Hong Kong Stories - Inventors in Hong Kong：From Fashion to Innovation

“In medical products, apart from functionality, can we make patients feel less like patients when wearing them? Making oneself feel beautiful and fashionable in all aspects!" Medical and scientific products often prioritize functionality and practicality. However, Joanne, who has always had a penchant for aesthetics and fashion, believes that combining functionality with comfort and aesthetics can attract patients to wear them.

Joanne Yip, the Associate Dean of the School of Fashion and Textiles at the Polytechnic University, has been dedicated to integrating textile and fashion technologies with innovative science research for over a decade.

In 2011, she embarked on a project to develop functional undergarments aimed at improving scoliosis. The motivation behind her research stemmed from personal experiences in her daily life, as she learned about the discomfort and inconvenience faced by a colleague's daughter who had to wear cumbersome and restrictive plastic braces for scoliosis correction. Driven by the desire to create a comfortable and breathable solution, Joanne's journey led to the development of various products, including the posture correction girdle and recent innovations such as the smart tank-top and scoliosis correction girdle. These advancements aim to prevent the deterioration of early-onset scoliosis in adolescents.

Recently, Joanne Yip and her research team have been working on the development of AI-assisted training gear, which combines exercise training with real-time muscle monitoring. This innovative gear aims to enhance the coaching experience.

As an Associate Dean of the School, Joanne not only focuses on her research work but also juggles the responsibilities of teaching and family life. How does she navigate these challenges and turn her innovative concepts into successful endeavours?