Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, HKPolyU

✨Prof. Ling Jin Featured on RTHK Radio Programme

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐢𝐧, 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐄𝐄, was featured on 𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐊’𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 “𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥” (十萬八千里) on 13 June 2026. The segment elaborated on the microplastic pollution issue and the plausibility of using extracts from moringa oleifera seeds to remove microplastics from water.

Prof. Jin’s research bridges environmental chemistry, toxicology, and microbiology to address the ecological and health impacts of air and marine pollution, as well as solid waste. He also created a global atlas of plastic-associated bacteria and introduced the “microplastome” concept, deepening our understanding of plastic pollution’s multifaceted impacts.

A revisit of the interview can be found here (Starting from 2:45 of Part 2): https://polyu.me/4xHVMRQ

CEE Departmental Visit 🏗️ – AD & FD POHL Leung Sing Tak College (26 May)

CEE welcomed 30 Secondary students from 𝐀𝐃 & 𝐅𝐃 𝐏𝐎𝐇𝐋 𝐋𝐞𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐚𝐤 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 on 26 May 2026 (Tuesday) for a joyful afternoon of exploration and practical learning.

The visit started with a programme talk hosted by 𝐈𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠-𝐋𝐢𝐦 𝐊𝐰𝐚𝐧, 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐄𝐄, who gave students an overview of the recent developments in civil and environmental engineering. During the talk, Ir Kwan also shared the admission procedures and career prospects for 𝐁𝐄𝐧𝐠 (𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐬) 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 and 𝐁𝐄𝐧𝐠 (𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐬) 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.

The highlight of the day was our exciting 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞: 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐬, 𝐓𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Equipped with only straws and tape, students used their creativity and problem-solving skills to build freestanding towers. The winning team reached a fantastic height of 123 cm!

The group also visited the 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲🛣️. Through a series of interesting experiments and demonstrations, they knew the latest innovative materials for road surface and gained some practical insights into highway engineering in Hong Kong.

Big thanks to all students and teachers for their passionate participation. We look forward to greeting more young generation to discover the world of civil engineering with us!

👏Prof. Qi Zhao Secures Grant from China Space Station Application and Development Program / Space Science and Application Projects

We are pleased to announce that 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐐𝐢 𝐙𝐡𝐚𝐨, 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐄𝐄, for securing a grant under the 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 / 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬. Prof. Zhao is the first PolyU scholar to receive this type of funding associated with the China Manned Space Program. The approval of this project recognizes Professor Zhao’s previous research efforts in planetary geotechnics and reflects the alignment of this research direction with the future space science development.

Prof. Zhao’s research project, titled "Dynamics of dense granular flows under low-gravity conditions,” involves conducting the first rotating drum granular flow experiment aboard the Chinese Space Station to investigate how particles segregate, mix, and move in the granular flow under low-gravity conditions. These experiments aim to uncover the fundamental physics that shape planetary surfaces and provide engineers with the quantitative data needed to design safer landing systems and select sites for long-term bases.

Since the completion of the China Space Station in 2022, the programme has entered a new phase of application and development. As a strategic technological platform for the nation’s long-term development, the space station has carried out over 100 experiments spanning earth observation, space materials and new technology applications. For researchers, the China Space Station is not only a world-class laboratory, but also a “dream factory” where limitless possibilities can be put into practice. The approval of Professor Zhao’s project also creates a new opportunity for PolyU to further participate in the development and use of major national research platforms.

✨ CEDD Safety Stand-down Workshop 2026

The 𝐂𝐄𝐃𝐃 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝-𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, organized by the 𝐂𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 (HKSAR) and supported by the 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 of PolyU CEE, was successfully held on 3 June 2026. The event brought together senior management from the HKSAR Government, along with collaborators from consultants and contractors, to share best practices and insights on site safety management.

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐲𝐞 𝐙𝐡𝐮, Interim Head and Professor of CEE, represented the Department at the workshop. His participation underscored the university’s ongoing commitment to advancing construction safety research and fostering deeper industry collaboration. CEE has long been dedicated to promoting safety within the construction sector, and strives to advance the science and practice of safety by integrating cutting-edge research from engineering, environmental science, and systems design.

We welcome industry partners to collaborate with us not only to equip future generations with skills and knowledge but also to translate research findings into practical, actionable solutions. Together, let’s establish a safe and risk-free environment in the construction industry.

👏 CEE PhD Student Receives Best Poster Award at China Rock International Symposium (CRIS) 2026

Congratulations to 𝐌𝐫 𝐐𝐢𝐰𝐮 𝐗𝐢𝐞, CEE PhD student co-supervised by Prof. Jianhua Yin, Dr Peichen Wu, and Prof. Chao Zhou, on receiving the “𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝” at the inaugural 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦 (𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐒) 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔. Mr Xie’s award-winning poster, titled “𝙉𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙁𝘽𝙂-𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙎𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙤𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙄𝙣-𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙪 𝙄𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙜𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙎𝙤𝙛𝙩 𝙎𝙤𝙞𝙡”, highlights his innovation and dedication to the field of marine geotechnics.

The symposium, themed “Intelligent Geotechnics for Resilient Coastal Cities”, was held from 8 – 10 May 2026 at the University of Macau. The event brought together 116 scholars and practitioners from 10 countries and regions to share the latest scientific insights, exchange practical engineering experiences, and foster international collaboration.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mr Xie on this remarkable achievement and look forward to seeing his continued contributions to the intelligent geotechnics and resilient coastal cities.

📣Attention: CEE China Study Tour 2026

Big News! We are thrilled to announce the upcoming 𝟓 𝐂𝐄𝐄 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚!

Join your fellow CEE classmates for an unforgettable journey. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with local students, experience a new culture, and discover the latest developments in the field of civil and environmental engineering! 🏗️🌍

⚠️ Important Rule:
Each student can only apply for 𝐎𝐍𝐄 of the 5 study tours. Please choose your favorite carefully. Multiple registrations will result in disqualification❗️

📌Registration:
Scan the QR Code or click link in Bio to complete the registration form
❗️ Deadline: By 16:00 of 22 June 2026 (Mon) ❗️

✨Tour Details:
𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐩𝐞 👉 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧!

✨Itinerary Highlights:
Visit our website or scan the QR Codes for more details
https://www.polyu.edu.hk/cee/news-and-events/events/

These tours will offer you an inspiring and enriching experience, allowing you to broaden your horizons. Do not miss this opportunity and sign up now! ✨

✨CEE Departmental Visit – Cheung Sha Wan Catholic Secondary School (8 May)

CEE was delighted to welcome 28 secondary students from 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐚 𝐖𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 On 8 May 2026 (Friday) for a wonderful afternoon of exploration and hands-on learning.

The visit commenced with an interactive session hosted by 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐮𝐧𝐠, 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐄𝐄, who provided students with a comprehensive overview of recent developments in civil and environmental engineering. Prof. Leung also shared valuable information regarding admission procedures and career prospects for our two undergraduate programs, 𝐁𝐄𝐧𝐠 (𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐬) 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 and 𝐁𝐄𝐧𝐠 (𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐬) 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.

We were deeply honoured to have 𝐈𝐫 𝐃𝐫 𝐆𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐨, 𝐀𝐑𝐔𝐏 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 and 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐢 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐄𝐄 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐚 𝐖𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥, joined us for an inspiring sharing session. Dr Ho generously shared his industry insights and encouraged the students to boldly pursue their aspirations.

Another highlight of the day was the exciting 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞: 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐬, 𝐓𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Students showcased their creativity and problem-solving skills by designing and building freestanding towers using only straws and tape. The winning team achieved an impressive height of 76 cm.

The visit concluded with a tour to the 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲. Through a series of engaging demonstrations, students gained some practical knowledge into structural engineering and its applications in buildings and infrastructure.

We extend our sincere thanks to all the participants for their enthusiastic support. We look forward to welcoming more young talents in the future as we work together to explore the world of civil and environmental engineering!

👏 FCE Dean’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research Funding 2026

Nine exceptional CEE members have been awarded the 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐅𝐂𝐄 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠. This prestigious award acknowledges and appreciate the valuable contributions and accomplishments of their endeavor in securing external competitive research funding. This success highlights their commitment to driving technological innovation and their continuous dedication to research excellence.

Congratulations to the award recipients. Their ground-breaking research will continue to make a profound impact and shape the future of civil and environmental engineering.

🏗️CEE Departmental Visit – Christian Alliance S C Chan Memorial College (8 May) ✨

CEE welcomed 23 secondary students from 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐒 𝐂 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 on 8 May 2026 (Friday) for a fruitful morning of exploration and hands-on learning.

The visit began with an interactive session led by 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐒𝐳𝐞, 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐄𝐄, who provided students with an engaging overview of the latest developments in the field. Prof. Sze also shared the admission procedures and career prospects for 𝐁𝐄𝐧𝐠 (𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐬) 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 and 𝐁𝐄𝐧𝐠 (𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐬) 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.

The highlight of the day was the exciting 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞: 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐬, 𝐓𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Armed with just straws and tape, students channelled their creativity and problem-solving skills to build impressive freestanding towers. The winning team achieved a height of 62 cm.

Following the challenge, the group visited the 𝐍𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲. Through a series of interactive experiments and demonstrations, they gained practical insights into noise control and environmental safety for Hong Kong.

We extend our gratitude to all students and teachers for their enthusiastic participation. We look forward to welcoming more young generation to explore the world of civil engineering with us!

🎉CEE Three Minute Thesis Competition 2026

CEE recently wrapped up its eagerly awaited 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬 (𝟑𝐌𝐓®) 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 on 14 May 2026 (Thursday). The event showcased the impressive research capabilities and presentation skills of CEE RPg students. Four of the six talented participants have been nominated to represent CEE at the FCE 3MT® Competition on 3 June 2026 (Wednesday), where they will face off against contestants from other departments.

Here are the winners of the CEE 3MT® Competition:

✨ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧
Student Name: 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐡𝐮𝐢 𝐘𝐚𝐧𝐠
3MT Title: Food-related waste stream bioconversion: Medium-chain fatty acids production through carboxylate chain elongation
Chief Supervisor: Prof. Shao-Yuan Leu

✨ 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫-𝐮𝐩 & 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞'𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞
Student Name: 𝐓𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐋𝐮
3MT Title: When Traffic Meets Corrosion: How Long Can Our Bridges Survive?
Chief Supervisor: Prof. Yong Xia

✨ 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫-𝐮𝐩
Student Name: 𝐇𝐚𝐢𝐲𝐮𝐧 𝐋𝐢
3MT Title: From Cascade to Recovery: Engineering Flood Resilience Beneath the City through carboxylate chain elongation
Chief Supervisor: Prof. Huan-Feng Duan

Congratulations to all the participants and winners for their remarkable performances and dedication to advancing research and communication in civil and environmental engineering. Stay tuned for more updates as our nominees prepare for the upcoming interdepartmental competition! 🏆🌟

📽️Highlights of the Competition:
https://youtu.be/gRIJ74VrRaU