A GAME-CHANGING SOLUTION TO GLOBAL WARMING

Prof. Martin ZHU | 9 Jun 2023

i2Cool is a green technology startup incubated by the City University of HK and the HKSTP. Its patented electricity-free cooling technology can help reduce the energy consumption of buildings by up to 40%. It won the Gold Award and prize money of US $1 million in the TERA-Award Smart Energy Innovation Competition, co-organized by Towngas and the State Power Investment Corporation Limited (SPIC”). i2Cool has recently signed a cooperation order worth over $10 million with LHS (Leading Hospitality Services) who holds a leading position in the hospitality services industry in UAE.

A GAME-CHANGING SOLUTION TO GLOBAL WARMING

i2Cool, a Hong Kong-based company, has developed a game-changing solution for the growing problem of global warming. With their innovative electricity-free cooling technology, they aim to reduce carbon emissions and positively impact the world. Their mission is to achieve global carbon neutrality for future generations.

THE BURNING PROBLEM

The world is facing an unprecedented heatwave, and air conditioners are the go-to solution for many households. However, according to the International Energy Agency, "global energy-related CO2 emissions grew by 0.9% or 321 Mt in 2022, reaching a new high of over 36.8 Gt." This is where i2Cool comes in with our revolutionary cooling technology, which can keep surfaces cool without the need for electricity.

INSPIRATION BY MOTHER NATURE

i2Cool has spent over six years researching and developing Passive Radiative Cooling Technology, and they have officially launched their first product, iPaint. This cooling paint can reduce the temperature of surfaces, including buildings, automobiles, outdoor electronic equipment, and more. Unlike traditional paint, which absorbs sunlight and heat, iPaint deflects and dissipates solar heat to the surrounding space through the mid-infrared wavelength range.

The Gala Place Field Test in 2022 found that when iPaint was applied to outdoor and indoor surfaces, the surface temperature had been reduced by 40°C (104°F) and 10°C (50°F), respectively. The reduction in surface temperature is equivalent to 42% energy saving compared to using air conditioners. Additional studies all around Hong Kong have been conducted, and results show that using iPaint has significantly lowered the temperature of outdoor surfaces and indoor temperatures.

i2Cool's technology has also been applied to outdoor scenes, such as water chiller pipes, solar panels, and metal outdoor battery compartments. Not only does it reduce the temperature, but it also increases the COP of the equipment. The company plans to expand their applications of the electricity-free cooling technology to automobiles, large water tanks, and even textile fabrics in the future.

GLOBAL RECOGNITIONS

Over more than six years in R&D about Passive Radiative Cooling Technology, i2Cool has published over 70 articles in top international heat transfer and material scientific journals, some of which were recognized by journal editors and featured on journal covers.

Recently, i2Cool also won the Gold Award and prize money of US $1 million in the TERA-Award Smart Energy Innovation Competition, co-organized by Towngas and the State Power Investment Corporation Limited (SPIC”) with our electricity-free cooling technology.

Meanwhile i2Cool has recently signed a cooperation order worth over $10 million with LHS (Leading Hospitality Services) who holds a leading position in the hospitality services industry in UAE. Both parties will carry out comprehensive cooperation in the field of energy-saving technology, establish a long-term and stable strategic partnership, and promote the market synergy and win-win development of both parties.

CONCLUSION

i2Cool's iPaint is a game-changer in the fight against global warming. With the ability to reduce surface temperatures without using electricity, it provides a sustainable alternative to air-conditioning dependence. Reducing energy consumption can help mitigate the detrimental effects of global warming. The company's vision is to influence future generations to make a change and leave a positive impact on the world. In the future, we will continue to expand our applications of the electricity-free cooling technology to applications such as automobiles, large water tanks, and even textile fabrics. ■

The Author

Prof. Martin ZHU , Co-founder of i2Cool Limited , graduated with a PhD Graduate in Energy and Environment at City University of Hong Kong. He strives to integrate theory and experiments to create innovative solutions for enhancing phase-changing, air cooling, dehumidifying, thermal management, thermal rectification, micro-droplet manipulation, and energy-efficient building technologies.?

Incubated by CityU HK Tech 300 program, Dr. Zhu and his team formed the startup, i2Cool, to commercialize their electricity-free cooling technologies. As a rising star in ESG industry, i2Cool was selected into the list of Top 100 to Watch by Forbes Asia in 2022. Empowered by self-developed and ever-improving products and fueled by highly adaptive and long-term strategies, i2Cool successfully attracted interest from various sectors of society, creating a significant social impact by contributing to the goal of carbon neutrality.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Proptech Institute, including its directors, employees and affiliates.

PropTech Institute | https://www.proptechinstitute.org/ | [email protected]