Dr. Delin Hu, Postdoctoral Fellow from Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, has received the inaugural JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship for Translation and Application. This fellowship will support his research on AI-assisted optimal design, perception, and control of miniature magnetic robots, with the aim of enhancing the precision and automation of minimally invasive interventions using innovative AI tools.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (“the Trust”) has set up the JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship for Translation and Application (“the Fellowship”) as a strategic initiative to nurture a pool of promising STEM post-doctoral researchers who aspire to translate scientific research into industry application. The Fellowship will provide comprehensive support and unique opportunity to help them develop their research and innovation career, expand their professional network and create social impact. The Research Grants Council (“RGC”) of Hong Kong is a Partner Organisation of this Fellowship. All eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities may nominate up to 10 nominees for the Fellowship in this exercise.

Dr. Delin Hu is the awardee of The Chinese University of Hong Kong for this inaugural cohort of the Fellowship. He joined Professor Zhang Li’s research group as a Postdoctoral Fellow in 2023 after completing his PhD at The University of Edinburgh. His current research interest lies in AI-assisted manipulation of miniature robots for minimally invasive interventions, implantable and flexible sensors for deep tissue monitoring and learning-based perception for soft robots and miniature machines.

More details about JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship for Translation and Application: https://www.jcstem.hk/en

Professor XU Jianbin from Department of Electronic Engineering has been elected Foreign Fellow of European Academy for his distinguished achievements. This election reflects the high recognition of Prof. Xu’s outstanding scientific contributions and international standing. Being elected as the Fellow, Prof. Xu has not only exceled in his scientific domains, but also contributed meaningfully to the global scientific dialogue, as his career exemplifies.

Professor XU Jianbin, Choh-Ming Li Chair Professor of Electronic Engineering, FIEEE, FHKIE, Associate Dean of Engineering (Mainland Affairs), and Director of Materials Science and Technology Research Center, has played a pivotal role in nanotechnology and electronics. His research interests include nanoscience and nanotechnology for electron devices and micro/nanoelectronics, namely 2D materials and devices; scanning probe techniques for electronics; advanced energy science and technology; interface engineering for materials and devices; physics and technology of organic semiconductors; functional and electronic oxides, etc. 

Prof. Xu has published c.a. 600 technical papers in peer-reviewed professional journals and conferences, with c.a. 28500 SCI peer citations, and 33000 Google Scholar citations. Meanwhile, he has secured more than 50 competitive research grants. He also actively participates in a myriad of professional activities and has served as symposium chair in several international conferences. He is a Fellow of IEEE and Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, and Member of American Physical Society. He is a recipient of Joint Research Fund for Overseas Chinese, Hong Kong and Macau Scholars (formerly Distinguished Young Scholar Fund for Overseas Chinese), awarded by NSFC, a nationally prestigious fund; the Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Science and Technology) in the category of Natural Sciences (2nd Class), Ministry of Education, China; Research Excellence Award by The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Vice-Chancellor's Outstanding Fellow of Faculty of Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Also he was Chang Jiang Scholar Chair Professor by Ministry of Education, China.

About the European Academy of Sciences

European Academy of Sciences (EurASc) is an independent, merit-based academy that unites Europe’s most accomplished scientists, engineers, and scholars across disciplines. EurASc’s mission is to promote excellence in science and technology, to advocate for evidence-based policymaking, and to strengthen transnational scientific cooperation.

An international research team led by The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has achieved a breakthrough in the field of medical microrobot. Led by Professor Zhang Li from the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering in CUHK’s Faculty of Engineering, the team – in partnership with Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) and the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (Germany) – has developed the world’s first antibiofilm liquid-bodied magnetic-controlled robot, introduces new features including, possessing unique viscoelastic properties that allow the robot to adapt to diverse operational environments, and along with a triple synergistic antibiofilm mechanism, paving the way for innovative solutions to combat biofilm infections. The findings have been published in the renowned international research journal Science Advances.

The challenge of biofilm infections

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the top ten global public health threats facing humanity in 2019, causing nearly 5 million deaths per year globally. AMR is not only related to the emergence of resistant bacterial strains but also significantly due to the formation of biofilm barriers, where bacteria adhere to surfaces and secrete substances. Medical implants inside the human body that lack of immune protection are highly susceptible to biofilm infections. Traditional antibiotic therapy struggles to penetrate biofilm barriers, while surgical removal of infected implants carries risks of secondary trauma.

The team previously developed magnetic microrobots to combat biofilm infections on implants. However, research revealed that while magnetically controlled hydrogel robots could navigate simple tubular structures, they struggled to adapt to complex surfaces such as medical stents and meshes, leaving residual biofilm. In light of these challenges, the team developed the world’s first antibiofilm magnetic-controlled liquid-bodied robot.

Two new features aiding in combating biofilm infections

The newly developed liquid-bodied robot uses a dynamic cross-linked magnetic hydrogel with unique viscoelasticity that aid in eliminating biofilms within the human body. Professor Zhang explained: “By precisely modulating external magnetic fields, the robot can switch between viscoelastic behavioural modes. In elastic mode, it rotates, rolls and overcomes obstacles within the body. In liquid mode, it deforms into a fluidly robot to infiltrate crevices and eradicate any biofilm within them.”

The robot also features a triple synergistic antibiofilm mechanism, including physical biofilm disruption, chemical bacteria deactivation and biofilm debris removal. First, magnetic forces transmitted through the robot’s motion mechanically disrupt biofilm structures and weaken their protective effects; then, the antimicrobial agents released by the robot target planktonic bacteria cells; and finally, the robot forms bonds with biofilm fragments, which prevents infections from recurring.

Achieved 87% effectiveness in tests aiming for future clinical applications

The liquid-bodied robot performed exceptionally in tests on infected medical implants. Biofilm on a 3D-structured hernia mesh was reduced by 84% after treatment, while 87% of bacteria on a metal biliary stent were killed. Professor Zhang added: “Our team pioneered dual-modality navigation using endoscopy and X-ray imaging, enabling precise control of the robot through metal stents in pig bile ducts. In a mouse model with infected stents, complete weight recovery was observed within 12 days, with a 40% reduction in inflammation indicators compared to the control group.”

“Traditional miniature robots often compromise between accessibility and driving force. This technology achieves both,” said Professor Zhang. The team is collaborating with Nanyang Technological University’s Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine to develop upgraded antibiofilm robots, with plans to advance to large animal trials and prepare for human clinical studies.

Professor Joseph Sung from Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, a co-author of the study, commented: “Biliary biofilm infections have long been a focus of my research. When solidified biofilm completely blocks a patient’s bile duct, conventional therapies often fail. This liquid robot offers a novel solution. We aim to integrate next-generation antimicrobial agents and validate its efficacy in clinical settings.”

For the full research, please visit: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adt8213

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Professor Jonathan Choi Chung-hang from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has received the Hong Kong Engineering Science and Technology Award (HKEST Award) 2024-25 from the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering (HKAE) for his accomplishments in and contributions to bionanomaterials and nanomedicine.

CUHK’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Sham Mai-har expressed her heartfelt appreciation for Professor Choi’s impressive achievements in nanomedicine. She said: “Professor Choi’s unwavering dedication to advancing bionanotechnology has resulted in significant breakthroughs in drug delivery systems and the treatment of complex diseases. His pioneering work has not only set new standards for research in Hong Kong but has also made substantial contributions to the global scientific community. CUHK remains committed to supporting groundbreaking research that drives clinical translation and enhances the quality of life.”

Professor Choi said that he was deeply honoured by the recognition and that he and his team would continue to advance bionanotechnology for a future of safe and effective therapeutics. 

Professor Choi inaugurated the first laboratory in nanoparticle-based drug delivery and bio-nano interactions in Hong Kong in 2013 and co-founded CUHK’s Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME), the first BME department in Hong Kong, in 2017. He has made important contributions to bionanomaterials, nanomedicine, bio–nano interactions, and drug delivery. His fundamental investigations into how engineered bionanomaterials interact with the body across the biological length scales of organ, tissue, cell, organelle and receptor have enabled innovative strategies for delivering nanotherapeutics to challenging disease sites, such as psoriatic skin, atherosclerotic plaques, fibrotic kidneys and degenerative brains. His cross-disciplinary research integrates expertise from science, engineering, and medicine.

About the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering and the Hong Kong Engineering Science and Technology Award

The Hong Kong Academy of Engineering (HKAE), comprising leaders of the Hong Kong engineering community, aspires to play a leading role in promoting the development of engineering science and technology in Hong Kong, including nurturing local talents and professionals for a vibrant innovation and technology industry. With the support of the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) of the HKSAR, the Academy launched the Hong Kong Engineering Science and Technology Award (HKEST Award) in 2022 to recognise young scientists, engineers and technologists from diverse disciplines who have excelled in developing creative solutions to problems through research, development, innovation and entrepreneurship, and have made significant advancements to the betterment of society.