Research Topics
Our research aims to achieve net-zero indoor food production in greenhouse, vertical farming, and animal production facilities.
Thermal Environment Modeling and Optimization in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA): We focus on understanding and improving the microclimate within greenhouses and indoor farms to enhance crop growth, energy efficiency, and sustainability. This research integrates computational modeling, such as energy balance equations, CFD simulations, and AI-based approaches, to predict and regulate temperature, humidity, and airflow dynamics. By optimizing environmental control strategies—such as HVAC systems, shading, and ventilation—this work aims to reduce energy consumption while maximizing plant productivity, ensuring year-round cultivation under optimal conditions.
System Performance of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Dehumidification (HVACD): Our research focuses on evaluating the system performance of HVACD in CEA to enhance energy efficiency, climate stability, and crop productivity. By integrating computational modeling, real-time monitoring, and optimization techniques, we assess key parameters such as temperature regulation, humidity control, airflow distribution, and energy consumption. This research aims to develop data-driven strategies for optimizing HVACD operations, reducing energy costs, and maintaining optimal growing conditions, ultimately contributing to more sustainable and efficient indoor farming systems.
Toward Net-zero indoor farming: Our research focuses on renewable energy integration for CEA, particularly on agrivoltaics to enhance sustainability and energy efficiency. By leveraging solar photovoltaics, wind energy, geothermal systems, and waste heat recovery, we aim to develop energy-resilient farming systems that optimize power usage for climate control, lighting, and irrigation. Agrivoltaic systems—where crops and solar panels coexist—are explored to maximize land-use efficiency, reduce plant heat stress, and improve farm productivity. Through advanced energy modeling, battery storage optimization, and smart grid integration, our research seeks to create net-zero CEA solutions that minimize carbon footprints while ensuring reliable and sustainable food production.
Precision Control and Monitoring for CEA: Our research focuses on Precision Control and Monitoring for CEA to enhance climate regulation, resource efficiency, and crop productivity. We aim to optimize key environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, CO₂ levels, and light intensity by integrating advanced sensing technologies, data analytics, and automated control systems. Through real-time monitoring and AI-driven decision-making, our work seeks to improve microclimate stability, reduce energy consumption, and ensure consistent, high-quality yields, ultimately advancing the sustainability and scalability of indoor farming systems.
Finding Sponsors
