https://phys.org/ en-us Latest news from Hong Kong Polytechnic University Machining, involving the precise cutting and shaping of materials, is a key manufacturing process. As industries increasingly adopt the use of high-performance materials with high strength and hardness, traditional machining methods often fall short in delivering the required precision. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-03-multi-energy-field-diamond-technology.html Engineering Mon, 30 Mar 2026 14:50:03 EDT news694100821 Loneliness has a critical impact on the mental health of citizens, particularly among the elderly. Robots capable of perceiving and responding to human emotions can serve as heart-warming companions to help lift the spirits. A research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has discovered that the combined power of music and empathetic speech in robots with artificial intelligence (AI) could foster a stronger bond between humans and machines. These findings underscore the importance of a multimodal approach in designing empathetic robots, offering significant implications for their application in health support, elder care, education and beyond. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-02-ai-powered-companionship-harnessing-music.html Robotics Fri, 06 Feb 2026 10:29:05 EST news689596081 Liver cancer is one of the three deadliest cancers worldwide, and metabolic dysfunction-related cases have become increasingly common in recent years. A research team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has identified a protein secreted by fat cells that promotes cancer growth and has successfully developed a novel antibody that neutralizes this protein, marking a significant breakthrough in impeding the progression of liver cancer. The research findings have been published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-antibody-fat-cell-protein-approach.html Oncology & Cancer Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:05:02 EST news689349842 As an emerging technology in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), graph neural networks (GNNs) are deep learning models designed to process graph-structured data. Currently, GNNs are effective at capturing relationships between nodes and edges in data, but often overlook higher-order, complex connections. To address this challenge, a research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed a new heterogeneous graph attention network, revolutionizing the modeling of complex relationships in graph-structured data. This innovation is poised to break through AI application limitations in fields such as neuroscience, logistics, computer vision and biology. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-01-graph-attention-network-higher-relationships.html Machine learning & AI Wed, 28 Jan 2026 13:20:09 EST news688827015 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. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-01-hydrogel-coating-solar-panels-boosts.html Energy & Green Tech Mon, 26 Jan 2026 11:54:20 EST news688650841 The correlation between Arctic wildfires and abnormal snow cover under global warming is of growing concern. A comprehensive quantitative assessment by researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has shown that increasingly frequent seasonal wildland fires across the Arctic in recent years have delayed snow cover formation by at least five days and could lead to a future 18-day reduction of snow cover duration, with implications for global ecosystems. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-frequent-arctic-wildfires-days-impacting.html Earth Sciences Thu, 08 Jan 2026 10:22:31 EST news687090121 Third-generation solar cell technology is advancing rapidly. An engineering research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has achieved a breakthrough in the field of perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells (TSCs), focusing on addressing challenges that include improving efficiency, stability and scalability. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-11-commercialization-energy-efficient-solar-cell.html Energy & Green Tech Mon, 10 Nov 2025 16:43:04 EST news682015382 A research team has developed an innovative parameter, FoMLUE, to evaluate the potential of photoactive materials for semi-transparent organic photovoltaics (ST-OPVs), paving the way for their widespread commercial applications. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-10-semi-transparent-solar-cells-efficiency.html Energy & Green Tech Wed, 22 Oct 2025 15:20:03 EDT news680365201 With the rise of renewable energy and electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles have attracted growing interest. Prof. Molly Mengjung Li, Assistant Professor of the Department of Applied Physics at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is dedicated to researching ammonia as a hydrogen carrier and has recently developed a highly efficient, low-cost catalyst, helping to advance the practical adoption of hydrogen vehicles. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-10-advanced-cobalt-based-catalysts-boost.html Energy & Green Tech Thu, 09 Oct 2025 11:35:04 EDT news679228501 A research team led by Prof. Ben Ko Chi-bun, Associate Professor of the PolyU Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, has discovered the critical mechanism of action of tetrandrine, a compound derived from Chinese medicine Stephania tetrandra. Their work opens the door to innovative treatments for viral infections and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. https://phys.org/news/2025-10-chinese-medicine-tetrandrine-precise-mechanism.html Cell & Microbiology Wed, 08 Oct 2025 15:20:02 EDT news679155286 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. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-09-generation-cooling-garments-aim-combat.html Engineering Thu, 18 Sep 2025 14:34:34 EDT news677424860 Hong Kong's skyline generates vast amounts of construction waste through daily demolition. While some of this waste is used for land reclamation, much still ends up in landfills. Prof. C.S. Poon, Michael Anson Professor in Civil Engineering and Distinguished Research Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, is dedicated to advancing construction waste recycling and had developed a new semi-wet carbonation technique, transforming waste into valuable building aggregates and promoting more sustainable construction practices in the city. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-09-semi-carbonation-sustainable-resources.html Engineering Thu, 11 Sep 2025 13:36:05 EDT news676816553 Soft tissue deformation during body movement has long posed a challenge to achieving optimal garment fit and comfort, particularly in sportswear and functional medical wear. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-09-precise-tissue-deformation-technique-sportswear.html Engineering Wed, 03 Sep 2025 11:57:04 EDT news676119421 The rise in global mean sea level (GMSL) is a critical indicator of climate change. Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) researchers have utilized advanced space geodetic technologies to deliver the first precise 30-year (1993–2022) record of global ocean mass change (also known as barystatic sea level), revealing its dominant role in driving GMSL rise. https://phys.org/news/2025-09-satellite-laser-ranging-technique-reveals.html Earth Sciences Mon, 01 Sep 2025 13:00:10 EDT news675949959 Globally, rapidly aging populations give rise to increasing demand for home care services. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide require care due to aging or disability. In Hong Kong, due to rising health care costs and deeply rooted cultural norms that emphasize family bonding, caregiving is often performed by family members, which imposes heavy physical and mental strain. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-survey-reveals-family-caregivers-hong.html Psychology & Psychiatry Mon, 18 Aug 2025 15:00:40 EDT news674748031 Hormones affect human physical functions, behavior and mental well-being, with testosterone, a primary androgen hormone, playing a vital role in shaping male social cognition and behavior. A research team of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has conducted interdisciplinary research to uncover the neurocognitive correlates of testosterone in the brain function of young men, and their impact on social behavior. The findings provide valuable insights into potential applications of testosterone therapy in clinical and mental health care. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-reveals-neurocognitive-testosterone-young-men.html Psychology & Psychiatry Mon, 04 Aug 2025 09:36:24 EDT news673518978 The mechanical strength and toughness of engineering materials are often mutually exclusive, posing challenges for material design and selection. To address this, a research team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has uncovered an innovative strategy: by simply twisting the layers of 2D materials, they can enhance toughness without compromising material's strength. https://phys.org/news/2025-07-2d-materials-material-strength-toughness.html Nanomaterials Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:00:01 EDT news671801132 Cardiovascular diseases are a leading health concern in Hong Kong, prompting many to undergo regular heart check-ups for their early detection and management. Echocardiography, a key diagnostic imaging tool, plays a crucial role in assessing heart function, offering non-invasive insights into cardiovascular health and aiding in timely intervention. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-temporal-noise-resilient-techniques-refined.html Cardiology Fri, 11 Jul 2025 10:36:09 EDT news671448964 While Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is evolving rapidly, AI models still struggle with understanding long videos. A research team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed a novel video-language agent, VideoMind, that enables AI models to perform long video reasoning and question-answering tasks by emulating humans' way of thinking. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-06-multi-modal-ai-agent-mimics.html Machine learning & AI Tue, 10 Jun 2025 14:11:59 EDT news668783514 The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has ushered in a new era of automated robotics that are adaptive to their environments. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-06-smart-fusion-ai-robotics-dynamic.html Robotics Mon, 09 Jun 2025 16:27:04 EDT news668705222 Ozone pollution is a global environmental concern that not only threatens human health and crop production, but also worsens global warming. While the formation of ozone is often attributed to anthropogenic pollutants, soil emissions are revealed to be another important source. https://phys.org/news/2025-05-soil-nitrous-acid-emissions-driven.html Earth Sciences Tue, 27 May 2025 10:04:04 EDT news667559041 Large language models (LLMs) are at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) and have been widely used for conversational interactions. However, assessing the personality of a given LLM remains a significant challenge. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-04-quantifies-language-personalities-linguistic-analysis.html Computer Sciences Thu, 24 Apr 2025 08:05:03 EDT news664700701 With the global prevalence of obesity on the rise, it is crucial to explore the neural mechanisms linked to obesity and its influence on brain and cognitive health. However, the impact of obesity on the brain is complex and multilevel. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-obesity-brain-morphology-cognitive-health.html Neuroscience Wed, 09 Apr 2025 12:15:03 EDT news663419701 By analyzing huge amounts of biological data, the use of machine learning accelerates the identification of critical control hubs that are sensitive to changes in the network structure of the total controllability network, thereby having potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for disease and cancer treatment. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-03-cancer-keeper-genes-disrupting-cell.html Oncology & Cancer Tue, 25 Mar 2025 14:10:22 EDT news662130614 Zeolites, crystalline materials widely used in the petrochemical industry, serve as pivotal catalysts in the production of fine chemicals, with aluminum being the source of active sites within zeolite structures. A research team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has revealed the precise location of aluminum atoms in the zeolite framework. https://phys.org/news/2025-03-aluminum-atom-zeolites-catalysts.html Analytical Chemistry Mon, 10 Mar 2025 12:18:04 EDT news660827881 Water droplets under freezing conditions do not spontaneously detach from surfaces as they do at room temperature due to stronger droplet-surface interaction and lack of an energy transformation pathway. Since accumulated droplets or ice have to be removed manually or with mechanical equipment, which is costly and inefficient, preventing droplet accretion on surfaces is both scientifically intriguing and practically important. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-01-nature-elastic-pillars-eject-droplets.html Engineering Tue, 14 Jan 2025 14:19:48 EST news656086785 Hong Kong's unique marine environment, with its rich ecosystems, provides vital habitats and food sources for various marine species. However, rapid urbanization and population growth pose significant challenges, including marine pollution, overfishing and climate change. https://phys.org/news/2024-10-impacts-microplastics-marine-ecosystems-human.html Ecology Thu, 31 Oct 2024 16:35:03 EDT news649611301 S960 steel is lighter and stronger than commonly used S355 steel, making it an effective material for bridge construction. However, the welding process can reduce its mechanical properties, limiting its applications. https://techxplore.com/news/2024-10-welding-technology-ultra-high-strength.html Engineering Mon, 28 Oct 2024 14:35:03 EDT news649344901 The advent of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked concerns about the diminishing value of traditional art forms and the potential for substitution. Nonetheless, through their fusion, they offer new avenues for conserving art and culture while also igniting interest in passing down the heritage from generation to generation. https://techxplore.com/news/2024-10-harness-generative-ai-cantonese-porcelain.html Hi Tech & Innovation Wed, 16 Oct 2024 12:19:03 EDT news648299941 Buildings account for about 90% of Hong Kong's electricity consumption and over 60% of carbon emissions. Energy conservation in buildings is crucial for achieving climate mitigation goals. Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) researchers have developed an environmentally friendly solar-driven adaptive radiative cooling (SARC) coating for building roofs and walls. https://techxplore.com/news/2024-09-carbon-dots-driven-green-cooling.html Energy & Green Tech Wed, 25 Sep 2024 03:53:34 EDT news646455208