Hong Kong, December 6, 2024 – The Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has been awarded a prestigious Gold Medal at the 4th Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions (AEII) held in Hong Kong on December 5-6, 2024. The team, led by Prof. LU Lin Vivien and Dr. GONG Quan, was recognized for their groundbreaking project titled "Synergistic Integration of Terrestrial Radiative Cooling and Bifacial Solar Photovoltaics for Low-Carbon Buildings."
The BEEE team has developed an environmentally friendly solar-driven adaptive radiative cooling coating that can adjust cooling capacity based on solar irradiance, thus cooling building roofs and walls without consuming any energy. The invention can integrate bifacial photovoltaic (biPV) modules, enabling simultaneous solar power generation and radiative cooling, thereby transforming buildings from energy consumers into energy harvesters. The coating can also convert solar energy into visible light to prevent buildings from absorbing excessive heat, as well as improve the efficiency of biPV systems and enhance their cooling capabilities. This enables buildings to generate more power while passively radiating excess heat into space, helping to realise energy-efficient and net-zero energy building designs.
The AEII is a renowned annual event that celebrates cutting-edge inventions and solutions from across Asia, attracting scholars, experts, and inventors from around the globe. This year, PolyU achieved remarkable success, securing a total of 18 accolades, including the Grand Prize, one Special Prize, seven Gold Medals, eight Silver Medals, and one Bronze Medal.
Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), expressed his pride in the achievements of the PolyU teams, stating, "The remarkable accomplishments of our academics, students, and alumni reflect PolyU's strong research capabilities and our commitment to innovation. These awards highlight our dedication to addressing global challenges through cutting-edge research and solutions."
The BEEE team's success underscores the vital role of PolyU's research initiatives in driving sustainable development and innovation. Their award-winning project not only contributes to the advancement of low-carbon building technologies but also aligns with PolyU's mission to create a positive impact on society and the environment.
For more information on BEEE award-winning project and innovations showcased at the AEII, please visit the PolyU Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office website.
