Foreword from President

As one of the most rapidly rising universities in the world, City University of Hong Kong (CityU) is firmly maintaining its reputation as an innovative hub for addressing global issues and empowering positive change through world-class research and professional education. Our upward trend in a range of ranking exercises for higher education reflects how our achievements have been recognised globally.

To further establish our identity as a world-class university, we have newly launched a vision for the future development of CityU. Our Strategic Plan 2020–2025: World-class Research and Education serves as a roadmap for raising CityU’s levels of excellence in both research and education and in bringing benefits to the world. In particular, it identifies five interdisciplinary strategic themes – One Health, Digital Society, Smart City, Matter, and Brain – and a set of action plans.

In a highly interconnected and complex world, a single discipline is often inadequate for seeking solutions to pressing global problems. That’s why at CityU, in order to contribute to creating a better world, we foster interdisciplinary research and promote diversity in a variety of methodological approaches.

For example, around 70% of emerging infectious diseases among humans are closely related to animals. This is important to note because the current Covid-19 pandemic has emphasised strongly the importance of the One Health concept. Recognising the gap in knowledge, CityU founded the first world-class veterinary school in Asia, now named the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, through which we promote scientific research into food safety and zoonotic diseases.

In addition, the establishment of the Hong Kong Institute for Data Science highlights our vision and effort in bringing together faculty members and researchers from across disciplines to develop innovative solutions in a data-driven world. The recent launch of the state-of-the-art High-Performance Computing facility will also boost our researchers’ ability to make scientific breakthroughs across the disciplines.

Here we are proud to present CityU RESEARCH, which features insights into the groundbreaking discoveries and world-class research undertaken by our outstanding faculty members and researchers under the five strategic themes mentioned above.

By pursuing more impactful research, we will continuously contribute to making the world a better place.

Professor Way Kuo President and University Distinguished Professor City University of Hong Kong February 2021

01 Introduction from Vice-President (Research and Technology)

While Covid-19 has greatly disrupted our daily lives, it has vividly demonstrated how interdisciplinary research is urgently required if we are to solve the major problems facing the world today. In CityU RESEARCH, we are pleased to share with you recent discoveries and innovations by both faculty members and students. Their work highlights our capacity to engage in research that makes a genuine difference to people’s lives. Under the five strategic research themes, i.e. One Health, Digital Society, Smart City, Matter, and Brain, as identified in our most recent Strategic Plan, this collection spotlights our groundbreaking work.

One Health features research related to solving health-related issues, from preventing future pandemics, facilitating healthcare provision and drug development with new technologies, to protecting the marine ecological environment.

In Digital Society, we read about technological advancement for data and image analysis, fintech solutions and understanding political polarisation as well as how creative media can be merged with science, design, fintech, poetry and ethics to help us reflect on human values.

Smart City meets with teams who work on developing information technology in 6G communications and data-driven management for railway systems. We also learn about a range of sustainable innovations in energy.

Matter details breakthroughs in designing high-performance alloys, additive manufacturing and sensing technology as well as deformation behaviour in complex materials via neutron scattering.

Brain highlights the time and effort neuroscientists and biomedical engineers are investing in developing effective diagnostic tools and treatments for tackling neurodegenerative diseases.

CityU is very proud that its faculty members are committed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge by undertaking cutting-edge research. A dedicated section in this publication features scholars who are recognised for their top-level research.

In 2021, I will be working with my colleagues to support all our faculty members in their quest to pursue research excellence. I hope you enjoy discovering more about research endeavours at CityU, and I look forward to exploring collaboration opportunities with universities and research institutes around the world so that we can contribute to improving societies we live in.

Professor Michael Yang Mengsu Vice-President (Research and Technology)

02 03 Contents

OHE HEALTH BRAIN

7 One Health Approach to Prevent Another Pandemic 51 From Memory Formation to Treatment of Brain Disorders

10 Building a Quality, Efficiency-driven Healthcare Delivery System 53 New MRI Approach for Earlier Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease

12 Health Technology Ecosystem to Tackle Cardiovascular Diseases 54 Discovering the Neural Mechanisms Between Chronic Pain and Cognitive Deficits

14 Microfluidic Technology for Accelerated Screening of Anti-Cancer Drugs 56 Novel Neural Prosthetic Devices for Neurodegenerative Diseases

16 Sustainable Aquaculture Techniques to Revitalise the Marine Fish Culture Industry RESEARCHERS FEATURE

DIGITAL SOCIETY 59 Professor Yang Tong • Untangling Mathematical Theories for Kinetic Systems 19 Finding the “Real Value” of Human Values 60 Professor Johnny Ho Chung-yin 22 Intelligent Multidimensional Data Analysis for Imaging and Medical Advancement • Developing Semiconducting Nanowires for Next-generation Electronics 24 Data-driven Solutions for Fintech in Greater China and Beyond 61 Dr Lu Yang 26 Understanding Political Polarisation in the New Media Age • Pioneering Elastic Strain Engineering and Nanomechanics

62 Dr Wang Feng SMART CITY • Synthesis of Luminescent Materials 29 Building a Compact System for Terahertz Technology and 6G Communications 63 Dr Chow Kwan Ting 32 Data-driven Management for Safe and Reliable Railway Systems • Study of Rare Cells for New Cancer Immunotherapy

34 Turning Waste Heat from Air-conditioners into Electricity 64 Dr Kwok Chun-kit • Unveiling the Secrets of RNA Structures 36 More Stable and Environmentally Friendly Solar Cells 65 Dr Wang Cheng 38 Harvesting Water Droplets for Sustainable Energy • High-performance Photonic Chips for Optical Telecommunications MATTER 66 FACTS & FIGURES 41 Breakthrough in High-strength but Ductile Ordered Intermetallic Alloys

43 Scientific Advances in 2D/3D/4D Additive Manufacturing 68 RESEARCH CENTRES AND FACILITIES

46 Understanding Complex Materials through Neutron Scattering

48 Advancing Sensing and Robotic Actuation Technology

04 05 ONE HEALTH

Developing and integrating interdisciplinary, problem-based research collaboration and communication in all aspects of health-related issues, particularly those involving the complex interactions and Professor Dirk Pfeiffer and Professor Sophie St-Hilaire inter-dependencies of animal and human populations and the environment. One Health Approach to Prevent Another Pandemic

While the world is still trying to which means generating integrated regarded as a hotbed for new cope with the Covid-19 pandemic, knowledge by bringing together infectious diseases associated with Professor Dirk Pfeiffer, Chow different scientific disciplines, animal-human transmission, he Tak Fung Chair Professor of One including the social sciences,” said. These include severe acute Health at the Jockey Club College of emphasised Professor Pfeiffer, who respiratory syndrome (SARS), avian Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences is a veterinary epidemiologist and flu (H5N1 and H7N9) and the current (JCC) and Director of the Centre has provided scientific expertise Covid-19. “But why do people still for Applied One Health Research to international organisations and prefer to buy raw meat from wet and Policy Advice (OHRP), warned governments, including the markets? Is it based on a traditional that the next pandemic could be World Organisation for Animal cultural perception or fresh meat even worse. The whole world must Health and the Food and Agriculture tasting better? How can you manage learn the lessons from the current Organization of the United Nations. changes in people’s behaviour? To pandemic, and one of them is that “There are many ways to control a understand this better we need to we need to adopt the “One Health” pandemic, but a key driver is human adopt social science approaches,” approach to better manage and behaviour,” he said. he explained. ideally prevent such pandemics, and to deal more effectively with Wet market issues: With the establishment of the JCC other global human, animal and social science and the OHRP, Professor Pfeiffer environmental health issues, he said. believes CityU can contribute by perspective improving our understanding of “One Health is not just about medics what the drivers of infectious disease working together with vets and He mentioned wet markets as an emergence are and recommending virologists. It needs to be based on example. Wet markets with different interventions using the “One Health” a truly interdisciplinary approach to livestock and poultry species being approach to reduce the risk of future research and policy development, freshly slaughtered and sold are pandemics.

07 AMR: another works with farmers to develop an our collaboration with farmers during global threat understanding of each farm’s drug the past one and a half years has usage and the antimicrobial resistance shown us that it will be possible to level, so that the team’s veterinarians develop sustainable pig and poultry Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is can prescribe effective medications farming in Hong Kong without having another pressing issue that he thinks for pigs and poultry, when such to compromise the health of humans, needs to be addressed using the treatment is required. animals or the ecosystem.” “One Health” approach. The World Health Organization declared AMR In addition, Professor Sophie one of the top 10 global public health Providing clinical St-Hilaire, Professor of Aquatic threats facing humanity. The misuse services for pig, Animal Health at the JCC and a and overuse of antimicrobials, as poultry and fish farms member of the OHRP, is leading well as poor infection and disease a project to provide veterinary prevention and control in healthcare The pig and poultry veterinary teams diagnostic and disease-prevention facilities and livestock production, provide professional clinical services services for marine fish and pond fish are some of the main drivers in the for farms and take samples of culture operators in Hong Kong, with development of AMR. serology from pigs and poultry during support from the Sustainable Fisheries their regular visits. By producing Development Fund (SFDF). The fish “For both humans and animals, reports on the productivity of each team has established a pharmacy for antimicrobials should be used farm and the level of different fish farmers to purchase medications only for treating clearly identified infectious diseases, farmers can make for fish under the supervision of the bacterial diseases, but not for strategic decisions about health team’s veterinarians. They evaluated prevention,” explained Professor and production management. The the purity of antibiotics commonly Pfeiffer. “Otherwise, as drug-resistant veterinary teams provide tailor- used in fish farms in Asia and found pathogens continue to spread, we made advice to farmers in these emamectin benzoate, an insecticide, will have more and more infections areas, which can include more can be an effective alternative that are untreatable using currently effective control of temperature and treatment for reducing the level of available antibiotics. And it is ventilation, and strengthen farm sea lice in fish farms in Hong Kong. unlikely that new antibiotics will biosecurity to prevent diseases and become available in the short to other pests from entering the farms. With another round of funding from medium term.” SFDF, they are continuing to improve “Our teams are dedicated to the sustainability of the Hong Kong With support from the Sustainable improving farmers’ biosecurity aquaculture industry by increasing Agricultural Development Fund, awareness and strengthening their the fish health veterinary capacity Professor Pfeiffer is leading two animal husbandry and general farm regionally, preventing infectious research projects to improve pig and management knowledge so that disease spread, and addressing key poultry health and production in we can reduce their reliance on limitations the industry facing through Hong Kong. One of the key missions antimicrobials,” he said. “While we applied research and outreach. of these projects is to help local pig realise that it will take time to change and poultry farmers reduce the use mind-sets and behaviours, of antimicrobial drugs. The team Selected Publications

• Vergne, T., Guinat, C. & Pfeiffer, D.U. • Wada, M., Lam, C.T., Rosanowski, S., • Høg, E., Fournié, G., Hoque, M.A., 2020, “Undetected circulation of African Patanasatienkul, T., Price, D. & St-Hilaire, S. Mahmud, R., Pfeiffer, D.U. & Barnett, swine fever in wild boar, Asia”, Emerging 2020, “Development of simulation models T. 2019, “Competing biosecurity and Infectious Diseases, vol. 26, no. 10. for transmission of salmonid rickettsial risk rationalities in the Chittagong Major Awards Key Projects • Willgert, K., Meyer, A., Tung, D.X., Thu, septicaemia between salt water fish poultry commodity chain, Bangladesh”, farms in Chile”, Transboundary and BioSocieties, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 368-392. Professor Dirk Pfeiffer Professor Dirk Pfeiffer N.V., Long, P.T., Newman, S., Thuy, N.T.T., Padungtod, P., Fournié, G., Pfeiffer, D.U. & Emerging Diseases. • Kim, Y., Biswas, P.K., Giasuddin, M., Hasan, • The President’s Award 2019, CityU • Sustainable Agricultural Development Fund: Vergne, T. 2020, “Transmission of highly • Leung, K.C., Huang, Q., St-Hilaire, S., M., Mahmud, R., Chang, Y.-., Essen, - Improving Pig Health and Production in Hong Kong • Roger Morris Award for Outstanding Contribution to pathogenic avian influenza in the nomadic Liu, H., Zheng, X., Cheung, K.B. & S., Samad, M.A., Lewis, N.S., Brown, Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics 2018 - Improving Poultry Health and Production in Hong Kong free-grazing duck production system in Viet Zwetsloot, I.M. 2020, “Fraudulent I.H., Moyen, N., Hoque, M.A., Debnath, • Research Matching Grant Scheme: Applied Food Safety and Nam”, Scientific Reports, vol. 10, no. 1. antibiotic products on the market for N.C., Pfeiffer, D.U. & Fournié, G. 2018, Quality Research • Dixon, L.K., Stahl, K., Jori, F., Vial, L. & aquaculture use”, Preventive Veterinary “Prevalence of avian influenza A(H5) Medicine, vol. 181. and A(H9) viruses in live bird markets, Professor Sophie St-Hilaire Pfeiffer, D.U. 2020, “African swine fever epidemiology and control”, Annual Review • Vergne, T., Meyer, A., Long, P.T., Elkholly, Bangladesh”, Emerging Infectious Diseases, • Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund: of Animal Biosciences, vol. 8, pp. 221-246. D.A., Inui, K., Padungtod, P., Newman, vol. 24, no. 12, pp. 2309-2316. - Improving Fish Health and Production in Hong Kong S.H., Fournié, G. & Pfeiffer, D.U. 2019, - Improving Fish Health and Production in Hong Kong in 2020 “Optimising the detectability of H5N1 and H5N6 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in Vietnamese live-bird markets”, Scientific Reports, vol. 9, no. 1.

08 09 and affordable post-discharge care to prepare the planning and provision of nursing teams and care coordinators, “Our ultimate goal is to develop a portfolios in the community; patient transport services to cope with who will be equipped with case comprehensive solution that can Building a Quality, service demand in the next 10 years. management skills and health- provide sustainable and affordable ii) developed machine-learning coaching qualifications. holistic home-based care to help models to predict the onset of “The completion of the TRS project individual older people live with Efficiency-driven critical chronic diseases, including is just the start of a new phase of The localised model will be tech- dignity, despite the gradual deterioration heart failure, mitral regurgitation, healthcare management research enabled, with an IT platform for of their body functions,” said acute myocardial infarction and in Hong Kong,” said Professor care coordination and integration, Professor Chen. He added that with Healthcare Delivery dementia, and to conduct suicide Chen. “With these AI-driven service and portable and mobile app-based modifications, their AI and data and depression risk assessments; innovations for community care, solutions to facilitate home-based analytics tools could be applied System iii) developed advanced machine- we can help expand the capacity care, such as telemedicine and an outside Hong Kong. learning models to predict future of our primary care resources electronic pillbox. high-cost patients, such as those and better utilise them to provide with chronic obstructive pulmonary coordinated care for older people disease or infectious diseases; and deploy community nurses in the neighbourhood.” iv) applied algorithms for predicting Key Projects the re-hospitalisation of discharged • Theme-based Research Scheme: Delivering 21st Century Healthcare in Hong Kong – patients to reduce emergency Homecare to promote Building a Quality-and-Efficiency Driven System department admissions, compare ageing with dignity • BOCHK Centenary Charity Programme: HomAge: Home-based Aging for public-private partnership (PPP) Transformative Community Care subsidy schemes to reduce A team comprising faculty members • Public Policy Research Funding Scheme: Development of a Longitudinal Database on Adult Development and Aging waiting time for public healthcare from the College of Business and services, and analyse and allocate the JCSPHPC is currently working hospital resources; towards transforming the existing ecology of institutional elderly care v) designed a personalised telehealth and centre-based health management monitoring system for community- to the actualisation of ageing-in-place dwelling older people, utilising with sufficient support from quality sensor technology to monitor their The CityU research team provides infection-control education and distributes anti-epidemic items, homecare, to fulfil the desire of older such as masks and hand sanitizers, to older people with poor social support, who were identified health, including general wellness, people to live at home rather than in during the team’s comprehensive geriatric assessment in collaboration with NGOs. blood pressure, gait and balance, a nursing home. for comprehensive evaluation Given the rapidly ageing population Kong, they focused on two areas: of health conditions and fall risk Through piloting a world-renowned and an overstretched public healthcare improving public hospital resources prediction; and innovative community nursing system in Hong Kong, a CityU-led management to maximise limited vi) proposed a general framework model - Buurtzorg - in Hong Kong, interdisciplinary team comprised of resources and cope with increasing for health system monitoring and the team led by CityU is exploring experts from various institutions has demand; and providing better management, covering continuous a PPP home-based care scheme offered a new perspective on healthcare integrated community elderly care surveillance, analysis, and prototype in collaboration with local system monitoring and management to enhance their self-management interpretation of related data. non-governmental organisations Co-Principal Investigators and collaborators from CityU and CUHK: (front row, from second left) Professor Yan Houmin, Professor Fung Hong (advisor, CUHK), Professor Frank Chen Youhua and in a big data environment. skills and minimise the need for (NGOs) and an acute hospital, with Professor Tsui Kwok-leung from CityU; (second row, second right) Professor Yeoh Eng-kiong and hospitalisation. The AI and data analytics tools the introduction of self-steering (third row, second right) Professor Eliza Wong Lai-yi from CUHK. The Theme-based Research Scheme developed in the project can have an (TRS) project, led by Professor Frank Healthcare data additional social impact. For instance, Chen Youhua, Dean of the College of analytics and AI by applying their newly developed Business and Chair Professor of algorithms to the Hong Kong-wide Management Sciences at CityU, was With the use of data analytics and Electronic Health Records, made undertaken by a strong collaborative Selected Publications artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, accessible by the Hospital Authority Data team made up of researchers from the team processed vast amounts Collaboration Lab, the team was able to • Lin, S., Zhang, Q., Chen, F., Luo, L., • Wang, H., Zhao, Y., Yu, L., Liu, J., • Xu, Z., Zhang, Q., Li, W., Li, M. & Yip, CityU’s Department of Management Chen, L. & Zhang, W. 2019, “Smooth Zwetsloot, I.M., Cabrera, J. & Tsui, P.S.F. 2019, “Individualized prediction of data collected from healthcare characterise district-specific profiles of Sciences, School of Data Science and high-risk residents and their secondary Bayesian network model for the prediction K.L. 2020, “A personalized health of depressive disorder in the elderly: delivery and management systems. of future high-cost patients with COPD”, monitoring system for community-dwelling A multitask deep learning approach”, College of Engineering, as well as the They achieved tremendous results, and tertiary prevention needs. With International Journal of Medical Informatics, elderly people in Hong Kong: Design, International Journal of Medical Informatics, Jockey Club School of Public Health and including over 115 articles published further development, these tools can be vol. 126, pp. 147-155. implementation, and evaluation study”, vol. 132. Primary Care (JCSPHPC) of the Chinese Journal of Medical Internet Research, in reputable, refereed journals and the used for service planning for upcoming • Zhou, J., Wang, X., Lee, S., Wu, W.K.K., • Zhu, H., Chen, Y., Leung, E. & Liu, X. University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Cheung, B.M.Y., Zhang, Q. & Tse, G., vol. 22, no. 9. 2018, “Outpatient appointment scheduling following research output: District Health Centres in Hong Kong. Also, the CityU team, led by 2020, “Proton pump inhibitor or famotidine • Tsui, K.L., Zhao, Y. & Wang, D. 2019, with unpunctual patients”, International use and severe COVID-19 disease: A To develop a quality, efficiency-driven “Big data opportunities: System health Journal of Production Research, vol. 56, i) identified target elderly patient Professor David Li Yanzhi, has been propensity score-matched territory-wide monitoring and management”, IEEE Access, no. 5, pp. 1982-2002. healthcare delivery system in Hong segments for the most effective commissioned by the Hospital Authority study”, Gut, (in press). vol. 7, pp. 68853-68867.

10 11 To enhance the screening of at-risk the Harvard Medical School, which to predict symptom escalation for patients, they are also investigating published a joint study on how intervention as early as possible. Health Technology new imaging technologies for more mobile health technologies can help precise evaluation of vulnerable plaque. mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 “To mitigate and control diseases Ecosystem to Tackle pandemic. The task force identified effectively, whether it is Covid-19 Given the complex medical data technologies that could be deployed or CVDs, there is an urgent need collected from these monitoring in response to the Covid-19 pandemic to develop an innovative health Cardiovascular devices and screening tools, a system and would likely be suitable for management system that can is needed to put them together for future pandemics. They found that integrate different health technologies, analysis and evaluation. Therefore, wearable-based mobile health such as wearable health monitoring Diseases the team is designing an AI-based technologies are viable options for devices, biosensors, medical imaging platform for integrating all the monitoring Covid-19 patients who are and AI. This will enable early CVD markers for early prediction instructed to self-quarantine at home prediction and detection, as well as Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the There are a variety of heart and blood and diagnosis of acute CVDs. They or who have mild symptoms and early diagnosis and intervention, for world’s leading killer. To address vessel disorders, including coronary are also developing a closed-loop undergo monitoring in community disease prevention and management,” this health challenge, Professor heart disease, rheumatic heart drug-delivery device based on treatment facilities. They can be used said Professor Zhang. Zhang Yuanting, Chair Professor disease, stroke and vascular dementia. wearable technologies for vascular of Biomedical Engineering at CityU, They have remained the major causes intervention and therapy to provide is leading a health engineering team of morbidity and mortality globally in timely treatment for acute CVD to develop ground-breaking health the past 15 years, and it is estimated patients. In the long run, Professor technologies, from wearable sensing that the increasing trend of CVDs identify such at-risk patients before Zhang hopes to build an integrated Professor Zhang Yuanting devices to artificial-intelligence will continue. the tragedy happens, so it is difficult system of health technology for (AI)-based early diagnostic and to provide prevention or medical effective disease prevention and monitoring systems. His long-term “Despite major advances in the treatment in a timely manner.” therapy in Hong Kong and the goal is to establish an innovative treatment of CVDs, a large number Greater China region. health technology system for effective of patients appear to be healthy Wearable sensing Major Awards disease prevention and therapy in but suddenly die without any prior devices for disease International joint Hong Kong and beyond. symptoms. A major cause of this study on mobile • IAMBE Fellow sudden death is the rupture of monitoring • IEEE Fellow According to the World Health vulnerable plaque in an artery, blocking health tech • AIMBE Fellow Organization, cardiovascular diseases, the blood flow and leading to heart Professor Zhang’s research focuses Earlier, Professor Zhang participated including strokes, are the number one attack or stroke,” explained Professor cover cardiovascular health in a 60-person expert task force cause of death globally, claiming an Zhang. “However, there are insufficient engineering, as well as unobtrusive organised and led by a team from estimated 17.9 million lives every year. screening and diagnostic methods to sensing and wearable devices. Together with collaborators from top universities and research institutes, his team is working on different studies to address the major gaps in early diagnosis and condition management of CVDs. Selected Publications

In particular, they are working on • Ding, X., Clifton, D., JI, N., Lovell, N.H., • Yang, G., Pang, Z., Rahmani, A.M., Dong, G., Greenberg, M.S., Hoyt, R.W., Jovanov, the development of wearable, Bonato, P., Chen, W., Yu, X., Xue, Z., M., Zhang, Y., Deen, M.J. & Lovell, E., Kanzler, C.M., Katabi, D., Kernan, M., soft sensing devices, made of Xiang, T., Long, X., Xu, K., Jiang, X., N. 2020, “Guest editorial: Enabling Kigin, C., Lee, S.I., Leonhardt, S., Lovell, Wang, Q., Yin, B., Feng, G. & Zhang, Y. technologies in health engineering and N.H., Mantilla, J., McCoy, T.H., Luo, N.M., flexible and stretchable materials, 2020, “Wearable sensing and telehealth informatics for the new revolution of Miller, G.A., Moore, J., O’Keeffe, D., Palmer, together with a system that can technology with potential applications in healthcare 4.0”, IEEE Journal of Biomedical J., Parisi, F., Patel, S., Po, J., Pugliese, B.L., monitor cardiovascular condition the coronavirus pandemic”, IEEE Reviews in and Health Informatics, vol. 24, no. 9, pp. Quatieri, T., Rahman, T., Ramasarma, N., and associated risks based on Biomedical Engineering, (in press). 2442-2443. Rogers, J.A., Ruiz-Esparza, G.U., Sapienza, S., Schiurring, G., Schwamm, L., Shafiee, physiological models. • Zhang, G., Mei, Z., Zhang, Y., Ma, X., • Liu, Y., Zhao, L., Avila, R., Yiu, C., Wong, Lo, B., Chen, D. & Zhang, Y. 2020, T., Chan, Y., Yao, K., Li, D., Zhang, Y., H., Kelly Silacci, S., Sims, N.M., Talkar, T., “A noninvasive blood glucose monitoring Li, W., Xie, Z. & Yu, X. 2020, “Epidermal Tharion, W.J., Toombs, J.A., Uschnig, C., They are developing affordable system based on smartphone PPG signal electronics for respiration monitoring via Vergara-Diaz, G.P., Wacnik, P., Wang, M.D., biomedical devices that are highly processing and machine learning”, IEEE thermo-sensitive measuring”, Materials Welch, J., Williamson, L., Zafonte, R., Zai, A., Zhang, Y., Tearney, G.J., Ahmad, R., sensitive to CVD-related biomarkers, Transactions on Industrial Informatics, vol. Today Physics, vol. 13. 16, no. 11, pp. 7209-7218. Walt, D.R. and Bonato, P. 2020, “Can so that more people can have access • Adans-Dester, C.P., Bamberg, S., Bertacchi, mHealth technology help mitigate the • Bonato, P., Chen, Y., Chen, F. & Zhang, Y. F.P., Caulfield, B., Chappie, K., Demarchi, effects of the COVID-19 pandemic?” IEEE to this useful technology for CVD 2020, “Guest editorial: Flexible sensing and D., Erb, M.K., Estrada, J., Fabara, E.E., Open Journal of Engineering in Medicine prevention. “These wearable devices medical imaging for cerebro-cardiovascular Application scenarios of wearable devices, unobtrusive sensors and tele-health systems during Freni, M., Friedl, K.E., Ghaffari, R., Gill, and Biology, vol. 1, pp. 243–248. pandemics. (X. -R. Ding et al., “Wearable Sensing and Telehealth Technology with Potential Applications in the can help us identify the CVD risks as health”, IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Coronavirus Pandemic,” in IEEE Reviews in Biomedical Engineering, doi: 10.1109/RBME.2020.2992838.) early as possible,” he said. Health Informatics, vol. 24, no. 11, pp. 3189-3190.

12 13 that can mimic the physiological and Sensitive detection of a CityU spin-off company, which was Microfluidic Technology pathological microenvironments for cancer cells co-founded in 2018 by PhD students cell-based assays. That will facilitate who graduated from Professor Yang’s the simulation of in-vivo conditions laboratory. The technology has been Previously, Professor Yang and his of cell growth, communication and developed into products for disease for Accelerated Screening team developed a microfluidic chip migration for high-throughput, high- detection and diagnosis in hospitals which can be used for highly content screening of drugs that target and clinical laboratories. For example, sensitive multiplex detection of of Anti-Cancer Drugs and affect cell-cell interactions. it is used for accurate identification of gene mutations and pathogens tumour cells circulating in the blood, on barcoded microbead arrays The platform will integrate multiple enabling early screening for cancer integrated with nanoparticle-based New medicines can save and parallel channels and docking cells through blood tests. signal amplification. Detecting improve lives, but drug discovery structures for high-throughput gene mutations helps identify drug is an extremely long and expensive formation of cell and particle arrays Professor Yang has already turned targets for precise medicine, and process. One of the top scientists at by fluid dynamic control. The specially several research projects into clinical identifying pathogens contributes CityU is developing an integrated designed microfluidic chip enables applications, including the previously to early diagnosis and treatment of system based on his internationally tumour cell and spheroid arrays to developed DNA chip technology for infectious diseases. recognised, award-winning biochip be formed for screening anti-cancer the early detection of cervical cancer. technology, with the aim of providing drugs with different concentration “By translating new discoveries and This patented technology won a novel drug-screening tool with gradients and combinations. It can findings generated in our laboratories Professor Yang and his team the greatly reduced drug development test the effectiveness of currently into innovative technologies and Gold Medal at the 47th International time and cost. Professor Michael Yang Mengsu available treatments, and identify products for clinical applications, we Exhibition of Inventions Geneva in the most efficient drugs and hope to contribute to improving the Switzerland. It has been licensed to Professor Michael Yang optimal dosage. health and wellbeing of the people,” and high-content screening (HCS). throughput, slow speed, and a lack Cellomics International Limited, Mengsu, Yeung Kin Man Chair HTS enables the screening of millions of microenvironments to accurately said Professor Yang. Professor of Biomedical Sciences of chemicals for their biological or reflect the effects of a compound on and Vice-President (Research pharmacological activity to identify cellular behaviour. For efficient and and Technology), has focused active compounds, which serves cost-effective screening of potential on the study of the biological as a starting point for drug design drug candidates, there is great Key Projects Major Awards processes involved in cancer, and development. HCS allows the demand for new high-throughput, • Research Impact Fund: Development of an Integrated • Gold Medal, 47th International Exhibition of Inventions and the development of biochip evaluation of biochemical and high-content platforms, which reduce Microfluidics System for Multi-level High Content Screening of Geneva, 2019 technology and nanotechnology morphological parameters in intact reagent consumption and mimic the Anti-tumor Drugs • Wuxi AppTech Life Science and Chemistry Award, 2016 for molecular diagnostics and cell-based biological systems, which is in-vivo environment to which cells • Innovation and Technology Fund – Public Sector Trial Scheme: therapeutic applications, with the complementary technology to HTS. are exposed. • Natural Science Award, Ministry of Education, 2015 Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Virus Using Isothermal Nucleic aim of improving people’s lives by Acid Lateral Flow Assay (IsoNALFA) converting high-quality research into Despite their wide applications, both Combining the strengths of HTS • General Research Fund: Development of an Integrated Microfluidic-Based System for Single Cell Mutation Analysis and clinical applications. The Research technologies have drawbacks: HTS and HCS, the research team led by Drug Sensitivity Test of Circulating Tumor Cells/Cell Clusters Impact Fund project conducted is expensive, requiring heavy use of Professor Yang has been developing under his leadership is working on reagents, and HCS suffers from low an integrated microfluidics platform a microfluidics-based technology platform for efficient screening of potential drug candidates.

Efficient screening of Selected Publications & Patent

drug candidates • Liu, D., Hong, Y., Li, Y., Hu, C., Yip, T.-C., • Xu, T., Fu, H., Li, Y., Chen, X., Cheuk, W., • Yu, W.-K., Wang, Z., Fong, C.-C., Liu, D., Yu, W.-K., Zhu, Y., Fong, C.-C., Wang, Li, C.-W., Zou, H., Yue, W., Au, S.-K., Yip, T.-C., Au, S.-K., Zhu, G. & Yang, M. “Drug screening is the first step W., Au, S.-K., Wang, S. & Yang, M. Wang, Y. & Yang, M. 2019, “Single cell 2017, “Chemoresistant lung cancer stem 2020, “Targeted destruction of cancer target gene mutation analysis by arc-edge- cells display high DNA repair capability to in the long process of drug stem cells using multifunctional magnetic channel monolithic valve microfluidic cell remove cisplatin-induced DNA damage”, development,” explained Professor nanoparticles that enable combined isolation and locked nucleic acid-based British Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 174, Yang. “It identifies lead compounds hyperthermia and chemotherapy”, PCR detection”, Sensors and Actuators, no. 4, pp. 302-313. and eliminates false candidates Theranostics, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 1181-1196. B: Chemical, vol. 293, pp. 224-234. • Yang, M. & Liu, D., “Nanoparticle from thousands to millions of • Kan, T., Wang, W., Ip, P.P., Zhou, S., • Li, H., Liu, P., Kaur, G., Yao, X. & Yang, M. composition for use in targeting cancer Wong, A.S., Wang, X. & Yang, M. 2020, 2017, “Transparent and gas-permeable stem cells and method for treatment of compounds, which is critical in the “Single-cell EMT-related transcriptional liquid marbles for culturing and drug cancer”, US patent US10,682,421B2, subsequent steps.” analysis revealed intra-cluster heterogeneity sensitivity test of tumor spheroids”, granted 2020. of tumor cell clusters in epithelial ovarian Advanced Healthcare Materials, vol. 6, Two commonly used technologies cancer ascites”, Oncogene, vol. 39, no. 21, no. 13. Microfluidics array technology with nano-amplification for drug screening and molecular diagnosis, pp. 4227-4240. are high-throughput screening (HTS) developed by a research team led by Professor Yang.

14 15 significantly reduces pollution caused To support marine water quality set of interim WQC for 21 chemicals by traditional fish feed and improves management in the Greater China of emerging concern to help protect Sustainable Aquaculture both feed efficiency and fish health. region and beyond, SKLMP also marine ecosystems in the Greater Bay endeavours to scientifically derive Area of China. Professor Leung has Techniques to Revitalise the “This project is a very good example water quality criteria (WQC) for also helped the international Nickel of the One Health concept, how chemical contaminants that represent Producers Environmental Research we can achieve optimal health for safe environmental concentrations at Association (NiPERA) generate toxicity Marine Fish Culture Industry humans, animals and the ecosystem or below which the marine ecosystem data with tropical marine organisms with technologies and innovations,” is safeguarded. For instance, Professors and derive the WQC of nickel for the said Professor Paul Lam Kwan-sing, Lam and Leung recently established a Southeast Asia and Melanesia regions. Jeanie Hu Professor of Science, To protect the marine ecological referred to as “red tides”, which Department, the team from the Chair Professor in the Department environment and facilitate the cause oxygen depletion in seawater State Key Laboratory of Marine of Chemistry and SKLMP member, sustainable development of the and the death of farmed fish. Toxic Pollution (SKLMP) at CityU worked on who led the study. The team plans to marine economy in Hong Kong, algal blooms spreading across developing better culture techniques demonstrate these techniques to local a CityU-led marine research team Hong Kong waters in 1998 and for raising the juveniles of fish like fish farmers and supply healthy fish has developed a new aquaculture 2015 resulted in massive fish kills the giant grouper (Epinephelus fry to them. The “fish fry chamber” technique by establishing a floating, and economic losses. The seasonal lanceolatus) with the use of a concept can be adopted in any fish indoor weatherproof fish farm with a occurrence of parasites, followed by seawater recirculating system, housed culture zone in Hong Kong and other seawater recirculating system to replace microbial infections, also put stress on inside a floating fish farm. There are places in Asia. conventional fish rafts. The promising cultured fish. Juveniles (i.e. fish fry) are three main decks inside this floating results, including increased productivity particularly vulnerable. fish farm: the lowest deck houses a Established in 2009, the SKLMP is a and improved food safety, will complex water-filtration system, and consortium of seven universities, with Fish tanks are supplied contribute to supporting the livelihood the other two are “fish fry chambers”, with filtered and sterilised Addressing the threat CityU the leading institute. “Capitalising of fish farmers and revitalising the local which consist of tanks for raising seawater inside the fish of red tides on a multi-disciplinary team and its fry chamber. marine culture industry. fish fry. The new techniques have collective expertise, we strive to protect demonstrated encouraging results by These incidents have discouraged the marine environment of Hong Kong Hong Kong’s traditional marine reducing the chance of microbial and local fish farmers from investing in and southern China by identifying aquaculture industry, which provides parasitic infections, as well as the use cultivating fish fry. Many fish rafts major threats, such as harmful algal about 5% of local demand for live of antibiotics. were abandoned or their operators blooms and contaminants of emerging Key Projects marine fish, relies on good seawater were forced to switch their usage to environmental concern, and developing quality in designated fish culture A batch of giant grouper fry, which the • Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund: Establishment and Demonstration recreational activities. tools, technologies and policies of Recirculation Aquaculture System for Fry Culture on Rafts zones and their surroundings. One research team has reared in the fish to address these problems,” said • Theme-based Research Scheme: Assess Antibiotic Resistome Flows from main challenge faced in recent years Supported by Sustainable Fisheries fry chamber for three months since Professor Kenneth Leung Mei-yee, Pollution Hot-spots to Environments and Explore the Control Strategies is the frequency and occurrence of Development Fund from the August 2020, has a survival rate of Director of the SKLMP. “We look • Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai): harmful algal blooms, commonly Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation nearly 100%. No apparent microbial Coastal Changes and Material Transports in the South China Sea forward to more collaboration or parasitic infections have been • CityU’s Start-up Fund: Global Estuaries Monitoring (GEM): Occurrence and with different institutions and recorded. This represents a remarkable Environmental Risks of Pharmaceuticals in the Major Estuaries Around the World laboratories, as well as the industry, improvement compared to what is to tackle the complex environmental commonly seen in open-sea-cage challenges together.” fish rafts without a seawater filtration system, with 30% or above mortality of newly imported fish fry.

In addition, the issue of antimicrobial resistance can be mitigated. Fish Selected Publications cultured under these conditions are • Lee, J.H.W., Guo, J.H., Chan, T.S.N., Choi, • Gissi, F., Wang, Z., Batley, G.E., Leung, • Leung, K.M.Y. , Yeung, K.W.Y., You, J., safer for human consumption, as less D.K.W., Wang, W.P. & Leung, K.M.Y. K.M.Y. , Schlekat, C.E., Garman, E.R. & Choi, K., Zhang, X., Smith, R., Zhou, G.-J., or even no medical treatment such as 2020, “Real time forecasting and automatic Stauber, J.L. 2020, “Deriving a chronic Yung, M.M.N., Arias-Barreiro, C., An, species classification of harmful algal blooms guideline value for nickel in tropical and Y.-J., Burket, S.R., Dwyer, R., Goodkin, N., antibiotics is needed. (HAB) for fisheries management”, Hydrolink, temperate marine waters”, Environmental Hii, Y.S., Hoang, T., Humphrey, C., Iwai, vol. 4, pp. 109-113. Toxicology and Chemistry, vol. 39, no. 12, C.B., Jeong, S.-W., Juhel, G., Karami, A., Improvement in fish pp. 2540-2551. Kyriazi-Huber, K., Lee, K.-C., Lin, B.-L., Lu, • Farzana, S., Ruan, Y., Wang, Q., Wu, R., B., Martin, P., Nillos, M.G., Oginawati, K., and marine health Kai, Z., Meng, Y., Leung, K.M.Y. & Lam, • Wang, Z., Yeung, K.W.Y., Zhou, G.-J., Rathnayake, I.V.N., Risjani, Y., Shoeb, M., P.K.S. 2020, “Developing interim water Yung, M.M.N., Schlekat, C.E., Garman, Tan, C.H., Tsuchiya, M.C., Ankley, G.T., quality criteria for emerging chemicals of E.R., Gissi, F., Stauber, J.L., Middleton, The productivity of fish rafts has also Boxall, A.B.A., Rudd, M.A. & Brooks, B.W. concern for protecting marine life in the E.T., Lin Wang, Y.Y. & Leung, K.M.Y. 2020, “Toward sustainable environmental increased with the use of new fish Greater Bay Area of South China”, Marine 2020, “Acute and chronic toxicity of quality: Priority research questions for Pollution Bulletin, vol. 161. Professor Kenneth Leung Mei-yee (left) and Professor Paul Lam Kwan-sing in front of the newly feed. Instead of using trash fish, the nickel on freshwater and marine tropical Asia”, Environmental Toxicology and established indoor floating fish farm (the green structure) in the fish culture zone of Lamma Island. team uses only dry pellet feed, which aquatic organisms”, Ecotoxicology and Chemistry, vol. 39, no. 8, pp. 1485-1505. Environmental Safety, vol. 206.

16 17 DIGITAL SOCIETY

Developing digital innovations for daily life and a thorough understanding of the relationship between digital advancement and society.

Professor Maurice Benayoun (first row, second from left), Dr Tobias Klein (first row, first from left) and the Neuro-Design Lab team members. Finding the “Real Value” of Human Values

With the advancement of information Professor Benayoun and CityU. As design”, from shaping abstractions and communication technologies, one of the two projects funded by to shaping objects and architecture. digitalisation has permeated our daily the Research Grants Council (RGC) lives. We can easily quantify many under the EU-HK Research and Neuro design and the different things, but how about Innovation Cooperation Co-funding Brain Factory abstractions like love, peace, respect, Mechanism, the MindSpaces HK and other human values? Professor project is an extension of this, using “Neuro design is the idea to use Maurice Benayoun, in the School the same technologies, like artificial brain to control the evolution of Creative Media (SCM) and a intelligence (AI), machine learning and of shapes and forms,” said renowned artist, theorist and curator Brain-to-Computer Interface (BCI), to Professor Benayoun. With in media art, has been working on the create individual and collective “neuro external contributions from the “MindSpaces HK - Responsive Neuro- design for Urbanism, Architecture and Interior Design” project with interactive exhibitions to consider social, innovation and technology challenges in a different way.

MindSpaces is a big project funded by the European Union (EU) to improve the design process in indoor and outdoor environments through participatory design, involving multisensory measurements of

individuals’ responses. Started in © Neuro-Design Lab Europe, it has formed a consortium of 12 partners worldwide, including Visitors are invited to produce various shapes based on different abstractions at the exhibitions.

19 MindSpaces consortium partners and as “reification”, meaning converting generate shapes in a different way, neuroscience support from Dr Rosa thoughts into objects. using a huge database of architectural Chan Ho-man, Professor Sir Colin history, AI and machine learning, and Blakemore and Professor Bruce In collaboration with a CityU alumnus see how people react. Ransom from CityU as advisors, Dr Nicolas Mendoza, they went he worked with Dr Tobias Klein, one step further, creating the Value Also, as part of the MindSpaces Associate Professor in the SCM of Values project to help people project, he is working with famous and the team at the Neuro-Design understand human values better “by American-Turkish artist Refik Anadol Lab, part of the CityU Centre for giving shapes to values”. Instead of on “DïaloG” to reflect on the difficulty Applied Computing and Interactive receiving a 3D-printed shape, this time of building mutual understanding Media (ACIM) lab and developed the visitors got a “Value of Values” beyond social and cultural differences. a technology called a “Brain to (VoV) token in their digital wallet and This is an urban art installation project Shape” machine, based on Brain- owned the shapes registered on a in which each of them is developing a Computer Interaction. It can get blockchain. The shapes are converted “living entity”. “These two artworks electroencephalography (EEG) into “VoV” tokens, so that people can will be like aliens, strangers or information from the users’ brains, barter or sell the “values”. “On this immigrants landed in a city that they which helps them figure out how the blockchain trading platform, we can don’t know. They will need to learn users react to the shapes they see. see what the transaction and ranking how to understand each other. And of values is for different human values they will be affected by the reactions To calibrate the system accurately, the across various individual cultural of the people around them,” Professor team started with the most difficult backgrounds and countries,” said Benayoun explained. At Ars Electronica things to design - abstractions, Professor Benayoun. Festival 2020, a major global media like space, power and love. They art festival, they presented the “baby created the Brain Factory project and Trading human values aliens” for the first time before they exhibitions, in which they invited on blockchain were fully grown. They will meet face exhibition visitors to produce various to face later. shapes based on different abstractions. Based on the transactions, a series of © Neuro-Design Lab “So this global project is very The EEG headsets monitored the ethical statements were automatically complex,” said Professor Benayoun. visitors’ brain waves, and the produced generated, creating “Transactional Value of Values at Digital Art Festival 2019 in Taipei. “We develop technological tools to electrical signals contributed to the Poetry”. “If you give love for peace, make 3D design, to design objects, assessment and the evolution of the or if you give money for sex, it says to design architecture, and to give 3D shapes on a screen. different things. This is what we called shape to human thoughts. We an ‘ethical statement’,” he said. “A Major Awards Key Projects The shapes, which look like liquid make artworks with a high level of collection of VoV tokens also reflects in motion or dancing flames, were engagement in society, going beyond • Novum Design Award, Golden Interior Design Award • EU-HK Research and Innovation Cooperation Co-funding the collectors’ priorities in their life.” then converted using 3D printing into aesthetics, into the fields of ethics, • ACIM SCM-CityU Research Fellowship Mechanism by RGC 2018/19: MindSpaces HK – Responsive Neuro-design for Urbanism, Architecture and Interior Design actual objects for distributing to the Professor Benayoun and his team finance, neuroscience and social (Other CityU project members include: Professor Lu Jian, visitors, or sculptures for displaying are working on the next step of the awareness. This may allow us to have Dr Rosa Chan Ho-man and Dr Tobias Klein) in exhibitions. Professor Benayoun project by adapting the technologies a better understanding of the real • HORIZON 2020 S+T+Arts Lighthouse EU Collaborative Research described this materialisation process to architectural design. They will value of human values.” Programme 2019-2021

“Reification”, converting thoughts into objects through 3D printing.

“ By developing technological tools to let people give shape to thoughts, we make artworks with Highlights of Participation in International Exhibitions a high level of engagement in society. This may allow us to have a better understanding of the real • Ars Electronica Festival 2020, Hong Kong, • International Symposium of Electronic Arts • Microwave Festival, (Exhibition & Conference), value of human values. September 2020: (ISEA) 2020, “After the Tunnel, the Shifting Hong Kong, 2018 “ – Professor Maurice Benayoun - “Refik Anadol & Maurice Benayoun’s Ontology and Ethology of the Emerging • “Why the Future Still Needs Us” Exhibition, Dialogue about DïaloG” (opening talk) Art-subject” (paper & lecture), Montreal, Brisbane, 2017, and Art Center Nabi, October 2020 - “DïaloG: Alien Life in the Telescope” (live Seoul, 2017 performance & streaming) • Ars Electronica Festival 2019, “Value of Values by the Brain Factory”, Linz, Austria, - “Speculative Speculations on Art and 6 September 2019 Values. How Linking the Brain to the Blockchain Reveals the Value of Human • ISEA 2019 Special Exhibition, Lux Aeterna, Values” (lecture) “Value of Values”, Gwangju, June - July 2019 Video: Value of Values, • Digital Art Festival 2019, MoCA Taipei, Transactional Art on the © Neuro-Design Lab October 2019 Blockchain

20 21 conventional machine learning and Working with medical doctors at In addition to contributing to medical Professor Yan and his team will Intelligent pattern recognition methods classify Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong, advancement, Professor Yan has continue to work on tensor and objects according to their features, Professor Yan’s team analysed all used tensor models to tackle other hypergraph theories with the aim their new approach can classify both known EGFR mutants and created problems in science and engineering. of developing robust computer Multidimensional objects and features. a database of their 3D structures. One discovery involves detecting algorithms and parallel processor- The innovative methods proposed objects in images and tracking motion based hardware and software, and “For example, a group of genes will help researchers understand the in videos, which does not require applying them to many more real- Data Analysis for may be co-regulated under a group mechanisms of drug resistance and prior training and represents a major world systems for image, video and of conditions. These genes and help doctors plan optimal personalised improvement over commonly used biomedical data analysis. conditions form co-clusters. If there treatment for cancer patients. classifier-based systems. Imaging and Medical are many genes and conditions, the computational time will increase Advancement exponentially,” he said. “But our group Throughout history, many major has solved this problem using tensor “technological breakthroughs have relied on methods. Our new method enables the fundamental theories. For example, information simultaneous detection of several types theory was the key to the development of As the mechanisms of biomolecular New theories for of co-clusters, which can even overlap modern digital communications systems. interactions, which are the key to in the data.” finding the causes of diseases and analysing higher-order To solve the multidimensional big data analysis problem, I believe we need to understand developing new drugs, have yet to tensors Based on tensor and hypergraph be fully understood, developing the models, the research team has tensors, and develop new theories and Although biomolecules and image concepts and tools of multidimensional developed efficient computer computational methods. analysis are studied in two different data analysis and image recognition algorithms for matching datasets. They “ disciplines, biomolecular interactions Two molecules interact with each other because they fit consistently can help advance medical science and have solved an optimisation problem to appear to follow the same principle of with complementary surfaces and charges. The original protein data - Professor Yan Hong other fields to the next level. Having deal with all the compatibilities among the perception of images by computer (upper left diagram) are obtained from the Protein Data Bank (rcsb. made a significant contribution to matched data entries through high- org) and the other three diagrams are done by Professor Yan’s team technology. “Computers recognise image and biomolecular pattern order relations. after analysing the shape and charge complementarities and how recognition techniques, Professor an object in an image with consistent two proteins are matched to form an interaction complex. positions of points, lines, areas and Yan Hong, a CityU expert in imaging Application in lung science, has proposed new theories their relations. Similarly, two molecules and the computation of complex interact with each other because they cancer cell mutation Major Awards tensors to expand its application fit consistently with complementary analysis surfaces and charges,” he elaborated. in imaging, biology, medicine • Elected Member of European Academy of Sciences and Arts, 2019 “Therefore, understanding tensors and beyond. Furthermore, Professor Yan has applied • Norbert Wiener Award for contributions to image and biomolecular pattern recognition is crucial. They provide a rigorous tensor computing to cell division data techniques, IEEE Systems, Man and Cybernetics Society, 2016 Professor Yan’s current research mathematical model to represent analysis and biomolecular surface Key Projects focuses on tensor computing to detect consistent features and their higher- characterisation. Lung cancer is and analyse meaningful patterns in order relations.” the leading cause of cancer deaths • Collaborative Research Fund: Efficient Algorithms and Hardware Accelerators for Tensor datasets. A tensor is a multidimensional worldwide. Non-small-cell lung cancer Decomposition and Their Applications to Multidimensional Data Analysis array of data. In mathematics, a Working in close collaboration with (NSCLC) constitutes about 85% of • Health and Medical Research Fund: Computational Platform for Modeling, Analysis and Prediction of Anti-EGFR Drug Resistance for Lung Cancer number can be considered as a tensor mathematicians, biologists, medical all lung cancer cases. Mutation of • General Research Fund: of order zero, a vector as a first-order doctors and computer engineers, the epidermal growth factor receptor - Analysis of Interface Patterns Between Biomolecules Based on Alpha Shape Models Professor Yan and his team have (EGFR), a type of protein, is a common tensor, and a matrix as a second-order - Detection of Hyperplanar Co-cluster Patterns in Multidimensional Singular Vector Spaces tensor. These data representations and developed co-clustering methods, cause of NSCLC, whose incidence can structures are now well-understood. based on tensor models. While reach 60% in East Asian populations. “However, the existing mathematical theories and computation methods Selected Publications & Patents are far from mature for analysing • Cao, J., Guan, G., Ho, V. W. S., Wong, M. • Khan, S., Nawaz, M., Guoxia, X. & Yan, H. IEEE Systems, Man and Cybernetics higher-order tensors of order three K., Chan, L. Y., Tang, C., Zhao, Z. Y. & 2020, “Image correspondence with CUR Magazine, 3(2):23-30. or more. We need new concepts and Yan, H. 2020, “Establishment of decomposition-based graph completion and • Zhou, W. Q. & Yan, H., “Methods for theories for tensors, which cannot be morphological atlas of Caenorhabditis matching”, IEEE Transactions on Circuits modeling and analysis of interface between simply extended from matrix theories,” elegans embryo using deep-learning- and Systems for Video Technology, vol. 30, point patterns”, US Patent US10,475,528, based 4D segmentation”, Nature no. 9, pp. 3054-3067. explained Professor Yan, Wong Chun granted 2019. Communications, vol. 11, no. 1. • Cui, C., Li, Q., Qi, L. & Yan, H. 2018, “A Hong Professor of Data Engineering • Yan, H., Chan, L.H.L., Chim, H., Ching, • Che, M., Wei, Y. & Yan, H. 2020, “The quadratic penalty method for hypergraph H.Y., & Choi, C., “Monitoring user activity and Chair Professor of Computer computation of low multilinear rank matching”, Journal of Global Optimization, using wearable motion sensing device”, US Engineering in the Department of approximations of tensors via power vol. 70, no. 1, pp. 237-259. Patent US10,347,108, granted 2019. scheme and random projection”, SIAM • Yan, H. 2017 “Co-clustering of Electrical Engineering. Journal on Matrix Analysis and Applications, • Chen, L., Zhao, Z., & Yan, H., “Method for multidimensional big data, a useful tool for tracking an object in an image sequence”, A tensor is a multidimensional array of data. vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 605-636. genomic, financial and other data analysis”, US Patent US10,255,692, granted 2019.

22 23 proposes that the inclusion of Data-driven shopping behavioural data in addition to conventional payment records, and using a deep-learning approach to Solutions for break down a consumer credit risk into three determinants: i) subjective risk, indicating the consumer’s willingness Fintech in to repay; ii) objective risk, indicating the ability to repay; and iii) behavioural risk, Greater China indicating behaviour characteristics. The findings demonstrate the effective and Beyond forecasting performance of this new approach compared to conventional machine learning and other deep- learning models. This enables real- Digital innovations are reshaping and other clients to enhance their CityU-JD Digits Joint Laboratory of time assessment of future default our daily lives in many areas. Digital digital development. Financial Technology and Engineering. risk, particularly when payments are finance, for example, is transforming (From left) Dr Wu Qi, Professor Alex Jen Kwan-yue, Professor Way Kuo and Professor Lu Jian from financed without providing collateral. CityU, and representatives from JD Digits in the strategic collaborative agreement signing ceremony. how people transact and borrow, and Data modelling for Dr Wu received interdisciplinary training in mathematics, business how financial services are provided. manage retail credit risks in the online to explore new models in the loan pricing and engineering, and specialises in Novel approach to Combining the advantages of first- marketplace, which are fundamentally research and application of financial quantitative finance and business managing retail class scientific research capability and With the aim of creating cutting-edge different from the credit-card default technologies,” said Dr Wu. “We analytics within the broad area of extensive fintech industry experience, data-driven business solutions for the credit risk risks faced by commercial banks. aspire to help groom management operations research and management a joint laboratory in financial development of the financial industry, professionals in Hong Kong, science. His previous research centred Another joint research project technology and engineering at CityU the joint laboratory specialises its “In addition to providing innovative mainland China and the region by on modelling financial derivatives conducted by Dr Wu in collaboration has been undertaking cutting-edge research in areas such as asset pricing, solutions for the development of promoting exchange and training, and their risk implications for market with JD Digits represents the first research to create industry-leading financial risk monitoring and user global financial markets, we offer organising academic forums and participants. retail credit risk study. It focuses on solutions, especially in financial risk behaviour. It focuses particularly on a common platform for technology sharing resources.” identification and management. The uncovering new data modelling and the expected difference in borrower’s firms, academics and students joint endeavour will help define the analysis techniques to develop practical Understanding repayments when there is a change in way forward for the future of fintech applications of financial engineering, consumer credit risk the lender’s credit decisions. development in the Greater China technologies and big data in risk-based To address the problem of classical region and beyond. loan pricing. One of his recent research Key Projects collaborations with researchers from estimators that overlook the • General Research Fund: Established in early 2019, the joint “In the School of Data Science, we JD Digits features the use of cutting- confounding effects between the - Generative Models of Multivariate Dependence for Asset Returns laboratory was formed between have a strong team of world-class edge, industrial-level deep-learning lender’s credit decisions and the - Studies on Margin Procyclicality - the Impact of Volatility Persistence and CityU and JD Digits, which was borrowers’ credit risk, as well as faculty with expertise in both theory architecture developed by the team Nonlinear Payoffs the financial technology arm of significant biases in risk assessment, and application. This provides a strong to estimate and forecast consumer • CityU New Research Initiatives: Interpretable Machine Learning Methods for the research team put forward a novel JD.com, a global e-commerce foundation for us to excel in research credit risk. When an e-commerce Financial Risk Management approach to construct the estimators platform, and has now become one and offer solutions that benefit both platform provides unsecured lending • JD Finance Strategic Collaboration: Fundamental Research of Financial Technology of the leading digital technology industry and society,” said Dr Wu Qi, to finance customers’ purchases, it that have proven to substantially and its Strategic Application in Financial Industry companies in the region, offering Associate Professor in the School of needs to manage the subsequent reduce the estimation error. This technology solutions to corporates Data Science and also Director of the credit exposure. The research team will help technology conglomerates

Selected Publications

• Huang, Y., Leung, C.H., Yan, X., Wu, Q., • Wang, D., Wu, Q. & Zhang, W. 2019, Neural Information Processing Systems Peng, N., Wang, D. & Huang, Z. 2020, “Neural learning of online consumer credit (NeurIPS 19). “The causal learning of retail delinquency”, risk”, Management Science. • Yan, X., Zhang, W., Ma, L., Liu, W. & Thirty-Fifth AAAI Conference on Artificial • Wu, Q. & Yan, X. 2019, “Capturing deep Wu, Q. 2018, “Parsimonious quantile Intelligence (AAAI 2021). tail risk via sequential learning of quantile regression of financial asset tail dynamics • Zhang, Y., Wu, Q., Peng, N., Dai, M., dynamics”, Journal of Economic Dynamics via sequential learning”, Advances in Zhang, J. & Wang, H. 2020, “Memory- and Control. Neural Information Processing Systems gated recurrent networks”, Thirty-Fifth • Yan, X., Wu, Q. & Zhang, W. 2019, “Cross- (NeurIPS 18). AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence sectional learning of extremal dependence (AAAI 2021). among financial assets”, Advances in

24 25 not properly facilitated and conducted, of participants. One group watched iv) People who watched others they can easily lead to the proliferation the deliberation video and the other participating in deliberation Understanding of extreme ideas and negative group watched the causal discussion and causal discussion showed emotions. To explore the ways of video. Pre-test and post-test surveys similar effects, but to a much Political reducing political polarisation in Hong were conducted in both experiments. smaller extent. Kong through communication, Dr Shen conducted two experiments The studies revealed the following: Based on these findings, Dr Shen Polarisation in the to compare the effects of deliberation recommends the policymakers and casual discussion. i) Both deliberation and casual provide opportunities and set up discussion had mixed effects on platforms for political dialogue New Media Age In Study 1, people holding opposing reducing political polarisation. among the public. These activities views on Article 23 of the Hong Kong While issue attitude and issue could be organised at the community Basic Law were invited to participate polarisation remained largely Dr Chris Shen Fei level by non-governmental in a 90-minute discussion session. unchanged, people’s attitude organisations. A more realistic They were randomly assigned into one towards those with opposing approach would be to identify a few of two groups: deliberation or casual views became more favourable communities as field experiment sites The distribution of public opinion Data Mining Project (http://www. political discussion, which is Dr Shen’s discussion. The deliberation group and affective polarisation was and conduct a longitudinal study signals social preferences. People webopinion.hk/) aims to understand other research interest. received an information booklet on effectively reduced. to follow the long-term impact of make many decisions in their daily online public opinion using automatic the issue and had to strictly follow the ii) After discussion, people’s a community-based social dialogue lives based on their perception of textual analysis. After identifying 12 “Hong Kong’s problem does not rules, whereas the casual discussion knowledge level remained largely programme. “In the long run, Hong the opinion climate. Similarly, policy important online platforms as data lie in the ideological differences group had no such stimulus. In unchanged, but their sense of Kong society needs institutions and makers formulate policy proposals sources, including discussion forums, among citizens; rather, the major Study 2, which tested whether national identity became stronger. organisations to promote discussions based on their understanding of news portal sites, and alternative issue is that people of different watching other people’s discussion among citizens, with the government public opinion. With digital and social news media sites, the team performed political stripes view each other as iii) These effects were more prominent and deliberation would have a similar acting as an incubator, providing the media becoming an integral part of data crawling, data cleaning, enemies. Sensational discussions in the deliberation group than in effect, video recordings from Study 1 necessary resources,” said Dr Shen. and hate speech are commonly seen people’s daily lives for information tokenisation, lexicon development were presented to another two groups the casual discussion group. and communication, the proliferation and data analysis to transform on social media platforms. While it of digital technologies is changing unstructured data into a visualised is undesirable and even impossible not only how public opinion can be pattern of public opinion over time in to eliminate political differences, represented, but also how it can be Hong Kong. reducing political affective polarisation studied. By adopting a big data-based is one of the greatest tasks faced approach, Dr Chris Shen Fei, a CityU “We hope the datasets and analysis by society,” said Dr Shen. “Political Major Awards Key Projects scholar in the Department of Media derived from the platform can benefit affective polarisation means the • Facebook Research Award (Foundational Integrity Research) 2020 • Facebook Research Award (Foundational Integrity Research): and Communication specialising in decision-making by policy makers, the tendency of people to dislike or • External Fellow, Center for Information and Communication Can Third Party Fact-checkers on Facebook Reduce Affective the social and political impact of new public and the academic community in distrust others simply because of a Studies, Fudan University, 2016 - present Polarization? media technologies, has proposed the long run,” said Dr Shen. different political stance.” • External Fellow, Center for Internet and Governance Research, • Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (Special Round): Sun Yat-sen University, 2015 - present How to Reduce Political Polarization in Hong Kong: A Pilot ways of understanding public opinion Experiment of Deliberation through online textual mining. The project found that in the past Pilot experiments on • Faculty Associate, The Berkman Klein Center for Internet and several years, online political discussions Society, Harvard Law School, Harvard University, 2015-2016 • General Research Fund: - Tracking Public Opinion Through Real-time Textual Mining: have become more and more deliberation • Google Faculty Research Award 2014 Big data analysis of A Public Service Platform with Big Data-based Approach sensational, which have led to polarised Much evidence suggests that when - Trust in Media Revisited: A Rational-emotional Model public opinion opinions and a divided society in Hong communication and discussions are • Google Faculty Research Award: An Empirical Study of Asian Kong. This poses a great challenge to Values and Freedom of Expression “We are living in a time in which timely and comprehensive understanding of public opinion is greatly needed,” said Dr Shen. He pointed out that traditional polling has many limitations, such as high cost and respondents’ sensitivity to Selected Publications question wording. “But big data • Min, C. & Shen, F. 2021, “Grievances, provides us with a new direction for freedom of expression in 11 societies”, • Shen, F. & Liang, H. 2015, “Cultural resources, or values? Predicting online Asian Survey, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 535-556. difference, social values, or political public opinion analysis by taking full citizen-initiated government contacts in systems? Predicting willingness to • Shen, F. 2017, “Internet use, freedom China”, Telematics and Informatics, engage in online political discussion in advantage of people’s openly shared supply, and demand for internet freedom: vol. 56. 75 societies”, International Journal of expressions on the internet,” he said. A cross-national study of 20 countries”, Public Opinion Research, vol. 27, no. 1, • Shen, F. & Tsui, L. 2018, “Revisiting the International Journal of Communication, pp. 111-124. Launched by Dr Shen and his team, Asian values thesis: An empirical study of vol. 11, pp. 2093-2114. Asian values, internet use, and support for the Hong Kong Online Public Opinion

26 27 SMART CITY 6G

Creating innovative solutions to address regional and global (From left) Dr Steve Wong Hang, Professor Chan Chi-hou, Professor Johnny Ho Chung- concerns, such as sustainable energy, yin, and Professor Kenneth Lo Kam-wing climate change, environmental join hands to advance the development of terahertz (THz) technology. degradation, urban planning, government regulation and the law, through collaborative efforts among diverse disciplines and programmes. Building a Compact System for Terahertz Technology and 6G Communications

With the arrival of fifth-generation technologies have been used to generated in two ways: i) using (5G) wireless technology, which is detect melamine in milk powder, integrated circuits (ICs) to generate set to provide massive, ultra-high antibiotics in food matrices, up-conversion from the lower speed connectivity in the next five pesticides in vegetables, and foreign microwave frequency to THz to 10 years, the development of objects in drugs. radiation, and then transmit it sixth-generation (6G) technology is via antennas; or ii) using the already on its way. A team of Developing highly- optoelectronic approach, which multi-disciplinary experts, led by efficient THz sources involves using materials science to Professor Chan Chi-hou, Chair generate down-conversion from the Professor in the Department of “However, the widespread higher optical frequency. But both Electrical Engineering (EE) and application of THz technologies is approaches face the same problem: Director of the State Key Laboratory hindered by bulky and expensive the output power of the THz source of Terahertz and Millimeter THz sources,” said Professor Chan, is relatively low. Waves (SKLTMW) at CityU, has who is leading a team of electronic To enhance the radiation efficiency been working on advancing the engineers, materials scientists, for both approaches, Dr Steve development of terahertz (THz) biologists and chemists to work on Wong Hang, Associate Professor technology for 6G communications, the Theme-based Research Scheme in the EE Department, is developing imaging and spectroscopy. project, whose aim is to develop high-performance antennas in the high-power THz sources using THz waves exist in the electro- terahertz spectrum, while Professor integrated circuits and optoelectronic magnetic spectrum between the Johnny Ho Chung-yin, in the approaches, and exploring different conventional microwave and Department of Materials Science and applications of THz technology. infrared regions. This is a broad Engineering, is working with his team frequency band with a wide range Professor Chan explained that to synthesise high-quality nanowires of applications. For example, THz THz radiation sources are usually to generate THz sources through

29 down-conversion. “These nanowires Earlier, the International Tele- the direction of the beams emitted imaging for addressing health- a spectroscopic tool for tracing have properties that are not found communication Union announced can be changed according to need. related issues. “Many studies compounds inside tissues for Integrating an in the bulk size and exhibit good the frequency range for future 6G To put it simply, an active antenna have shown that the absorption cancer drug development, as antenna measurement performance in enhancing the wireless communications, which system on a mobile device enables of THz radiation by cancer and a supplemental approach to system on their own efficiency of converting visible light exactly matches Dr Wong’s research beam-searching and beam-forming normal tissues is different. So we fluorescent biological probes to to THz,” said Professor Ho. He is also focus – developing antennas for a technology, eliminating poor are interested in finding out how stain tissues. Performance characterisations of synthesising high-quality monolayer frequency range of 0.2 to 0.5 THz. connection problems,” explained we can apply THz in cancer studies,” antennas for different application scenarios are essential for exploiting graphene to explore its potential in After years of fundamental research Dr Wong. “This can greatly enhance said Professor Kenneth Lo “We hope our project will the benefits of the THz frequency generating THz radiation. by Dr Wong and the SKLTMW communications quality and will be Kam-wing, in the Department improve the performance of the band. However, the SKLTMW team THz system and generate more team, they are now developing a of great demand in the age of Chemistry, who is also one of has found that there are no antenna Active antennas for 6G new technology of programmable of high-speed, high-volume the members of the multi- new research ideas by integrating measurement facilities for higher communications antennas using functional 6G wireless communications.” disciplinary team. the input from experts from millimetre and THz wave bands that materials, which can enable beam- different disciplines, thus achieving meet their needs available in the In particular, he is investigating wider benefits for society,” said “With compact, low-cost THz forming techniques. Spectroscopy and market. “Therefore, we are trying whether THz imaging can reveal Professor Chan. to build a high-resolution antenna sources available, we can apply them “With functional materials, we imaging for cancer the cancerous parts of tissues measurement system for millimetre in different ways,” said Professor can manipulate the properties of drug development more precisely and the changes of and THz research on our own with Chan. “For instance, the antennas bought components to support the generated waves, and control the tumour cells for drug testing; we developed can be used to research and development activities the beam formation and beam The team is also exploring THz and whether THz can be used as generate THz and for 6G wireless in both academia and industry,” said direction of THz waves. This means applications in spectroscopy and communications.” Dr Wong, who is the Project Coordinator of an equipment grant project supported by the Collaborative Research Fund (CRF). In collaboration with a team from Major Awards the University of Hong Kong, they • Professor Chan Chi-hou will build a world-class antenna - IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society Harrington-Mittra Key Projects measurement facility that can Computational Electromagnetics Award, 2019 conduct near-field and far-field • Theme-based Research Scheme: A Compact System - Distinguished Alumni Award, Department of Electrical and Computer for Terahertz Imaging and Spectroscopy radiation measurements through the Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2019 help of robotic arms. “We hope the • Collaborative Research Fund: High-Resolution • Professor Kenneth Lo Kam-wing Antenna Measurement System with Robotic Arms for new facility will drive high-frequency - Croucher Senior Research Fellowship 2015 Millimeter-wave Frequencies electronic development to a new • Professor Johnny Ho Chung-yin level of excellence and promote more - RGC Research Fellow 2020 collaboration with other institutes in - The President’s Award 2020, CityU southern China, with CityU playing a leading role, contributing to Hong Kong’s role as an international hub for innovation,” said Dr Wong. Antenna measurement system developed by the team.

As scientists and engineers, Selected Publications & Patents “we aspire to solve some of the • Huang, S.-X., Zeng, Y.-S., Wu, G.-B., • Meng, Y., Li, F., Lan, C., Bu, X., Kang, X., or bioorthogonal reaction group as important problems mankind Chan, K.-F., Chen, B.-J., Xia, M.-Y., Qu, Wei, R., Yip, S., Li, D., Wang, F., Takahashi, biological probes and photocytotoxic S.-W. & Chan, C.H. 2020, “Terahertz T., Hosomi, T., Nagashima, K., Yanagida, T. agents”, Coordination Chemistry Reviews, is facing. Through research in Mueller matrix polarimetry and polar & Ho, J.C. 2020, “Artificial visual systems vol. 361, pp. 138-163. developing new technologies, we decomposition”, IEEE Transactions on enabled by quasi-two-dimensional electron • Zhou, H., Shum, K.M. & Chan, C.H., Terahertz Science and Technology, vol. 10, gases in oxide superlattice nanowires”, hope to enhance the quality of life in “A wide locking range injection locked no. 1, pp. 74-84. Science Advances, vol. 6, eabc6389. frequency tripler based on a dual-band society. • Lo, K.K.-W. 2020, “Molecular design of • Li, D., Lan, C., Manikandan, A., Yip, S.P., voltage controlled oscillator”, US Patent “ bioorthogonal probes and imaging Zhou, Z., Liang, X., Shu, L., Chueh, Y.-L., 16/931,790, filed 2020. – Professor Chan Chi-hou reagents derived from photofunctional Han, N. & Ho, J.C. 2019, “Ultra-fast • Kong, S.C., Shum, K.M. & Chan, C.H., transition metal complexes”, Accounts of photodetectors based on high-mobility “On-chip antenna and on-chip antenna Chemical Research, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. indium gallium antimonide nanowires”, array”, US Patent 63/031,727, filed 2020. 32-44. Nature Communications, vol. 10, no. 1. • Wong, H. & Yi, X., “Waveguide fed open • Guo, Q. Y. & Wong, H. 2020, “155 GHz • Yip, A.M.-H. & Lo, K.K.-W. 2018, slot antenna”, US Patent 16/029,289, dual-polarized Fabry-Perot cavity antenna “Luminescent rhenium(I), ruthenium(II), filed 2018. using LTCC based feeding source and and iridium(III) polypyridine complexes The research team fabricated chips that can phase-shifting surface”, IEEE Transactions containing a poly(ethylene glycol) pendant generate terahertz radiation. on Antennas and Propagation, (in press).

30 31 to different rail systems. It includes Analysing alighting and Kong, Taiwan and mainland China Data-driven a feature extraction method, based boarding behaviour are ongoing, including establishing on a simple dynamics model, to an escalator health condition select the relevant information in the analytics model, monitoring the wear Applying an agent-based computer multi-location vibration data. Also, it of high-speed train wheels based Management simulation model, Professor Lo introduces a novel way to generate on wheel profile data and multi- Siu-ming, in the Department of training datasets via a simple dynamic location vibration data, passenger Architecture and Civil Engineering, model and impact analysis. flow forecasting for disruption for Safe and Reliable and his team conducted a study on management, traffic scheduling, and passengers’ alighting and boarding Having evaluated and tested the maintenance planning. movements in metro stations and the Railway Systems proposed method with 10 months effects of passengers’ non-compliant of tracking data in a railway system The research team expects the leading- behaviour. Different alighting operating in mainland China, as well edge technologies developed to not and boarding rules in different As high-speed rail and metro systems Industrial Engineering and Adjunct prognostics and health management as simulation data from different only contribute to safety and revenue passenger volume conditions were are rapidly developing in speed Professor in the School of Data of railway systems by synergising laboratories, the team found that management for inter- and intra- recommended to increase alighting and complexity in many cities and Science at CityU. He was the former prominent sensor-based data it performed well. While more city rail systems, but also serve as a and boarding efficiency. regions, identifying effective ways project coordinator of the five-year management technologies and field tests are needed to prove its prototype that can be transferred effectiveness and reliability, Dr Li to other complex network systems, to ensure their safe, reliable and Theme-based Research Scheme (TRS) sophisticated modelling expertise. Riding on the achievements of the TRS believes the proposed method will be such as shipping, air traffic, electricity efficient operation has become more project, with team members from Another is to allow dynamic train project, Professor Tsui said that several implemented in parallel with existing transmission, health care systems, pertinent. A multi-disciplinary research CityU and other local and overseas deployment in response to abrupt research projects with industry and tools in the near future. supply chain management, internet project, led by CityU, has developed institutions. The aim of the project events, accidents or disruptions university collaborators from Hong a platform of tools to improve safety was to innovate and advance rail using real-time transportation connectivity and finance. and reliability in railway system system technologies to ensure safety, network data.” health monitoring, crowd safety and avoid and managing disruptions, and disruption management. ensure operational efficiency. Sensor-based

“As with other large-scale “We are striving to fill at least two monitoring of Professor Tsui Kwok-leung (front row, centre), Professor Xie Min (back row, second from Key Projects technologies, there have been major unique niches in high-speed rail suspension systems right), Professor Lo Siu-ming (back row, first from left) and other CityU team members. accidents around the world related and metro systems research,” said • Theme-based Research Scheme: Safety, to high-speed rail and metro systems. Professor Xie Min, Chair Professor One of their key studies is the design Reliability, and Disruption Management of High Speed Rail and Metro Systems These systems require continual in the School of Data Science and of a novel domain-knowledge-guided • Research Impact Fund: Enhancing Safety, improvement in condition monitoring, Department of Systems Engineering data-driven framework to monitor and predict the health status of Punctuality and Ride Comfort of Railway safety and reliability engineering, and Engineering Management Transportation: From Local Metro System to operation and maintenance, (SEEM) at CityU, who is the current high-speed rail suspension systems Global High-speed Rail Network and decision systems to prevent coordinator of the TRS project. “One by measuring real-time train vibration • National Natural Science Foundation of accidents,” said Professor Tsui is to develop new knowledge in signals from sensors installed in China (NSFC): Evaluation Models of Railway multiple locations. “Suspension Emergency Plan Considering the Prioritization Kwok-leung, Chair Professor of self-cognisant fault detection and and Synergy of Action Alternatives systems play a major role in high speed railways. The failure of springs and dampers may lead to accelerated wear of wheels and rails. Suspension damage may even increase derailment risk,” said Dr Li Lishuai, Assistant Professor in SEEM, who led the study.

Existing methods rely mainly on sophisticated dynamic models or Selected Publications

simulations that require precise • Chen, Z.-S., Liu, X.-L., Rodríguez, R.M., • Li, Z., Lo, S.M., Ma, J. & Luo, X.W. 2020, • Liu, B., Yeh, R.-H., Xie, M. & Kuo, W. suspension and inertial parameter Wang, X.-J., Chin, K.-S., Tsui, K.L. & “A study on passengers’ alighting and 2017, “Maintenance scheduling for values. They are difficult to use in Martínez, L. 2020, “Identifying and boarding process at metro platform by multicomponent systems with hidden different rail systems, and the results prioritizing factors affecting in-cabin computer simulation”, Transportation failures”, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, passenger comfort on high-speed rail in Research Part A: Policy and Practice, vol. vol. 66, no. 4, pp. 1280-1292. can be distorted if the parameter China: A fuzzy-based linguistic approach”, 132, pp. 840-854. • Xu, F., Huang, Z., Yang, F., Wang, D. & Tsui, values are inaccurate. Applied Soft Computing Journal, vol. 95. • Liu, B., Wu, S., Xie, M. & Kuo, W. 2017, K.L. 2020, “Constructing a health indicator • Hong, N., Li, L., Yao, W., Zhao, Y., Yi, C., “A condition-based maintenance policy for roller bearings by using a stacked To overcome these limitations, the Lin, J. & Tsui, K.L. 2020, “High-speed for degrading systems with age- and auto-encoder with an exponential function team proposed a model that can be rail suspension system health monitoring state-dependent operating cost”, European to eliminate concussion”, Applied Soft trained quickly and adapted easily using multi-location vibration data”, IEEE Journal of Operational Research, vol. 263, Computing Journal, vol. 89. Transactions on Intelligent Transportation no. 3, pp. 879-887. Systems, vol. 21, no. 7, pp. 2943-2955.

32 33 the AC system for an additional The five technologies can be cooling effect. applied separately or they can be integrated for a synergistic effect. iv) Nanostructured biphilic Professor Leung and his team heat exchanger are working to push the practical A nanostructured biphilic surface efficiency towards the theoretical is composed of superhydrophobic maximum value. substrate and hydrophilic sites. As water vapour cools and condenses “In addition to the increase in onto the biphilic surface, jumping energy efficiency, the benefits droplets occur, resulting in include reduced greenhouse gas enhanced heat transfer. This emissions and the reduction of technology is applied to improve unwanted waste heat rejection,” low-temperature heat recovery. said Professor Leung. “The Professor Michael Leung Kwok-hi v) Forward-backward-swept revolutionary technological vertical-axis wind turbine breakthrough anticipated in this For air-cooled condensers, cooling project has the potential to not towers and exhaust air fans, only contribute to enhanced Turning Waste Heat from the air leaving the unit at high sustainability, but also generate speed is a form of waste energy. many new business opportunities Vertical-axis wind turbines built worldwide.” The advanced TNT solutions can convert the low- temperature waste heat from AC units into electricity Air-conditioners into Electricity with specially designed forward- and reduce the energy use of an AC system. backward-swept blades effectively capture this wind and use it to As the world gets hotter, the use of heat at temperatures of 200°C or Professor Leung introduced that generate electricity. air-conditioners is bound to increase. above, so it cannot be applied to the TNT solution, which involves But powering air-conditioning (AC) the heat from AC systems, which is a number of key technologies, units requires energy, and the usually 50°C to 80°C. Also, fouling described as follows: Key Projects cooling process ejects heat into the contamination commonly found in surroundings, which has an adverse AC systems results in poor indoor air i) Ultra-low-temperature • General Research Fund: Rational Design of MoS2 Electrocatalyst for pH-universal Hydrogen Evolution: Mechanisms, Kinetics and integrated organic Rankine cycle impact on the environment. To quality and indirectly increases energy Major Awards Optimization The thermodynamics of the ORC achieve energy-efficient cool air supply, consumption, he added. • Shun Hing Education and Charity Fund Professorship in • Innovation and Technology Fund: Professor Michael Leung Kwok-hi, is highly feasible for the recovery Energy and Environment - Integrated System of Advanced Thermal Nano Technologies Shun Hing Education and Charity Fund Recycling energy from of low-temperature waste heat • Highly Cited Researcher (Engineering), Clarivate, 2018 (TNT) for Energy-Efficient Air-Conditioning and Clean Indoor Professor of Energy and Environment, to generate kinetic energy. A Air: Part 1 - Energy Efficiency low-temperature - High-efficacy, Environmental- And Eco-friendly Nano- is developing a novel technology which novel refrigeration cycle, based on photocatalytic Marine Antifouling Paint efficiently converts the waste heat from waste heat the integration of ORC into the AC systems into useful electricity. conventional AC cycle, maximises Therefore, Professor Leung is the overall energy efficiency of “AC is often the largest energy developing a new generation of the system. consumer in urban cities, and AC systems to recover the thermal ii) Direct thermal-charging cell demand will continue to grow energy from low-temperature A thermo-electrochemical because of the global urbanisation waste heat and convert it into capacitor, made of graphene trend,” said Professor Leung, who is electricity, which can then be used Selected Publications & Patents oxide based electrodes, can store also the Director of the Ability R&D by the AC unit itself, or for lighting thermal energy in the form of • Liu, J., Zhang, H., Qiu, M., Peng, Z., • Hu, J., Zhang, C., Yang, P., Xiao, J., Deng, • He, Y., Yuan, R. & Leung, M.K.H. 2019, Energy Research Centre at CityU. or other electrical appliances. electricity. The mechanism Leung, M.K.H., Lin, W.-F. & Xuan, J. T., Liu, Z., Huang, B., Leung, M.K.H. “Highly efficient AgBr/BiVO4 photoanode “AC systems produce an enormous 2020, “A review of non-precious metal & Yang, S. 2020, “Kinetic-oriented for photocatalytic fuel cell”, Materials The new system features the features low-temperature heat-to- amount of waste energy in the single atom confined nanomaterials in construction of MoS2 synergistic interface Letters, vol. 236, pp. 394-397. integration of thermoscience and electricity conversion. different structural dimensions (1D-3D) to boost pH-universal hydrogen evolution”, form of heat and wind, resulting • Leung, M.K.H., Daoud, W. & Xu, Y., nanotechnology, namely thermal nano as highly active oxygen redox reaction Advanced Functional Materials, vol. 30, “Method for making aerogel”, US patent in the ineffective utilisation of iii) Waste-heat-recovery electrocatalysts”, Journal of Materials no. 6. technologies (TNT), to achieve high 16/007,003, filed 2018. energy resources.” adsorption cooling system Chemistry A, vol. 8, no. 5, pp. 2222-2245. • Zhang, Y., Hu, J., Zhang, C., Liu, Y., Xu, energy efficiency and clean air supply. • Leung, M.K.H., Wang, B., Xuan, J., Innovative metal-organic • She, Y., Liu, J., Wang, H., Li, L., Zhou, M., Xue, Y., Liu, L. & Leung, M.K.H. 2020, Modelling and experimental results Zhang, H., Xu, H., Zhang, L. & Wang, H., Recycling the waste heat into framework (MOF) adsorbent J. & Leung, M.K.H. 2020, “Bubble-like “Bimetallic Mo-Co nanoparticles anchored “Microfluidics self-breathing photocatalytic Fe-encapsulated N,S-codoped carbon on nitrogen-doped carbon for enhanced power is nothing new. But Professor have shown that this TNT solution can materials have been developed membraneless fuel cell”, China patent raise the coefficient of performance nanofibers as efficient bifunctional oxygen electrochemical nitrogen fixation”, Journal ZL201310085223.8, granted 2015. Leung explained that the commonly for a modified adsorption cooling electrocatalysts for robust Zn-air batteries”, of Materials Chemistry A, vol. 8, no. 18, pp. used Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) (COP) of an AC system and reduce system. The application involves Nano Research, vol. 13, no. 8, pp. 2175- 9091-9098. technology can work only with energy use up to 20%. recovering the heat rejected by 2182.

34 35 applications of perovskite solar as high as that of perovskite solar cells, cells definitely has huge potential More Stable and cells,” said Professor Jen. The team is Professor Jen pointed out that the for applications in new-generation working to further enhance the power production process for organic solar wearable electronic devices. conversion efficiency and explore ways cells is even more environmentally Environmentally to lower the production cost. friendly and consumes less energy “Solar energy is no longer limited to than that for perovskite solar cells. The bulky and hard panels on rooftops,” Highest efficiency semi-transparent organic solar cells can said Professor Jen. “These new Friendly Solar Cells organic solar cell also be applied to building-integrated materials can be installed everywhere, photovoltaics, the glass roof panels from coatings on buildings and windows to mobile devices and even Professor Jen and Dr Zhu have also of greenhouses and other buildings, clothing, composing an integrated Solar energy is the fastest-growing But the problems of instability and semiconducting properties and can designed various organic, inorganic enabling power self-sufficiency. And system of sustainable energy.” electricity source. But the commonly potential environmental impact of “capture” heavy metal ions to form and hybrid materials for applications the foldable flexibility of organic solar used silicon-based solar cells are perovskite solar cells have yet to be water-insoluble complexes, mitigating in different types of solar cells and close to their theoretical maximum overcome. One of the main concerns lead leakage. It can also act as a photonic devices. In September 2020, efficiency and cost-reduction limit. At is the potential environmental protective layer against moisture their organic solar cell, developed in CityU, Professor Alex Jen Kwan- contamination from the lead- and oxygen, while maintaining high collaboration with the University of yue, Lee Shau Kee Chair Professor of containing component of perovskites. efficiency. Both the power conversion Washington, was recognised by the Materials Science, has been working “As solar cells age, the lead component efficiency (over 22%) and the open- National Renewable Energy Laboratory on developing more stable and can potentially leak from the cells and circuit voltage recorded were among (NREL) in the US, a benchmark testing environmental friendly perovskite and leach into the soil through rainwater, the highest values reported for planar lab in the renewable energy research organic solar cells, which are believed for example,” he explained. inverted perovskite solar cells. field, in its “Best Research-Cell to offer more promising and diverse Efficiency Chart”. Its power conversion Together with Professor Xu Zhengtao Moreover, the MOF layer provides applications to replace silicon as the efficiency of 17.5%, certified by NREL, and Dr Zhu Zonglong, from the superior long-term operational stability. future of photovoltaic technology. was the highest among organic solar Department of Chemistry, Professor The device retains 92% of its initial cells at that time. Hybrid perovskites are a class of new Jen led the team to overcome these efficiency after operating for 1,000 materials that display many exciting challenges by applying two-dimensional hours under continuous light irradiation Though the power conversion properties, such as remarkable (2D) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) at 85°C, meeting the commercialisation efficiency of organic solar cells is not The perovskite solar cells developed by CityU team. efficiency in absorbing light and to perovskite solar cells. standard set by the International converting it into electric currents in Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). photovoltaic solar cells. They have Protective layer become a buzzword in the field of mitigates lead leakage “Our findings offer an integrated solar cells. solution to address both the stability Major Awards Key Projects and environmental issues, the two The MOF layer is a multi-functional • Highly Cited Researcher (Materials Science), Clarivate, 2014-2020 • Collaborative Research Fund: Developing Non-fullerene Organic main hurdles before large-scale Printable solar cells honeycomb-like structure. It has • Top 10 Researchers in Perovskite Solar Cell Research, Times Solar Cells with Small Photovoltage Loss Higher Education, 2018 • Innovation and Technology Fund: As a leading expert and highly cited • World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds (Materials Science), - Rational Design of Efficient and Stable ransportingT Materials scholar in the field of perovskite Thomson Reuters, 2015 & 2016 for High Efficiency Metal Halide Perovskite Solar Cells and Large-Scale Fabrication and solar cell research, Professor Jen • Fellow, European Academy of Sciences and Washington State Academy of Sciences - Development of Highly Efficient Perovskite/Polymer Hybrid pointed out that research on Solar Cells • Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science perovskite solar cells started just about a decade ago, but their power conversion efficiency has greatly improved from 3.8% to 25.5%, rivalling that of their silicon-based counterparts, which were developed more than 50 years ago. Selected Publications & Patent

Perovskites are efficient and can be • Wu, S., Li, Z., Li, M.-Q., Diao, Y., Lin, F., Liu, a Lewis base”, Nature Communications, • Rao, A., Chow, P.C.Y., Gélinas, S., made via low cost solution processing. T., Zhang, J., Tieu, P., Gao, W., Qi, F., Pan, vol. 11, no. 1. Schlenker, C.W., Li, C.-Z., Yip, H.-L., Jen, X., Xu, Z., Zhu, Z. & Jen, A.K.-Y. 2020, A.K.-Y., Ginger, D.S. & Friend, R.H. 2013, They can be made inexpensively • Li, S., Lei, D., Ren, W., Guo, X., Wu, S., “2D metal–organic framework for stable Zhu, Y., Rogach, A.L., Chhowalla, M. & “The role of spin in the kinetic control of from solutions. “Like the ink used in perovskite solar cells with minimized lead Jen, A.K.-Y. 2020, “Water-resistant recombination in organic photovoltaics”, newspaper printing, the solution can leakage”, Nature Nanotechnology, vol. 15, perovskite nanodots enable robust two- Nature, vol. 500, no. 7463, pp. 435-439. be ‘printed’ on plastic films as flexible no. 11, pp. 934-940. photon lasing in aqueous environment”, • Xu, Z., Jen, A.K.-Y. & Zhu, Z., “A solar cells, or it can be coated on a • Wang, J., Zhang, J., Zhou, Y., Liu, H., Xue, Nature Communications, vol. 11, no. 1. compound for use in an optoelectronic Q., Li, X., Chueh, C.-C., Yip, H.-L., Zhu, device including a heterojunction”, US window, looking like tinted glass but • Yan, C., Barlow, S., Wang, Z., Yan, H., Jen, Z. & Jen, A.K.-Y. 2020, “Highly efficient A.K.-Y., Marder, S.R. & Zhan, X. 2018, patent 16/669,697, filed 2019. generating power,” said Professor Jen. Key members of the research team: (from left) Dr Wu Shengfan, postdoc fellow, Professor Xu all-inorganic perovskite solar cells with “Non-fullerene acceptors for organic solar “The application potential is huge.” Zhengtao, Professor Alex Jen Kwan-yue, and Dr Zhu Zonglong. suppressed non-radiative recombination by cells”, Nature Reviews Materials, vol. 3.

36 37 A drop of water could in experiments, thousands of times creating super dry surfaces. Potential light up 100 LED bulbs higher than that of similar devices applications include preventing ice from without the FET-like design. In their forming on metal surfaces, like aircraft experiments, a drop of 100 microlitres wings and engines. More importantly, the two electrodes of water released from a height of play a role similar to that of a field 15 cm generated a voltage of over In another inspiration from nature, effect transistor. When a water droplet 140V, which could light up 100 small Professor Wang worked together with hits and spreads on the surface, it LED light bulbs. Their DEG findings Dr Shen Yajing from the Department “bridges” the aluminium electrode were published in Nature in 2020. of Biomedical Engineering to develop and the PTFE/indium tin oxide (ITO) a tiny, soft robot with caterpillar-like electrode, forming a closed-loop circuit. legs, which is capable of carrying All the stored charges on the PTFE A specialist in nature- heavy loads and adaptable to adverse are then fully released and generate inspired engineering environments, and can be used for an electric current. This phenomenon the accurate delivery of drugs into the contributes to the remarkably high In his research, Professor Wang loves to human body. Professor Wang Zuankai (centre) and his CityU team: (from left) Zheng Huanxi, Xu Wanghuai, instantaneous power density and get inspiration from nature, which has Dr Zhang Chao and Song Yuxin. all the characteristics that scientists and energy conversion efficiency. “Through billion years of evolution, engineers dream of including in their nature has developed extraordinary In collaboration with Professor Zeng technologies: it is adaptive, dynamic, principles, which are characterised Xiao Cheng, from the University of multi-functional, energy efficient and by green energy and resilience, such Harvesting Water Droplets for Nebraska-Lincoln, and Professor interconnected. as how lotus leaves repel water and Wang Zhong Lin, Founding how certain beetles in the desert gain Director and Chief Scientist at the One breakthrough piece of research access to water. We can always look Sustainable Energy Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and conducted by Professor Wang and to principles in nature for inspiration Nanosystems of the Chinese Academy his team relating to nature-inspired in developing technologies,” said of Sciences, the DEG developed by engineering involves shaping drops Professor Wang. “It will never Energy needs have skyrocketed in Droplet-based electricity To enhance the energy conversion Professor Wang showed instantaneous of liquid in such a way that they disappoint us.” the past two centuries or more. The generator with efficiency of the DEG, Professor Wang power density of up to 50.1 W/m2 can shed from a surface faster, thus main energy sources, fossil fuels, are proposed a design similar to a field not only polluting, but also finite. transistor-like structure effect transistor, which includes two Developing sustainable energy electrodes, one of which is deposited sources has long been a key global The conventional droplet-based with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Major Awards Key Projects challenge. Professor Wang Zuankai, electricity generator (DEG) is based on an electret material with a quasi- Associate Dean (Internationalisation the triboelectric effect – a type of contact permanent electric charge. When • Xplorer Prize, Tencent Foundation, 2020 • Collaborative Research Fund: Bio-inspired Surface Engineering for electrification in which two materials, • Fellow of International Society of Bionic Engineering, 2019 Phase Change Heat Transfer: From Fundamental Understanding and Industry Engagement) in the the water droplets continuously to Practical Applications College of Engineering and Professor a droplet and a surface, contact and hit the PTFE surface, the surface • World Cultural Council Special Recognition, 2018 • General Research Fund: Developing Transistor-like Water Energy separate. However, the electrical energy • Chang Jiang Chair Professor, Ministry of Education, China, 2017 in the Department of Mechanical charges generated accumulate and Generator with High Peak Power Density and High Durability generated through it is limited to the • Outstanding Research Award 2017, CityU Engineering, has achieved research gradually reach saturation. This • Innovation and Technology Fund: Developing Liquid Diode Based breakthroughs in efficiently amount of charges generated on the helps to overcome the bottleneck of • The President’s Award 2016 & 2017, CityU Medical Tube converting the kinetic energy in surface. Hence, the energy conversion low charge density encountered in water droplets into electrical energy, efficiency is relatively low. conventional generators. advancing research in water-based energy harvesting.

“Harvesting water energy can help Selected Publications & Patents solve the global problem of renewable energy shortage,” said Professor • Xu, W., Zheng, H., Liu, Y., Zhou, X., Zhang, • Feng, S., Delannoy, J., Malod, A., Zheng, H., • Wang, Z., Jiang, M. & Wang, Y., “Highly C., Song, Y., Deng, X., Leung, M., Yang, Quéré, D. & Wang, Z. 2020, “Tip-induced effective heat dissipation architecture even Wang. “Although droplets are small Z., Xu, R.X., Wang, Z.L., Zeng, X.C. & flipping of droplets on Janus pillars: From on the ultrahigh temperature of more than and ordinary, their power and impact Wang, Z. 2020, “A droplet-based electricity local reconfiguration to global transport”, 1000 celsius”, US patent 63/072,995, can be large and far-reaching if we generator with high instantaneous power Science Advances, vol. 6, no. 28. filed 2020. density”, Nature, vol. 578, no. 7795, can efficiently harvest the kinetic pp. 392-396. • Li, J., Hou, Y., Liu, Y., Hao, C., Li, M., • Wang, Z., Zhou, X. & Li, J., “Unidirectional energy from falling droplets.” His Chaudhury, M.K., Yao, S. & Wang, Z. 2016, liquid transport systems and methods distinguished research on water • Wang, D., Sun, Q., Hokkanen, M.J., Zhang, “Directional transport of high-temperature of manufacture thereof”, US patent C., Lin, F.-Y., Liu, Q., Zhu, S.-P., Zhou, T., Janus droplets mediated by structural US10,590,967, granted 2020. energy harvesting earned him the Chang, Q., He, B., Zhou, Q., Chen, L., topography”, Nature Physics, vol. 12, no. 6, 2020 Xplorer Prize presented by the Wang, Z., Ras, R.H.A. & Deng, X. 2020, pp. 606-612. • Wang, Z. & Liu, Y., “Superhydrophobic Tencent Foundation. “Design of robust superhydrophobic surface arrangement, article comprising surfaces”, Nature, vol. 582, no. 7810, • Liu, Y., Moevius, L., Xu, X., Qian, T., same, and method of manufacture pp. 55-59. Yeomans, J.M. & Wang, Z. 2014, “Pancake thereof”, US patent 16/233,325, With the new droplet-based electricity generator, a drop of water can generate a voltage of over bouncing on superhydrophobic surfaces”, filed 2018. 140V, lighting up 100 small LED bulbs. Nature Physics, vol. 10, no. 7, pp. 515-519.

38 39 Breakthrough in MATTER High-strength but

An interdisciplinary study of matter Ductile Ordered and materials in their various forms, covering areas from synthesis to Intermetallic Alloys processing and fabrication, from properties evaluation to modification, The strength-ductility trade-off as nickel and iron,” Professor Liu the development of alloys that and from design to applications. has always been a dilemma in explained. “However, by adding can perform well in temperatures materials science. The higher the aluminium and titanium to form ranging from -200°C to 1000°C, strength of a material, the less the massive precipitates in an iron-cobalt- thus providing a good base for ductility and toughness, meaning nickel (FeCoNi)-based alloy, we found developing new cryogenic devices, as that strong materials tend to be less a significant increase in both strength well as aircraft and high temperature deformable or stretchable without and ductility.” systems, such as aeronautical fracture. Professor Liu Chain-tsuan, engineering applications. University Distinguished Professor in In the prestigious scientific journal the College of Engineering and Senior Science, they reported that their high- In their other research also reported Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute entropy alloy had a superior strength in Science recently, they revealed a for Advanced Study (HKIAS) at CityU, of 1.5 gigapascals, which is five times new way to resolve the strength- together with his team member stronger than FeCoNi based-alloys, ductility trade-off effectively by Dr Yang Tao, Assistant Professor in and had ductility as high as 50% in forming disordered nanoscale layers the Department of Materials Science tension at ambient temperature. at grain boundaries in ordered and Engineering, has developed intermetallic alloys. a novel alloy design strategy to They also found that adding overcome this challenge, paving the multicomponent intermetallic By adding 1.5 to 2.5 atomic percent way for fabricating materials for nanoparticles can greatly enhance of boron to an intermetallic alloy, operating in extreme temperatures plastic deformation stability, avoiding they found that distinctive nanoscale and aerospace systems. the common problem of early layers were formed between the necking fracture. orderly packed grains in the alloy. “Most conventional alloys comprise “This serves as a buffer zone between one or two major elements, such Professor Liu believed this innovative strategy would allow

The new high-entropy alloy is extremely strong but ductile.

41 adjacent grains, which enables gigapascals, with tensile ductility of in high-temperature settings, like plastic-deformation extensively at 25% at ambient temperature. It also aerospace, aeronautics, nuclear the grain boundaries, resulting in maintained the alloy’s strength with power and chemical engineering,” the large tensile ductility at an excellent thermal stability at high said Professor Liu. ultra-high yield strength level,” said temperature. Dr Yang, who is the first author of Professor Liu, Dr Yang and the team the research. “The discovery of this disordered will continue to work on ultra-high nanolayer in the alloy will have an strength steels, multicomponent With nanolayers formed at the impact on the development of high- high-entropy alloys, lightweight grain boundaries, the alloy showed strength materials in the future, such materials, and nanostructured an ultra-high yield strength of 1.6 as structural materials for applications materials for various applications.

Key Projects Major Award • General Research Fund: Professor Liu Chain-tsuan - Alloy Design of Novel L12-Type High-Entropy Intermetallic Alloys Professor Lu Jian (left), Dr Liu Guo and the research team have developed the world’s first-ever 4D printing for ceramics. • The President’s Award 2020, CityU (HEIAs) for Advanced Structural Applications - Plastic Deformation Stability and Hardening Behavior of Complex High-entropy Alloys (HEAs) with Innovative Multi-component Nanoparticles Scientific Advances in 2D/3D/4D Additive Manufacturing

(From left, front row) Professor Liu Chain- tsuan, and his research team members Fabricating materials with complex Center and the Centre for Advanced Dr Yang Tao, (back row, from left) Dr Zhao Yilu Integrating two and Dr Luan Junhua. shapes and desirable properties for cutting-edge Structural Materials, is an expert various applications has long been in the mechanical properties of a focus of materials scientists and technologies metallic and ceramic materials. engineers. A leading expert at CityU, He is leading a team to develop who developed the world’s first Professor Lu Jian, Chair Professor a pioneering 2D/3D/4D additive supra-nano-dual-phase alloy and of Mechanical Engineering at CityU, manufacturing system to fabricate four-dimensional (4D) ceramic and Director of the Hong Kong metallic-based materials with printing, is working on integrating Branch of National Precious Metals desired mechanical properties for these two cutting-edge technologies Material Engineering Research different applications. to fabricate lightweight, high-strength metallic materials for biomedical and aerospace applications.

3D printing technology, also known Selected Publications & Patents as additive manufacturing, has been

• Cao, B.X., Kong, H.J., Fan, L., Luan, J.H., • Yang, T., Zhao, Y.L., Fan, L., Wei, J., • Liu, C.T. & Zhang. T., “Method and system widely used to fabricate components Jiao, Z.B., Kai, J.J., Yang, T., & Liu, C.T. Luan, J.H., Liu, W.H., Wang, C., Jiao, Z.B., for manufacturing a structure”, US patent with complex shapes at low cost in 2021. “Heterogenous columnar-grained Kai, J.J., & Liu, C.T. 2020, “Control of 17/012,507, filed 2020. the manufacturing, construction, high-entropy alloys produce exceptional nanoscale precipitation and elimination of • Jiao, Z.B. & Liu, C.T., “ナノ金属間化合物强 biomedical and aerospace industries. resistance to intermediate-temperature intermediate-temperature embrittlement in 化超高强度フェライト鋼およびその作製方法 ”, However, some applications still intergranular embrittlement”, Scripta multicomponent high-entropy alloys”, Acta Japan patent 6591290, granted 2019. Materialia, vol.194, pp. 113622. Materialia, vol. 189, pp. 47-59. face limitations. For example, • Jiao, Z.B. & Liu, C.T., “銅 リッチ ナノクラス タ ー • Yang, T., Zhao, Y.L., Li, W.P., Yu, C.Y., • Yang, T., Zhao, Y.L., Tong, Y., Jiao, Z.B., the 3D-printed metallic materials 強化超高強度フェライト鋼およびその製造方法 ”, Luan, J.H., Lin, D.Y., Fan, L., Jiao, Z.B., Wei, J., Cai, J.X., Han, X.D., Chen, D., Japan patent 6584961, granted 2019. commonly used as moving parts in Liu, W.H., Liu, X.J., Kai, J.J., Huang, J.C. & Hu, A., Kai, J.J., Lu, K., Liu, Y. & Liu, C.T. medical implants have insufficient Liu, C.T. 2020, “Ultrahigh-strength and 2018, “Multicomponent intermetallic • Jiao, Z.B. & Liu, C.T., “ナノ金属間化合物强 ductile superlattice alloys with nanoscale nanoparticles and superb mechanical 化超高强度フェライト鋼およびその作製方法 ”, fatigue and wear resistance, which disordered interfaces”, Science, vol. 369, behaviors of complex alloys”, Science, vol. Japan patent 2019-11536, filed 2019. may eventually lead to the need no. 6502, pp. 427-432. 362, no. 6417, pp. 933-937. for a second surgery to replace the implants. Supra-nano-dual-phase magnesium alloy

42 43 “It is worthwhile integrating our of magnesium-based metallic glass. 3D-printed titanium-based alloy and facilitate the application of metallic two technologies – dual-phase The findings were reported in the examine its mechanical properties. materials in different fields, thus nanostructuring and 4D printing – to prestigious scientific journal Nature. benefiting all of society.” explore any extraordinary mechanical “By applying our knowledge and properties or metamaterial properties They also invented the world-first 4D know-how gained in inventing the Besides 3D printing technology, that may emerge,” said Professor Lu, printing of ceramics. The 3D-printed 4D printing technique, fabricating Professor Lu and his team have who is also the Director of the Joint ceramic precursors can re-shape supra-nano materials, and producing worked on functional metallic Laboratory of Nanomaterials and by themselves over time with the surface nanostructured materials, materials, particularly their newly Nanomechanics, established by the elastic energy stored in the stretched we will further treat the 3D-printed developed biosensing technology Institute of Metal Research (IMR) of precursors. And the fabricated titanium-based alloy and other based on ultrasensitive surface the Chinese Academy of Sciences ceramics are mechanically robust metallic materials to enhance their enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). and CityU. with high specific strength. mechanical properties. We hope to This technology can be applied in develop lightweight metallic various areas, such as antibiotics Earlier, he led the team that Fabricating ideal materials with high strength and detection, and food and cosmetics successfully developed the first- implant materials wear resistance for the medical product safety. They are working on ever supra-nano-dual-phase implant and aerospace industries,” the feasibility of applying it in the fast magnesium alloy. By using dual-phase In this project, they will first develop said Professor Lu. detection of Covid-19, cancer and nanostructuring technology, the team a 2D/3D/4D manufacturing system cardiovascular diseases, as well as the In particular, they will study the effect overcame the limitation of existing to fabricate metallic-based materials non-invasive detection of diabetes. The SERS biosensing technology can be used to test contaminants in food and cosmetics. of post-treatment, such as Surface structural materials: high strength with complex shapes, particularly Mechanical Attrition Treatment and high ductility cannot coexist. The those used in biomedical and (SMAT) to enhance fatigue resistance, new cutting-edge material developed lightweight structure applications. and Physical Vapour Deposition to by the team is 10 times stronger than Since titanium-based alloys are Key Projects conventional crystalline magnesium enhance wear resistance, on the considered the ideal implant material • General Research Fund: alloy and has super-deformation mechanical properties of the printed for clinical use, the team will first - Study the Plastic Deformation Mechanism and Thermal Stability of capacity two times higher than that materials. SMAT is a surface nano- focus on fabricating supra-nano Major Awards Ultra-strong/Ductile Nano-dual-phase Alloys crystallisation technology, which was - Study the Wear and Corrosion Resistances of Ultra-Strong/Plastic Mg-Based first introduced by Professor Lu and • Silver Medal, 47th International Exhibition Supra-Nano-Dual-Phase Materials Professor Lu Ke, Director of IMR. It of Inventions Geneva, 2019 - Development of High Strength and High Ductility Micro-alloyed Gold by Inducing Gradient Nanostructures involves the use of hundreds of small • The 12th Guanghua Engineering Science hard balls, which are vibrated using and Technology Award, 2018 • Collaborative Research Fund: Joint R&D of Magnesium-based Orthopaedic Implants high-power ultrasound, so that they • French Knight of the National Order of • Theme-based Research Scheme: Functional Bone Regeneration in Challenging hit the surface of a material at high Légion d’Honneur (Chevalier de la Légion Bone Disorders and Defects d’Honneur), 2017 speed to enhance damage-tolerance • Joint Laboratory Funding Scheme: System for 2/3/4D Additive Manufacturing in metallic alloys. of Supra-nano Metallic Materials for Biomedical and Lightweight Structure Applications Biosensors for health • Areas of Excellence Scheme: Aging, Skeletal Degeneration and Regeneration

They aim to build up a database of 3D-printed metallic materials, with details about their mechanical properties, microstructure, treatment process and potential applications. Selected Publications & Patents “The database will be of great assistance to materials researchers • Ou, W., Zhou, B., Shen, J., Lo, T.W., Cao, K., Lu, Y., Cheng, L. & Lu, J. 2019, • Wu, G., Chan, K.-C., Zhu, L., Sun, L. & Lu, and engineers for their research in Lei, D., Li, S., Zhong, J., Li, Y.Y. & Lu, J. “Hierarchical nanostructured aluminum J. 2017, “Dual-phase nanostructuring as a 2020, “Thermal and nonthermal effects alloy with ultrahigh strength and large route to high-strength magnesium alloys”, developing more new materials and in plasmon-mediated electrochemistry plasticity”, Nature Communications, vol. Nature, vol. 545, no. 7652, pp. 80-83. for exploring new applications,” said at nanostructured Ag electrodes”, 10, no. 1. • Li, Y., Lu, J. & Zhan, Y., “Method for Professor Lu. “We hope it can help Angewandte Chemie - International • Chen, A.Y., Zhu, L.L., Sun, L.G., Liu, J.B., treating a surface of a metallic structure”, Edition, vol. 59, no. 17, pp. 6790-6793. Wang, H.T., Wang, X.Y., Yang, J.H. & Lu, J. US patent US10,626,518, granted 2020. • Bu, Y., Bu, X., Lyu, F., Liu, G., Wu, G., Pan, 2019, “Scale law of complex deformation • Lu, J. & Liu, G., “System and method L., Cheng, L., Ho, J.C. & Lu, J. 2020, “Full- transitions of nanotwins in stainless steel”, for four-dimensional printing of color reflective filters in a large area with a Nature Communications, vol. 10, no. 1. ceramic origami structures”, US patent wide-band tunable absorber deposited by • Liu, G., Zhao, Y., Wu, G. & Lu, J. 2018, US10,377,076, granted 2019. one-step magnetron sputtering”, Advanced The 3D-printed ceramic precursors are soft and “Origami and 4D printing of elastomer- Optical Materials, vol. 8, no. 1. • Lu, J. & Wu, G., “Metal material and a stretchable, enabling ceramics with complex derived ceramic structures”, Science method for use in fabricating thereof”, shapes, such as origami folding mimicking the • Wu, G., Liu, C., Sun, L., Wang, Q., Sun, Advances, vol. 4, no. 8. US patent US10,428,418, granted 2019. Sydney Opera House. B., Han, B., Kai, J.-J., Luan, J., Liu, C.T.,

44 45 neutron sources in the world, there is huge demand to use the facility for Understanding Complex Materials experiments and research.” through Neutron Scattering Therefore, he and his collaborators have supported the construction of a multiphysics instrument (a total scattering diffractometer) at the CSNS, Breakthroughs in materials in zirconium-copper-aluminium Professor Wang was awarded the with the support of the Collaborative development, which are essential metallic glass. They demonstrated the Croucher Senior Research Fellowship Research Fund (CRF), in exchange for advances in technology, are existence of high-frequency transverse 2021 and will use the grant to for dedicated access to a suite of based on scientists’ understanding phonons in metallic glass for the first conduct an in situ neutron diffraction instruments there. “This will greatly of material structure and dynamics. time. Their findings have provided study to pursue his research on phase enhance education and research Neutron scattering is one of the most new insight into understanding the transformation and deformation activity in Hong Kong and encourage powerful techniques for exploring atomic structure-dynamics relationship behaviours in HEAs at ultra-low the rapid growth of a strong user the nature of materials. At CityU, in disordered materials. temperatures. community,” he said. an expert in neutron-scattering The multiphysics instrument supported by Professor Wang’s CRF project being installed in the CSNS. measurements has applied this state- Unveiling HEA Advantage of close Promoting neutron- of-the-art experimental technique deformation at ultra- proximity to a neutron to find out the deformation and scattering research Committee, Professor Wang and Wang started the biennial Croucher transformation behaviours in complex low temperature source facility his collaborators are developing Summer Course on Neutron Professor Wang and Professor materials, in particular at ultra-low an isotope labelling platform for Scattering. “I enjoy the interaction With the neutron-scattering Riding on Hong Kong’s proximity to Chen Hesheng, of the Institute of temperatures, opening up a new area functional materials, which will enable with young researchers from different instrumentation, Professor Wang and the China Spallation Neutron Source High Energy Physics of the Chinese of materials research. precise structure identification at the backgrounds,” he said. “By boosting his team also discovered that high- (CSNS), Professor Wang has dedicated Academy of Sciences (CAS), co- CSNS. The project aims to enhance collaboration between the Hong “Neutron scattering is like a giant entropy alloys (HEAs), a new class his efforts to establishing Hong founded the Joint Laboratory on the research infrastructure of Hong Kong scientific community and the microscope,” explained Professor of structural materials consisting of Kong as a hub for neutron-scattering Neutron Scattering at CityU, with Kong laboratories, utilising the neutron CSNS and nurturing more scientists Wang Xunli, Chair Professor and Head multiple principal elements, exhibit science in the region. sponsorship from the CAS and the source at CSNS to study structural and to work in neutron scattering, we of the Department of Physics, and also exceptional mechanical properties at Croucher Foundation, to carry out energy materials. hope Hong Kong can benefit from “The CSNS is one of the largest a Fellow of the Neutron Scattering ultra-low temperatures owing to the a variety of cutting-edge research the enhancement of this science and national scientific facilities in China Society of America. “It can reveal the coexistence of multiple deformation projects. Supported by Joint Laboratory Previously, with the support of the technology research.” and is situated in Dongguan, which structure and dynamics of a material, mechanisms. They revealed the Funding from the University Grants Croucher Foundation, Professor is about a two-hour drive from such as how the atoms are packed sequence of deformation mechanisms Hong Kong. It offers tremendous and how they move, thus enhancing in HEAs at ultra-low temperatures for opportunities for researchers in our understanding of a material’s the first time, opening up new terrain Hong Kong and the region,” he Key Projects properties. It can be applied to physics, that very few have examined. explained. “Since there are only four • Croucher Senior Research Fellowship: In Situ Neutron chemistry, biology, biomedical science, Major Awards Diffraction Study of Competing Deformation Mechanisms in materials science and engineering.” High Entropy Alloys • Croucher Senior Research Fellowship 2021 • Collaborative Research Fund: Hong Kong’s Participation at the • Elected Fellow, Neutron Scattering Society of America, 2020 China Spallation Neutron Source A giant microscope for • Lee Hsun Lectureship, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2018 • Joint Laboratory Funding Scheme: Isotope Substitution to materials • Elected Fellow, American Association for the Advancement Enable Precise Structure Determination at China Spallation of Science, 2017 Neutron Source Neutrons are uncharged particles, so they can easily pass through material. The ways in which they bounce off a material and scatter provide scientists with important information about the material’s structure and properties. Selected Publications

For example, experimental studies on • Li, X.Y., Zhang, H.P., Lan, S., Abernathy, ultralow temperatures”, Science Advances, • Lan, S., Ren, Y., Wei, X.Y., Wang, B., the physical properties of amorphous D.L., Otomo, T., Wang, F.W., Ren, Y., Li, vol. 6, no. 13, eaax4002. Gilbert, E.P., Shibayama, T., Watanabe, M.Z. & Wang, X.L. 2020, “Observation S., Ohnuma, M. & Wang, X.L. 2017, materials have been very difficult • Li, X., Liu, P.-F., Zhao, E., Zhang, Z., of high-frequency transverse phonons in Guidi, T., Le, M.D., Avdeev, M., Ikeda, K., “Hidden amorphous phase and reentrant owing to their disordered atomic metallic glasses”, Physical Review Letters, Otomo, T., Kofu, M., Nakajima, K., Chen, supercooled liquid in Pd-Ni-P metallic arrangement. But using the neutron- vol. 124, no. 22, 225902. J., He, L., Ren, Y., Wang, X.L., Wang, glasses”, Nature Communications, vol. 8, scattering technique, Professor • Naeem, M., He, H., Zhang, F., Huang, H., B.-T., Ren, Z., Zhao, H. & Wang, F. 2020, 14679. Wang led an international research Harjo, S., Kawasaki, T., Wang, B., Lan, S., “Ultralow thermal conductivity from • Chen, H. & Wang, X.L. 2016, “China’s first Wu, Z., Wang, F., Wu, Y., Lu, Z., Zhang, Z., transverse acoustic phonon suppression in pulsed neutron source”, Nature Materials, team to overcome this challenge, Liu, C.T. & Wang, X.L. 2020, “Cooperative distorted crystalline α-MgAgSb”, Nature vol. 15, no. 7, pp. 689-691. and measured the atomic dynamics Professor Wang Xunli deformation in high-entropy alloys at Communications, vol. 11, no. 1, 942.

46 47 material micro/nano sensors and and conducting nanomaterials, actuators – 4D actuators – that are actuators to have features at multiple such as graphene oxide, carbon stimuli-responsive, self-morphing, Advancing Sensing and Robotic length-scales,” explained Professor Li. nanotubes and other nanomaterials, and embedded with programmable can be embedded into 3D fabricated architectures. The team plans to Actuation Technology Leveraging mechanical structures. This is demonstrate the fabrication of multi-material 3D expected to speed up the process several advanced actuation devices, of sensing device prototyping including cell-electric-stimulation nano-printing dramatically at lower cost. array for bio-syncretic robots, bio-syncretic cell-based actuators, Using an advanced 3D nano- Moreover, with multi-material 3D and 4D micro-robots with fluorescent printing system that can produce nano-printing, researchers can characteristics for biomedical multi-layered nano-material-based directly fabricate the functional body applications. structures and 3D circuitry in the JLRR of robots, employing various soft at CityU, Professor Li and his team are material components with different “As a technologist, my research goal developing flexible skin-sensors for degrees of stiffness, thus avoiding is very clear: develop technologies to integrating with assistive robots for complex moulding techniques advance human wellbeing, including the elderly, and for producing tactile and assembly. By introducing new extending human life, making sensors to enhance extended reality- classes of customised materials and everyday life more enjoyable, and based education in Hong Kong. functionalities into 3D printing, they discovering new phenomena,” said can fabricate new breeds of robotic Professor Li. They will also modify the printing platform so that advanced sensing

Key Projects

• General Research Fund: Professor Li Wen Jung uses MEMS technology to fabricate microfluidics chips that can - Microfluidic Pervaporation Device for Fabrication of Nanoparticle-based identify stomach cancer cells. Metalens for Dry Environment Super-Resolution Imaging - Development of Flexible MEMS Pressure Sensors Using Hierarchical Surface Major Awards Structures for Texture Roughness Identification To take sensing and robotic actuation devices or systems can sense, control His team has employed this widely - Atomization of Viscous Fluids for Digital Scent Technology Using an technologies to new heights and and actuate on a micro scale with used technology to fabricate a • IEEE Fellow Integrated Micro-droplet Generation Platform application domains, a collaborative high sensitivity and extreme accuracy, number of sensors for healthcare • ASME Fellow • Innovation and Technology Fund: research team at CityU is working on and generate effects on the macro applications. One of their ongoing • Elected President of the IEEE Nanotechnology - A MEMS-based Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) System with Super- resolution Microlens for Enhanced Structured-light 3D Imaging and Mapping developing next-generation three- scale. Based on integrated circuit projects involves using flexible Council (2016/2017) - An Implantable Micro-Sensing System for Tracking Animal Motion Behaviors dimensional (3D) sensing systems and technology, the batch fabrication smart-skin sensors to decipher the • 100 Talents Awardee (Distinguished Overseas Scholar), Chinese Academy of Sciences • Joint Laboratory Funding Scheme: Development of 3D Integrated Robotics 4D robotics actuators for applications capacity of MEMS devices enables low correlation of a patient’s arterial pulse and Sensing Structures Using Multi-layered Nano-ink Circuit Deposition in digital healthcare, medical robotics per-device production costs. with kidney disease progression. • Shenzhen Science, Technology and Innovation Commission: 大視場納米 and extended reality. They also deployed MEMS to 尺度超分辨測量與成像系統 Fabricating sensors for fabricate microfluidics chips that Professor Li Wen Jung, Chair health applications separate and identify cancer cells and Professor of Biomedical Engineering stem cells, contributing to the early and Director of the Joint Laboratory Currently MEMS is widely used in diagnosis of diseases and biomedical for Robotic Research (JLRR), which applications such as actuators in science research. was established by the Shenyang Selected Publications & Patents inkjet printer nozzles, crash air-bag Institute of Automation, Chinese One of their current research focuses accelerometers in automobiles, • Zhang, Y., Zhao, J., Yu, H., Li, P., Liang, Internet of Things Journal, vol. 5, no. 6, pp. assessment”, US patent 16/014,584, Academy of Sciences (SIACAS) and involves leveraging the latest additive W., Liu, Z., Lee, G.-B., Liu, L., Li, W.J. & 4558-4566. filed 2018. projection display chips, optical CityU, specialises in developing micro- 3D nano-printing technology to Wang, Z. 2020, “Detection and isolation • Wang, F., Liu, L., Yu, H., Wen, Y., Yu, P., Liu, • Chan, H.Y., Wong, K.W., Law, J., Chen, M., switches, and blood pressure sensors. of free cancer cells from ascites and electromechanical systems (MEMS) develop next-generation 3D sensing Z., Wang, Y. & Li, W.J. 2016, “Scanning Li, W.J., Chau, B.F. & Chan, K.-M., “Audio- “In particular, micro-, nano- and bio- peritoneal lavages using optically induced superlens microscopy for non-invasive effect-activated scent generation method and various micro-, nano- and bio- and 4D robotic actuation systems. electrokinetics (OEK)”, Science Advances, sensors are very important for digital large field-of-view visible light nanoscale and system”, US Patent 16/224,894, filed sensing and robotics technologies. vol. 6, no. 32. and tele-medicines,” said Professor imaging”, Nature Communications, vol. 7. 2018. “Additive 3D nano-printing technology • Zhao, Y., Liang, J., Cui, Y., Sha, X. & Li. “Doctors can use many different • Xu, R., Zhou, S. & Li, W.J. 2012, “MEMS • Chan, H.Y., Li, W.J., Chau, B.F., Chan & MEMS is a process technology used can integrate complex geometric Li, W.J. 2020, “Adaptive 3D position accelerometer based nonspecific-user hand K.M., “Bubble atomizer and method for physiological sensors to conveniently estimation of pedestrians by wearing one to create tiny integrated devices that features, compact electronic circuits gesture recognition”, IEEE Sensors Journal, atomizing liquid”, US Patent 9,669,364, monitor their patients. And all ankle sensor”, IEEE Sensors Journal, vol. 20, vol. 12, no. 5, pp. 1166-1173. filed 2015. combine mechanical and electrical and many new functional materials no. 19, pp. 11642-11651. these sensors are based on MEMS • Chan, H.M., Zhang, G., Wang, Y. & Li, W.J., components. Ranging in size from a into flexible or rigid polymers, enabling • Wang, Y., Chen, M., Wang, X., Chan, fabrication technology in one way “Systems and methods using a wearable few micrometres to millimetres, these the design of novel single or multi- R.H.M. & Li, W.J. 2018, “IoT for next- sensor for sports action recognition and or another.” generation racket sports training”, IEEE

48 49 From Memory BRAIN Formation to Treatment of Brain An interdisciplinary joint effort to provide a better understanding of Disorders the structure and functions of the human brain and the understanding of mind, including potential of How memories are formed has called synaptic strength, can be in the medial temporal lobe, Professor long been a fundamental question modified, depending on how often He and his team discovered that CCK human-machine interfaces. for neuroscientists. Studies by these connections are activated. The is crucial in switching on memory Professor He Jufang, Wong more active the connections are, the writing in the neocortex. In particular, Chun Hong Chair Professor of stronger they become. The lasting they found out how memory is encoded Translational Neuroscience in the increase in synaptic strength is called and how visual and auditory inputs Department of Neuroscience and long-term potentiation (LTP). And are associated. Department of Biomedical Sciences, long-term synaptic plasticity forms the have shed light on the crucial role model for memory storage. Subsequently, they found that the of a key neuromodulator, called N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) cholecystokinin (CCK), in memory Discovery of crucial receptor, which was once widely forming in the neocortex. As a neuromodulator in recognised as the most important result of the discovery of CCK’s receptor in mediating the formation of functions, Professor He is developing memory formation memory, actually controls the release a treatment strategy to alleviate of CCK. And it is CCK that induces During the communication between epilepsy, tinnitus, Alzheimer’s disease, long-term synaptic plasticity, enabling two neurons across a synapse, an and other brain disorders. memory formation. electric signal is converted into Memory is stored in a network of a chemical signal, in the form of While their discovery is about memory neurons through the persistent neurotransmitter release. Upon formation, its implications and changes in the strength of binding to the receptor, the transmitter application potential extend further. connections between neurons, switches back into an electric form “Epilepsy and many neurodegenerative described as synaptic plasticity. These travelling through the neuron. diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, are connections, called synapses, allow strongly associated with synaptic By investigating the chemical neurons to communicate with each plasticity in the brain,” said Professor composition of dozens of other. The strength of communication, He. “Our findings revealing the neurotransmitters and neuromodulators relationship among CCK, LTP and synaptic plasticity provide a theoretical basis for developing treatments for different brain diseases.”

For instance, they are studying the relationship between high-frequency stimulation-induced LTP in the hippocampus and CCK, and between spatial memory and CCK. In particular, they will examine whether CCK agonists (chemicals act like CCK and therefore stimulate the same receptors) can rescue spatial learning in memory- deficient mice, with the long-term goal of future drug development to help patients with Alzheimer’s or neurological disorders retain memory. Cortical slides of the mice from experiments for studying the formation of memory.

51 Treatment strategy hypersensitive and show synchronised Epilepsy is one of the most prevalent “The tricky part of fighting Alzheimer’s for tinnitus activity, called thalamocortical neurological disorders characterised New MRI Approach disease is that early symptoms, such as oscillations. This constant activity in the by spontaneous recurrent seizures. the emergence of protein plaques in loop can be perceived as a constant “Anti-epileptic drugs have been used the human brain, which hamper the The team is also investigating the phantom sound, tinnitus. as long-term treatment solutions. But cognitive function, are similar to normal possibility of treating tinnitus with the for Earlier Detection of 35% of patients have been found to ageing,” said Dr Chan. “Even more administration of CCK4, a type of CCK “We plan to apply CCK agonists to become resistant to the medication. challenging, patients diagnosed with agonist, paired with sound therapy. patients to activate plasticity in the Temporal lobe epilepsy is one of the Alzheimer’s Disease symptoms are most likely in the middle brain, and then apply sound therapy Tinnitus patients hear phantom sounds, most severe and frequent pharmaco- or late stage of the disease. Overlooked to rewire synaptic connections in like clicking, buzzing or ringing. resistant types of epilepsies,” explained pathologies in the brain could have the thalamocortical complex,” said Tinnitus alone can severely disrupt Professor He. happened 15 or 20 years before the Professor He. “The novelty of our quality of life. The majority of tinnitus symptoms appear.” approach involves triggering synaptic After having established the link cases occur after patients suffer from plasticity in the brain through the between epilepsy and the strengthening Dr Chan’s team’s new imaging approach peripheral hearing loss because of administration of CCK4. Preliminary of the neural network with CCK from can assess glucose uptake and clearance exposure to either long-term loud results show a promising outcome.” the medial temporal lobe, the team in the lymphatic system of the brains noise or a blast. In a fraction of cases, will explore a treatment strategy by of mice in a non-invasive way. “By the brain is incapable of compensating blocking the synaptic strength with using glucose as a natural ‘tracer’, our for the loss of major ascending Application in CCK receptor antagonists. imaging method can sensitively detect cochlear input to the major centres of alleviating epilepsy the distinctive changes in the lymphatic the central auditory pathway, namely system function at the molecular level the auditory thalamus and auditory Moreover, inhibiting CCK activation at the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease, cortex. Neurons that lose cochlear may help alleviate involuntary seizures helping us to differentiate it from normal input in these brain regions become in epilepsy patients. ageing,” she said.

Dr Kannie Chan Wai-yan (first row) and her research team. Major Award The new imaging approach is compatible with the MRI machines commonly used • The President’s Award 2018, CityU Collaborative research by CityU and changes in the brain’s lymphatic system, in clinics and hospitals, which means low set-up cost and technically easy Key Projects Johns Hopkins University has developed which can provide early cues about the Professor He Jufang a new, non-invasive way to identify disease. Their findings were published transfer to clinical applications. Dr Chan (back) and his research • General Research Fund: Alzheimer’s disease even before any in the scientific journal Science anticipates that clinical trials can be group members. - A Novel CCK Receptor Regulates the Long-term Potentiation of Inhibition symptoms appear. Advances in May, 2020. conducted within three years. in the Auditory Cortex - Cholecystokinin Administration Rescues Thalamocortical Neuroplasticity in Old Rodents Dr Kannie Chan Wai-yan, Associate - GABAergic Cholecystokinin Enhances the Local Inhibitory Effect in the Professor in the Department of Major Awards Auditory Cortex Biomedical Engineering (BME) at • Young Investigator Award, Overseas Chinese Society for Magnetic • Health and Medical Research Fund: CityU, and her team collaborated Resonance in Medicine, 2020 - Neuroplasticity Induced by the Administration of Cholecystokinin Tetrapeptide with scientists from the US, Sweden • ISMRM Magna cum Laude Merit Award 2020 and Noise Exposure as a Novel Strategy for the Treatment of Tinnitus and Hong Kong in pioneering this - The Development of Upconversion-based Wireless Optogenetics as an • Teaching Excellence Award 2020, CityU All-optical Therapeutic Strategy to Study and Treat Parkinson’s Disease pre-clinical study. They developed a Key Project • Innovation and Technology Fund: molecular imaging approach, based on - Assay Platforms for CCK-B Receptor Agonists as Potential Treatment Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), • General Research Fund: Development of Theranostic Hydrogels for Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment to dynamically measure glucose level for MRI-guided Brain Tumor Treatment

Selected Publications & Patents Selected Publications

• Zhang, Z., Zheng, X., Sun, W., Peng, Sun, W., Zhang, Z., Zhang, X., He, L., • He, J., Li, X., Tan, A., Peng, Y., Xu, S., • Huang, J., Chen, L., Xu, X., van Zijl, P.C.M., brain detected by on-resonance variable L., Chen, L., Lai, J.H.C., Wu, E.X., Xu, J. & Y., Guo, Y., Lu, D., Zheng, Y., Li, X., Zhang, N., Zhang, Z., Tang, P., Su, J., Yang, Y., Zhang, X., Houssain, M. M., Xu, J. & Chan, K.W.Y. 2020, “Multi-slice delay multiple pulse MRI”, Journal of Chan, K.W.Y. 2020, “Altered d-glucose in Jendrichovsky, P., Tang, P., He, L., Li, M., Hu, L.-L., Liu, Q., He, X., Tan, A., Sun, X., “Method and composition for treating nuclear overhauser enhancement imaging Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, brain parenchyma and cerebrospinal fluid Liu, Q., Xu, F., Ng, G., Chen, X. & He, J. Li, M., Wong, K., Wang, X., Cheung, H.-Y., epilepsy”, International patent PCT/ with suppressed magnetization transfer for (in press). of early Alzheimer’s disease detected by 2020, “Visuoauditory associative memory Shum, D.K.-Y., Yung, K.K.L., Chan, Y.-S., CN2019/111446, filed 2019, and US hydrogel-based therapy in the brain at • Chen, L., Schär, M., Chan, K.W.Y., Huang, dynamic glucose-enhanced MRI”, Science established with cholecystokinin under Tortorella, M., Guo, Y., Xu, F. & He, J. patent 16/174,842, filed 2018. 3 T MRI”, Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, J., Wei, Z., Lu, H., Qin, Q., Weiss, R.G., van Advances, vol. 6, no. 20. anesthesia is retrieved in behavioral 2019, “Cholecystokinin release triggered by • He, J., Hau, S., Xu, S., Yang, Y., Zhang, (in press). Zijl, P.C.M. & Xu, J. 2020, “In vivo imaging • Han, X., Huang, J., To, A.K.W., Lai, J.H.C., contexts”, Journal of Neuroscience, vol. 40, NMDA receptors produces LTP and sound- X., Feng, H. & Zhang, G., “Method and • Chen, L., Wei, Z., Chan, K.W.Y., Li, Y., of phosphocreatine with artificial neural Xiao, P., Wu, E.X., Xu, J. & Chan, K.W.Y. no. 10, pp. 2025-2037. sound associative memory”, Proceedings composition for treating mental disorder Suchal, K., Bi, S., Huang, J., Xu, X., Wong, networks”, Nature Communications, 2020, “CEST MRI detectable liposomal • Chen, X., Li, X., Wong, Y.T., Zheng, X., of the National Academy of Sciences of the and pain associated with nerve damage”, P.C., Lu, H., van Zijl, P.C.M., Li, T. & Xu, J. vol. 11, no. 1. hydrogels for multiparametric monitoring in Wang, H., Peng, Y., Feng, H., Feng, J., United States of America, vol. 116, no. 13, US patent 16/395,499, filed 2019. 2020, “D-Glucose uptake and clearance in the brain at 3T”, Theranostics, vol. 10, pp. 6397-6406. • Huang, J., van Zijl, P.C.M., Han, X., Dong, Baibado, J.T., Jesky, R., Wang, Z., Xie, H., the tauopathy Alzheimer’s disease mouse C.M., Cheng, G.W.Y., Tse, K.-H., Knutsson, no. 5, pp. 2215-2228.

52 53 research team found that L-lactate and dig it out, showing that they By injecting drugs for demyelination as severe depression, chronic recurrent infusion into the ACC increased the had developed dynamic schema-like in rats, they concluded that the pain, irritable bowel syndrome, and Discovering the Neural proportion of good decisions by normal memory consolidation and retrieval. interference of myelin formation can Alzheimer’s disease.” rats by up to 48% and significantly When the rats were introduced with severely disrupt the creation of memory Mechanisms Between relieved decision-making dysfunction two new flavour-place pairs, it only took schemas and new memories. The He and his team will continue in rats with chronic visceral pain. The them one training session to find the transmission of information within to investigate neural network animal experiments support the idea correct food location, indicating that neural circuits and the synchrony of synchronisation to identify the causality Chronic Pain and of an “astrocyte-to-neuron L-lactate the integration of new information into neural networks are negatively affected of chronic pain and associated shuttle”, which means that the established knowledge progressed as well. They also found that myelination cognitive deficits, which will lay the exogenous administration of L-lactate or very rapidly. is a key factor in facilitating long-range groundwork for developing effective Cognitive Deficits optogenetic activation of astrocytes can oscillations and synchronisation of spike treatment and prevention strategies. stimulate astrocytes in abnormal neural By analysing the changes in the rats’ time arrival between neurons in different circuitry and may help alleviate cognitive brains with immunohistochemistry and brain areas. deficits caused by chronic pain. a transmission electron microscope, the researchers found that the myelin of “With the use of cutting-edge “Neuroscience is a complex Apart from investigating the the ACC of the trained rats had grown optogenetic, chemogenetic and discipline, which covers a broad pathological mechanisms of pain- substantially in the process of learning pharmacological technologies, base of life sciences, and is related to other disciplines, related brain disorders for years, and developing memory schema. we can precisely control brain such as physics and information Professor Li was also the first to oligodendrocytes to promote myelin In addition, the team reversely technology. So we should expand decipher the critical role of myelin in formation,” said Professor Li. “We will our knowledge in all these demonstrated the importance of myelin advanced cognitive memory and how explore whether these methods can fields. There is also a crucial in enhancing learning and memory its growth and regeneration can be improve severe cognitive impairment connection between philosophy fostered to enhance the synchrony of capacity by interrupting its growth. caused by central myelin diseases such and cognitive science. The neural networks and improve driving forces of hypotheses and cognitive functions. advanced biotechnologies should be used in concert to explore the The critical role of beauty of the philosophy of mind and cognition.” myelin in cognitive Major Awards - Professor Li Ying functions • Fellow, American Gastroenterological Association Having developed dynamic schema-like memory consolidation, it only took the rat one training • Guest Principal Investigator: Institute of Brain Cognition and Brain Disease, session to find the correct food location from the sand well. Myelin, or myelin sheath, a multi- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences layered fatty tissue wrapped around Key Projects While the clinical connection between neuronal functions. Professor Li and his neuronal axons, insulates and protects chronic pain and increases in levels team found that during synaptic activity neurons, and increases the rate at • General Research Fund: of anxiety, depression, cognitive (when an electrical or chemical signal which information is passed along the - Chronic Pain Induces Hypomyelination: A Causal Mechanism for Brain Circuitry Desynchronization and Impaired Decision Making axons. Its formation is controlled by dysfunction has long been established, is passed from one neuron to another - Impairment of Schemas and Memory Consolidation and Disruption of the underlying mechanisms of or to a target effector cell), astrocytes oligodendrocytes, which are large glial Schemas-linked Interactions Between Hippocampal and Anterior Cingulate brain neural networks remain less release a substance called L-lactate, cells in the central nervous system. Cortex in Chronic Visceral pain understood. Professor Li Ying, which is utilised by neurons to promote • NSFC/RGC Joint Research Scheme: L-lactate Release by Optogenetic Activation Chair Professor in the Department information flow and synchrony in the The team discovered that schema-like of Astrocytes Rescues Decision-making Deficit in Visceral Hypersensitive Rats of Neuroscience and Department of brain neural circuitry, thereby improving learning, which is learning through • Health and Medical Research Fund: Impaired Communications in Anterior repetition, can foster the growth Cingulate Cortex Neural Network in the Rats with Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain Biomedical Sciences, has achieved decision-making performance. is Associated with Decision-making Deficits breakthroughs by unveiling the of brain myelin. Memory schemas secrets of brain molecules and tissue – L-lactate: a signalling have been introduced to cognitive astrocytes and myelin – in the central psychology to understand how new molecule to improve information is integrated with pre- nervous system. By identifying the decision-making roles of astrocyte lactate signalling and existing knowledge. So the team applied schema-like learning to design myelin plasticity in circuitry synchrony, Recently L-lactate has been Selected Publications he has shed light on how fundamental the study of behaviour in rats. recognised as an important fuel for • Hasan, M., Kanna, M.S., Jun, W., decision making in rats”, Cell Reports, • Cao, B., Wang, J., Shahed, M., Jelfs, B., cognitive functions, including learning, many cells. But Professor Li’s study In weeks of training, the rats learned Ramkrishnan, A.S., Iqbal, Z., Lee, Y. & Li, Y. vol. 21, no. 9, pp. 2407-2418. Chan, R.H.M. & Li, Y. 2016, “Vagus nerve memory and decision-making, could be found another essential role: as a multiple types of flavour-place paired 2019, “Schema-like learning and memory • Cao, B., Wang, J., Zhang, X., Yang, X., stimulation alters phase synchrony of the rescued and enhanced, especially for signalling molecule in neuronal activity consolidation acting through myelination”, Poon, D.C.-H., Jelfs, B., Chan, R.H.M., anterior cingulate cortex and facilitates association, so that they could FASEB Journal, vol. 33, no. 11, pp. 11758- decision making in rats”, Scientific Reports, patients suffering from chronic pain. plasticity and neuronal network Wu, J.C.-. & Li, Y. 2016, “Impairment remember which kind of food was 11775. of decision making and disruption of vol. 6. synchrony in the brain. Astrocytes, which are star-shaped hidden in which sand well. After • Wang, J., Tu, J., Cao, B., Mu, L., Yang, synchrony between basolateral amygdala • Wang, J., Zhang, X., Cao, B., Liu, J. & Li, Y. training, when the rats smelled a X., Cong, M., Ramkrishnan, A.S., Chan, and anterior cingulate cortex in the 2015, “Facilitation of synaptic transmission glial cells in the anterior cingulate Using the previously established certain kind of food, they could R.H.M., Wang, L. & Li, Y. 2017, “Astrocytic maternally separated rat”, Neurobiology of in the anterior cingulate cortex in viscerally cortex (ACC), are crucial in influencing “chronic visceral pain rat model”, the L-lactate signaling facilitates amygdala- learning and memory, vol. 136, pp. 74-85. hypersensitive rats”, Cerebral Cortex, vol. 25, quickly go to the correct sand well anterior cingulate cortex synchrony and no. 4, pp. 859-868.

54 55 New stimulation thalamus and motor cortex, leading The research team will optimise the Novel Neural target site for treating to undesirable side effects, such as DBS parameters so that it is triggered cognition impairment, depression only when a symptom-related Parkinson’s disease and anxiety. biomarker is detected. In collaboration Prosthetic Devices for with a US-based company, the Another research focus of Dr Ma is Considering that i) striatum nuclei optimised therapeutic DBS parameters PD, the second most common chronic are the motor integrating centre in will be used to develop an implantable Neurodegenerative neurodegenerative disorder, which the brain modulating both direct and microchip prototype of a closed-loop affects more than 6.1 million of the indirect pathways; and ii) the abnormal deep brain stimulator using striatum world’s population and about 1.7% of local field potential (LFP)-beta power nuclei as a novel DBS target site. Diseases people aged 60 years or over in China. and neuronal firing pattern detected in the striatum nuclei of PD patients is “We believe that the success of the Conventional DBS implantation is associated with motor dysfunction, current study will not only minimise Patients suffering from performed in the ventral intermediate Dr Ma is exploring striatum nuclei side effects in conventional DBS with spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) and nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus, as a novel target site for DBS. His a new DBS target site, but also take Parkinson’s disease (PD), two subthalamic nucleus or globus pallidus research team has demonstrated that DBS development to the next level incurable neurodegenerative interna to modulate either a direct DBS at the striatum nuclei is more by closing the loop. Our closed-loop diseases, often experience problems or indirect pathway of the thalamo- effective than DBS at the subthalamic prototype could minimise unnecessary with movement and motor cortical-striatal loop. The imbalance nucleus and globus pallidus interna stimulation in SCA and PD patients coordination. Dr Eddie Ma Chi- between direct and indirect pathways in improving motor symptoms in two to reduce side effects for early him, Associate Head and Associate results in abnormal activation of mouse models of PD. intervention,” said Dr Ma. Professor in the Department of output nuclei and over-inhibition of the Neuroscience and Director of the Laboratory Animal Research Unit (LARU) at CityU, is currently Major Awards developing novel neural prosthetic • World Cultural Council Special Recognition, 2018 devices that could improve patients’ • The President’s Award 2016, CityU motor symptoms and improve their • Croucher Foundation Fellowship 2005-2007 quality of life. Dr Eddie Ma Chi-him (left) and his research team. Key Projects

Neurodegenerative diseases occur • Innovation and Technology Fund: when neurons in the brain or Closed-loop DBS to mice with ataxia phenotype. They - Therapeutic Potential of a Novel Deep Brain Stimulation Target Site peripheral nervous system lose avoid side effects will first perform electromyography and Neural Prosthetic Device for Treating Parkinson’s Disease function over time and ultimately die. to record muscle activity and video - Therapeutic Potential of Neural Motor Prostheses Device for the Dr Ma, who specialises in studying kinematics at different stages of Treatment of Spinocerebellar Ataxia “However, conventional open- the intrinsic molecular machinery locomotion, and simultaneously The closed-loop deep brain stimulator prototype developed by loop DBS involves continuous and Dr Ma’s research team. for central and peripheral nervous record neural activities of DCN in the excessive brain stimulation, which system regeneration after injury, has cerebellum to define symptomatic has undesirable side effects. It also adopted a multi-disciplinary approach electromyography activity as a feedback reduces the battery lifetime of deep spanning electrophysiology, molecular biomarker for closed-loop DBS. brain stimulators, which increases the Selected Publications & Patents biology, anatomy, animal behaviour frequency of replacement surgery. and genetics, and is working on In collaboration with Dr Tin Chun • Asthana, P., Zhang, G., Sheikh, K.A. & mediate progressive neurodegeneration in motor cortex”, Molecular Neurobiology, It is estimated that over 50% of advancing deep brain stimulation in the Department of Biomedical Ma, C.H.E. 2021, “Heat shock protein is glaucoma”, Nature Communications, vol. 9, vol. 54, no. 7, pp. 5590-5603. continuously delivered stimulation a key therapeutic target for nerve repair no. 1. (DBS) treatment strategies to better Engineering, Dr Ma and his team will • Ma, C.H.E. & Au, N.P. B., “Low-dose via open-loop DBS in PD patients is in autoimmune peripheral neuropathy • Cobos, E.J., Nickerson, C.A., Gao, radiation therapy for traumatic brain assist patients with SCA or PD. develop a real-time field-programmable and severe peripheral nerve injury”, Brain, unnecessary and can be avoided by F., Chandran, V., Bravo-Caparrós, I., injury and stroke”, US patent 63/089,607, gate array (FPGA) algorithm, targeting Behavior, and Immunity, vol. 91, pp. 48-64. using a feedback biomarker, as in González-Cano, R., Riva, P., Andrews, N.A., filed 2020. SCA refers to a group of genetic, interposed nucleus of the DCN to • Chine, V.B., Au, N.P.B. & Ma, C.H.E. 2019, Latremoliere, A., Seehus, C.R., Perazzoli, closed-loop DBS,” explained Dr Ma. • Ma, C.H.E. & Au, N.P. B., “Targeting progressive neurodegenerative close the loop in ataxia mice. The “Therapeutic benefits of maintaining G., Nieto, F.R., Joller, N., Painter, M.W., Ma, mitochondrial dynamics by mitochondrial mitochondrial integrity and calcium C.H.E., Omura, T., Chesler, E.J., Geschwind, disorders, characterised by the loss FPGA system is designed to perform fusion promoter M1 as a treatment strategy To avoid excessive stimulation, he and homeostasis by forced expression of Hsp27 D.H., Coppola, G., Rangachari, M., Woolf, for nervous system injury,” US patent of body balance, motor coordination, complex computations in real time, in chemotherapy-induced peripheral his team designed a “closed-loop” C.J. & Costigan, M. 2018, “Mechanistic 63/081,371, filed 2020. speech and oculomotor difficulties, completing one-second real-world neuropathy”, Neurobiology of Disease, differences in neuropathic pain modalities deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) stimulator vol. 130. • Ma, C.H.E., & Au, N.P. B., “Therapeutic which affect five per 100,000 activities within milliseconds. After revealed by correlating behavior with global prototype, which is triggered only when expression profiling”, Cell Reports, vol. 22, potential of glycopyrrolate and mexiletine people worldwide. Scientists have carrying out further electrophysiology • Chen, H., Cho, K.-S., Vu, T.H.K., Shen, for nervous system injury”, US patent a symptomatic electromyography in the C.-H., Kaur, M., Chen, G., Mathew, R., no. 5, pp. 1301-1312. long recognised the importance of and motor behavioural assessments, 63/078,395, filed 2020. muscle is detected. McHam, M.L., Fazelat, A., Lashkari, K., • Kumar, G., Au, N.P.B., Lei, E.N.Y., Mak, cerebellum, which is the balance and the team expects the motor deficit in Au, N.P.B., Tse, J.K.Y., Li, Y., Yu, H., Yang, Y.L., Chan, L.L.H., Lam, M.H.W., Chan, L.L., • Ma, C.H.E., Kumar, G., & TIN, C., “Neurostimulation system and method fine movement coordination centre SCA mice to improve after DBS and the L., Stein-Streilein, J., Ma, C.H.E., Woolf, Lam, P.K.S. & Ma, C.H.E. 2017, “Acute The research team is now testing the C.J., Whary, M.T., Jager, M.J., Fox, J.G., exposure to pacific ciguatoxin reduces for modulating abnormal motor of the brain, as a target site for DBS therapeutic potential of this stimulator new device to become more durable, Chen, J. & Chen, D.F. 2018, “Commensal electroencephalogram activity and disrupts movement”, US patent 16/454,121, filed 2019. in the treatment of SCA. prototype in genetically engineered resulting in fewer side effects. microflora-induced T cell responses neurotransmitter metabolic pathways in

56 57 At the macroscopic scale, where description of movement of gas and Untangling the gas and fluid are regarded as a fluid, linking the microscopic and continuum, their motion is described macroscopic models,” said Professor Mathematical by the macroscopic quantities, such as Yang. “The Boltzmann equation is mass density, temperature and pressure. the most fundamental equation in RESEARCHERS Theories for At this scale, the Euler and Navier- the kinetic theory; most of the known Stokes equations are the most famous kinetic models were derived from it,” Kinetic Systems equations among the governing he added. systems proposed in fluid dynamics. Professor Yang Tong The complexity of these models and At the microscopic scale, gas and fluid the diversity of their structures provide FEATURE The kinetic theory, which is primarily are viewed as a many-body system of a huge and extremely rich area of the study of rarefied gas motion and individual particles. The motion of the research for mathematical analysis. related fluid dynamics, is widely applied system is governed by coupled Newton in daily life in fields such as aircraft equations within the framework As an awardee of the Senior Research Impactful, cutting-edge research engineering, automobile design, the of classical mechanics. Since the Fellow Scheme of Research Grants would not be possible without the evaluation of resistance against strong movement of each atom takes place in Council (RGC), Professor Yang is using winds for large buildings and structures, three-dimensional space, an enormous the grant to advance his study of the commitment and efforts of dedicated and plasma and fusion problems. But number of Newton equations solution behaviour and fluid dynamic scholars and researchers. Here are the there are still many important unsolved are involved in the calculations. limits of some typical kinetic models, mathematical questions, which are “Therefore, it isn’t practical to use including the Vlasov-Maxwell-Boltzmann highlights of some of the outstanding intriguing for many mathematicians, the Newton equations to solve such a system and the Vlasov-Nordström- researchers recognised for their including Professor Yang Tong, Chair large coupled system, and specifying Fokker-Planck system. He hopes that the Professor of Mathematics. all the initial data is just impossible,” analytic techniques developed in this top-level research. explained Professor Yang. project will be applicable to the study There are two basic ways to study the of other systems of kinetic equations motion of gases and fluids: using the Instead, statistics and probability are to to enrich the existing mathematical macro scale, which considers large be used. The fluid dynamical quantities theories in this important area. scale action of gas and fluid as a used at the macroscopic scale are whole, and the micro scale, which related to the statistical average of the investigates the motions and quantities in the microscopic state. interactions of individual molecules. “And this is where the kinetic theory comes in, since it gives a mesoscopic

Major Awards

• Fellow of American Mathematical Society 2021 • Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences 2018 • RGC Senior Research Fellow 2020 • Croucher Senior Research Fellowship 2011

Key Projects

• RGC Senior Research Fellow Scheme: Some Mathematical Theories for Kinetic Systems • General Research Fund: - MHD Boundary Layer Theories and Beyond - Some Mathematical Theories for High Reynolds Number Limit - Instability and Critical Regularity Indice for Degenerate PDEs of Prandtl-type Systems

Selected Publications

• Li, W.-X., Masmoudi, N. & Yang, T. “Well- Journal of the European Mathematical laws”, Journal of the American posedness in Gevrey function space for Society, vol. 19, no. 8, pp. 2241-2267. Mathematical Society, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 3D Prandtl equations without structural • Alexandre, R., Wang, Y.-G., Xu, C.-J. & 729-774. assumption”, Communications on Pure and Yang, T. 2015, “Well-posedness of the • Liu, T.-P. & Yang, T. 1999, “Well-posedness Applied Mathematics. (accepted) Prandtl equation in Sobolev spaces”, theory for hyperbolic conservation laws”, • Liu, C.-J., Xie, F. & Yang, T. 2019, “MHD Journal of the American Mathematical Communications on Pure and Applied boundary layers theory in Sobolev spaces Society, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 745-784. Mathematics, vol. 52, no. 12, pp. 1553- without monotonicity I: Well-posedness • Bressan, A. & Yang, T. 2004, “On the 1586. theory”, Communications on Pure and convergence rate of vanishing viscosity • Liu, T.-P. & Yang, T. 1999, “A new entropy Applied Mathematics, vol. 72, no. 1, pp. approximations”, Communications on Pure functional for a scalar conservation law”, 63-121. and Applied Mathematics, vol. 57, no. 8, Communications on Pure and Applied • Morimoto, Y., Yang, T. & Zhao, H. 2017, pp. 1075-1109. Mathematics, vol. 52, no. 11, pp. “Convergence to self-similar solutions for • Liu, T.-P. & Yang, T. 1999, “L1 stability for 1427-1442. the homogeneous Boltzmann equation”, 2 × 2 systems of hyperbolic conservation

59 optoelectronic properties. They are usually hard and brittle (thus optoelectronics and others. Despite Developing Semiconducting demonstrated that the nanowires can Pioneering fracturing before deforming) at the numerous theoretical and be fabricated into large-scale nanowire macroscopic scale. computational efforts, the number Nanowires for parallel arrays-based devices, showing Elastic Strain of experimental investigations and potential for industrialisation. Scientists have found that like characterisations of strained covalent Next-generation Electronics Engineering and many other nanomaterials, covalent crystal solids remains limited. More importantly, ultra-thin films crystals at microscopic scale have Professor Johnny Ho Chung-yin composed of highly dense Nanomechanics some very different properties from With the RGC Research Fellowship, semiconducting nanowires are an their macroscopic counterparts. Dr Lu and his team are conducting Thanks to advances in nanotechnology, integration and device applications integral component in the expanding Dr Lu Yang For example, Dr Lu and his team nanomechanical investigations materials can now be fabricated into of nanoscale materials for various fields of flexible and wearable discovered that diamond and silicon on a few types of covalent crystal nanoscale configurations with different technological utilisation for over electronics for mobile phones, Materials at nanoscale often have at nanoscale show significantly solids. Their aim is to explore their dimensionalities and widely tuneable 10 years. Nanowire, a kind of one- health monitoring devices, and some intriguing properties that enhanced elasticity. Their findings deformation behaviour at nanoscale properties for technological applications. dimensional semiconductor with other smart gadgets. “The unique surprise scientists. Investigating were published in the prestigious and how to modulate the change of Professor Johnny Ho Chung-yin, intriguing electrical properties, can physical properties of semiconducting the mechanical phenomena of scientific journal Science. bandgap or other properties through from the Department of Materials potentially replace silicon and is one of metal-oxide nanowires, such as their nanomaterials is one of the key strain-tuning, in order to enhance Science and Engineering, has his research focuses. excellent composition and dielectric research interests of Dr Lu Yang, This discovery has turned the concept the conductivity and optoelectronic been working on the synthesis of tunability, make them an ideal active Associate Professor in the Department of “elastic strain engineering (ESE)” properties of nanosized covalent various one-dimensional, nanoscale In recent years, Professor Ho and his device channel material for flexible of Mechanical Engineering. of covalent crystals into reality. ESE crystals for further applications. semiconductors for high-performance team have made various breakthroughs electronics,” explained Professor Ho. refers to achieving unusual and electronics and optoelectronics. in fabricating various types of Covalent crystal is a class of crystalline desired functional properties, such “We hope the project will provide semiconducting nanowires, ranging With the support of the RGC Research solids in which the atoms are bonded as changing electron mobility in unprecedented detail and quantitative “Since the lifespan of silicon as the from group III–V semiconductors Fellowship, he and his team are working by covalent bonds in a continuous semiconductors, by applying ultra- insights into how ‘deep elastic strain raw material for semiconducting chips and halide perovskite to metal on the development of mechanically network throughout the material. large mechanical stress or strain to the engineering’ an effectively tune the is reaching its plateau, scientists are oxide nanowires. For example, they flexible negative-capacitance nanowire The materials include diamond, crystal lattices. This has emerged as functional properties of nanoscale exploring alternative substances for successfully synthesised highly dense transistor arrays and integrated circuits, silicon and compounds like silicon a powerful approach for optimising solids for future novel device next-generation electronics,” said and highly crystalline indium gallium using metal-oxide nanowire materials. carbide (SiC). Because of the strong, functional device performance for applications,” said Dr Lu. Professor Ho, who has been working antimonide (InGaSb) (a group III–V They also aim to establish design directional covalent bonding, they applications in microelectronics, in the synthesis, characterisation, semiconductor compounds) nanowires guidelines, as well as versatile and that display superior electrical and cost-effective platforms, to develop high-performance, ultra-low-power consumption devices on a large scale Major Awards for next-generation flexible electronic • RGC Research Fellow 2020 technologies. • The President’s Award 2020, CityU Major Awards • World Cultural Council Special Recognition, 2018 • RGC Research Fellow 2020 • Elected Founding Member, The Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences, The Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, 2018 • Excellent Young Scientists Fund (Hong Kong and Macau), National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), 2019 • Outstanding Supervisor Award 2017-2019, CityU • Outstanding Research Award for Junior Faculty 2019, CityU Key Projects Key Projects • RGC Research Fellow Scheme: Developing Negative-Capacitance Nanowire Transistor Arrays and Integrated Circuits for Next-Generation Flexible Electronics • RGC Research Fellow Scheme: Nanomechanics of Covalent Crystals and Their Elastic Strain Engineering • General Research Fund: • General Research Fund: - Single-Crystal Lead-Free Perovskite Nanowire Parallel Arrays for High-Performance - Mechanics of 1-D Diamond Nanostructures Thin-Film Transistors and Integrated Circuits - Elastic Strain Engineering of Low-dimensional Nanostructures: Tuning - High-Performance Flexible Broadband Photodetectors Based on All-Inorganic Functional Properties by Mechanical Stretching Perovskite Nanowires • NSFC Excellent Young Scientists Fund: Nanomechanics - Wearable Toxic Gas Sensors Based on Hybrid Integration of Multifunctional Nanomaterials

Selected Publications Selected Publications

• Meng, Y., Li, F., Lan, C., Bu, X., Kang, X., • Li, D., Lan, C., Manikandan, A., Yip, S.P., • Meng, Y., Lan, C., Li, F., Yip, S., Wei, R., • Dang, C., Chou, J.-P., Dai, B., Chou, C.-T., • Banerjee, A., Bernoulli, D., Zhang, H., Yuen, • Zhang, H., Tersoff, J., Xu, S., Chen, H., Wei, R., Yip, S.P., Li, D., Wang, F., Takahashi, Zhou, Z., Liang, X., Shu, L., Chueh, Y.-C., Kang, X., Bu, X., Dong, R., Zhang, H. & Yang, Y., Fan, R., Lin, W., Meng, F., Hu, A., M.-F., Liu, J., Dong, J., Ding, F., Lu, J., Dao, Zhang, Q., Zhang, K., Yang, Y., Lee, T., Hosomi, T., Nagashima, K., Yanagida, T. Han, N. & Ho, J.C. 2019, “Ultra-fast Ho, J.C. 2019, “Direct vapor-liquid-solid Zhu, J., Han, J., Minor, A. M., Li, J. & M., Zhang, W., Lu, Y. & Suresh, S. 2018, C.-S., Tu, K.-N., Li, J. & Lu, Y. 2016, & Ho, J.C. 2020, “Artificial visual systems photodetectors based on high-mobility synthesis of all-inorganic perovskite Lu, Y. 2021, “Achieving large uniform “Ultralarge elastic deformation of nanoscale “Approaching the ideal elastic strain limit enabled by quasi-two-dimensional electron indium gallium antimonide nanowires”, nanowires for high-performance electronics tensile elasticity in microfabricated diamond”, Science, vol. 360, no. 6386, pp. in silicon nanowires”, Science Advances, gases in oxide superlattice nanowires”, Nature Communications, vol. 10, no. 1. and optoelectronics”, ACS Nano, vol. 13, diamond”, Science, vol. 371, no. 6524, 300-302. vol. 2, no. 8. Science Advances, vol. 6, no. eabc6389. no. 5, pp. 6060-6070. pp.76-78.

60 61 incandescent lamps in the past spectrum of light, from ultraviolet to numerous and diverse types of harm up less than 1% of the cells in our Synthesis of decade, the development of direct near-infrared, and opening up new Study of Rare every minute,” said Dr Chow, who blood, can help combat cancer. current-driven electroluminescence opportunities for designing advanced received the Croucher Innovation Luminescent (DCEL) technology, which supports optoelectronic devices. Cells for Award 2019. “Now we know that pDCs are known to be crucial virus the operation of these LED devices, the immune system doesn’t just fight fighters. But recent studies show Materials has reached a bottleneck. The With almost 20 years of experience New Cancer foreign invaders; it also combats that they are found in tumours, and manufacturing cost is high, device in research on lanthanide-based cancer that arises from within our activating them increased survival in Dr Wang Feng stability can be seriously affected by luminescent materials, Dr Wang has led Immunotherapy body. And unlike conventional animal models with certain type of water and oxygen, and it is difficult to his group to explore the near-infrared treatments of radiotherapy and cancers, suggesting that they may As lighting and display devices have fabricate flexible devices. to visible or ultraviolet up-conversion Dr Chow Kwan Ting chemotherapy, immunotherapy have a role in fighting cancer. By become an essential part of our luminescence in lanthanide-doped doesn’t kill healthy cells, thus investigating the gene network of daily lives, scientists have continued Compared to DCEL, alternating current core-shell fluoride nanocrystals in recent Cancer immunotherapy has brought eliminating many side-effects.” pDCs, Dr Chow’s team found that in search of more efficient and electroluminescence (ACEL) is an years. In particular, he has established hope to many cancer patients, but they function differently to combat sustainable light sources. Dr Wang effective alternative. It is cost-effective a versatile protocol for the rational so far it works only for certain types After witnessing several family different dangers, apart from viruses. Feng, from the Department of and stable, and uses less energy. But synthesis of core-shell nanocrystals of cancers. With the ultimate goal of members die of cancer, and how The team is investigating cues to Materials Science and Engineering, the lack of available ACEL materials has with tuneable core particle size and improving current immunotherapy devastating childhood cancers can instruct these cells to effectively has been focusing on the synthesis greatly hindered its development. shell thickness. The strategy of core/ and designing new immunotherapy be when she worked in a paediatric fight cancer. and applications of luminescent shell nanostructural engineering that he for currently incurable cancers, oncology lab, Dr Chow is dedicated materials comprising lanthanide (a With the RGC Research Fellowship, has developed permits unprecedented Dr Chow Kwan Ting, in the to understanding how the immune Her team recently found that liver family of 15 rare earth elements) Dr Wang focuses on developing a optical tuning with high emission Department of Biomedical Sciences, system fights cancer. Her goal is to cancer cells can suppress pDC and transition metal ions for new class of calcium zinc oxysulfide efficiency using unusually high dopant has been exploring the basics of how devise new immunotherapy to help functions, suggesting that cancer optoelectronic devices. (CaZnOS)-based ACEL materials, concentrations. the immune system, in particular cancer patients, especially those with cells have ways to escape the immune replacing the conventional zinc sulfide a rare immune cell type, naturally currently incurable cancers. response. They will investigate the While the adoption of light-emitting He has also initiated several applications (ZnS). CaZnOS permits rare earth fights cancer. exact mechanism of how cancer cells diodes (LEDs) in lighting has quickly doping, thereby enabling luminescence of up-conversion nanocrystals, such as She set up a laboratory at CityU to outsmart the immune system, as this replaced traditional tungsten and with optical tuning across the full up-conversion lasing and optogenetics. “I have always been amazed by dig deep into the body’s immune will provide clues to designing new our immune system. From viruses response to cancer, in particular how immunotherapy that can “reactivate” to parasitic worms and everything plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), a pDCs in tumours. in between, it protects us from specific immune cell type that makes

Major Awards

• RGC Research Fellow 2020 • Asian Rising Star Lectureship, The Federation of Asian Chemical Societies, 2019 • The President’s Award and Outstanding Supervisor Award 2019, CityU • Highly Cited Researcher (Cross-Field), Clarivate, 2018

Key Projects

• RGC Research Fellow Scheme: Controlled Synthesis of Lanthanide-Doped Semiconductor Heterostructures for Flexible Display Through High-Field Electroluminescence Major Award • General Research Fund: • Croucher Innovation Award 2019 - Developing Stretchable Multicolor Mechanoluminescent Composites with Key Project High Flexibility and Durability - Constructing Deep Ultraviolet Microlasers through Photon Upconversion in • Croucher Innovation Award: Harnessing Plasmacytoid Heavily-Doped Nanocrystals Dendritic Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy - Developing Lanthanide-doped Microcrystals for Photonic Applications

Selected Publications Selected Publications

• Zhao, J., Chen, B. & Wang, F. 2020, • Du, Y., Jiang, Y., Sun, T., Zhao, J., Huang, B., • Chen, X., Jin, L., Kong, W., Sun, T., • Wang, M., Lim, K.H. & Chow, K.T. 2019, • Chow, K.T., Wilkins, C., Narita, M., Green, • Chow, K.T., Gale, M., Jr. & Loo, Y.-M. “Shedding light on the role of misfit strain Peng, D. & Wang, F. 2019, “Mechanically Zhang, W., Liu, X., Fan, J., Yu, S. F. & “Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis R., Knoll, M., Loo, Y.-M. & Gale, M. 2018, 2018, “RIG-I and other RNA sensors in in controlling core–shell nanocrystals”, excited multicolor luminescence in Wang, F. 2016, “Confining energy immunoblot analysis of endogenous “Differential and overlapping immune antiviral immunity”, The Annual Review of Advanced Materials, vol. 32, no. 46. lanthanide ions”, Advanced Materials, migration in upconversion nanoparticles IRF5 dimerization”, Journal of Visualized programs regulated by IRF3 and IRF5 in Immunology, 36:667-694. • Peng, D., Jiang, Y., Huang, B., Du, Y., Zhao, vol. 31, no. 7. towards deep ultraviolet lasing”, Nature Experiments, vol. 2019, no. 152. plasmacytoid dendritic cells”, Journal of • Chow, K.T. & Gale, M., Jr. 2015, J., Zhang, X., Ma, R., Golovynskyi, S., Chen, • Sun, T., Li, Y., Ho, W.L., Zhu, Q., Chen, Communications, vol. 7. • Chow, K.T., Driscoll, C., Loo, Y.-M., Knoll, Immunology, vol. 201, no. 10, pp. 3036- “SnapShot: Interferon signaling”, Cell, B. & Wang, F. 2020, “A ZnS/CaZnOS X., Jin, L., Zhu, H., Huang, B., Lin, J., M. & Gale, M., Jr. 2019, “IRF5 regulates 3050. vol. 163, no. 7, pp. 1808-1808.e1. heterojunction for efficient mechanical-to- Little, B.E., Chu, S.T. & Wang, F. 2019, unique subset of genes in dendritic cells optical energy conversion by conduction “Integrating temporal and spatial control of during West Nile virus infection”, Journal band offset”, Advanced Materials, vol. 32, electronic transitions for bright multiphoton of Leukocyte Biology, vol. 105, no. 2, pp. no. 16. upconversion”, Nature Communications, 411-425. vol. 10, no. 1.

62 63 Award 2019. He pointed out that and diseases, in order to reveal novel amplifier is needed. But this makes Unveiling the more than 15,000 long non-coding RNA-mediated gene regulation High-performance Photonic Chips the whole device bulky, expensive and RNAs have been identified in the and develop targeted strategies for highly energy-consuming. Secrets of RNA human body, but only about 200 of potential biotechnological applications for Optical Telecommunications them have known functions. to improve the quality of human life,” With the advanced nano-fabrication Structures said Dr Kwok. Dr Wang Cheng approach developed by the team, they Dr Kwok’s team is working on can now integrate lithium niobate on Dr Kwok Chun-kit understanding the structure of Another one of his research focuses Today’s global data centres consume wave and terahertz photonics,” a small chip. It is also highly efficient, lncRNAs and their interaction with involves developing (bio)chemical about 1% of the electricity used in the said Dr Wang. producing a higher data transmission Since the molecular structure of other biomolecules, such as proteins. technologies to decipher the hidden world, or nearly 70% of the electricity speed, with the data bandwidth tripling As one of the lead authors of a study DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) was first Recently he and his collaborators layers of information in RNA. He used in the entire UK. As demand for from 35 GHz to 100 GHz, but with in collaboration with Harvard University revealed in 1950s, it has given rise found that lncRNAs interact with recently invented a transcriptome- information services and computer- less energy consumption and ultra-low and renowned information technologies to modern molecular biology, which diverse protein partners, such as RNA wide method called “Structure-seq”, intensive applications continues to optical losses. focuses on how genes control the helicases (a large group of enzymes “rG4-seq”, “SHALiPE-seq”, and a grow rapidly, this number is expected laboratory Nokia Bell Labs, he successfully biochemical processes within cells. that function in RNA metabolism), to transcript-specific method “DMS/ to increase. Since a major portion fabricated a tiny on-chip lithium niobate As a member of the State Key The general understanding is that regulate myogenic differentiation. SHAPE-LMPCR” to detect RNA of data centre power consumption modulator that is 100 times smaller and Laboratory of Terahertz and Millimeter DNA makes RNA (ribonucleic acid), structures that are of low abundance, comes from the numerous optical fibre 20 times more efficient, with 10 times Waves at CityU, Dr Wang is looking RNA makes proteins, and proteins Dr Kwok is also interested in a enabling studies of living cells that networks linking servers, Dr Wang lower optical losses, than current lithium into the application of this technology make us. But over 95% of the RNA special structure of RNA, called RNA were previously unfeasible because Cheng, Assistant Professor in the niobate modulators. for the 5G communications and G-quadruplexes. One of his recent beyond. He is also working on the in a cell is not protein-making (non- of limitations in sensitivity and/or Department of Electrical Engineering, Electro-optic modulators are critical studies revealed the existence of RNA scale-up of lithium niobate photonics coding). So what does this 95% do? RNA availability. who is also an awardee of the components in modern communications. G-quadruplex in plants, indicating for future optoelectronics. Dr Kwok Chun-kit, Assistant Professor Croucher Innovation Award 2020, They convert high-speed electronic in the Department of Chemistry, that RNA G-quadruplex structures He is also developing targeted is tackling this problem by creating signals in computational devices, such As a researcher, he is fascinated by the is investigating the role of non-coding act as important regulators of plant tools for detection, imaging, and compact, high-performance integrated as computers, to optical signals before enormous possibilities that one may RNA structures, their interactions in development and growth. intervention of important RNA photonic chips. transmitting them through optical encounter on his journey of discovery the genome, and their relevance to structures and interactions, which “Our long-term goal is to uncover fibres. But the existing commonly and innovation. “Often what we gene regulation, RNA metabolism offer potential for biosensing, “By replacing the existing bulky and the central RNA players in cell used lithium niobate modulators achieve is not what we planned. But and diseases. diagnostic and therapeutic expensive discrete optical components differentiation, stress physiologies applications. with chip-scale, integrated photonic require high drive voltage of 3V to with interdisciplinary interaction and Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), a devices, we can provide faster, more 5V, which is significantly higher than putting our findings into real-world type of non-coding RNA, is one of his energy-efficient and cost-effective 1V, the voltage provided by typical practice, it may result in some brand- research interests. Related research solutions for optical communications, CMOS (complementary metal-oxide- new concepts and phenomena, which won him the Croucher Innovation quantum photonics, and millimetre- semiconductor) circuitry, so an electrical is inspiring,” he said.

Major Awards Major Awards • Excellent Young Scientists Fund (Hong Kong and Macau), • Croucher Innovation Award 2019 • Croucher Innovation Award 2020 National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), 2019 • The President’s Award 2019, CityU • The President’s Award 2020, CityU • RGC Early Career Scheme, 2019 Key Projects Key Projects

• Croucher Innovation Award: Deciphering Long Non-Coding RNA Structures, • Croucher Innovation Award: Scaling Up Lithium Niobate Photonics for Future Optoelectronics Interactions, and Their Functions in Skeletal Myogenic Differentiation • NSFC/RGC Joint Research Scheme: Frequency-encoded Lithium Niobate Quantum • General Research Fund: Photonic Integrated Circuit - Mapping and Targeting of RNA G-quadruplex Structures in the Human • General Research Fund: Efficient Terahertz Generation in Nanophotonic Non-coding Transcriptome Lithium Niobate Waveguides - Interrogating the Effect of 3’UTR RNA G-quadruplex Structure in • Early Career Scheme: Integrated Lithium Niobate Photonics for Millimeter-wave MicroRNA Target Site Accessibility and Translational Regulation Applications • NSFC Excellent Young Scientists Fund: Integrated Photonics Devices

Selected Publications Selected Publications

• Umar, M.I. & Kwok, C.K. 2020, “Specific • Chan, C.-Y. & Kwok, C.K. 2020, “Specific • Ding, Y., Tang, Y., Kwok, C.K., Zhang, • Zhang, M., Buscaino, B., Wang, C., Shams- • Wang, C., Zhang, M., Yu, M., Zhu, R., Hu, • Wang, C., Li, Z., Kim, M.-H., Xiong, X., suppression of D-RNA G-quadruplex-protein binding of a d-RNA G-quadruplex structure Y., Bevilacqua, P.C. & Assmann, S.M. Ansari, A., Reimer, C., Zhu, R., Kahn, J.M. & H. & Lončar, M. 2019, “Monolithic lithium Ren, X.-F., Guo, G.-., Yu, N. & Lončar, interaction with an L-RNA aptamer”, with an l-RNA aptamer”, Angewandte 2014, “In vivo genome-wide profiling of Lončar, M. 2019, “Broadband electro-optic niobate photonic circuits for Kerr frequency M. 2017, “Metasurface-assisted phase- Nucleic Acids Research, vol. 48, no. 18, pp. Chemie - International Edition, vol. 59, RNA secondary structure reveals novel frequency comb generation in a lithium comb generation and modulation”, Nature matching-free second harmonic generation 10125-10141. no. 13, pp. 5293-5297. regulatory features”, Nature, vol. 505, niobate microring resonator”, Nature, Communications, vol. 10, no. 1. in lithium niobate waveguides”, Nature • Yang, X., Cheema, J., Zhang, Y., Deng, • Kwok, C.K., Marsico, G., Sahakyan, no. 7485, pp. 696-700. vol. 568, no. 7752, pp. 373-377. • Wang, C., Zhang, M., Chen, X., Bertrand, Communications, vol. 8, no. 1. H., Duncan, S., Umar, M.I., Zhao, J., Liu, A.B., Chambers, V.S. & Balasubramanian, • Kwok, C.K., Ding, Y., Tang, Y., • Zhang, M., Wang, C., Hu, Y., Shams-Ansari, M., Shams-Ansari, A., Chandrasekhar, S., Q., Cao, X., Kwok, C.K. & Ding, Y. 2020, S. 2016, “RG4-seq reveals widespread Assmann, S.M. & Bevilacqua, P.C. 2013, A., Ren, T., Fan, S. & Lončar, M. 2019, Winzer, P. & Lončar, M. 2018, “Integrated “RNA G-quadruplex structures exist and formation of G-quadruplex structures in the “Determination of in vivo RNA structure “Electronically programmable photonic lithium niobate electro-optic modulators function in vivo in plants”, Genome human transcriptome”, Nature Methods, in low-abundance transcripts”, Nature molecule”, Nature Photonics, vol. 13, no. 1, operating at CMOS-compatible voltages”, Biology, vol. 21, no. 1. vol. 13, no. 10, pp. 841-844. Communications, vol. 4. pp. 36-40. Nature, vol. 562, no. 7725, pp. 101-104.

64 65 Facts & Figures Academics University Rankings 70% 35 # # Percentage of International Faculty Number of Countries/Regions that Our International Faculty are From Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) 4 “Top 50 under 50” in 2021 48 QS World University Rankings 2021 Research

Top 100 Worldwide Universities College of Business # Granted U.S. Utility Patents (2016-2019, Top 100 Business School [No. 3 in Asia] 1 i n H K for 4 consecutive years) # University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) 13 Citations per Faculty in 36 Top 100 Business School Research Rankings in 2015-2019 Faculty Members Recognised # as Highly Cited Researchers 2 i n H K QS World University Ranking 2021 2020 by Clarivate College of Engineering # Engineering # Electrical & Electronic # Materials Science CityU Outputs in Publications in [No. 2 in HK] Engineering [No. 2 in HK] Top Citation Percentiles Top Journal Percentiles 16 20 [No. 1 in HK] 30 U.S. News & World Report - the Best Global Universities Rankings 2021 Share of publications at CityU among the most cited Share of publications at CityU that are in the top publications worldwide journals by CiteScore Percentile Automation & Telecommunication Biomedical 30% 60% # Control # Engineering # Engineering 25% 50% 14 [No. 1 in HK] 14 [No. 1 in HK] 23 [No. 1 in HK] 20% 40% Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) Subject Rankings 2020 15% 30% 10% 20% 5% 10% 0% 0% College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 % of publications in top 10% cited % of publications in top 10% journals Public Administration [No. 1 in Asia] % of publications in top 1% cited % of publications in top 1% journals # ARWU Subject Rankings 2020 22 Source: SciVal® January 2021 Source: SciVal® January 2021 Social Policy & Communication & Linguistics # Administration # Media Studies # [No. 2 in HK] June 2013 December 2020 35 [No. 7 in Asia] 38 [No. 5 in Asia] 39 [No. 6 in Asia] Research Funding QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020 Research Grants Council Innovation and Technology Fund Other External Grants*

College of Science School of Energy and School of Law 37.4% 36.7% Environment 48.3% 48.1% Mathematics Law * Other external grants include: # # Croucher Foundation, contract research, donations, [No. 2 in HK] Energy & Fuels other projects funded by government etc. 56 # [No. 1 in HK] 31 14.3% 15.2% U.S. News & World Report - 30 Times Higher Education (THE) the Best Global Universities U.S. News & World Report - the Best World University Rankings Rankings 2021 Global Universities Rankings 2021 2021 by Subject

Total Funding Amount: Over HK$ 600M Over HK$ 1,400M

66 67 Research Centres and Facilities

CityU has established 42 research institutes, research centres and laboratories to foster interdisciplinary research and pursue problem-driven research that benefits society. This includes two State Key Laboratories and one Chinese National Engineering Research Center.

The University has also jointly established four research laboratories with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Details can be found on www.cityu.edu.hk/research

University Research Institutes

Hong Kong Institute for Advanced Study Hong Kong Institute for Data Science This institute has an interdisciplinary team of world- This is a leading data science platform for researchers renowned scholars, including Nobel laureates and and practitioners to harness the power of big data. academicians, to pursue curiosity-driven ideas and studies. Research Facility Highlights

Inter-University 3D Atom Probe Tomography Unit Laboratory Animal Research Unit This unit allows 3D atom probe tomography, a state- This unit caters for the need for animal research with of-the-art micro-analysis technique for 3D imaging and animal husbandry services; it was awarded ISO 9001:2015 quantitative chemical analysis at the atomic scale for accreditation for its quality management system. Published by the Office of the Vice-President advanced materials research. (Research and Technology)

(852) 3442 6847 [email protected] www.cityu.edu.hk/research

We would like to express our gratitude to all researchers and staff members who have contributed to the preparation of this publication.

Neutron Scattering Unit High-Performance Computing (HPC) facility: Editorial Team: Lee Pik-kwan, Wong Yuk-man CityU Burgundy This unit provides consultation, training and assistance Contributing Writer: Joanne Wong to novice researchers who want to apply neutron This facility provides the most powerful computational Design & Production: Matisse Design Ltd. scattering to probe structure and dynamics problems platform ever assembled by a higher institution in in their own research. Hong Kong, providing fuel for computation-intensive and experimental research. © City University of Hong Kong, 2021

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