HKUST Annual Report 2016-17

24 HKUST 2016-2017 Annual Report Fueling Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings A joint HKUST-MIT project, led by Prof Yi-Kuen Lee (Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering), received $10 million funding through the Innovation and Technology Support Programme to conduct collaborative research to develop key internet of things technologies, techniques and tools for energy-efficient buildings with a low carbon footprint. The team will integrate smart sensors, actuators and artificial intelligence algorithms to develop a smart heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) control system to significantly reduce energy consumption in commercial buildings. The team is also working with HKUST’s Facilities Management Office to develop a working prototype of the proposed system at the University. Sound Advance in Hearing Aids Prof Richard So (Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management) and his student developed a cost-effective intelligent hearing aid, which allows users to selectively reduce annoying background noise. The technology has the potential to reduce the cost of similar products to one-tenth of their prices. The novel audio technology promises to improve life for the elderly and the hearing-impaired, and enhance the audio quality of hearing protection equipment and communication devices, such as mobile phones and walkie- talkies, as well as the accuracy of voice recognition devices. Smart Green Wall Panels More than 30% of electricity consumption in the residential and commercial sectors is used for “conditioned space” (the area lived in or used) in many countries and areas, including Hong Kong. A research team led by Prof Christopher Chao (Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering) and departmental faculty members was awarded a Collaborative Research Fund grant of $6.18 million from the Research Grants Council, together with equipment matching of $1.15 million from the University, for a three-year project that aims to design and develop smart green wall panels. The panels will combine a plasmonic structured passive radiative cooler and a superhydrophobic-based vanadium oxide thermochromic smart window to save energy, enhance health and comfort, and create more eco-friendly built environments.