HKUST Annual Report 2022-2023

32 33 Extreme Rainstorm Database Builds Insights on Flood Preparedness Prof. LU Mengqian (Civil and Environmental Engineering) and her team have created a high- resolution, long-term database of mesoscale convective systems (MCS) to comprehensively depict the physical properties of heavy rainstorms and associated flood risks in eastern China, a global hotspot for extreme rain and floods. Through a hybrid tracking algorithm and high-resolution (4km, half-hourly) satellite data, the researchers uncovered a “dual regime”, where MCS exhibit contrasting properties in winter and summer. The study provides valuable insights for flash flood preparedness, adaptive measures, and numerical weather simulations in eastern China. AI Guidewire Recognition Software Enhances Patients Safety Pr o f . Ga r y CHAN ( Compu t e r Sc i ence and Engineering) and his team launched guidewire recognition and counting artificial intelligence (AI) technology that uses computer vision to enhance patient safety. The software can reduce the risk of guidewires being left in a patient's body after insertion of a central venous catheter, a common clinical procedure used to guide the placement of a catheter into a central vein to administer fluids or medication, or to monitor hemodynamic status. Currently, manual counting is used to ascertain whether all guidewires have been removed. HKUST’s AI image-based “checker” system, including object recognition and data augmentation techniques, can accurately detect guidewires and cross-check the manual count in real time. Polymer Technologies Spur Products for Healthier Aging Prof. CHAU Ying (Chemical and Biological Engineering) has led the development of innovative polymer technologies, targeting three chronic conditions prevalent among the elderly: dry eye disease, macular degeneration, and knee osteoarthritis. By tailoring polymer materials, the team has formulated highly effective eyedrops from a super-soft hydrogel for treating dry eye disease. Additionally, they are developing two types of injectable gels for the other two conditions. This research is conducted in collaboration with Pleryon Therapeutics, a start-up co-founded by Prof. Chau and HKUST PhD graduate Dr. YU Yu.