ThinkAir

Technology

All buildings need a supply of fresh air for breathing and for dilution and removal of polluted air for the health and wellbeing of occupants.

Energy efficient residential Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) management is increasingly legislative driven by Net Zero and awareness of IAQ and health following Covid-19 [1].

Buildings are becoming more airtight and energy efficient to meet Net Zero goals. This often results in insufficient indoor ventilation and unhealthy IAQ which can cause ‘Sick Building Syndrome’ [2].

Ventilation, air purification and air conditioning are often confused, but the three have very different effects on indoor air as explained here.

We are developing an AI controlled whole-building smart ventilation system that uses digital technology to provide healthy indoor air quality to protect people’s health and wellbeing.

Think.Air is a decentralised multi-zone smart ventilation system and is suitable for new and existing buildings.

The circularity innovation uses over 50% less operational and manufacturing embodied energy than conventional systems.

The advantages of smart ventilation are explained here.

AI and sensors optimise indoor air quality and reduce energy. System components interact via a Sub-GHz Local Area Network (LAN) to form a unified system.

This means that Think.Air is easier and more economical to install and hygienically maintain than conventional systems with ducting infrastructure.

AI can enable installed systems to achieve 100% energy recovery efficiency.

Sensors monitor outdoor air quality to prevent pollutants such as PM2.5, nitrous oxide and  ozone entering the ventilation system and being pushed into rooms.

Think.Air can interact with IoT devices and smart appliances. Interacting with aircon creates a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system with minimum ductwork.

The system server provides over-the-air (OTA) upgrades to firmware. This enables utilisation of digital twin technology to optimise performance.

References:

[1] International Energy Agency (2022). Annex 86 – Energy Efficient Indoor Air Quality Management in Residential Buildings. IEA EBC 2024

[2] Suzuki, N., Nakayama, Y., Nakaoka, H., Takaguchi, K., Tsumura, K., Hanazato, M., Hayashi, T.  and Mori, C. (2021). Risk factors for the onset of sick building syndrome: A cross-sectional survey of housing and health in Japan. Elsevier: Building and Environment, Volume 202. September 2021