RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

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1 68 69 POLYU ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

2 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

3 70 71 POLYU ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

4 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT Where research stimulates ground-breaking discoveries PolyU is passionate about interdisciplinary research. Working at the intersection of various disciplines sparks new insights and discoveries that are contributing to a better world.

Working at the intersection of various disciplines sparks new

5 FUNDING FOR RESEARCH In addition to receiving funds allocated by the University, academics at PolyU applied for funding from external sources, either through competitive or non-competitive means, for their research projects in 2014/15. Total funding during the year amounted to HK$1,832.2 million in support of over 2,800 projects undertaken by more than 1,000 academic staff and around 1,140 research personnel. 2014/15 Newly-funded projects in 2014/ /15 Funding Source No. of Projects Total Amount (HK$m) ( ) Research Grants Council 180 $ Innovation and Technology Fund Other competitive grants China Fund # # $ $37.83 $23.66 Non-competitive grants* * 495 $ Total 829 $ # The amount is calculated at an exchange rate of RMB1: HKD : * Including industrial/commercial support and donations POLYU ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

2 million in support of over 2,800 projects undertaken by more than 1,000 academic staff and around 1,140 research personnel. 2014/15 Newly-funded projects in 2014/15 2014/15 Funding Source No.

6 Number of research students In 2014/15, a total of 1,621 research degree students were engaged in the following postgraduate courses of study: 2014/15 Part-time 58 Full-time research students 1,265 Full-time 1,079 Part-time 298 Full-time 186 Part-time research students 356 PhD 1,377 MPhil 244 1,621 Total number of research students A total of 271 research students graduated in 2014/15, including 207 PhD and 64 MPhil graduates. 2014/15

1,079 Part-time 298 Full-time 186 Part-time research students 356 PhD 1,377 MPhil 244 1,621 Total number of

7 PROJECTS FUNDED BY THE RESEARCH GRANTS COUNCIL COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH FUND 1 Facility to validate barriers for debris flow impact Geo-hazards have always been a great danger in Hong Kong and many other countries due to global warming, uncertain extreme weather and geological conditions, and continuing land development. Flexible barriers are being widely used to reduce the impact and risk of debris flows, yet current design methods have not been validated. PolyU is designing a large-scale, multi-function physical model facility to validate these methods. Construction of the facility began on the PolyU campus in November High-speed aerodynamics research facility PolyU is constructing a multipurpose transonic-to-hypersonic Ludwieg tube facility to meet the most demanding high-speed ground testing parameters, with performance sufficient for 50ms test times at up to Mach 4 flow. Equipped with data-acquisition systems and flow visualization devices, the facility will enable further research and teaching in high-speed aerodynamics in Hong Kong. It will also enhance local aero-thermodynamic research in support of aerospace research on the Chinese mainland ms Schematic of the Ludwieg tube facility POLYU ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Flexible barriers are being widely used to reduce the impact and risk of debris flows, yet current design methods have not been validated.

8 2 High-output protein crystallography system The University is in the process of setting up an accurate highspeed, high-output protein crystallography facility, which will greatly enhance the capacity of cutting-edge biomedical research and provide critical support to new drug research. 3 Ion mobility mass spectrometer for new drug research PolyU has acquired an ion mobility mass spectrometer for the separation of ions based on their size and shape. With its high speed and high sensitivity capabilities, the mass spectrometer allows for effective acquisition of structural information of molecules. In addition, the ion mobility technology significantly enhances the ability to analyse complex samples and identify compounds by reducing background interference, allowing separation of isomers and providing additional compound identity information. (Left) Protein crystallography facility (Right) Ion mobility mass spectrometer Exploring sustainable chemical syntheses 2 3 A multidisciplinary team of synthetic chemists and material and theoretical scientists from PolyU, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and The Chinese University of Hong Kong is tackling challenges related to green chemistry. Through their work in catalyst design and development, it is envisaged that effective synthesis can be achieved from biomass, thus facilitating Hong Kong's journey towards a low carbon economy.

3 Ion mobility mass spectrometer for new drug research PolyU has acquired an ion mobility mass spectrometer for the separation of ions based on their size and shape.

9 4 Design methodologies for improving wind and thermal comfort in the urban environment PolyU is carrying out research with the goal of improving the environmental quality, liveability and public health in large cities through a modelling-based design methodology. The research looks at both temperature and wind at the pedestrian level in the community, which is subject to the Urban Heat Island effect as determined by macro-scale city morphology and the landscape. PolyU is conducting this research in collaboration with City University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Observatory and University of Western Sydney. 5 Heterogeneous chemistry of atmospheric reactive nitrogen oxides Employing cutting-edge, integrative computer simulations, this study explores the chemical reactions between gases and particles in the atmosphere and their contributions to air pollution. The project is being conducted by a multidisciplinary team from PolyU, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, a French research institute and the HKSAR Environmental Protection Department. The research findings are expected to support the mitigation of photochemical smog and haze pollution in Hong Kong, the Pearl River Delta, and other Chinese cities. (Left) Velocity contours at a height of 2 m above the ground in North East wind direction obtained from numerical modelling (Right) Ozone distributions over Guangdong simulated by regional air quality model POLYU ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

The research looks at both temperature and wind at the pedestrian level in the community, which is subject to the Urban Heat Island effect as determined by macro-scale city morphology and the

10 AT THE FOREFRONT OF SAFEGUARDING HEALTH 6 Computer intelligence to detect acute strokes Dr Tang Fuk-hay of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics has developed an acute stroke detection system using built-in artificial intelligence. Analyzing over 100 brain scans, the system is able to determine whether a patient has suffered an ischemic stroke or haemorrhagic stroke. Its diagnostic accuracy is 90%, as high as the accuracy of diagnoses by specialists but at a much reduced time of 3 minutes versus minutes. This system can detect subtle and minute changes in the brain and learn by experience, dramatically cutting the chances of a missed diagnosis, minimizing damage to patients within 3 hours of stroke onset, and allowing more lives to be saved. The acute stroke detection system analyses computer images of brain scans 6

Its diagnostic accuracy is 90%, as high as the accuracy of diagnoses by specialists but at a much reduced time of 3 minutes versus 10-15 minutes.

11 7 Nano-approach for remedying tendon degeneration Research by Prof. Gabriel Ng of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences involves two projects one based on animals (basic science approach) and another on humans (clinical study approach). The study with animals tested the strength of degenerative tendons after treatment by custom-made external herbal patches (some processed with nano-technology), while the study with humans examined the effect of nanomized herbal applications for treating tendon degeneration in the foot. Preliminary findings show that patients experienced a significant decrease in pain and increase in range of movement with their treated tendons after two weeks of treatment. ( ) ( ) ( ) 8 A simple and rapid method for drug abuse detection Confirmatory techniques used in drug abuse analysis require laborious and time-consuming sample preparation procedures. Dr Yao Zhongping of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology has developed a simple method that uses an ordinary wooden tip (such as a toothpick) to collect samples and reliably detect and quantify abused drugs in urine and oral fluids within minutes. Upon applying a high voltage to the wooden tip, spray ionization is induced to detect ion signals of analytes. 9 Hong Kong's first breast milk nutrient database Led by Dr Wong Man-sau of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, a research team analysed the diet nutritional characteristics and level of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the breast milk of 74 Hong Kong lactating women. The objective was to examine how daily diet affects the nutritional composition of breast milk and establish Hong Kong's first breast milk nutrient database. The results showed that the DHA level in over 80% of the subjects' breast milk met the adequate intake level recommended by the Chinese Dietary Reference Intakes, and hence, sufficient DHA was supplied to infants for normal brain and vision development. (DHA) POLYU ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

The study with animals tested the strength of degenerative tendons after treatment by custom-made external herbal patches (some processed with nano-technology), while the study with humans examined

12 Applying Chinese herbal plaster onto the injured tendon 7 Wooden toothpick to collect samples for drug abuse analysis 8 PolyU establishes Hong Kong's first breast milk nutrient database 9

13 10 Rapid authentication of edible oils and gutter oils Dr Yao Zhongping of the Food Safety and Technology Research Centre under the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology has developed a new method for the rapid authentication of edible oils and screening of gutter oils. Using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), high quality and highly reproducible MALDI-MS spectra results can be obtained and a preliminary spectral database of commonly used labelled edible oils has been set up. As different types of edible oils have different MALDI-MS spectral patterns, the authenticity of an edible oil sample can be determined within five minutes by comparing its MALDI- MS spectrum with those of its labelled oil in the established database. Since this method is capable of authenticating edible oils, it can also determine whether samples are gutter oils. 11 Probing into metalinguistic awareness and developmental dyslexia Dr Leung Man-tak of the Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies is investigating theory driven intervention for Hong Kong primary students suffering from developmental dyslexia. A virtual centre equipped with databases and standardized tests was set up for this purpose. The study has been extended to the Chinese mainland and an attempt to design an educational programme for Non-Chinese-Students learning Chinese. 12 Big data analysis for revealing gene interactions in cancer Prof. Benjamin Yung of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics is exploring pair-to-pair correlations between genes to decipher the mechanism underlying cancer. His research team has developed a big data analytics method that can analyse the co-expression of 0.2 billion gene pairs in just two days. This novel structural co-expression network analysis platform has revealed the cancer pathogenesis and its potential Nucleophosmin (NPM1)- oriented treatment strategy in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML). The platform can also be readily applied to other diseases for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic investigation POLYU ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), high quality and highly reproducible MALDI-MS spectra results can be obtained and a preliminary spectral database of

14 Application of matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry in rapid authentication of edible oils 10 Different games are designed based on children's learning stages 11 In Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, ribosomal proteins form a big network and link to Nucleophosmin In CML, ribosomal proteins form a big network and link to NPM1 CML NPM1 12

learning stages 11 In Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, ribosomal proteins form a big network

15 COLLABORATION LEADS TO RESEARCH INSIGHTS Visual perspectives of products and services affect consumer behaviour In a joint study with professors from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Tel Aviv University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Dr Jiang Yuwei of PolyU's Department of Management and Marketing found that multiple visual perspective descriptions of products and services may have a detrimental effect on consumer evaluations. The research has shown that when individuals were disposed to construct an image-based narrative representation of the use of a product or service, differences in the visual perspectives of the images made it difficult to construct mental images that, consequently, had a negative impact on evaluations of the product or service. In contrast, when individuals are simply motivated to acquire information about the product or service, pictures from different perspectives serve as references, thus enhancing their evaluations. New advances in urban sustainability In 2014/15, PolyU's Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) added four new research groups, taking the total number of research groups to 33. They are organized into five divisions: the Division of Urban Systems, Division of Urban Infrastructure, Division of Urban Environment, Division of 2014/ POLYU ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

products and services may have a detrimental effect on consumer evaluations.

16 Green Buildings, and Division of Smart Cities. During the year, RISUD initiated the following collaborative/inter-disciplinary research projects with government departments and industry to support the development of smart new towns in Hong Kong: New Ways of Development for New Towns in Hong Kong: Social-Economic-Environmental Integrative Planning Systems for Community (led by Prof. Edwin Chan) Integrated Smart Energy Systems for Smart Towns ( led by Prof. Wang Sheng-wei) Wastewater-derived Energy for Smart Towns (led by Prof. Li Xiang-dong) Integration of Communication, Positioning, and Surveillance Infrastructures for Smart New Towns (led by Prof. Chen Wu) On 26 August 2014, RISUD organized a University-Government- Industry trilateral forum to explore new town development in Hong Kong. The forum brought together senior government officials, industry practitioners and scholars who discussed topics such as planning for social-economic-environmental integration, smart infrastructure for sensing cities, pedestrianoriented mobility, self-contained environmental systems, energy efficiency and renewable energy. In 2014/15, two projects under RISUD were funded by the Innovation and Technology Fund: Development of a Hong Kong Indoor Positioning Infrastructure based on GPS Technologies (led by Prof. Ding Xiao-li and Prof. Chen Wu) Location-based Technologies for Asset Tracking and Risk Management (led by Prof. Li Heng) Two other projects were funded by the Research Grants Council Collaborative Research Fund: Development of Design Methodologies for the Improvement of Wind and Thermal Comfort in the Urban Environment (coordinated by Prof. Mak Cheuk-ming ) Heterogeneous Chemistry of Atmospheric Reactive Nitrogen Oxides: From Capability Development to Cutting-edge (coordinated by Prof. Wang Tao) /15 GPS

New Ways of Development for New Towns in Hong Kong: Social-Economic-Environmental Integrative Planning Systems for Community (led by Prof.

17 More than 280 experts, researchers and industry practitioners from 19 countries and regions gathered on 7 9 January 2015 for the Second International Conference on Sustainable Urbanization, jointly organized by RISUD and PolyU's Faculty of Construction and Environment. In addition to plenary lectures by distinguished speakers, the conference held six symposia under distinct themes: Emerging Materials and Technologies for Sustainable Infrastructure Sustainable Urban Renewal in High-Density Cities Sustainable Water in Cities Urban Data and Urban Computing Energy Saving and Renewable Energy Technologies for Buildings Second Cross-Strait Forum on Sustainable Urban Development 13 Pushing the frontiers of aviation services research During the year, the Aviation Services Research Centre (ASRC) installed new facilities and large equipment, including the 5-axis Horizontal Machining Centre, Tool Presetter, Measuring and Shrinking Machine and a Robotic Drilling System. The Phase Two workshop with an approximate area of 100m 2 is currently under renovation with a planned opening in February 2016 to accommodate shot blasting and spraying robots as well as advanced new equipment. The Centre now has a research team of over 20 members from Hong Kong and overseas with diverse research backgrounds and experience. In addition, ASRC successfully obtained Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) grants amounting to a total of HK$51M for five new projects. The two projects approved by ITF first round grant were completed in June New projects: Automation of Coating, Marking, and Recording Processes for Aircraft Components Maintenance Intelligent Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Business Management Systems Feasibility Study in Optimizing Modular Wing Docking Platform for Local MRO Surface Defect Detection and Correction of Metallic Components Rapid Manufacture of Metallic and Composite Aircraft Components 14 Completed projects: Laser Projected Drilling Templates and Robotics Drilling (More on p.100) Mechanical Refurbishment of Aviation Parts : POLYU ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

In addition to plenary lectures by distinguished speakers, the conference held six symposia under distinct themes: 2015 1 7 9 Emerging Materials and Technologies for Sustainable Infrastructure

18 Installing starrag 5-axis machine Starrag 13 Twin Robotic Drilling Cell 14

19 MAJOR AWARDS FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS POLYU ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

20 43rd International Exhibition of Inventions (Geneva, Switzerland, April 2015) ( ) Award 15 Grand Prize and Gold Medal with the Congratulations of Jury Project i.dummy: Robotic Mannequin for Fashion Design and Fitting i.dummy Principal Investigator/ Faculty/ Department Dr Allan Chan Chee-kooi, Institute of Textiles and Clothing 16 Grand Prize and Gold Medal Catalyst for Green Biodiesel Production from Unrefined Feedstock Dr Yung Ka-fu, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Special Merit Award and Gold Medal with the Congratulations of Jury Special Merit Award and Gold Medal Special Merit Award and Gold Medal Special Merit Award and Silver Medal Silver Medal Internet of Things (IoT)- based Advanced Automobile Parking Navigation System Posture Correction Girdle for Adolescents with Early Scoliosis Rehabilitation Sleeve A Functional Electrical Simulation (FES)-robotic Hybrid System O-blanket: Phototherapy Device for Neonatal Jaundice O- Adaptive Hydrotherapy Wetsuit Dr Andrew W.H. Ip, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering Dr Joanne Yip Yiu-wan, Institute of Textiles and Clothing Dr Hu Xiaoling, Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineering Prof. Tao Xiaoming, Institute of Textiles and Clothing Dr Kristina Shin, Institute of Textiles and Clothing Kristina Shin Silver Medal Silver Medal Durable, Washable and High Performance Conductive Textiles Intelligent Condition-based Key Machinery Asset Maintenance Management Platform Dr Zheng Zijian, Institute of Textiles and Clothing Prof. Eric Ngai Wai-ting, Department of Management and Marketing

dummy Principal Investigator/ Faculty/ Department Dr Allan Chan Chee-kooi, Institute of Textiles and Clothing 16 Grand Prize and Gold Medal Catalyst for Green Biodiesel Production from Unrefined

报告 1: 郑斌教授, 美国俄克拉荷马大学医学图像特征分析与癌症风险评估方法摘要 : 准确的评估癌症近期发病风险和预后或者治疗效果是发展和建立精准医学的一个重要前

报告 1: 郑斌教授, 美国俄克拉荷马大学医学图像特征分析与癌症风险评估方法摘要 : 准确的评估癌症近期发病风险和预后或者治疗效果是发展和建立精准医学的一个重要前东北大学中荷生物医学与信息工程学院 2016 年度生物医学与信息工程论坛会议时间 2016 年 6 月 8 日, 星期三,9:30 至 16:00 会议地址会议网址主办单位东北大学浑南校区沈阳市浑南区创新路 195 号生命科学大楼 B 座 619 报告厅 http://www.bmie.neu.edu.cn