CityUHK professor wins the HKEST Award for advancements in energy-efficient building technologies
Professor Edwin Tso Chi-yan, Associate Dean (Internationalisation and Outreach) and Associate Professor in the School of Energy and Environment at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), has been awarded the 2024 Hong Kong Engineering Science and Technology Award by the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering. This prestigious award recognises his outstanding achievements and contributions to the fields of energy-efficient building technologies.
Professor Tso’s research focuses on heat transfer, energy conversion and advanced engineering materials. By integrating theoretical analysis with experimental studies, he has pioneered innovative solutions in building thermal management, indoor built environment, space cooling, refrigeration and energy-efficient building technologies, addressing critical global environmental challenges.
“I am deeply honoured to receive this award,” said Professor Tso. “It is not only a recognition of my personal research efforts but also a testament to the dedication and hard work of my entire team. I am sincerely grateful to CityUHK for providing robust research support, enabling us to achieve continued academic breakthroughs.”
Professor Tso’s work has gained significant recognition in both academic and research communities. He was awarded a fellowship grant of approximately HK$5.3 million under the Research Grants Council’s 2024/25 Research Fellow Scheme to support his research on smart building envelope systems. Since 2020, he has been consistently ranked among the World’s Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University. He has published over 100 journal articles in leading scientific journals, including Science and Nature Communications, and has successfully supervised numerous doctoral and postdoctoral researchers—further expanding his academic influence.
CityUHK is committed to transforming research excellence into impactful real-world applications that promote environmental and societal sustainability. In addition to his academic accomplishments, Professor Tso actively engages in translational research, contributing to the sustainable development of society and the environment. He holds 17 patents and co-founded the start-up i2Cool Limited through CityUHK’s HK Tech 300 programme. The company specialises in passive radiative cooling technologies that contribute to energy conservation and carbon reduction.
The HKEST Award was launched in 2022, with support from the Innovation and Technology Commission of the HKSAR Government, to recognise and honour the exceptional contributions and excellence of young scientists, engineers and technologists, promoting the development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong.
