Introduction
The Department of Artificial Environment and Energy Engineering at CHU, established in 1964, is a department covering education, research, and innovation in this field at an international level.
Our scientific fields encompass thermodynamics, fluid and hydrodynamics, heat transfer theory, building environment, fluid transfer networks, as well as principles and equipment related to heat and moisture transfer.
Applications include the artificial environment, renewable energy utilization of refrigeration and heat pump technology, and automatic control theory of heating, ventilating &air conditioning (HVAC). These applications are related to industrial challenges; thus, the research of the department typically forms the basis for viable solutions being implemented in industry.
It is the mission of the department to lead research, education, and innovation in the fields of building environment and energy application engineering, thus improving and creating the basis for the control of building environment, building energy saving, and optimizing and controlling technology of intelligent building facilities for the benefit of the industry and society in general.
Education
Undergraduate
Introduce the idea of Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) into core courses, set up the “student-centered” interactive and research-oriented teaching mode, and develop innovative, practical teaching to university undergraduates based on society's requirements.
Cultivation plan: during the first four semesters, you will have mandatory subjects such as college physics, mechanics, mathematics, electrical engineering and electronics, computer science, thermodynamics, heat transfer theory, as well as hydrodynamics.
From semester 5, you can specialize in those courses of particular interest to you. You can choose between subjects such as basic mechanical design, control technology of architecture, electricity, construction automation, and building energy saving technology. Meanwhile, you can take part in more than 8 practical training courses, including a three-week production practice in a company. This will give you valuable insight into the role and work of an HVAC engineer.
Graduate
The holders of a master's degree of heating, gas supply, ventilating and air conditioning engineering from CHD should have ability to conduct research and teaching independently, to be competent in management and technical work, and should have the potential to be excellent teaching and researching staffs in the field of artificial environment engineering, top engineering and technical personnel as well as senior executives.
The mentors are responsible for the graduate education with the implementation of a postgraduate interdisciplinary educational model that encourages technical innovation. The usual duration of studies is 2 to 3 years.
Major subject area and scientific and research orientation
Artificial environment: theory and technique foundations for architecture, ventilation engineering, formation mechanism and energy efficiency control for thermal-moisture environment of buildings, theory and technologies of radiant cooling system, urban ventilation, indoor air quality control and improvement, CFD simulation and adjustment of building environment.
Renewable energy utilization of refrigeration and heat pump technology: sustainable energy application of geothermal energy, solar energy, and urban sewage heat energy, performance optimization and simulation analysis of the refrigeration and heat pump system, the technological performance, application, and research of enhanced heat and mass transfer in heat exchangers, a study on the distribution character of directly buried hot-water heat-supply pipeline.
Automatic control theory of HVAC: automation system of HVAC, recognition and fault diagnosis system of construction system, human behavior and building energy efficiency, the relation between exterior environment of building and building energy consumption, intelligent managing platform of heating network system design, development of intellectualization and integration design platform on BIM.
In recent years, our innovative research team has undertaken high-level research projects, including 5 national science research projects, more than 20 provincial and ministerial science research projects, and more than 20 bureau-level science research projects, as well as a large number of scientific research projects commissioned by enterprises. Besides that, 4 national invention patents, 33 national practical new-type patents, and 1 copyright in computer software have been obtained. More than 150 peer-reviewed papers have been published in journals, including 40 core journals and 60 international journals indexed by SCI/EI.
Collaboration
On the one hand, focus on team building and training of teachers. Stick to the principles of introducing and working out, to advancing the degree of internationalization of teachers in the department. Fully develop and utilize human resources both at home and abroad, and actively attract high-caliber personnel (PhDs) from different universities, such as Xi'an Jiao Tong University, Tongji University, Chongqing University, and Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology. In addition, strengthen the culture of science research among young and middle-aged teachers. 4 teachers have been invited to UIUC, Purdue University, and the University of Cardiff for academic purposes to date. Meanwhile, pay equal attention to teaching and research, and promote teaching and research mutually.
On the other hand, experts and scholars from both domestic and abroad are invited to present a "master class", thus enabling teachers and students to broaden their horizons and consequently have a better understanding of this field. Besides, actively organize and take part in the state-level academic competitions with excellent achievements. Pay attention to cultivating students’ innovative minds and improving their overall ability.
