PAIR Distinguished Lecture Series
PolyU OER CollectionsThe PolyU PAIR Distinguished Lecture Series is a flagship event organized by the Research Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. This series brings together leading experts and renowned scholars from around the world to share cutting-edge research, innovative ideas, and interdisciplinary insights across a wide range of scientific and technological fields. Through engaging lectures and discussions, the series aims to foster academic exchange, inspire collaboration, and promote the advancement of knowledge within the PolyU community and beyond.
Works (46)
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On 29 June 2026, Prof. Alexandria BOEHM of Stanford University, U.S., delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Influenza Transmission and Diversity in Humans and Animals Inferred from Untreated Wastewater across the United States”. The lecture attracted more than 80 attendees in person, while approximately 15,600 viewers watched the livestream across multiple social media platforms.
During the lecture, Prof. Boehm highlighted the important role of wastewater surveillance in monitoring infectious diseases and explained how viral signals can provide timely insights into trends of community transmission. She noted that Influenza A RNA detected in wastewater solids can effectively reflect seasonal influenza transmission patterns and accurately track the beginning, peak, and end of flu seasons. These data not only help monitor outbreak developments but also provide valuable references for clinical decision-making and public health communication.
Prof. Boehm further pointed out that Influenza A RNA concentrations in wastewater closely correspond to community infection patterns. The wastewater surveillance programme she leads, WastewaterSCAN, began as a pilot project at just two sites and has since expanded to more than 150 wastewater treatment plants across 40 U.S. states. Data accumulated over years of surveillance have not only revealed patterns of influenza transmission across seasons and regions, but also demonstrated close associations between influenza activity and other respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
The lecture also explored how wastewater surveillance can be used to identify influenza virus subtypes. Prof. Boehm explained that while total Influenza A RNA levels can reflect outbreak trends, subtype information is equally essential for assessing vaccine effectiveness and disease severity. By analysing haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) gene sequences, researchers can identify currently circulating virus subtypes—including H3N2, H1N1, and H5N1—from wastewater samples, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of the distribution and transmission of different influenza strains.
Beyond reflecting human infections, animal influenza signals detected in wastewater also provide valuable insights for disease transmission monitoring. Prof. Boehm explained that these data help track the progression of avian influenza outbreaks in U.S. cattle and assess transmission risks among animals. With advances in metagenomic technologies, researchers are now able to assemble novel influenza virus genomes from wastewater samples, offering deeper insights into how these viruses evolve over time.
Prof. Boehm emphasised that understanding circulating virus subtypes can support more effective vaccine development and help anticipate potential viral reassortment events at an early stage, strengthening preparedness for emerging threats. She concluded that continued advances in wastewater surveillance may eventually help predict which influenza gene sequences are likely to circulate, providing a stronger scientific basis for preventive vaccine development, including the selection of strains for future seasonal vaccines.
Event date: 29/6/2026
Speaker: Prof. Alexandria BOEHM
Hosted by: PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research
- Subjects:
- Health Sciences and Environmental Engineering
- Keywords:
- Public health surveillance Influenza -- Epidemiology Sewage -- Analysis
- Resource Type:
- Video
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Video
On 3 June 2026, Prof. Robert J. Young, Fellow of The Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering, UK, and Emeritus Professor of Polymer Science and Technology at the National Graphene Institute and Department of Materials at The University of Manchester, UK, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “The Mechanics of Graphene and Graphene-Based Nanocomposites” at the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted an audience of over 40 onsite attendees, and nearly 15,700 online viewers across various social media platforms.
Prof. Young opened the lecture by reviewing the groundbreaking developments in graphene research over the past two decades since its first successful isolation at The University of Manchester. This pioneering achievement not only earned the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics, but also led to the establishment of the £60 million National Graphene Institute at the University, jointly funded by the UK Government and the European Regional Development Fund. He also introduced his team’s pioneering micro-Raman spectroscopy technique, which enables researchers to directly observe the deformation behaviour of materials under stress at the molecular level, further deepening the scientific community’s understanding of the relationship between material structures and mechanical properties.
Addressing common misconceptions surrounding graphene, Prof. Young provided a scientific analysis of its mechanical properties. He explained that although monolayer graphene possesses an exceptionally high modulus of around 1,000 GPa, its practical strength is often reduced to approximately 5–10 GPa due to material defects, while its fracture toughness is only about one-tenth that of steel. In addition, as the number of graphene layers increases, slippage between adjacent sheets can occur more easily, leading to a reduction in stiffness as the original “Bernal stacking” atomic arrangement is lost. Turning to graphene-based nanocomposites, Prof. Young noted that softer matrix materials tend to limit stress transfer, a process that can be modelled using shear-lag theory. More importantly, through high-resolution synchrotron X-ray nanotomography, the research team discovered that the toughening mechanism of these composites primarily arises from void growth and cavitation around debonded flakes under compression, rather than solely from the intrinsic strength of graphene.
These findings in material mechanics have also been successfully translated into real-world applications. The UK National Graphene Institute collaborated with luxury watchmaker Richard Mille and the McLaren Formula 1 Team to develop the RM 50-03, the world’s lightest split-seconds tourbillon chronograph watch. Both the case and strap of the timepiece incorporate graphene-reinforced composite materials, fully demonstrating the industrial potential of advanced materials technology.
Event date: 3/6/2026
Speaker: Prof. Robert YOUNG
Hosted by: PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research
- Subjects:
- Nanotechnology and Materials Science
- Keywords:
- Graphene Nanostructured materials
- Resource Type:
- Video
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Video
On 2 June 2026, Prof. SUO Zhigang, Foreign Member of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Member of both National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Sciences in the USA, Allen E. and Marilyn M. Puckett Professor of Mechanics and Materials at Harvard University, USA, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Adhesion between Soft Materials and Tissues” at the PolyU campus. The lecture was attended by more than 100 scholars, researchers and students in person, and nearly 16,000 online viewers across various social media platforms.
During the lecture, Prof. Suo first explained the fundamental mechanics of hydrogels, illustrating how two brittle polymer networks — polyacrylamide and alginate — can be combined to form a highly tough and stretchable hybrid hydrogel. This “brittle + brittle = tough” design concept greatly enhances the material’s resistance to fracture through hysteresis and viscoelastic energy dissipation, increasing its fracture energy from approximately 10 J/m² to over 9,000 J/m². These advanced hydrogels also possess desirable properties such as stretchability, transparency and conductivity, enabling their use as ionic conductors in various biomimetic devices, including artificial muscles, stretchable electroluminescent devices and ionic transistors, thereby overcoming the fragility limitations of conventional biocompatible materials.
In the area of interface engineering, Prof. Suo further elaborated on how the synergistic interplay among chemistry, topology and mechanics enables robust tissue adhesion. He introduced pioneering techniques such as “topological adhesion” and “molecular staples”, which utilise biocompatible polymers to form instant, tough and non-covalent bonds on soft tissue surfaces. His research team has also successfully developed innovative materials, including “hydrogel paints” and photodegradable adhesives, which not only provide strong adhesive performance but can also be safely removed under ultraviolet (UV) light, offering breakthrough solutions for clinical applications such as surgical dressings and wound care.
The lecture also highlighted the translational applications of these materials in both biomedical and industrial fields. Prof. Suo introduced hydrogel-mesh composites designed for sutureless adhesive anastomosis in organ transplantation, a technology that can significantly reduce surgical trauma and the risk of fluid leakage. He further explained how the mechanical principle of multiscale stress deconcentration can increase the fatigue threshold of soft materials by tenfold. Beyond bioimplants, this concept has also been extended to the development of sustainable engineering materials, such as “green tyres” made from silica-filled natural rubber and highly durable natural rubber tanglemers.
Event date: 2/6/2026
Speaker: Prof. SUO Zhigang
Hosted by: PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research
- Subjects:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Keywords:
- Colloids Adhesives in surgery Biomedical materials
- Resource Type:
- Video
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Video
On 27 May 2026, Prof. PENG Shou, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering and Chief Scientist of China National Building Material Group Co., Ltd. delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “The Transparent Revolution that is Remoulding the Future” at the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted an audience of nearly 100 scholars, researchers and students onsite, and over 14,700 online viewers across various social media platforms. Prof. Peng opened the lecture by highlighting the historical and strategic significance of glass—from the invention of telescopes and microscopes to the widespread application of modern fibre-optic communication technologies, glass has always been a key driver of scientific progress. In the context of the digital age, glass has further emerged as a critical strategic resource, playing an essential role in industrial autonomy and national security across fields such as high-end displays, aerospace, and deep-sea exploration.
During the lecture, Prof. Peng highlighted the extensive applications of advanced glass in modern industry, demonstrating its critical role across multiple strategic sectors. He noted that the mass production of 30-micron ultra-thin flexible glass represents a key breakthrough, enabling the development of next-generation foldable and rollable electronic devices. He further elaborated on the central role of glass in the global “Dual Carbon” strategy, particularly in building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). By transforming building façades into power-generating systems, such as in projects like Xiamen Xiang’an International Airport, advanced glass is driving urban energy transformation. Beyond the electronics and energy sectors, Prof. Peng also introduced the vital role of specialised glass in major engineering projects, including high-speed rail, the C919 large passenger aircraft, the Tiangong space station, and the “Fendouzhe” deep-sea submersible, where high-performance glass ensures the safety and reliability of these heavy machinery.
The lecture further explored the frontier of “embodied intelligence” and biotechnology. Prof. Peng explained how bioactive glass and flexible sensor glass transform healthcare models through implantable devices and brain–computer interface (BCI) technologies. At the same time, by leveraging “AI-driven materials research”, his team is accelerating the development of new glass materials with topological properties and ultra-high strength, while moving toward a new paradigm of precise, model-driven materials design.
Event date: 27/5/2026
Speaker: Prof. PENG Shou
Hosted by: PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research
- Subjects:
- Materials Science
- Keywords:
- Glass Building-integrated photovoltaic systems Glass in medicine
- Resource Type:
- Video
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Video
On 22 May 2026, Prof. GUO Wanlin, Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Founder of the International Institute for Frontier Science at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA), delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “From Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Hydrovoltaics Intelligence (HI)” at the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted an audience of nearly 60 scholars, researchers and students onsite, and over 15,200 online viewers across various social media platforms.
Prof. Guo began the lecture by outlining the fundamental nature of intelligence, describing it as the ability of living organisms to perceive their environment, obtain energy, and sustain life. He reviewed the development of computing technologies—from Turing’s theoretical foundations and the invention of the transistor to today’s complex neural network systems. He stressed that the digital era is facing a serious energy challenge: modern AI systems, such as AlphaGo, may require megawatt-level power to operate, whereas the human brain consumes only about 20 watts. Prof. Guo argued that achieving truly sustainable intelligence requires moving beyond energy-intensive, silicon-based computing paradigms and shifting toward HI, inspired by the highly efficient characteristics of water-based natural systems.
Central to the lecture was how to develop transformative energy technologies from the Earth’s water cycle. Prof. Guo explained how hydrovoltaic technology can capture energy from raindrops, waves, and evaporation, noting that these technologies have made significant advances in power density in recent years. By integrating hydrovoltaics with photovoltaics, such as using evaporative cooling to enhance solar panel performance, his team has proposed a “Hydro–Energy–Ecology” framework that offers a new pathway for sustainable energy development.
The lecture also explored the material foundations of HI, with a focus on recent applications of two-dimensional (2D) materials and “sliding ferroelectricity”. Prof. Guo shared that his team has successfully controlled more than 3,000 stable, non-volatile polarisation states at room temperature in van der Waals devices composed of graphene and hexagonal boron nitride. These breakthroughs provide critical support for “computing-in-memory” architectures, offering significantly higher energy efficiency than traditional transistors. They also help overcome the “memory wall” bottleneck between computation and storage, opening new avenues for the development of low-power, bio-inspired intelligent systems.
Event date: 22/5/2026
Speaker: Prof. Guo Wanlin
Hosted by: PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research
- Subjects:
- Hydraulic Engineering
- Keywords:
- Artificial intelligence Hydrologic cycle Computer storage devices Water-power
- Resource Type:
- Video
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Video
On 11 May 2026, Prof. Stephen Z. D. CHENG, Member of the National Academy of Engineering, USA, and Dean and Honourable Professor of School of Emergent Soft Matter, South China University of Technology, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Superlattice Engineering of Soft Alloys in Giant Molecules” at the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted an audience of over 50 scholars, researchers and students onsite, and nearly 14,300 online viewers across various social media platforms.
In traditional materials science, the natural arrangement of molecules and atoms directly determines a material’s physical and chemical properties. Prof. Cheng’s research challenges this conventional paradigm by proposing that materials should be designed from the atomic and molecular levels. Through precise molecular design and modular assembly—much like building with Lego bricks—materials can be constructed from the ground up to exhibit targeted properties.
Prof. Cheng explained that scientists can now synthesise giant molecules with highly controllable architectures and employ them as stable, predictable building blocks. This enables researchers to first define the desired functions of a material and then construct the precise molecular architecture required to realise those functions, offering unprecedented flexibility in materials design.
Prof. Cheng further shared how his team precisely control the size and volume of “Molecular Legos”, then successfully created soft alloys with metal-like superlattice features. These breakthroughs establish a foundation for metamaterials with programmable properties, offering strong potential in advanced electronics, high-sensitivity sensors, and next-generation thermal and energy management technologies.
Event date: 11/5/2026
Speaker: Prof. Stephen Z. D. CHENG
Hosted by: PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research
- Subjects:
- Nanotechnology and Materials Science
- Keywords:
- Macromolecules Superlattices as materials Nanostructured materials -- Design
- Resource Type:
- Video
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Video
On 23 April 2026, Prof. ZHANG Jie, Chair Professor in Faculty of Business for Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Machine Listening: Extending AI from Vision to Sound and Vibration Sensing” at the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted almost 100 scholars, researchers and students onsite, and nearly 16,000 online viewers across various social media platforms to explore how the emerging field of “machine listening” is transforming urban monitoring, disaster prevention, and infrastructure safety. Prof. Zhang opened the lecture by outlining the major challenges in today’s science and technology. He noted that while AI has reached significant maturity in visual perception, sound and vibration data remain “largely underutilised” in the digital era. He emphasised that machine learning in the domain of sound and vibration sensing is still at an early stage, with vast development potential ahead. While sharing technical insights, Prof. Zhang also reflected on his life and research journey. He remarked, “Only by fully committing myself and giving it everything I had did I discover how fascinating a discipline could be.” He emphasised that true excellence comes through continuous learning and self‑improvement. Technological innovation is now driven by cross‑disciplinary collaboration and collective progress, rather than individual heroism.
To illustrate how machine listening can be translated from concept to practice, Prof. Zhang presented several innovative real-world cases where sound sensing complements visual systems. Among them, he highlighted the “CitySeis” project in Hefei, where approximately 50,000 seismic sensors have been deployed to achieve citywide coverage, enabling continuous monitoring of subsurface structural changes and subway safety, and providing critical information beyond visual perception. He presented applications of “RoadSeis” in digital traffic systems and weight‑in‑motion sensing, showing how vibration signals can predict vehicle weight and assess road health. These examples demonstrated that machine listening can surpass visual technologies, offering a fuller picture of infrastructure conditions above and below ground.
Event date: 23/4/2026
Speaker: Prof. ZHANG Jie
Hosted by: PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research
- Subjects:
- Computing, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
- Keywords:
- Artificial intelligence Acoustical engineering Vibration--Measurement
- Resource Type:
- Video
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Video
On 25 March 2026, Professor LIU Bin, Deputy President (Research and Technology) of National University of Singapore (NUS), delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Iso-structure Induced Ultralong Organic Phosphorescence” at the PolyU campus. The event attracted nearly 100 in-person participants and over 15,700 online viewers across various social media platforms.
Prof. Liu began the lecture by highlighting a long-standing challenge in organic photophysics: the inherent difficulty of achieving efficient triplet state emission. She then presented her team’s breakthrough discovery in carbazole, a ubiquitous organic building block. Their research revealed that trace impurities—notably the isomer 1H-benz[f]indole (Bd) commonly found in commercial carbazole—are actually the hidden drivers of ultralong phosphorescence. This insight has fundamentally shifted the field’s focus from intrinsic molecular properties toward understanding the critical role of “iso-structural doping” in generating phosphorescence.
The lecture further explored the diverse origins of these influential impurities, including variability in raw starting materials, side reactions during synthesis, and previously unidentified by-products. By regulating the doping process, Prof. Liu’s team has moved beyond “serendipitous observations” toward “rational design”, leading to the development of high-performance “multi-functional phosphorescent materials”, such as organic persistent mechanoluminescence and colour-tunable room-temperature phosphorescence.
A significant portion of the presentation was dedicated to translating these insights into practical materials engineering. One key advancement is the development of the “Matrigel-Alginate Granular-Interstitial Composite (MAGIC) matrix”, which supports the bottom-up nanofabrication of organic phosphorescent nanocrystals. The MAGIC matrix is a “sandwich-like” composite structure that combines particle support and matrix nutrition: optically transparent, bio‑inert alginate is processed into cell‑sized microgel particles, assembled into a granular scaffold, and infused with Matrigel to form a robust, cell‑compatible composite. Prof. Liu emphasised that these organic phosphorescent nanocrystals show immense promise for biomedical applications, with preliminary in-vivo evaluations demonstrating their effectiveness for high-contrast lymph node imaging. Other cutting-edge applications discussed included data encryption, anti-counterfeiting, and optical waveguides.
Event date: 25/3/2026
Speaker: Prof. LIU Bin
Hosted by: PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research
- Subjects:
- Chemistry
- Keywords:
- Nanocrystals Organic compounds Photochemistry Phosphorescence
- Resource Type:
- Video
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Video
On 3 March 2026, Prof. Gordon WALLACE of University of Wollongong delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Discoveries in Organic Bionics, 3D Biofabrication and Deployment of Solutions to Clinical Challenges” at the PolyU campus. The event attracted over 120 in-person participants and reached an impressive online audience of nearly 16,000 across various social media platforms.
Prof. Wallace began by introducing the science of “Organic Bionics”—the use of inherently conducting polymers (ICPs), such as Polypyrrole (PPy) to create seamless interfaces between electronics and living tissue. These materials can switch between oxidised and reduced states, altering conductivity and topology to form dynamic “biocommunication” channels. By embedding growth factors like NT3 and applying electrical stimulation, his team has achieved striking improvements in neurite outgrowth. This technology holds profound implications for neurological therapies, where stimulating dysfunctional cells has shown promise in promoting neuronal branching.
The lecture then shifted to breakthroughs in material processing. Prof. Wallace noted that advanced materials like graphene and carbon nanotubes are often difficult to handle using conventional methods. His team developed processable aqueous dispersions of graphene, enabling innovative fabrication techniques like wet-spinning and 3D extrusion printing. A highlight of this technological leap is the “Sutrode”—a graphene-based fibre electrode that combines the flexibility of a surgical suture with the electrical properties of a high-end implant. This device has allowed researchers to uncover direct communication between the spleen and the vagus nerve, opening new doors for “electroceuticals” to treat inflammatory diseases.
A lively and vivid theme ran through the lecture was “Don’t Travel Alone”. Prof. Wallace emphasised that successful deployment requires multidisciplinary collaboration among clinicians, engineers, and regulatory experts. He showcased several collaborative projects stemming from such teamwork:
- Cartilage Regeneration: The “Biopen”, a handheld 3D bioprinter that allows surgeons to print stem-cell-laden scaffolds directly into knee defects during surgery.
- Islet Cell Transplantation: Coaxial 3D printing to create vascularized structures that protect transplanted islet cells, offering new hope for Type 1 diabetes treatment.
- Corneal Regeneration: Electro-compacted collagen used to fabricate biomimetic corneal stroma, addressing the global shortage of donor corneas.
- Wound Healing: Bio-inks derived from “Ulvan”, a polysaccharide extracted from Australian green seaweed, are designed to mimic the human extracellular matrix and accelerate skin repair.
In his concluding remarks, Prof. Wallace addressed the “translation reality”, noting that moving from lab to clinic involves navigating regulatory hurdles, economic considerations, and scalability challenges. He argued that the push for deployment fuels innovation, compelling researchers to engineer performance in the “fourth dimension”. He urged young scientists to integrate social engagement and commercial credibility into their work, ensuring that research outcomes ultimately serve the community.
Event date: 3/3/2026
Speaker: Prof. Gordon WALLACE
Hosted by: PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research
- Subjects:
- Materials Science
- Keywords:
- Tissue engineering Biomedical engineering Biomedical materials Conducting polymers Bionics Three-dimensional printing
- Resource Type:
- Video
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Video
Prof. Vikram DESHPANDE of the University of Cambridge delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “New measurement strategies for data-driven mechanics” on 26 February 2026 at the PolyU campus. The event attracted nearly 100 in-person participants and reached an impressive online audience of more than 15,700 across various social media platforms.
In his presentation, Prof. Deshpande explored three advanced mechanical measurement techniques emerging from lab-based X-ray technology. Firstly, dynamic tomography enables high-resolution 3D visualisation of high-speed material deformations. Secondly, digital volume correlation (DVC) offers a pioneering method for tracking internal strain within nominally homogeneous materials. Finally, synchrotron technologies utilise energy diffraction to measure local stresses in complex, statically indeterminate specimens, and recent innovations are enabling these once large-scale methods to be realised within standard laboratory environments.
Prof. Deshpande also emphasised that by shifting the experimental paradigm, these methods provide the high-fidelity datasets essential for training sophisticated models. He stressed that the ultimate goal is to enable engineers to simulate the performance of complex materials with unprecedented accuracy, effectively eliminating the costly and time-consuming “trial-and-error” design loops that currently hinder industrial innovation. Such advancements mark a pivotal step in turning the promise of data-driven engineering into a practical reality.
In conclusion, Prof. Deshpande noted that the democratisation of synchrotron-level capabilities is opening new avenues for understanding material behaviour and uncovering new physics in both modern and classic materials.
Event date: 26/2/2026
Speaker: Prof. Vikram DESHPANDE
Hosted by: PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research
- Subjects:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Keywords:
- Deformations (Mechanics)--Measurement Mechanics Applied--Data processing X-rays--Industrial applications
- Resource Type:
- Video
