Meet the Yorkshire scientist who is one of the world’s best

A scientist from a university in Yorkshire has been recognised as one of the world’s top scientists.

Introducing Professor Xudong Zhao, from the University of Hull, who is now part of a prestigious scientific group which includes 45 Nobel Prize winners.

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Professor Zhao has been elected as a Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences, after being recognized for developing a global reputation in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable heating, cooling and power systems.

Professor Xudong Zhao, from the University of Hull, who is now part of a prestigious scientific group which includes 45 Nobel Prize winners. Photo credit: The University of Hull.Professor Xudong Zhao, from the University of Hull, who is now part of a prestigious scientific group which includes 45 Nobel Prize winners. Photo credit: The University of Hull.
Professor Xudong Zhao, from the University of Hull, who is now part of a prestigious scientific group which includes 45 Nobel Prize winners. Photo credit: The University of Hull.
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He is also currently working on a “next-generation” energy station which could transform the way communities are powered.

Reflecting on his achievement Professor Zhao, the director of the Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies at the University of Hull, said it was an "honour" to have been elected into the acclaimed scientific group.

He said: "At the University of Hull, we are constantly seeking new technologies to combat the effects of climate change, and help the UK transition into a green economy.

"In joining the European Academy of Sciences, I will have the opportunity to share these innovations with some of the world’s leading scientists, in turn benefiting from invaluable expertise and knowledge exchange."

Pictured, the Venn Building at the University of Hull. A team of scientists at the university are currently working on a pioneering new low-carbon housing project with Hull City Council, trialing an innovative way to power homes in the local community. Photo credit: The University of HullPictured, the Venn Building at the University of Hull. A team of scientists at the university are currently working on a pioneering new low-carbon housing project with Hull City Council, trialing an innovative way to power homes in the local community. Photo credit: The University of Hull
Pictured, the Venn Building at the University of Hull. A team of scientists at the university are currently working on a pioneering new low-carbon housing project with Hull City Council, trialing an innovative way to power homes in the local community. Photo credit: The University of Hull
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Professor Zhao, who is also the deputy director at the Environment and Energy Institute, is part of a pioneering university team working in collaboration with Hull City Council on a low-carbon housing project, which will create a new green system to be used in the home.

As part of a pilot scheme a combined ventilation and air source heat pump technology will be installed in a residential home in Hull.

The system uses a unique mixture of both indoor and outdoor air, and reduces the amount of heat which is lost in a typical house through ventilation.

Speaking about the "ground-breaking" initiative developed by the Centre for Sustainable Energy Technology at the university, Professor Zhao said it would play a vital role in helping Hull City Council's ambitions to meet the target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 and the UK's by 2050.

Professor Xudong Zhao is currently working on a “next-generation” energy station which could transform the way communities are powered. Photo credit: The University of HullProfessor Xudong Zhao is currently working on a “next-generation” energy station which could transform the way communities are powered. Photo credit: The University of Hull
Professor Xudong Zhao is currently working on a “next-generation” energy station which could transform the way communities are powered. Photo credit: The University of Hull
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He said: "Addressing the issue of decarbonising heating in the home is urgent.

"This project will be the first time this technology, which we hope will become an exemplar for the decarbonisation of our homes, will be demonstrated at full scale."

If the pilot project is successful, it is hoped the technology could be commercialised and rolled out to homes across Hull and beyond.

"This new project, working alongside Hull City Council, will provide us with a glimpse into the future of low-carbon, sustainable housing. It has the potential to be truly ground-breaking," Prof Zhao added.

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For more than 30 years of his academic career, Professor Zhao has led research into near-zero-carbon dew point air conditioning, high-efficiency solar thermal and electrical energy conversion, and high-performance heat pump technologies.

He has been involved in 62 research projects, worth a combined £21m, and has published eight books and more than 260 papers in high impact journals.

And to date, Professor Zhao has also supervised over 30 PhD students and 28 research fellows at the University of Hull.

Professor Zhao was nominated and recommended to join the European Academy of Sciences by three current Fellows.

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They were Professor Saffa Riffat, Head of Building, Environment and Energy Research Group at the University of Nottingham and the President of World Society of Sustainable Energy Technologies; Professor Giuseppe Lacidogna, from Politecnico di Torino in Italy, and Professor George Papadakis at the University of Athens.

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