Chinese University Students Turn Waste Glass into Eco-Friendly Coating

Two students, Ronaldo Chan and Can Ziao, from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, have made history by winning the Sustainability Award in the renowned James Dyson Award. Their groundbreaking invention utilises waste glass and transforms it into a coating with a remarkable cooling effect for buildings. This eco-friendly solution has the potential to revolutionise Hong Kong’s construction industry and contribute to a more sustainable future.

In Hong Kong, air-conditioning alone counts for nearly one-third of the city’s total electricity consumption. Additionally, more than 178 tonnes of glass bottles end up in landfills every day. Recognizing these environmental challenges, Chan and Xiao developed E-COATING, a solution that addresses two problems simultaneously.

E-COATING is created from recycled waste glass and can be applied to the exteriors of rooftops and walls. By reflecting the sun’s rays, it significantly reduces the heat absorption of buildings. Consequently, the amount of electricity required for air-conditioning is reduced, thereby mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

Sir James Dyson, the founder and chief engineer at Dyson, praised the inventors for their clever use of waste materials. He emphasized that E-COATING not only benefits the environment but also saves substantial amounts of electricity and money. The James Dyson Award’s £30,000 prize will support further research and development, enabling the team to enhance E-COATING’s adhesion and ease of application and explore its potential for indoor use.

In their post-victory interview, Chan and Xiao expressed their desire to address the pressing environmental issues facing the planet. The prize money will aid them in achieving their research and development goals and establishing a company to take their invention to the next level.

The James Dyson Award also recognised Piotr Tłuszcz for his humanitarian inventions, The Life Chariot. This off-road ambulance attachment provides a safe and efficient means of medical evacuation across challenging terrains.

Additionally, the International winner, The Golden Capsule, designed by Yujin Chae, Daeyeon Kim, Yeonghwan Shin, and Yuan Bai from Hongik University in Seoul, offers a hands-free, non-powered IV device for disaster zones, improving patient transports and reducing reliance on gravity and electricity.

These innovative solutions showcased by the James Dyson Award winners demonstrate the power of technology and design in solving pressing environmental and humanitarian challenges. With their passion and determinations, these young inventors are paving the way for a better and more sustainable world.