Program Overview

Introduction to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Program

The Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering (AAE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) offers a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil) program. The department was established in 2016 to lead the development of the field of aeronautical and aviation engineering by amalgamating experts in the Faculty and the industry.

Program Overview

The AAE strives to play a leading role in bridging innovative research and development in the field of aeronautical and aviation engineering that accommodates the needs and demands of the aeronautical and aviation industry. The department currently leads or hosts several research centers and consortia, including the Aviation Research Consortium, the Joint Research Centre of Advanced Aerospace Propulsion Technology, the Research Centre for Low Altitude Economy, and the Research Centre for Unmanned Autonomous Systems.

Research Areas

There are six main research areas in AAE:

• Aerodynamics
• Aerospace Propulsion and Combustion
• Aerospace Structures and Materials
• Aviation Engineering
• Flight Mechanics and Control
• Satellite Communication and Navigation

Aerodynamics

Supervisors and their specializations include:

• Prof. Chih-Yung: hypersonic/supersonic vehicles, shock/droplet and shock/bubble interactions, DBD actuators, experimental fluid mechanics, CFD, urban wind field and air pollution
• Prof. Jiaao: high-speed aerodynamics, hypersonic nonequilibrium flows, shock-wave/boundary-layer interactions, computational fluid dynamics
• Prof. Siyang: aerodynamics and aeroacoustics, urban air mobility aerodynamics and noise, rotor noise prediction and low-noise design
• Dr. Peixu: high-speed aerodynamics, boundary layer stability and transition to turbulence, transition control and prediction
• Dr. Zhengtong: urban wind field and air pollution, sports aerodynamics, smart cities and urban sustainability

Aerospace Propulsion and Combustion

Supervisors and their specializations include:

• Prof. Chih-Yung: detonation engines, oblique detonation engines
• Prof. Sangdi: hypersonic impulse facilities, optical diagnostics, experimental hypersonics
• Prof. Yu: combustion dynamics, combustion instability, clean combustion

Aerospace Structures and Materials

Supervisors and their specializations include:

• Prof. Xi Shen: composite materials, nanostructured fillers, functional composites
• Dr. Kit Ying: energy storage composites, nanocomposite dielectrics

Aviation Engineering

Supervisors and their specializations include:

• Prof. Wen-Hua: system integration, safety, low altitude economy
• Prof. Wei: transportation modeling, air-rail system modeling, airport ground transportation
• Prof. Kam Hung: air traffic control, air traffic flow management, airspace design
• Prof. Siyuan: machine learning, multi-modal transportation systems, low-altitude air mobility
• Prof. Ang: aircraft systems, air traffic management, mechanism design
• Prof. Fan: human factors, accident analysis, human-AI teaming
• Prof. Lingxiao: data-driven optimization, aviation operations modeling
• Prof. Gangyan: machine learning, multi-agent systems, complex system analysis
• Dr. Qinbiao: human factors engineering, neuro-ergonomics, brain-computer interaction

Flight Mechanics and Control

Supervisors and their specializations include:

• Prof. Chih-Yung: UAV technology, autonomous vehicles
• Prof. Wen-Hua: aerial vehicles, autonomous ground vehicles, control theory
• Prof. Hailong: perception, motion planning, control, unmanned vehicles
• Prof. Bing: 3D computer vision, multimodal spatial perception, embodied AI
• Prof. Weisong: integrated positioning, GNSS, LiDAR-aided GNSS, safety-assured control
• Dr. Tianqi: control system design, satellite attitude control, nonlinear control theory

Satellite Communication and Navigation

Supervisors and their specializations include:

• Prof. Wen-Hua: inertial navigation, sensor fusion, computer vision
• Prof. Li-Ta: navigation satellite system, Beidou, integrated navigation system
• Prof. Wei: satellite communication, smart transportation systems
• Prof. Yiping: precise positioning, high integrity navigation, civil aviation
• Prof. Weisong: integrated positioning, GNSS, LiDAR-aided GNSS, safety-assured control
• Prof. Bing: GNSS receiver design, signal processing, security reinforcement
• Dr. Guohao: positioning in challenging environments, 3D mapping, collaborative positioning

Admission Requirements

• Preference will be given to applicants who apply for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme.
• Applicants are recommended to approach potential supervisors and include their names on the applications.

Supporting Documents

• Academic Referee's Report: Two reports are required, submitted online before the application deadline.
• Curriculum Vitae: Compulsory.
• Research Proposal: A standard form must be used, downloaded from the provided link.
• Transcript/Certificate: Compulsory, including all academic qualifications.
• Others: Optional, including publication records, scholarships, awards, and class rankings.

Application Procedures

• Application Period: Opens in early September each year.
• Application Result and Offer: Guidelines for submitting supporting documents and application results will be provided.

Fees and Support

• Application Fee: To be announced.
• Caution Money: To be announced.
• Fellowship and Scholarship: Available, including the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme.
• Financial Assistance: General expenses and other fees will be announced.
• Tuition Fee and Registration Fee: To be announced.

FAQs

• Frequently Asked Questions will be provided on the program's webpage.