On March 25, the Hong Kong Engineering Science and Technology Award 2024–2025 was officially presented. Ir Prof. Edwin TSO, Co-founder of i2Cool and Associate Dean (Internationalization and Engagement) of the School of Energy and Environment (SEE) at City University of Hong Kong, was honored with this prestigious award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to thermal management, indoor built environment optimization, radiative cooling technology, and low-carbon building technologies. The award also acknowledges his profound impact on advancing the application of innovative energy-saving technologies and promoting sustainable development.
Jointly established by the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences (HKAES) and the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), the Hong Kong Engineering Science and Technology Award upholds rigorous selection standards and enjoys high academic and industry recognition. Each year, a maximum of six recipients are selected, all of whom demonstrate exceptional achievements in academic research, technological innovation, and knowledge transfer. Past recipients have come from diverse high-tech fields such as mechanical engineering, energy technologies, and the built environment, and are regarded as leading figures in their respective disciplines. The award not only honors individual accomplishments but also aims to inspire more engineering talents to push boundaries and enhance Hong Kong’s global influence in science and technology.
Professor Tso's research focuses on the fundamental principles and cutting-edge applications of heat transfer, energy conversion, and engineering materials. By integrating theory with experimentation, he has consistently delivered innovative solutions that drive advances in thermal management, indoor environmental quality, air conditioning and refrigeration technologies, and low-carbon building practices. Since 2020, he has been listed among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists. To date, he has published over 100 academic papers in top-tier journals such as Science, Nature Communications, Advanced Materials, ACS Nano, Advanced Science, and Advanced Functional Materials. Notably, his research on novel ceramic materials for electricity-free cooling was featured in Science, attracting global attention and coverage from hundreds of local and international media outlets.
Professor Tso remains at the forefront of scientific research and innovation, driving sustainability through technological breakthroughs. His electricity-free cooling technology has received numerous international accolades and been selected for major R&D funding initiatives by the Hong Kong SAR Government. In 2024, the project "Revolutionizing Climate Resistance: A Universal Solution via Next-Generation Radiative Cooling Technologies for a Greener Community, " led by Ir Prof. Edwin TSO was selected in the first-round evaluation of the HK$10 billion RAISe+ launched by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Hong Kong SAR Government. The project was also awarded funding under the 2024/25 Research Fellow Scheme by the Research Grants Council (RGC). He has secured 17 patents and actively promotes the commercialization of scientific achievements.
Each year, electricity-free cooling technology continues to evolve and attract widespread attention in the field of green innovation. Under Professor Tso’s leadership, it is being continuously refined and accelerated toward industrialization, positioning it at the forefront of green technology and a key solution for global energy conservation and emissions reduction. In the 2024 Policy Address delivered by Chief Executive John Lee of the Hong Kong SAR, the technology was highlighted as a critical energy-saving measure for accelerating green transformation, further affirming its value in sustainable innovation.
As Co-founder of i2Cool, Professor Tso is committed to transforming frontier research into practical applications. With support from CityU’s HK Tech 300 innovation and entrepreneurship program and incubation by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, i2Cool has successfully commercialized advanced technologies. Since its founding, i2Cool has continued to push the boundaries of electricity-free cooling, building a diverse product portfolio covering coatings, window films, automotive films, membranes, textiles, and tiles—widely applied in buildings, industry, and everyday scenarios.
i2Cool has grown steadily since its inception, now employing nearly 100 team members. By leveraging deep integration of industry, academia, and research, the company is driving technological innovation and market expansion. Its electricity-free cooling solutions have been implemented in 29 countries and regions, covering over 380,000 square meters. They have been successfully deployed in global landmarks such as the Dubai Mall and Hong Kong Coliseum, and are actively supporting the low-carbon development of countries along the Belt and Road Initiative. Looking ahead, i2Cool will continue to accelerate the global adoption of low-carbon technologies and contribute to a more sustainable future.
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