A research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed a simple and affordable hydrogel coating that not only enhances the heat dissipation in solar panels for cooling their “hot spots” effectively, but also increases power generation efficiency, ultimately supporting Hong Kong’s goal of achieving urban carbon neutrality. Hot spots, often caused by partial shading, have long been the culprit behind diminishing power generation efficiency of solar panels, compromising the stability of entire power supply systems over time. This PolyU innovation offers an effective and robust solution to a key industry pain point.A research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed a simple and affordable hydrogel coating that not only enhances the heat dissipation in solar panels for cooling their “hot spots” effectively, but also increases power generation efficiency, ultimately supporting Hong Kong’s goal of achieving urban carbon neutrality. Hot spots, often caused by partial shading, have long been the culprit behind diminishing power generation efficiency of solar panels, compromising the stability of entire power supply systems over time. This PolyU innovation offers an effective and robust solution to a key industry pain point.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is dedicated to pioneering innovative transportation technologies that enable sustainable and efficient mobility. A novel research project of PolyU, aimed at developing a universal vehicle self-diagnosis system driven by automotive component data and real-time predictive analytics, has received support from the Smart Traffic Fund. This support strengthens the capabilities in intelligent vehicle management and maintenance.

Two research projects from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have been awarded the second-class award in the 2025 Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Natural Sciences and Engineering Technology) by the Ministry of Education. The accolades serve as recognition of the research teams’ breakthrough contributions in the frontier fields of antibiotic resistance mechanisms in bacteria and flexible electronics technology, affirming the University’s research strength in both fundamental research and technological innovation.Two research projects from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have been awarded the second-class award in the 2025 Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Natural Sciences and Engineering Technology) by the Ministry of Education. The accolades serve as recognition of the research teams’ breakthrough contributions in the frontier fields of antibiotic resistance mechanisms in bacteria and flexible electronics technology, affirming the University’s research strength in both fundamental research and technological innovation.

In an era when artificial intelligence (AI) is touted as a disruptor of education, a series of landmark studies from the Shanghai Institute of Artificial Intelligence for Education, East China Normal University (ECNU), captures a more human-focused course. Published in a special issue of ECNU Review of Education, these four research projects, grounded in empirical data, deploys AI not to replace the human elements of teaching and learning, but to fundamentally understand and enhance them.

Speaking on 22 January at the “Novel approaches to accelerate cancer precision therapeutics—on both sides of the leash” discussion at the Frontiers Science House, the multi-platinum singer and songwriter Aloe Blacc challenged corporations and funders to open up their data to help accelerate science and its benefits. 

The University of Texas at Arlington, an R1 research institution, offers undergraduates direct access to high-level scientific work. That commitment was reflected last fall with the selection of three College of Science students to attend the National Symposium for Predoctoral Research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

Marketing researchers gained insights about online searches and engagement in a study that could help businesses understand better how consumers behave on their platforms.

An animal ecologist researching large marine animals such as whales and dolphins, Assistant Professor IWATA Takashi of the Graduate School of Maritime Sciences has performed surveys in oceans across the world. By using a method known as “biologging,” which involves attaching various recording instruments to animals in order to collect data, Iwata is working to elucidate the activity and surrounding environment of mysterious marine life. In recent years, he has also focused on surveying endangered finless porpoises native to nearby Osaka Bay. We sat down with Iwata to learn more about the current state of the oceans revealed through his research, as well as problems facing ecosystem conservation.

How do cutting-edge science and technology respond to ethical and legal issues when incorporated into society? These issues are known as ethical, legal and social issues, or “ELSI” for short, and research on these issues is being carried out both within Japan and around the world. In 2023, Kobe University launched KOBELSI, its university-wide research project on ELSI in life sciences and natural sciences. As revolutionary technology in fields such as medicine and artificial intelligence (AI) continue to pop up one after another, how has ELSI research advanced? We spoke with Professor CHATANI Naoto of the Graduate School of Humanities, leader of the project and an expert in ancient Greek philosophy and bioethics, about the current state of ELSI research and its future prospects.