SU, Honeywell establish partnership to develop air-quality technology

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Honeywell International (NYSE: HON) on March 1 announced it has established a research partnership with Syracuse University to fund research on “emerging” indoor air quality (IAQ) technologies. 

The partnership will include the naming of a Honeywell Indoor Air Quality Laboratory at Syracuse University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science which researchers will use to help create “healthier and safer” building environments.

Honeywell is not disclosing the amount of grant funding it is providing for this research, a Syracuse University spokesperson tells CNYBJ in an email. 

The Honeywell Indoor Air Quality Lab at Syracuse University will be used to solve several research objectives to determine the impact of air quality on human productivity and creativity, per a university news release. 

Faculty will use the lab to conduct direct, side-by-side comparisons of next-generation indoor-air-quality improvement technologies and advanced building systems, in a controlled practical building environment, to provide a comparative analysis of the technologies based on key IAQ parameters measured by sensors and through [artificial intelligence (AI)]-driven heating, ventilation, and air conditioning controls. 

The research will include characterizing and evaluating IAQ sensors. The research will help building owners and operators better determine the right technologies to meet specific building conditions and goals.

“Indoor air quality isn’t a buzz word — it’s a critical factor in creating safer, healthier building environments,” Manish Sharma, VP and chief technology and product officer, Honeywell Building Technologies, said. “Our work with Syracuse will measure the performance of a variety of emerging indoor air quality technologies to not only improve occupant productivity and well-being but also help building owners understand the best solutions for different building environments and situations. In the long term, this will help them to better attract occupants, manage energy efficiency and improve their real estate value.” 

Additionally, the research will develop AI and machine-learning algorithms for “dynamic” ventilation management. The intent is to identify new ventilation strategies that comply with ASHRAE 62.1 IAQ standards while also achieving goals such as improved occupant productivity, with potentially fewer sick days, as well as enhanced energy savings. 

“People typically spend 80-90 percent of their times indoors, and occupant exposure to the various gas, particulate and biological contaminants found indoors has tremendous impacts on human health, productivity and creativity,” Jensen Zhang, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Syracuse University, said. “The Honeywell and Syracuse collaboration will lead to energy-efficient and cost-effective approaches and technologies to improving indoor environmental quality and reducing the risk of infectious disease transmission, as we look to improve social, economic and environmental conditions.”