Media Releases

PolyU International Future Challenge (Wenzhou region) yields top four teams

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PolyU to host International Low-Altitude Economy Summit on 9 October, aiming to advance the Greater Bay Area’s aviation logistic hub

In support of the HKSAR Government’s drive to foster innovation and technology development and promote the development of a low-altitude economy (LAE) ecosystem by hosting flagship events as announced by the Chief Executive in his Policy Address delivered last week, and with the aim of positioning Hong Kong as an Asia-Pacific hub for innovative low-altitude applications, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) will host the International Low-Altitude Economy Summit (the Summit) at the Chiang Chen Studio Theatre on 9 October (Thursday). Members of the public and industry professionals are welcome to register for the event. The Summit is organised by PolyU, with the support of the Working Group on Developing the Low-altitude Economy of the HKSAR Government and the Greater Bay Area Low-altitude Economy Alliance (LAEA). The event will gather over 40 leaders from government and business, as well as scholars and industry practitioners from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas to share insights, focusing on topics such as low-altitude airspace management, industry development models and urban applications, with the aim of advancing the development of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) aviation logistic hub. An Innovation Showcase will be held concurrently, featuring around 30 government departments, academic institutions and enterprises presenting cutting-edge technology applications and the LAE Regulatory Sandbox pilot projects. The Summit is honoured to have Mr Michael WONG, Deputy Financial Secretary of HKSAR Government; Dr LAM Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU; and The Hon Elizabeth QUAT, Member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and Founding President of LAEA, as officiating guests, and Dr BI Qi, Chief Scientist of China Telecom, as the keynote speaker. Two fireside chats will also be held on the day. Mr Kevin CHOI, Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics of the HKSAR Government, and Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, will join distinguished representatives from government, civil aviation and other authorities, business leaders, scholars and industry experts, including leading electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) and low-altitude systems developers, from around the globe, to discuss policy directions for LAE and collaborative innovation across industry and academia respectively. In the afternoon, four parallel sessions will focus on: policy frameworks for LAE development in Hong Kong and various provinces and cities in the Mainland; progress updates on ongoing Regulatory Sandbox projects; unmanned aircraft system traffic management in the GBA and technological advances in unmanned aerial vehicles; and hardware, software and system integration innovations for unmanned aerial vehicles. PolyU is committed to supporting technology development related to LAE. Established last year, the University’s Research Centre for Low-altitude Economy has launched multiple interdisciplinary research initiatives spanning infrastructure deployment and low-altitude airspace operations, as well as intelligent sensing and control technologies. Additionally, in September this year, PolyU launched a Master of Science programme in Low-altitude Economy with the aim of nurturing specialised talent for the sector. For more information about the International Low-altitude Economy Summit and registration details, please visit: https://events.polyu.edu.hk/ilaesummit2025/home   ***END***

PolyU receives donation from China Merchants Foundation to establish China Merchants Belt and Road Scholarship

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to fostering an international and diverse learning environment, attracting students from around the world to study and develop in Hong Kong. With a generous donation from the China Merchants Foundation, the China Merchants Belt and Road Scholarship has been established to support exceptional master’s students from Belt and Road countries and regions in pursuing postgraduate studies at the PolyU Faculty of Business. The inaugural scholarship presentation ceremony was held on 17 September at the Wong Man and Tang Kit Wah Global Student Hub on the PolyU campus. Four students from South Korea, Rwanda, Kyrgyzstan and Malaysia, enrolled in the Master of Science in Business Administration and Master of Science in Global Supply Chain Management, were awarded an Admission Scholarship in recognition of their excellent academic achievements and impressive interview performances. At the ceremony, Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU; Mr MIAO Jianmin, Chairman of China Merchants Group and Chair of the Board of China Merchants Foundation; and Mr Nicholas HO, Commissioner for Belt and Road of the HKSAR Government, delivered speeches. Mr YU Xiao, Vice Chairman and President of The Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association, attended the event. Representatives from PolyU, China Merchants Group, The Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association, alongside professors and students from PolyU Faculty of Business, and other esteemed guests, also attended to witness the scholarship presentation. In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said, “We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the China Merchants Foundation for establishing this scholarship at PolyU, which underscores our shared commitment to advancing the Nation’s Belt and Road Initiative. As the first university in Hong Kong to embrace the Nation’s Belt and Road Initiative, PolyU co-founded the ‘University Alliance of the Silk Road’ in 2015, encouraging international cooperation in higher education. In recent years, the number of students from Belt and Road countries enrolling at PolyU has steadily increased. Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients. I encourage you to unleash your full potential, excel in your studies, and contribute to cultural exchange and collaboration between China and the Belt and Road countries.” Mr Miao Jianmin said, “China Merchants, since its establishment in 1872, has consistently supported educational initiatives and talent cultivation, actively providing a broad platform for young people around the world to showcase their talents and realize their dreams.This scholarship aims to encourage outstanding students to pursue academic excellence and to promote professional and cultural exchanges among the Belt and Road countries and regions, contributing to building a community with a shared future for mankind. We hope that the recipients will take this opportunity to serve as ambassadors to connect China with the rest of the world.” Mr Nicholas Ho said, “Hong Kong, as a super connector and value-adder, plays a vital role in building a Belt and Road talent pool. This shared talent pool benefits not only our local development but also the Mainland, Belt and Road countries, and beyond. The Scholarship will enhance these efforts, helping to build a robust and shared Belt and Road talent pool that supports long-term collaboration and fosters global cultural exchange.” Ms Hannah LEE, a scholarship recipient from South Korea who is currently studying for the Master of Science in Business Management, said, “Thank you to China Merchants Group for this scholarship. Not only has it provided me with invaluable financial support, but it has also motivated me to strive for academic excellence. I greatly cherish this opportunity and plan to stay in Hong Kong to work after graduation and give back to society.” The China Merchants Belt and Road Scholarship comprises two categories: Admission Scholarship and Graduation Academic Scholarship. The Graduation Academic Scholarship will be awarded at the end of the 2025/26 academic year to six eligible master’s graduates who demonstrate outstanding academic performance and fulfil the required criteria. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng (left) presented a souvenir to Mr Nicholas Ho (right). Mr Nicholas Ho (5th from right), Prof. Jin-Guang Teng (5th from left), Mr Miao Jianmin (6th from right), Prof. Ben Young (4th from left), Mr Yu Xiao (4th from right); Dr Laura Lo (3rd from left); Mr Zhang Junli (3rd from right); Prof. Horace Mui (2nd from left); Ms Huang Yi (2nd from right); Prof. Mike Lai (1st from left); and Ms Niu Hua (1st from right) posed for a group photo at the ceremony. ***END***

PolyU receives donation from GS Charity Foundation to support research on using AI to advance sustainable fashion design and brand ecosystem management

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has received a generous donation from the GS Charity Foundation to support the School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT) research project “From Tradition to Tech: A Holistic Approach to Sustainable Fashion Design and Brand Ecosystem Management in the Age of AI and Digital Platforms”. The research aims to drive sustainable fashion design and brand ecosystem management. The donation and kick-off ceremony for the research projects was held today on the PolyU campus, officiated by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President, and Mr YEUNG Fan, Vice-chairman and General Manager of Glorious Sun Group. The two parties exchanged souvenirs to commemorate the occasion. Co-created by SFT and the Industrial Centre, the PolyU souvenir employs weaving techniques to depict PolyU’s iconic architecture. Engraved with the inscription “With chic, intelligently led fashion, PolyU extends its heartfelt gratitude,” it conveys the University’s deep appreciation to the Foundation for its generous support and highlights SFT’s commitment to driving fashion trends with innovation. In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Jin-Guang Teng expressed gratitude to Glorious Sun Group and GS Charity Foundation for its long-standing and steadfast support for PolyU’s development, adding: “AI is a core technology driving Hong Kong’s reindustrialisation and smart city development. With PolyU’s robust research capabilities, this collaboration will enable the continuous supply of talent for the textile sector, equipped with cutting-edge industry knowledge and AI expertise. This will help Hong Kong leverage its regional advantages and further consolidate the Greater Bay Area’s position as a hub for fashion innovation.” Mr Yeung Fan said, “Since the 1980s, Glorious Sun Group has developed a deep partnership with PolyU—one that has remained strong for four decades. Our support for PolyU research into co-developing a brand ecosystem reflects our confidence in PolyU research excellence, testifies to our enduring collaboration, and affirms our shared commitment to nurturing outstanding talent and driving innovation and sustainability in the apparel industry.” Joining Prof. Teng and Mr Yeung at the kick-off ceremony were Ms CHEUNG Wai Yee, Director and Deputy General Manager of Glorious Sun Group; Professor the Honourable POON Chung-kwong, PolyU President Emeritus; The Hon Jimmy NG Wing-ka, Hong Kong Deputy to the National People’s Congress and Member of the Legislative Council; Dr Katherine NGAN, University Court Chairman; Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost; and Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation). After the kick-off ceremony, Prof. Joanne YIP, Associate Dean and Professor of SFT introduced the research project “From Tradition to Tech: A Holistic Approach to Sustainable Fashion Design and Brand Ecosystem Management in the Age of AI and Digital Platforms.” She noted that the fashion industry is undergoing a transformational shift, integrating cutting-edge technologies such as AI and digital platforms while also adopting sustainable practices. The extensive use of AI is providing innovative solutions for the industry, enhancing operational efficiency and delivering a brand-new customer experience. Furthermore, the integration of AI with emerging technologies—such as blockchain, cloud computing, big data and the Internet of Things—is creating unprecedented opportunities for enterprises. The research project will focus on the seven key areas below, developing innovative insights and solutions that integrate traditional fashion design with advanced technologies, including AI and digital platforms. This will help accelerate traditional design and manufacturing processes, and enhance the overall competitiveness of the fashion industry: Intelligent Data-Driven Design and Digital Transformation in the Fashion Industry AI Applications in Fashion: Revolutionising Apparel Review and Safeguarding Creative Assets Apparel Material Simulation and Optimisation System Robust Estimation of Product Budget and Data Mining of Production and Operational Data Managing Supply Ecosystems to Enhance Competitive Advantage: An Integrated Study of Multi-Role Supplier Collaboration Mechanisms in the Fashion Supply Chain Industry A Critical Examination of Online Consumer Reviews: Implications for Digital Transformation in the Fashion Sector AI-Based Optimisation Strategies for the Live Commerce Ecosystem ***END***

「致敬國家豐碑」國情教育宣講活動在理大圓滿舉行 逾250名師生及各界代表出席

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PolyU welcomes 2025 Policy Address measures to accelerate the construction of the Northern Metropolis University Town and the development of Hong Kong as an international education hub

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) welcomes the measures announced by the Chief Executive in the 2025 Policy Address, which promote the integrated development of education, technology and talents. These initiatives enable universities to attract more non-local students and teaching and research talents, and advance the development of emerging technologies and industries, solidifying Hong Kong’s position as an international innovation and technology centre and accelerating th establishment of an international education hub. Dr LAM Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU, said, “PolyU fully supports the HKSAR Government’s effort to establish Hong Kong as an international hub for education and high-calibre talents, advancing the synergistic development of talent cultivation, talent attraction, and technology. We also welcome the establishment of the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis to help accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town. Two years ago, PolyU submitted a proposal to the Government outlining plans to establish a ‘medical school’ and a large ‘teaching hotel’ with an exhibition and convention centre, addressing the healthcare needs of the Greater Bay Area’s population and boosting the region’s tourism, convention, and exhibition industries. PolyU has been on a strong upward trajectory in recent years, ranking 54th in the QS World University Rankings 2026, but it faces the acute challenge of land and space shortages for further development. The University hopes the Government will provide steadfast support for the establishment of a new campus in the Northern Metropolis to relieve these bottlenecks and help strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international innovation and technology hub, build an international post-secondary education hub, and establish the city’s third medical school. Furthermore, PolyU has also provided strong support for the Government’s efforts to promote Chinese culture, including the Chinese Culture Festival and a wide range of community engagement activities. Since last year, PolyU has launched the PolyU Chinese Culture Festival, comprising a series of activities related to Chinese culture. Earlier, together with the Guangdong University of Technology, PolyU co-produced a stage play commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong, fostering a sense of national pride among students. The University has also hosted film screenings, talks, and exhibitions to mark the 5th Anniversary of the Implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law and the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.” Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said, “PolyU supports the Government’s measures on building an international education hub, including relaxing restrictions on the admission of self-financing non-local undergraduate and research postgraduate students as well as the establishment of the Task Force on Study in Hong Kong, helping further promote Hong Kong’s higher education sector. Committed to fostering a multicultural and international learning atmosphere on campus, the University is actively expanding its outreach to multiple emerging markets in Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and South America to attract more outstanding non-local students. To meet market needs, we have launched various new programmes in emerging technologies to nurture professional talent for a wide range of industries. In view of this, the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences was established to meet the pressing demand for high-end talent in the age of AI.” In the last academic year, PolyU organised over 590 undergraduate recruitment activities across nearly 64 countries and regions worldwide, including 46 Belt and Road and ASEAN countries. In alignment with the Government’s initiative to increase the admission quota of non-local students, PolyU has proactively expanded its non-local student intake since the 2024/25 Academic Year. This year, the University admitted around 1,100 non-local students, including 400 international students. Moving forward, PolyU will make the most of the resources provided by the Government and roll out large-scale publicity campaigns to further strengthen its overseas outreach, attracting outstanding non-local students from around the globe. PolyU is pleased with the Government’s strong commitment to promoting the development of the AI and data science industries, with the aim of positioning Hong Kong as a global hub for AI development. In particular, the establishment of the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute will facilitate upstream AI R&D, midstream and downstream R&D outcomes, as well as the expansion of use cases. This initiative aligns closely with the University’s establishment earlier this year of the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences and the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence. Led by scholars with extensive experience in developing large AI models, these two academic units will drive AI-driven interdisciplinary research and innovation, while also nurturing talent in related fields for Hong Kong. Additionally, PolyU supports the Government’s various initiatives to propel the development of strategic emerging industries, including aerospace and the low-altitude economy. PolyU boasts solid research capabilities in both fields and, notably, stands as the only university in Hong Kong to have participated in multiple national space missions. Last year, the University established the Research Centre for Low Altitude Economy and launched an MSc Programme in Low-Altitude Economy, comprehensively addressing the needs for interdisciplinary research and talent development in this emerging field. Co-organised by the Working Group on Developing Low-altitude Economy under the Government and the Greater Bay Area Low Altitude Economy Alliance, PolyU will host the International Low-Altitude Economy Summit on 9 October 2025 to showcase Hong Kong’s leading position in the low-altitude economy to the world. PolyU also welcomes the Government’s launch of the Innovation and Technology Talents Exchange Scheme for Industry and Academic Sectors, which encourages university professors to engage in corporate R&D activities and invites technical experts from technology enterprises to contribute to teaching, strengthening the collaborative development of the industry, academic and research sectors. This initiative aligns with PolyU’s commitment to expanding its network of industry partnerships and translating research outcomes into practical solutions. Following the establishment of the PolyU Shenzhen Research Institute, the University has set up translational research institutes in 12 major Mainland cities, as well as the Qianhai Disruptive Technology and Innovation Research Centre in Shenzhen, to address local industrial and societal needs. Through the cooperative model for technology transfer defined by the equation: “PolyU research + Mainland industrial chain + Mainland market = societal benefit”, PolyU actively promotes technology transfer and collaborative innovation. Earlier this month, PolyU’s Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology submitted its recommendations to the HKSAR Government for the 2025 Policy Address, focusing on driving economic development and improving people’s livelihoods. Many of these recommendations are aligned with the policy directions outlined in the 2025 Policy Address, including consolidating aerospace research resources, advancing the low-altitude economy, promoting carbon trading and carbon pricing, and advancing new energy vehicles and green energy in Hong Kong. ***END***  

Chief Designer of Chinese Lunar Exploration Programme delivers talk on development of national aerospace technology, encouraging students to chase dreams in space

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) warmly welcomed Academician WU Weiren—Chief Designer of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Programme, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Director and Chief Scientist of the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, and Chairman of the International Deep Space Exploration Association—who delivered a talk titled “Chasing Dreams in Space, Exploring the Cosmos” at the Jockey Club Auditorium on campus yesterday. Academician Wu visited Hong Kong at the invitation of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation to participate in “A Master Lecture For Children”, an event co-funded by the Institute of Philanthropy and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, with The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups as a strategic partner and supported by the Hong Kong Rosamond Foundation Company Limited. During his visit, Academician Wu graciously made time to visit PolyU. During the talk, he shared insights with more than 600 students, faculty, alumni and guests on the Nation’s latest developments and strategic plans for its aerospace missions. Academician Wu Weiren is a leading expert long engaged in research and engineering practice in aerospace telemetry, tracking and communications and in systems engineering for deep space exploration. Academician Wu and his team have led various historic missions in the Chang’e Programme, making significant contributions to the Nation’s lunar and deep space exploration. He and his team are currently advancing the construction of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a China‑initiated, multinational project. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President, said, “Every step taken by the Nation’s aerospace researchers advances humanity’s quest to explore the unknown. As one of the most distinguished leaders in China’s aerospace field, Academician Wu has elevated the Nation’s deep space exploration technologies to a world-leading level. His invaluable experience and visionary insights inspire young students to explore the cosmos and ignite their passion for chasing their dreams in space. Deep space exploration is one of PolyU’s strategic research domains, and the University has been engaged in aerospace innovation for more than 30 years. As our country continues to make breakthroughs in aerospace technology and deep space exploration, PolyU is honoured to be part of this journey—standing as the only university in Hong Kong to have participated in multiple national space missions. Looking ahead, PolyU remains committed to cultivating outstanding research talent and driving innovation in related fields, helping to build the Nation into a space power.” In his talk, Academician Wu reviewed the history of global space exploration and introduced the Nation’s landmark achievements in various space projects, including the manned space programme, lunar exploration, BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, and  high-resolution Earth imaging satellite system. In just two decades, China completed the three phases of “orbiting”, “landing” and “returning”, achieving several world firsts. The Chang’e-5 mission, carrying out China’s first extraterrestrial sample-return mission and analysis of the lunar soil samples revealed the sixth new mineral discovered on the Moon — Changesite-(Y), contributing to humanity’s expanded understanding. Academician Wu also highlighted that over 30 locations on the Moon have been named with elements of Chinese culture, including the landing site of Chang'e-4 — the first soft landing on the far side of the Moon — which has been named Statio Tianhe, breaking the long-standing dominance of Western countries in lunar naming rights. He also mentioned that many universities and research institutions in Hong Kong have been actively involved in the Nation’s deep space exploration missions, with research teams, including those from PolyU, helping to ensure the safe lunar landing and sample collection of the Chang’e series, as well as the safe landing of the Tianwen-1 mission on Mars. Looking ahead, the development and utilisation of deep space resources are gradually becoming one of the popular fields within the international scientific community, with significant implications for developing material resources, harnessing the unique resources of the space environment, and securing advantageous positions in deep space. Academician Wu noted that near-Earth asteroids, the Moon and Mars contain abundant resources such as minerals, water ice, helium-3 and atmospheric substances, which hold immense economic value, and that the ultra-high vacuum, microgravity and intense radiation found in space provide natural platforms for major scientific breakthroughs which could spawn and empower new industries on Earth, such as space pharmaceuticals. He also pointed out that space is a key arena for fostering new quality productive forces, listing a range of sectors and projects that could stimulate economic growth and improve people’s livelihoods, including space-based solar power stations, space tourism, space agriculture and space elevators. After the talk, Academician Wu engaged in a dialogue session with PolyU students, which was moderated by Prof. WU Bo, Fiona Cheung Professor in Spatial Science, Associate Head (Research) of the PolyU Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, and Associate Director of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations. He discussed various issues with a PhD student from the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, a master student from the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering, and an undergraduate student representative of the University’s Astronomy Club. During the session, a student asked what role artificial intelligence (AI) will play in future deep space exploration projects amid its rapid development. Academician Wu believes that, in the AI era, large-scale deep space exploration projects often involve tens of thousands of personnel and cannot be carried out solely by traditional methods. The application of AI will facilitate intelligent astronautics, exploration, control, communication, navigation and more. Since 2010, PolyU has been participating in the Nation’s space exploration programmes and collaborating with the China Academy of Space Technology to develop and manufacture sophisticated space instruments. PolyU researchers have also used advanced topographic mapping technologies to identify the optimal landing sites for spacecraft. These contributions contributed to the success of the Nation’s lunar exploration missions, including Chang’e-3, Chang’e-4 and Chang’e-5, as well as the Mars exploration project Tianwen-1. In recent years, PolyU has established the “Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations”, and the “Joint Research Centre of Advanced Aerospace Propulsion Technology” in collaboration with the Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology. PolyU has obtained approval to borrow lunar soil samples collected by the Chang’e-6 and Chang’e-5 mission from the Lunar Sample Management Office under the China National Space Administration’s Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Centre to support a range of research projects. At the same time, PolyU scholars are also actively engaged in national aerospace and deep space exploration initiatives, including research studies conducted on the Shijian‑19 satellite and projects to mitigate the risk of hypervelocity impacts from space debris on satellites and space stations. ***END***

PolyU and Tsinghua University collaborate to advance innovative research in the fields of medical technology and engineering physics

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PolyU scholars pioneer smart and sustainable personal cooling technologies to address global extreme heat

Global warming poses a growing threat to human health and work performance. Currently, about 3.6 billion people worldwide live in areas highly susceptible to climate change. From 2000 to 2019, more than 480,000 heat-related deaths occurred globally each year. Extreme heat also impairs focus and productivity and worsens mood by elevating stress hormones and disrupting sleep. In response to the increasing frequency of heat waves, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) scholars are developing next-generation personal cooling solutions that push the limits of conventional clothing and promote sustainability. Prof. Dahua SHOU, Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies, Associate Professor of the PolyU School of Fashion and Textiles, Associate Director of the Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion, and Associate Director of the PolyU-Xingguo Technology and Innovation Research Institute, has published a peer-reviewed paper in Science, offering new insights into sustainable personal cooling using advanced textiles and intelligent wearables. Smart technologies, especially intelligent wearables and AI, can be key to sustainable personal cooling. Prof. Dahua Shou said, “According to the World Meteorological Organisation, there is an 80% chance that at least one year between 2025 and 2029 will be the hottest on record, making personal cooling increasingly vital for well‑being, health and productivity. We have been creating intelligent, superhero‑like garments that provide on‑demand adaptive cooling and clinician‑like health monitoring to help address the challenge of extreme heat.” By integrating the four cooling mechanisms of radiation, conduction, convection and evaporation, this stand‑alone perspective outlines strategies to adaptively regulate body heat and moisture in dynamically changing real‑world settings. The paper also presents an AI‑driven, closed‑loop framework that connects sensing, prediction, and actuation to deliver personalised, energy-efficient cooling, with a scalable and recyclable design that supports public health, workplace safety, and performance. Sustainable personal cooling is evolving from the use of passive fabrics to the integration of smart systems. Notably, spectrum‑selective textiles effectively release mid‑infrared body heat while blocking external solar and urban heat gain. Thermal insulation is being engineered with conduction-tunable fillers, while ventilative and evaporative cooling is boosted by moisture-responsive fibres. Lightweight wearables, such as variable emittance devices, and electrocaloric and thermoelectric modules paired with flexible solar and on-body energy storage, enable active and controllable cooling. These emerging technologies strategically employ model-selective cooling and incorporate human‑centered design for comfort, durability, washability, and low weight, expanding comfort zones and reducing dependence on air conditioning. Despite promising progress, key challenges in personal cooling remain. Sweating helps cool the body, but limited sweat management increases fabric weight and cling, while reducing permeability and radiative cooling efficiency, especially during heavy perspiration. Real-time adaptive thermoregulation, which responds to changing environments and individual physiology while ensuring comfort and safety, is ideal but difficult to achieve. Prof. Dahua Shou said, “We also need interdisciplinary integration across textiles, thermodynamics, flexible electronics, and AI, along with scalable, recyclable manufacturing that balances sustainability, wearability, fashion, and performance. Standardised, user‑centric metrics, such as cooling power per watt, thermal sensation, and user acceptance, are essential for fair comparison and adoption.” Prof. Shou and his research team are tackling extreme heat with various innovative technologies. iActive™ intelligent sportswear uses low‑voltage-driven artificial “sweat glands” and a root‑like liquid network mapped to sweat zones to quickly eject perspiration as droplets, reducing weight and cling, keeping the skin dry, and removing sweat up to three times faster than peak human sweating. Omni‑Cool‑Dry™ is a breathable skin‑like fabric that routes sweat directionally while providing spectrum‑selective cooling. By reflecting solar and ground radiation and emitting mid‑infrared body heat, it helps keep wearers cool and dry even under the sun, lowering skin temperature by about 5°C compared to conventional fabrics. For hot workplaces, thermo‑adaptive Soft Robotic Clothing embeds temperature‑responsive soft actuators that expand to thicken fabric and trap still air, solving the problem of “one‑level” thermal insulation. Thermal resistance varies from 0.23 to 0.48 K·m²/W, keeping the inner surface 10°C cooler than conventional insulating garments even when the exterior temperature reaches 120°C. SweatMD is an all‑textile, non-invasive wearable that channels fresh sweat through a nature‑inspired microfluidic network and uses skin‑friendly sensing yarns to track biomarkers like glucose and potassium. It delivers real‑time, molecular‑level health insights such as indicators of fatigue and dehydration to a smartphone. Collectively, these innovations form an AI‑ready ecosystem: sensors quantify physiology, models predict cooling demand, and intelligent clothing actuates targeted responses. Integrating textile sensors, fiber‑based coolers, and on‑body energy harvesters has the potential to enable self‑sustained cooling. Spanning everyday wear, as well as sports, and protective gear, these innovations bridge the gap between fundamental research and real-world applications to address global challenges. PolyU translational research institutes across Mainland cities and interdisciplinary research centres, such as the PolyU-Xingguo Technology and Innovation Research Institute and the Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion, allows the University’s scholars to tap into these cities’ diverse application scenarios and collaborate with leading enterprises to accelerate the transformation and scalable deployment of scientific research achievements. These research innovations earned the Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury (2025) and a Gold Medal (2024) at the Geneva Invention Exhibition, as well as the TechConnect Global Innovation Award. Prof. Shou also received The Fiber Society’s Distinguished Achievement Award, a prestigious honour awarded annually to a single scholar worldwide. ***END***

PolyU and Lands Department join forces to drive surveying and geospatial innovations for Hong Kong’s digital transformation

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Lands Department of the HKSAR Government today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a collaborative framework for advancing the development of smart survey, mapping and geospatial services that incorporate authoritative standards. Through pioneering research, providing technological training and facilitating technology enhancement, this partnership aims to accelerate the City’s transformation into smart Hong Kong. At the signing ceremony held on the University campus, Prof. WANG Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, and Mr CHANG Kwok-fai, Deputy Director (Survey and Mapping) of the Lands Department, signed the MoU. They were joined by Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR); Prof. CHEN Wu, Head of the PolyU Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI); Prof. DING Xiaoli, Director of the PolyU Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS); Prof. John SHI Wenzhong, Director of the PolyU Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI); Prof. WENG Qihao, Director of the PolyU Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG); Mr CHU Siu-ki, Assistant Director (Survey and Mapping) of the Lands Department; and other guests to witness this noteworthy occasion. In his welcoming address, Prof. Wang Zuankai said, “From urban planning and environmental monitoring to disaster response and resource management, spatial data and artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming the way we understand and interact with our environment. We envision that, by bringing together Survey and Mapping Office (SMO)’s authoritative expertise and professional experience, with PolyU’s academic excellence, cutting-edge research and innovative drive, this MoU will strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a global smart city leader and create a legacy of innovation and prosperity for our community.” Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Chang Kwok-fai said that the partnership combines the PolyU’s research excellence with the Lands Department’s practical experience, marking a significant step towards modernising Hong Kong’s geospatial technologies. Through the partnership, Lands Department will promote the application of innovative solutions to enhance land administration efficiency and support Hong Kong’s development as a smart city. Under the collaborative framework, four academic and research units at PolyU—namely LSGI, RILS, SCRI and RCAIG—will join forces to collaborate with SMO in research, education and knowledge transfer, primarily focusing on interdisciplinary areas of land surveying, geographic information systems, remote sensing, smart city, AI and location-based technology. In pursuing related initiatives, the two parties plan to establish a joint research centre, where PolyU will contribute personnel and technical resources, while SMO will offer professional and industrial insights. The centre will seek to optimise and apply a range of methods, practices and technologies related to surveying, Satellite Positioning Reference Station Network (SatRef), advanced unmanned aerial vehicles, geospatial data integration and analytics, and smart address management for enhancing efficiency and accuracy in urban planning and development of Hong Kong. In addition, PolyU and SMO will consider providing industry practitioners and relevant government staff with training on the latest surveying and geospatial technologies and practices. Prof. Chen Qingyan highlighted the significance of PolyU’s interdisciplinary research in supporting the sustainable development of Hong Kong. He said, “Smart and sustainable cities is one of the key domains of PolyU’s interdisciplinary research. Under this theme, we combine expertise from diverse fields—spanning land surveying, geo-informatics, civil engineering, computing and AI—to pursue research innovations in spatial data analytics, system integration, infrastructure design and sensing technology. We then translate our discoveries into technologies and recommendations for adoption by industry and government, with the aim of making meaningful contributions to improving urban planning and land resource management.” Prof. Wu Chen stressed the importance of this government-academia collaboration. He elaborated, “SMO possesses valuable datasets, regulatory frameworks and practical insights into urban challenges, while PolyU contributes cutting-edge research, technical expertise, and innovative solutions. By working together, we can bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring that scientific advancements are effectively translated into real-world applications. Ultimately, this collaboration will accelerate the creation of a smarter, more sustainable Hong Kong by leveraging the strengths of both sectors to address complex urban issues and improve the quality of life for citizens.” Prof. Chen Qingyan highlighted the significance of PolyU’s interdisciplinary research in supporting Hong Kong’s sustainable development.  Prof. Wu Chen stressed the importance of this government-academia collaboration. Fostering closer ties between academia, government and industry, this collaboration will drive the development of smart Hong Kong by embracing advanced surveying and geospatial innovations, and deeply integrating robust technologies to promote the City’s sustainable development. ***END***