New research has confirmed the potential benefits of reflective material on buildings – and raised more questions about the NSW government’s change of heart on banning dark roofs. After conducting a technological and cost-benefit analysis across major Australian cities, the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney team found that city-wide implementation of cool roofs […]
Tag: UNSW
Solar power after dark
A research team at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) has discovered how to harness “night-time” solar power. The team, from the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, made the breakthrough by using a semi-conductor device called a thermoradiative diode to generate electricity from the emission of infrared light. The results of the study […]
Breakthrough building materials moderate temperature
A research team from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) has developed innovative materials that can moderate building temperatures. Designed by Scientia Professor Mat Santamouris (Anita Lawrence Chair High in Performance Architecture at the School of Built Environment, UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture), the new materials adjust the optical properties in conventional coatings for buildings. The design […]
Australian schools failing on indoor air quality
Australian schools need better ventilation to improve student health and productivity, according to new research from the University of New South Wales (UNSW). A team from the UNSW Sydney’s School of Built Environment found concentrations of CO₂ in classrooms peaked significantly higher than the 850ppm threshold prescribed by the National Construction Code due to a […]
Australia awaits gender equality scorecard
The federal government’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) is set to release its 2017–18 gender reporting data on November 13 at the National Press Club in Canberra. “Australia’s role in encouraging gender diversity is based on our distinctive gender equality reporting system,” says a WGEA spokesperson. “We now have a comprehensive, world-leading dataset which enables […]
Super-desiccant holds promise for AC systems
A new carbon-based desiccant has been developed by scientists at the University of New South Wales – and it could be a game-changer in applications such as packaging, electronics and air conditioning. The revolutionary drying agent is made from layers of graphene oxide and significantly outperforms current desiccants; it is twice as absorbent as the […]