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Arup-designed Air Induction Unit recognised at IET Innovation Award

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Jerman Cheung Jerman Cheung East Asia Press Office,Hong Kong
15 November 2018

Arup-designed Air Induction Unit (AIU) has won another prestigious award - The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Innovation Awards 2018 in Sustainability and Environmental Impact category. 

The annual awards celebrate the very best in new innovation around the world across science, engineering and technology. Its Sustainability and Environmental Impact category recognises those that demonstrate a significant contribution to sustainability or achieving a positive impact on current environmental issues and challenges.

Receiving the award on stage © IET

AIU is a bladeless fan developed for semi-outdoor environment. Using aerodynamic principles, the AIU can induce continuous large volume air flows with gentle wind speeds to improve thermal comfort. Extensive engineering investigation and computational fluid dynamic analyses were conducted to optimise the performance of design. Compared with traditional industrial fans, AIU is quieter, more energy-efficient (up to 65% less energy consumption) and has a larger coverage area. With no blades or other detachable parts, it is safe in operation and easy to clean and maintain. Its simple and modern appearance also makes it suitable for any environment.

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The bladeless Air Induction Unit impressed the judges with its simplicity, efficiency and impressive energy savings. The judges commended the simple, yet well designed concept providing advancement on traditional air cooling systems, advancing technology whilst furthering environmental enhancement. ” Judges of the IET Innovation Awards 2018

The technology has been patented in both UK and Hong Kong. The device was first installed in a semi-outdoor terrace at The Green Atrium, a multi-purpose community centre in Yuen Long, Hong Kong as part of its green building designs, and has been subsequently adopted in several on-going local projects.

With a minimalist design, the AIU improves thermal comfort for semi-outdoor environment in a more energy-efficient manner. © Arup