Passive Cooling Solution for Heat Stress Mitigation
This project will develop a passive cooling technique to mitigate against heat stress in climate change impacted vulnerable communities through modelling and experimentation.
Research Opportunities
Summary
The project aims to develop passive cooling technique for mitigating heat-stress due to climate change for a low-income community for developing countries. As the world warms up owing to climate change, the demand for cooling is growing rapidly. People need cooling to protect themselves from extreme heat and to remain productive. Temperature plays a crucial role in human health, with thermoregulation of the body constantly occurring with the aim of maintaining a constant core body temperature typically between 36-37°C. An acute increase in core body temperature causes the clinical syndromes of heat cramps, heat syncope, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Symptoms range from extremity swelling, muscle spasms, light-headedness, fatigue, headache, and nausea, to hypotension, hyperventilation, tachycardia, seizures, coma, and ultimately death. An acute increase in core body temperature is more likely to occur when exposure to temperatures higher than usual is prolonged (such as during heat waves), when the humidity is also high, and when individuals lack access to water. In addition to the aforementioned clinical heat-related syndromes, elevated temperatures have negative effects on human populations. A recent systematic review by Chevance et al. showed that higher temperatures are associated with poorer sleep outcomes. Poor sleep is associated with the development of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, cancer, mental health disorders, and accidents. Increased temperatures reduce physiological capacity, leading to lower productivity, higher workplace injury, higher worker attrition, loss of income, and greater reliance on younger workers in indoor factories. In dwellings, hot nights result in a lack of sleep, with everyday activities affected by daytime temperatures, impacting both health and well-being.
The aim of this project is to establish the effect of easy and inexpensive passive cooling interventions on the climatic conditions inside buildings. This will be achieved though our objectives:
- To establish stakeholder mapping for implementing passive cooling systems
- To establish the participants’ cooling needs, interventions and expectations
- To establish a sample data set of the impact of heat stress on physical and mental well-being
- To Develop CFD modelling for investigating the impact of passive cooling intervention
- To develop experimental setup to investigate the impact of passive cooling intervention
- To develop machine learning algorithm to develop predictive model to speed up the design and interventions
Supervisors
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Research Themes
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We welcome specific ideas from applicants for a potential research degree topic. The University offers a number of potential self-funded topics in each School which you could consider developing your research project around.
It is not unusual for a proposed research degree topic to evolve as you progress through the application stage and even your future studies. This ensures the best match of your academic/professional experience with that of your supervisory team.
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Entry requirements
Entry Requirements for Research Degrees
Normal entry requirements are a first or upper second class honours degree from a University of the United Kingdom, or from an overseas University, or degree equivalent qualification, subject to the approval of Robert Gordon University.
Applicants holding other qualifications shall be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the proposed research programme.
Applicants will normally register for an MSc/PhD or MRes/PhD with transfer to PhD dependent on satisfactory progress. However, applicants who already possess a Master’s degree which includes a significant research component could be registered directly for a PhD, subject to a satisfactory research proposal, and clear evidence of research expertise.
Some Research Degree Topics require employment experience, research experience and/or transcripts for international qualifications.
Contact researchdegrees@rgu.ac.uk to see if you are eligible.
English Language
Any applicant whose first language or language of previous University-level instruction is not English must normally demonstrate competence in English. This should be a score of IELTS 6.5 with 6.5 in all elements, or an approved equivalent.
We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:
Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact researchdegrees@rgu.ac.uk for further information.
Fees & Costs
For Academic Year 2024/2025
UK/EU Students
- Full time - £4,786 per academic year
- Part time MPhil/PhD - £2,870 per academic year
- Part time MRes/MSc by research - £2,390 per academic year
International Students
- Full time - £19,450 per academic year
- Part-time MPhil/PhD - £11,670 per academic year
- Part-time MRes/MSc by research - £9,720 per academic year
For Academic Year 2023/2024
UK/EU Students
- Full time - £4,712 per academic year
- Part time MPhil/PhD - £2,830 per academic year
- Part time MRes/MSc by research - £2,356 per academic year
International Students
- Full time - £18,700 per academic year
- Part-time MPhil/PhD - £11,220 per academic year
- Part-time MRes/MSc by research - £9,350 per academic year
Additional Costs
The following course-related costs are not included in the course fees:
- The cost of books that you may wish to purchase
- Accommodation and living costs
- Printing
Alumni Discount
Robert Gordon University is delighted to offer a 20% discount on course fees for all alumni who have graduated from RGU.
Scholarships and Financial Awards
Postgraduate research students will normally make their own arrangements for payment of fees. However you may qualify for a scholarship or financial award:
Funded Studentships
Occasionally, the University will also advertise available funded studentships, for very specific topics or subjects:
Disclaimer
For new intakes course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in the offer letter. For further information see:
How to Apply
Applications
All applications should be made via the University's online application for research students.
Before you apply, find out more about the application process, research proposal writing guides, routes and durations:
Our Research degrees usually start in February and October each year. There are no formal deadlines for you to submit your application, though we recommend you submit it as early as possible in order to ensure we can help you join us at your preferred time.
Completed application forms should be accompanied by:
- Degree certificate
- Statement of purpose, detailing why you would like to study this degree in the UK, and why you have chosen RGU.
- A short research proposal, in the range of 1,500 - 3,000 words, containing a rationale and background, study aims and objectives, a literature review, proposed research methods and a full reference list.
Further guidance on the application process:
English Language Requirements
All applicants whose first language is not from a recognised English speaking country will be asked to provide evidence of their English language skills as part of their offer to study at RGU.
Find out more about the English language qualification we accept:
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