape and contribute to developing Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education. THE World University Rankings by Subject evaluate the performance of universities worldwide across 11 subject areas using five core pillar criteria: Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, International Outlook and Industry. For more information on THE World University Rankings by Subject 2026, please visit: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/by-subject. ***END***

PolyU honours outstanding 2025 PolyVentures startups, collaborating with industry to build an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Through its unique PolyVentures startup ecosystem, the University supports startups and nurtures a new generation of entrepreneurs that are eager to tackle societal issues with innovative solutions. On 15 January, the University hosted the “PolyU x BOCHK International Future Challenge Grand Final Awards Ceremony cum PolyVentures Awards Presentation”, recognising the outstanding PolyVentures startup teams of 2025. The event also featured a ceremony marking a generous donation by the Dr Winnie Tang Frontier Technology Development Fund, and the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gobi Partners and Xi’an Aviation Investment (Chengdu) Technology Group Co., Ltd, joining hands to drive technological innovation. A concurrent showcase of 15 outstanding startup projects was also held, demonstrating the vibrancy and strength of PolyU’s comprehensive innovation and technology ecosystem. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, remarked, “As an innovative world-class university, PolyU is dedicated to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, providing comprehensive support for academics and researchers to translate research outcomes into societal benefits. We are deeply grateful to Dr Winnie Tang for her unwavering support of the University’s research development, which continues to drive the growth of PolyU’s innovation ecosystem. We also appreciate the support of our industry partners. The collaboration between PolyU, Gobi Partners, and Xi’an Aviation Investment (Chengdu) Technology Group Co., Ltd will further strengthen the University’s investment and startup incubation network, contributing to the advancement of research and innovation in Hong Kong and the Nation.” Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, remarked, “Leveraging PolyVentures, our signature startup ecosystem, PolyU provides comprehensive support for startups, spanning incubation, nurturing and financing. Last year, PolyU teams garnered over 150 awards in local and international innovation and entrepreneurship competitions, including globally renowned events such as the Consumer Electronics Show, HICOOL Global Entrepreneur Summit and Entrepreneurship Competition, and the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva.” He added that more than 5,300 undergraduates participated in startup and entrepreneurial activities in 2025, further demonstrating the vitality and strength of PolyU’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. At the PolyVentures Awards Presentation ceremony, PolyU honoured startups that received support in 2025 from the PolyU Micro Fund, PolyU Angel Fund (formerly the TSSSU-O), PolyU Angel Fund (TSSSU+), PolyU Entrepreneurship Investment Fund, and the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus (RAISe+) Scheme. To date, PolyU has supported over 600 startups, including two listed companies and three unicorns. PolyU builds partnerships with stakeholders across various sectors, pooling resources to drive innovation and technology development in Hong Kong and in the Nation more broadly. Dr Winnie TANG, Founder and Chairman of Esri China (Hong Kong) Limited, has been a staunch supporter of PolyU’s research development, donating a culmulative total of HK$10 million to the University. Her contributions have supported Proof of Concept projects, research translation and frontier breakthrough research, continuously advancing key PolyU research areas such as advanced manufacturing and anti-ageing technology, and facilitating the translation of research outcomes. During the event, Dr Winnie Tang, together with Sr Paul TSUI, CEO of Esri China (Hong Kong) Limited, presented the donation cheque from the Dr Winnie Tang Frontier Technology Development Fund to Prof. Jin-Guang Teng and Prof. Christopher Chao. Dr Tang expressed her admiration for PolyU’s perseverance and strength in research innovation and knowledge transfer, stating, “By supporting proof-of-concept activities and cutting-edge research, we aim to help more promising research outcomes leave the lab and transform into innovative solutions with long-term value for society and industry, as well as to nurture more talents in research and entrepreneurs with an international perspective.” PolyU also signed an MoU with Gobi Partners and Xi’an Aviation Investment (Chengdu) Technology Group Co., Ltd. Witnessed by Mr CHEW Fook-aun, PolyU Council Member and Chairman of the Entrepreneurship Investment Fund Sub-committee; Prof. Christopher Chao; Mrs Ann KUNG, Advisor to the Bank of China (Hong Kong) and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the BOCHK Charitable Foundation; Mr WANG Jun, Deputy CEO, Bank of China Group Investment Limited; Mr Thomas G. TSAO, Co-founder and Chair of Gobi Partners; Dr Winnie TANG; Mr Chibo TANG, Managing Partner, Gobi Partners; Mr Alex WONG, Director of King Link International Investment Limited; and Ms ZHANG Yi Shu, Director of the Office of School-Enterprise Cooperation, Xi’an Aerospace Investment (Chengdu) Aerospace Equipment Intelligent Manufacturing Co., Ltd, the MoU was signed by Ms Amylia CHAN, Interim Director of PolyU Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship; Mr Fred LI, Managing Director of Gobi Partners; and Mr Benjamin PAK, Managing Partner, ATI HongKong LLP (representing Xi’an Aviation Investment (Chengdu) Technology Group Co., Ltd). Mr Fred Li commented, “This is a highly meaningful strategic cooperation agreement between an Asian venture capital fund and a top-tier university. PolyU’s considerable experience in hard-tech R&D complements our fund’s strengths in industrial incubation and capital empowerment perfectly. We look forward to joining hands to foster the next generation of hard-tech startups, turning cutting-edge innovations into tangible outcomes and injecting new impetus into global industrial upgrading and social progress.” The collaboration will support the development of PolyU startups and PolyU‑developed technologies through venture capital investment, regional partnerships in Asia and entrepreneurship education. The partnership will focus on two core objectives: exploring investment opportunities among PolyU startups, and leveraging the resources and networks of all three parties to help PolyU startups enter core Asian markets, foster business collaborations and enhance brand exposure. PolyU, Gobi Partners and Xi’an Aviation Investment (Chengdu) Technology Group Co., Ltd also plan to co-organise a wide range of innovation and entrepreneurship education activities to further strengthen the PolyVenures startup ecosystem. The PolyVentures Awards Presentation ceremony recognised startup teams that have received support from the PolyU Micro Fund. The PolyVentures Awards Presentation ceremony recognised startup teams that have received support from the PolyU Angel Funds. The PolyVentures Awards Presentation ceremony recognised startup teams that have received support from the PolyU Entrepreneurship Investment Fund. The PolyVentures Awards Presentation ceremony recognised startup teams that have received support from the RAISe+ Scheme under the HKSAR Innovation and Technology Fund. ***END***

PolyU develops hydrogel coating for solar panels, boosting power generation efficiency towards urban carbon neutrality

A research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed a simple and affordable hydrogel coating that not only enhances the heat dissipation in solar panels for cooling their “hot spots” effectively, but also increases power generation efficiency, ultimately supporting Hong Kong’s goal of achieving urban carbon neutrality. Hot spots, often caused by partial shading, have long been the culprit behind diminishing power generation efficiency of solar panels, compromising the stability of entire power supply systems over time. This PolyU innovation offers an effective and robust solution to a key industry pain point. The groundbreaking hydrogel cooling technology was developed by a PolyU team led by Prof. YAN Jerry, Chair Professor of Energy and Buildings, together with Dr LIU Junwei, Research Assistant Professor of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering. The team’s research showed that after applying the hydrogel coating to solar panels, hot-spot temperatures could be lowered by up to 16°C, with the power output increased by as much as 13%. When applied to “rooftop and building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems”, the hydrogel coating is expected to mitigate nearly half of the power losses caused by hot spots, significantly improving the long-term stability and efficiency of solar photovoltaics for building electricity supplies. Prof. Yan said, “Our hydrogel cooling technology effectively addresses the hot-spot issues in solar panels without the need to modify existing circuit designs. It is cost-effective and user-friendly, making it suitable for various urban settings. Taking Hong Kong and Singapore as case studies, our team anticipates potential annual power generation increases of 6.5% and 7.0%, respectively. The estimated payback periods are notably short at just 4.5 years and 3.2 years. On a global scale, this innovation has the potential to offset approximately 50% of power generation losses caused by hot spots in BIPV systems, demonstrating its pivotal contribution to the advancement of solar energy technology.” The impact of hot spots on solar photovoltaic systems demands our attention, as they not only reduce power generation efficiency due to the elevated operating temperatures, but also pose potential fire risks in severe cases. According to existing research that investigated 3.3 million photovoltaic panels, 36.5% exhibited thermal defects with the defective modules registering an average temperature increase of over 21°C, accelerating the ageing and degradation of solar panels. The PolyU hydrogel coating not only delivers excellent cooling performance but also demonstrates outstanding durability, making it suitable for long-term outdoor use. Dr Liu added, “Our team has combined the natural polymer ‘hydroxyethyl cellulose’ and the fibrous material ‘leafy cotton thread’ with the hydrogel matrix to address the critical challenges of cracking and shrinkage, which affect conventional hydrogels during prolonged use. Traditional hydrogels can experience volumetric shrinkage of up to 46% after extended use, whereas our innovation significantly reduces cracking and shrinkage, limiting the volumetric shrinkage rate to 34%. Looking ahead, we hope to build upon this hydrogel evaporative cooling technology to advance the development and popularisation of emerging photovoltaic technologies.” ***END***

In Asian debut, IEEE PES and PolyU bring together over 1,000 top power experts in Hong Kong to drive grid resilience at IEEE PESIM 2026

For the first time, Hong Kong and Asia are hosting the prestigious Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Power & Energy Society International Meeting (PESIM 2026). Over 1,000 leading power engineers, executives and academics from around the world have gathered at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) for this landmark event. Co-organised by IEEE PES and the PolyU Research Centre for Grid Modernisation (RCGM), the summit aims to accelerate global collaboration and innovation in building resilient, future-ready power systems. The opening ceremony and first day of meetings today set a dynamic tone, featuring keynote remarks from Ir Prof. C.Y. CHUNG, Co-General Chair of PESIM 2026, and Ir Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), alongside Mr TSE Chin-wan, Secretary for Environment and Ecology of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. In their addresses, they welcomed global energy leaders to Hong Kong and underscored the importance of international collaboration in advancing resilient power systems. The event has garnered strong support from over 40 universities and engineering societies across the region, as well as local grid operators, utilities and equipment providers. Following the ceremony, high-level forums—including the CEO Forum, Academician Forum and Senior Executive Forum—set the stage for discussions on pressing global challenges and innovations in power and energy engineering. Running from 18–21 January at PolyU and the Kowloon Shangri-La, PESIM 2026 marks the first expansion of IEEE PES’s flagship technical programming into the Asia-Pacific region. Under the theme “Global Power and Energy Systems Resilience: Leveraging Collaborative Expertise”, the four-day summit serves as a global nexus for PES members, policymakers and academics from Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and across the globe. The programme features a robust schedule of tutorials, paper presentations and poster sessions highlighting breakthroughs in decarbonisation and digital transformation. Targeted discussions aim to bridge regional technical gaps and foster cross-border cooperation in building modern, resilient power systems. Ir Prof. C.Y. Chung remarked, “For the first time, we are gathering experts in power and energy engineering outside North America. PESIM 2026 represents a premier opportunity to engage with the latest IEEE standards and innovations, bringing together leading minds and communities worldwide.” Ir Prof. Chung serves as Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Chair Professor of Power Systems Engineering and Founding Director of RCGM at PolyU. He is also the first scholar from outside North America to be appointed President of the IEEE PES, for 2026/27, in its 140-year history. Co-General Chair Ir Prof. HO Wing-ip added, “The scale of PESIM 2026 underscores the critical importance of international collaboration. From intensive tutorials to diverse breakout sessions, this event ensures that the best engineering minds from every continent contribute to the global conversation on grid resiliency.” Ir Prof. Ho is Adjunct Professor of the PolyU Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. For more information, visit https://www.pes-im.org/. ***END***

PolyU community showcases its “PolyU Spirit” with 3,000 participants at Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), a ten-time recipient of the “Most Supportive Group Award” at the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, once again demonstrated its vibrant community spirit as around 3,000 members—including senior management, students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and their families and friends—came together to participate in this annual sporting event. The PolyU community’s united presence exemplified the pursuit of excellence and collective resilience that define the “PolyU Spirit”. To empower PolyU runners in their quest for outstanding results, the University leveraged its interdisciplinary expertise and research strengths to provide comprehensive “Tech + Health” support. This included the deployment of PolyU’s self-developed Smart Cadence Sensor for real-time monitoring, pre-race 3D foot scanning and gait analysis, as well as personalised sports rehabilitation training—realising a two-way synergy of “research empowering competition, competition advancing research”. PolyU President Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, together with Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation); Prof. Ben YOUNG, Vice President (Student and Global Affairs); Dr Ben LAU, Interim Vice President (Campus and Facilities); Dr Laura LO, Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement); Prof. Horace MUI, Dean of Students; and various Faculty/School Deans, attended the event to cheer on the runners and connect with students and alumni, highlighting the strong cohesion of the PolyU community. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said he was delighted to witness the PolyU community’s robust participation, which fully embodied the University’s core values of perseverance and teamwork. He emphasised that sports are not only about competition, but also a powerful force for community cohesion, enabling the “PolyU Spirit” to shine ever brighter. Prior to the race, the University provided all-round professional support. In addition to arranging long-distance running training courses led by professional coaches, the PolyU Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) offered 3D foot scanning, body composition and gait analysis for PolyU runners. Based on individual foot shape and running gait data, the Institute prescribed functional insoles developed by PolyU to support feet and reduce potential injury risks. For some marathon runners, the RISports also provided the self-developed Smart Cadence Sensor, which delivers real-time vibration alerts when a low cadence is detected, helping runners adjust their pace to reduce joint load and enhance running efficiency. The collected data will further contribute to future sports science research by RISports. A team from the PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences conducted pre-race functional fitness assessments and biomechanics tests for runners, designing personalised rehabilitation programmes to boost performance and minimise injury risk. Specialised physiotherapy services were also offered at the University’s rehabilitation clinic for runners in need. Additionally, the team organised a well-attended educational seminar on common running injuries and prevention strategies, equipping runners with knowledge to monitor their condition during training. On race day, the team was on-site to provide immediate support and treatment, helping runners recover quickly. This year, approximately 2,300 PolyU runners competed in various race categories, with seven of them achieving outstanding results. Details of the award winners are as follows: Name of Winner Race Category Award Time LO Ying Chiu Alumnus of the Department of Language Science and Technology Full Marathon Women’s Senior Women’s Overall (HKAAA Registered Athletes)   Champion Champion   2:41:29 Leanne SZETO Alumnus of the Department of Mechanical Engineering Full Marathon Women’s Master 1 Women’s Overall (HKAAA Registered Athletes)   Champion 1st Runner-up   2:43:23 HO Lok Man Alumnus of the School of Nursing Half Marathon Women’s Master 1   1st Runner-up   1:23:53 TSE Chun Yin Year 4 student of the Department of Management and Marketing 10km Challenge Men’s Senior Men’s Overall   1st Runner-up 1st Runner-up   31:25 YIP Tak Long Year 3 student of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences 10km Challenge Men’s Senior Men’s Overall   2nd Runner-up 2nd Runner-up   31:28 WONG Cho Sum Alumnus of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics 10km Challenge Women’s Senior   2nd Runner-up   37:32 LAM Ka Yan Alumnus of the Dept of Building Environment and Energy Engineering 10km Challenge Women’s Master 1   Champion   39:34 Prof. Christopher Chao (4th from left, second row); Prof. Ben Young (3rd from left, second row); Dr Ben Lau (3rd from left, first row); Dr Laura Lo (6th from left, second row); and Prof. Horace Mui (2nd from left, second row), together with PolyU student runners, don their “Run with Pride, Run with PolyU!” jerseys as they energetically take on the 10km race, striving towards the finish line with determination and team spirit. PolyU senior management members, including Prof. Christopher Chao, Prof. Ben Young and Dr Laura Lo, gave their all in pursuit of excellence. A team from PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences provided on-site support and treatment for PolyU runners throughout the event. The PolyU cheering team lined the race route, rallying PolyU runners and showcasing the University’s strong community spirit. ***END***

PolyU x BOCHK International Future Challenge Grand Final gathers 15 elite startups in Hong Kong, fostering translation of innovative research outcomes

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to world-leading research and innovation, striving to translate scientific breakthroughs into practical solutions and innovative projects that benefit society. Last year, PolyU launched its flagship innovation and entrepreneurship competition, the “PolyU International Future Challenge”, which culminated today in the Grand Final and Award Ceremony with the support of the Title Sponsor Bank of China (Hong Kong) (“BOCHK”). A total of 15 elite startup teams from seven competition regions across Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland competed for multiple awards at the Grand Final. The coveted BOCHK Innovation Cup was ultimately claimed by Jinjiang ZD Innovation Technology Co., Ltd from the Jinjiang region with their project “Global leading provider of wearable and robot sensing solutions”. In addition to a cash prize of HK$500,000, the startup will be offered an incubation opportunity at the PolyU-Qianhai Disruptive Technology and Innovation Research Centre, along with an additional incubation subsidy of HK$80,000. The PolyU International Future Challenge adopts a unique “1+N” model, where Hong Kong serves as the main competition track, alongside sub-tracks in Huizhou, Wenzhou, Shenzhen Qianhai, Shanghai, Nanjing and Jinjiang. The Challenge attracted over 700 elite startup teams and more than 2,500 entrepreneurs and students from around the world, competing for total cash prizes exceeding HK$3 million. The participating projects covered frontier fields spanning fintech, artificial intelligence, new energy, healthcare, flexible electronics and the low-altitude economy. Many solutions demonstrated both technological breakthroughs and commercial viability, demonstrating their strong potential for research translation. The Hon. Duncan Chiu, Member of the Legislative Council (Technology and Innovation Constituency) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, delivered a speech at the award ceremony. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President, congratulated all the winners at the Award Ceremony and complimented the finalists’ innovative spirit. “As an innovative world-class university, PolyU is firmly committed to advancing impactful innovations and solutions that deliver tangible benefits to Hong Kong, our Nation and the world. We have established 12 Mainland Translational Research Institutes in different cities across the country and worked closely with local governments and enterprises to support research and development, technology transfer, and commercialisation, translating PolyU research into real-world solutions that address local industrial and societal needs. Through initiatives such as the International Future Challenge and our Mainland Translational Research Institutes, we aim to make greater contributions to Hong Kong’s development as an international innovation and technology centre, as well as to the technological and scientific advancement of our Nation and beyond,” he said. Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), remarked, “The PolyU International Future Challenge is more than just a competition—it is a dynamic platform that seamlessly integrates education, research translation, incubation and investment. It also leverages PolyU’s Mainland research network, garnering staunch support from PolyU Mainland Translational Research Institutes as well as the PolyU-Qianhai Disruptive Technology and Innovation Research Centre.” He commended all participants for their courage to innovate and drive change, anticipating that the valuable experience they will have gained from this platform would further motivate them to pursue innovation and make a lasting impact on society. Mrs Ann KUNG, Advisor to BOCHK and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the BOCHK Charitable Foundation said: “As the Title Sponsor of the Grand Final, we are pleased to witness the creativity, analytical rigour and entrepreneurial spirit demonstrated here today, which reflect the very best of what talented innovators can achieve with the right opportunities and support. The PolyU International Future Challenge is significantly helping talented innovators turn their great ideas into real-world impact that serves our Nation and enabling them to shine on the world stage in the future.” The Grand Final was also sponsored by Bank of China Group Investment Limited, which will provide “Proof of Concept Grants” to four teams that have shown the greatest development prospects, facilitating the translation of innovative ideas into tangible impact. The coveted BOCHK Innovation Cup was ultimately claimed by Jinjiang ZD Innovation Technology Co., Ltd from the Jinjiang region with their project “Global leading provider of wearable and robot sensing solutions”. In addition to a cash prize of HK$500,000, the startup will be offered an incubation opportunity at the PolyU-Qianhai Disruptive Technology and Innovation Research Centre, along with an additional incubation subsidy of HK$80,000. A total of 51 top teams from the seven competition tracks entered the final selection rounds, and 15 of them progressed to the Grand Final, competing for a wide range of awards, including the BOCHK Innovation Cup. The Grand Final was conducted through elevator pitch presentations, and the winners underwent rigorous evaluation by the judging panel. It also featured an exhibition, which showcased the innovative solutions of 51 outstanding startup teams. Visitors were invited to vote for the “Most Popular Award” and “Social Impact Award”. The winner of the BOCHK Innovation Cup, Jinjiang ZD Innovation Technology Co., Ltd, focuses on developing wearable and robot sensing solutions. Leveraging the talent pool in Hong Kong and the abundant industrial resources in Jinjiang, the company provides low-cost and high-performance sensors and sensing solutions for industries such as textiles, footwear and advanced manufacturing. The winners of the “PolyU x BOCHK International Future Challenge Grand Final” are as follows: The Grand Final was conducted through elevator pitch presentations, and the winners underwent rigorous evaluation by the judging panel. The event featured an exhibition, showcasing the innovative solutions of 51 outstanding startup teams from all competition tracks. Awards Winning Teams Winning Projects Prizes BOCHK Innovation Cup Jinjiang ZD Innovation Technology Co., Ltd Global leading provider of wearable and robot sensing solutions HK$500,000 and Incubation Subsidy of HK$80,000 from the PolyU-Qianhai Disruptive Technology and Innovation Research Centre First Runner-up Intellisense & Cognisense Technology Limited Wearable salivary glucose sensing platform HK$280,000 Second Runner-up Orthrex Bridge Co., Ltd. Revolutionizing Rotator Cuff Repair: The Suture Anchor Tendon Hybrid Graft HK$150,000 Proof of Concept Grant Shanghai Lan-Xen Technology Co., Ltd. Spectrum Communication and Cybersecurity For Intelligent Unmanned Aerial Systems HK$50,000 for each team Vision and Action Technology Company Limited Novel High Efficacy Nano Multi-ring Defocus Incorporated Spectacle Lens for Myopia Control - Catalyzing the Future: Next Generation Platinum Alloy Catalysts for Hydrogen Fuel Cells Easenory Technology Limited Textile-based Sensors Best Business Potential Award Jinjiang YaShang Technology Co. Ltd. Zero carbon emission self-cooling fabric and its application HK$10,000 Best Innovation Award Easenory Technology Limited Textile-based Sensors HK$10,000 Most Popular Award Nova Electric Limited Nova Electric - Advanced Wireless Charger for Drones in response to Low Altitude Airspace Economy HK$10,000 Social Impact Award Nanjing Ruike Robotics Co., Ltd. Research and Industrialization of Intelligent Ankle Rehabilitation Robot HK$10,000 for each team ABRAM Therapeutics Limited ABarginase: First-in-class Drug for Treatment of Multiple Obesity-related Metabolic Diseases GlycoCare Research and Innovation in Low Glycemic Index Staple Foods Best Roadshow Award Moon Lab Limited Velox HK$10,000   For further information about the competition, please visit the official webpage of the PolyU International Future Challenge ***END***

PolyU visual rehabilitation programme receives donation from Wu Jieh Yee Charitable Foundation, joining hands to benefit visually impaired individuals and promote social inclusion

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has received a generous donation from the Wu Jieh Yee Charitable Foundation to launch the PolyU–Wu Jieh Yee Charitable Foundation “i.m.VisionCare” programme. A four-year initiative led by the PolyU School of Optometry, it brings together an interdisciplinary team of visual rehabilitation specialists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, counsellors and social workers. Utilising artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the team will provide personalised visual rehabilitation training and support for people with visual impairments and their families. The programme is projected to benefit over 1,000 visually impaired individuals and 2,000 caregivers, while also training around 800 future healthcare and social work professionals. It will additionally drive interdisciplinary innovative research, fostering the long-term sustainable development of visual rehabilitation services in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. The donation ceremony was held yesterday at the Wong Man and Tang Kit Wah Global Student Hub on the PolyU campus. It was officiated by Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President; Mrs Winnie KANG, Commissioner for Rehabilitation of the Labour and Welfare Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China; Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation); Dr Philip WU, Secretary of the Wu Jieh Yee Charitable Foundation; and Governors of the Foundation Ms Tansy LAU; and Mr Victor CHAN. The event was also graced by the presence of distinguished guests from PolyU and the healthcare sector. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng expressed his gratitude to the Foundation for its continued trust in and support of PolyU, stating, “As an innovative world-class university, PolyU has always pursued excellence in education, research and knowledge transfer. The University fully supports this meaningful initiative and has allocated dedicated teaching and research spaces equipped with advanced facilities and resources. We hope the programme will serve as a platform to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge transfer and innovation, enabling the translation of research outcomes to better serve and benefit society. Through this initiative, we aim to establish a sustainable healthcare service model that can be extended across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, thereby benefiting more patients and their families.” Mrs Winnie Kang said, “The HKSAR government has been consistently allocating additional resources to support persons with disabilities over the years.  We thank the Wu Jieh Yee Charitable Foundation for its donation to support this meaningful project of PolyU, which provides support for visually impaired patients through advanced technologies.  We also look forward to close collaboration with all sectors to build a diverse and inclusive society together.” Ms Tansy Lau said, “PolyU has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence, nurturing talent and community service, with its School of Optometry serving as a cradle for nurturing outstanding optometry professionals. We hope that, through this donation, we can make a modest contribution towards advancing the development of visual rehabilitation.” Prof. Allen Cheong, Associate Head (Academic Programmes and Clinical Training) of the PolyU School of Optometry and i.m.VisionCare Programme Leader, said, “We are honoured to receive support from the Wu Jieh Yee Charitable Foundation, which enables our team to promote interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation and sustainable visual rehabilitation services. Our interdisciplinary team provides each patient with personalised rehabilitation services tailored to their unique needs, ensuring optimal outcomes. The programme also offers necessary interventions and training for visually impaired individuals, empowering them to lead their daily lives with confidence and independence.” “i.m.VisionCare” promotes AI-driven personalised treatment solutions and innovative clinical research to improve the quality of life and self-care capabilities of people with visual impairments. This will help alleviate the caregiving burden on families, establish a scalable and sustainable rehabilitation service model that will, in the long term, reduce pressures on Hong Kong’s healthcare system and promote social inclusion. Moving forward, PolyU will continue to collaborate with various sectors of society to advance the translation of research outcomes, further strengthening Hong Kong’s leading position in visual rehabilitation. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng expressed his gratitude to the Foundation for its continued trust and support, adding that it is hoped a sustainable healthcare service model can be established and extended across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, benefiting more patients and their families. Mrs Winnie Kang stated that the HKSAR government has been consistently allocating additional resources to support persons with disabilities over the years, and looks forward to close collaboration with all sectors to build a diverse and inclusive society together. Ms Tansy Lau commended PolyU for its excellence in academic research, talent cultivation and community service. She expressed her hope that the donation will enable the Foundation and PolyU to join hands in advancing the development of visual rehabilitation. Prof. Allen Cheong, Associate Head (Academic Programmes and Clinical Training) of the PolyU School of Optometry, stated that the University’s interdisciplinary team provides each patient with personalised rehabilitation services and offers necessary interventions and training for visually impaired individuals, empowering them to lead their daily lives with confidence and independence. ***END***

Two PolyU research projects receive Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards from Ministry of Education

Two research projects from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have been awarded the second-class award in the 2025 Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Natural Sciences and Engineering Technology) by the Ministry of Education. The accolades serve as recognition of the research teams’ breakthrough contributions in the frontier fields of antibiotic resistance mechanisms in bacteria and flexible electronics technology, affirming the University’s research strength in both fundamental research and technological innovation. The two projects are: “Research on the Convergent Evolution and Mechanisms of Carbapenem Resistance and Hypervirulence in Klebsiella pneumoniae” led by Prof. CHEN Sheng, Head of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition and Chair Professor of Microbiology at PolyU; and “Multiscale Coupling Regulation Mechanisms of Flexible Electronic Conductive Interfaces and Applications” led by Prof. ZHENG Zijian, Associate Director of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems and Chair Professor of Soft Materials and Devices at PolyU. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), extended his heartfelt congratulations to the two award-winning professors and their research teams, stating: “PolyU scholars are committed to pursuing research excellence, and the Awards represent the Nation’s recognition of the University’s strength in research innovation. As an innovative world-class university, PolyU will continue to strive for excellence in talent cultivation, scientific research, and knowledge transfer, contributing to Hong Kong, the Nation, and the world.” Prof. Chen Sheng has closely collaborated with Prof. ZHANG Rong and Prof. DONG Ning from Zhejiang University, focusing on research in Klebsiella pneumoniae. The team successfully identified the molecular mechanisms underlying its antibiotic resistance and hypervirulence. This research is the first to confirm that carbapenem resistance and hypervirulence can converge through evolutionary pathways in Klebsiella pneumoniae, and it clarifies the molecular mechanisms that accelerate their evolution and transmission. The breakthrough discovery revolutionises academic theories on the co-evolution of resistance and virulence, providing important scientific evidence for the formulation of global public health policies and clinical practices with far-reaching impact. Prof. Zheng Zijian led his research team in focusing on the multiscale coupling and regulation of conductive interfaces in flexible electronics, achieving multiple breakthroughs in metal-polymer interface engineering, porous conductive networks development and the design of fully flexible devices. The team established a collaborative framework that integrates molecular, micro-nano and macroscopic scales, successfully addressing core challenges such as electrical failure due to interfacial instability and limited device elasticity. Their research outcomes provide key theoretical foundations and technical support for the advancement of flexible electronic systems, driving innovation and application in related fields. Established by the Ministry of Education, the Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Natural Sciences and Engineering Technology) recognises educators, researchers and relevant units of higher education institutions who have achieved outstanding results and significant impact in natural science research and engineering technology innovation, and those with contributions to the cultivation of innovative talent. ***END***

PolyU develops new human-safe magnetorheological fibres, leading innovations in smart wearable textiles

A research team of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has achieved a revolutionary breakthrough in smart materials, successfully developing soft magnetorheological textiles that can flexibly deform and modulate their mechanical properties under a human-safe magnetic field. Driven by electricity and programmable control, these new materials combine lightweight, flexible and breathable textile characteristics, making them widely applicable in smart wearables, soft robotics, virtual reality and metaverse haptic experiences. Traditional magnetorheological materials have long faced two major drawbacks: heavy magnetic powders and the potential health risks posed by high-strength magnetic fields to the human body. Prof. TAO Xiaoming, Director of the PolyU Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, Vincent and Lily Woo Professor in Textiles Technology and Chair Professor of Textile Technology of the School of Fashion and Textiles, who led the research, elaborated, “The core objective of our research team is to overcome the application limits of traditional magnetorheological technology, extending it to fibre form, and enabling precise intelligent modulation while remaining compatible with textile properties such as softness and breathability.” The research team fabricated soft magnetic polymer composite fibres – just 57 micrometers in diameter – by uniformly dispersing magnetic powders in a plastic material (a low-density polyethylene matrix). These fibres not only achieve precise control under low-strength magnetic fields but also solve the problem of heavy magnetic powders. Furthermore, they can be spun into yarns and multi-layer fabrics to realise large-area, controllable deformation. This groundbreaking research was awarded HK$62.37 million under the Research Grants Council’s 2024/25 Theme-based Research Scheme, and has been published in the international journal Nature, in the paper titled “Vector-Stimuli-Responsive Magnetorheological Fibrous Materials”. Unlike traditional smart materials that respond to scalar stimuli such as voltage, current or temperature, these in-house-developed magnetorheological textiles offer unique directionally controllable responses, enabling the development of the following three innovative fabric materials. Flexible Smart Gripper: With electric current controlling the fabric stiffness, the gripper can flexibly grasp soft, fragile or irregularly shaped items – such as worms, tofu, blueberries, mung bean cake, potato chips and fusilli – just like human fingers, significantly reducing the risk of damage or deformation during operation. Remote Emulation Haptic Finger Glove: The all-fabric materials can accurately replicate the surface textures and tactile hardness of different objects. Lightweight and comfortable to wear, they are suitable for diverse applications ranging from remote surgical training, stroke rehabilitation training and virtual fitting, addressing the common drawbacks of bulkiness and heaviness in similar haptic gloves available on the market. Active Ventilation and Thermal-Regulation Fabrics: Addressing the moisture and thermal management challenges in textile clothing, these fabrics can intelligently adjust air permeability by driving fibre structure deformation through electronically controlled magnetic fields, thereby significantly enhancing wearer thermal and moisture comfort. The Flexible Smart Gripper can flexibly grasp soft, fragile or irregularly shaped items with electric current controlling fabric stiffness. The Remote Emulation Haptic Finger Glove can accurately replicate the surface textures and tactile hardness of different objects. The Active Ventilation and Thermal-Regulation Fabrics can intelligently adjust air permeability by driving fibre structure deformation through electronically controlled magnetic fields.  Prof. Tao explained the materials’ potential, “The key breakthrough of this research lies in converting traditional rigid magnetic devices into flexible alternatives. This success can be extended to the development of hard magnetic fibre materials, laying a foundation for the next generation of soft robotics, electromagnetic devices and wearable technologies.” Regarding the prospects for industrialisation, Dr PU Junhong, Assistant Professor (Research) of the School of Fashion and Textiles, added, “From raw material selection to processing technology, we have taken industrialisation needs into consideration. We adopt commodity-grade, mass production-ready raw materials and mature processing techniques, paving the way for rapid translation in fields such as food production, medical rehabilitation and metaverse interaction.”   ***END***