— Is CO₂ an Appropriate Tracer for Assessing Airborne Transmission Risk? —

Room: As-305

Organizer: Prof. Arsen K. Melikov, Technical University of Denmark Duration and Format: 60 minutes; concise expert presentations followed by discussion

Abstract / Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the vital role of ventilation in reducing airborne transmission risks. Carbon dioxide, long used to assess ventilation effectiveness, has been proposed as a tracer for evaluating infection risk. Yet, this assumption faces challenges from real-world airflow dynamics, occupant activity, and heterogeneous CO₂ distribution. This workshop examines the validity of CO₂ as a proxy for virus-laden aerosol dispersion through experimental evidence and CFD modeling.

Speakers include Prof. Arsen Melikov (Technical University of Denmark), who introduces the principles of airborne infection prediction and discusses the limitations of CO₂-based approaches; Prof. Kazuhide Ito and Dr. Kazuki Kuga (Kyushu University), who analyze the relationship between exhaled CO₂ and airborne pathogen transmission; Dr. Bin Zhou (Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology) and Dr. Bin Yang (Tianjin Chengjian University), who present cross-infection predictions in stratified ventilation systems; Prof. Xianting Li (Tsinghua University), who visualizes exhaled droplet transmission using color sequence particle streak velocimetry; and Prof. Xiaoliang Shao (University of Science and Technology Beijing), who evaluates cross-infection risk in air-recirculated systems using CO₂ as a tracer.

Expected Outcomes: The session will clarify under what conditions CO₂ measurements can meaningfully represent infection risk. Discussion will focus on refining predictive models, identifying influential factors, and proposing realistic assessment methods for airborne transmission in occupied indoor environments.

— Strategies for Successful Research and Publication in Building Science —

Room: As-305

Organizers: Dr. Joon-Ho Choi, University of Southern California, USA Dr. Marco Perino, Politecnico di Torino, Italy Dr. Thomas Parkinson, The University of Sydney, Australia

Duration and Format: 60 minutes; professional-development panel with interactive discussion

Abstract / Objectives: This workshop is designed to guide early-career researchers and junior faculty in advancing their scholarly impact and global collaboration capacity in the field of building science. Drawing from their extensive experience as editors, conference leaders, and mentors, Dr. Joon-Ho Choi, Dr. Marco Perino, and Dr. Thomas Parkinson share insights into conducting high-impact research, publishing in leading journals, and developing sustainable academic careers.

The session will address strategies for selecting impactful research topics, managing the peer review process, building interdisciplinary and industry collaborations, securing competitive research funding, and balancing teaching with research productivity. Each speaker will also discuss their personal experiences in fostering international research networks and mentorship.

Expected Outcomes: Participants will acquire practical knowledge of publication strategy, academic networking, and professional growth in building science. The workshop will inspire participants to develop a distinctive research identity and to contribute actively to global collaboration and innovation in sustainable built environments.

— Toward Occupant-Centric HVAC Design: Advances in Personalized and Data-Driven Approaches —

Room: As-305

Organizer: Prof. Chungyoon Chun, Yonsei University Duration and Format: 60 minutes; four oral presentations followed by open discussion

Abstract / Objectives: This workshop explores the latest advances in occupant-centric HVAC control and personalized indoor environmental systems. The increasing need for energy-efficient yet comfortable buildings drives research into adaptive technologies that respond to individual physiological and behavioral variations. The session highlights new approaches integrating sensing, modeling, and machine learning to deliver personalized comfort in diverse environments.

Speakers include Prof. Yongchao Zhai (Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology), who presents a novel computer vision method for estimating metabolic rate and clothing level; Dr. Kuniaki Mihara (Kajima Technical Research Institute), who introduces a scalable, data-driven HVAC control system combining user preferences with a global comfort database; Prof. Ongun Berk Kazanci (Technical University of Denmark), who reviews current progress in personalized environmental control systems (PECS) under IEA EBC Annex 87; and Prof. Bin Cao (Tsinghua University), who reports experimental results on a PECS-embedded workstation designed to enhance user comfort and cognitive performance.

Expected Outcomes: Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of occupant-centric design and data-driven HVAC control methods. The discussion will identify key challenges, opportunities for standardization, and pathways toward broader adoption of personalized comfort systems in buildings.