Dr YU Yichen (third from right), Research Assistant Professor of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, represented the team to attend the award ceremony. (Photo credit: APEC-INPUT)
Prof. NIU Jianlei (front row, centre), Chair Professor of Building Environment and Energy, led a research team to develop innovative outdoor cooling solutions, which won the INPUT2 Excellence Award.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) scholar has developed innovative outdoor cooling solutions aimed at creating a more comfortable and livable urban environment. This achievement has been recognised with the Excellence Award at the Innovating for Public Urban Technology Transformation Competition (INPUT 2), which is organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China and supported by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). PolyU is the only university in Hong Kong to receive this honour in the competition.
Led by Prof. NIU Jianlei, Chair Professor of Building Environment and Energy at Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering of PolyU, the project titled “Human-oriented outdoor thermal environment evaluation and optimization design” won the Excellence Award at INPUT 2.
Prof. NIU, along with members of the research team, including Dr YU Yichen and Dr XIE Yongxin Sherry, Research Assistant Professors of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, has developed a simulation tool for assessing outdoor pedestrian thermal comfort levels and a logical design for optimising cooling strategies. It includes a novel membrane-assisted radiant panel that enhances localised spot-cooling effects. This innovative approach will enable better design for outdoor thermal comfort and promote the utilisation of outdoor spaces by residents. Ultimately, it improves public health and the overall quality of urban life and contributes to the reduction in city-wide energy consumption by reducing reliance on air conditioning systems.
INPUT 2 is proposed by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China to APEC and approved by APEC’s Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI). INPUT 2 focuses on three key areas: green economy, sustainable transport development, and livable cities, with a view to promote the idea of sustainable urban development, exchange and cooperation in innovation and application of scientific and technological achievements.
