Dr. Zhai’s primary research and teaching interests are in integrated building systems, sustainable building technologies, and indoor environment quality. He has been developing innovative building products and systems with both experimental and computational analysis and optimization. Such examples include innovative building-integrated photovoltaic and thermal systems, personalized ventilation and air-conditioning systems, and smart living wall systems etc. Particular interest has been put into passive and vernacular architectural techniques such as natural ventilation and thermal storage (e.g., using phase change materials). Dr. Zhai has been leading investigation for various indoor environment quality challenges for both conventional spaces (e.g., retail and office) and mission-critical spaces (e.g., hospital and data center). He has also been participating in practical design and consultation for a variety of green and high-performance building projects.
AREN 2110 - Thermodynamics
Primary Instructor
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Summer 2024
Explores fundamental principles of thermodynamics, including first and second law of thermodynamics, thermophysical properties, power and refrigeration cycles, gas mixtures and psychrometrics. Degree credit not granted for this course and MCEN 3012 or GEEN 3852.
AREN 2120 - Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023
Explores fundamental principles of fluid mechanics and heat transfer. Topics include fluid statics, momentum and energy conservations; laminar and turbulent viscous flows; conduction, convection and radiation heat transfer. Emphasizes topics and problems that are important to Architectural Engineers including flow of fluids in pipes and ducts, heat transfer in buildings and building systems.
AREN 2121 - Heat Transfer
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2021
This is an elective course for students who want to obtain an AREN BS degree and have taken Fluid Mechanics course but not heat transfer. This course will fulfill their curriculum requirement and allow them to take the following courses that require heat transfer knowledge. Previously offered as a special topics course.
AREN 2830 - Special Topics
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2020
Supervised study of special topics of interest to students under instructor guidance.
AREN 3010 - Energy Efficient Buildings
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Lecture course on the analysis and design of buildings and their systems to satisfy the requirements for a comfortable and healthy indoor environment. Examines psychometrics, thermal comfort, building heating and cooling loads, fluid flow basics, and HVAC components and systems.
AREN 4317 - Architectural Engineering Design
Secondary Instructor
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Spring 2021
Provides a capstone experience to AREN students. Students design a modest commercial building and complete an integrated engineering design of the building systems executed for the conceptual, schematic, and design development phases. Students' teams work on structural, mechanical, electrical/lighting, and construction engineering management design. Each stage produce a professional-quality design document. Faculty and industry mentors participate in the teaching and evaluation of designs.
AREN 5001 - Building Science and Engineering I
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021
Prepares graduate students with general knowledge and skills that are required by advanced AREN technical courses. Covers two parts of materials: Building Lighting Systems and Building Electrical Systems.
AREN 5002 - Building Science and Engineering II
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2024
Introduces AREN fundamentals to new graduate students entering the Architectural Engineering Program (AREN) but without general Civil or Architectural Engineering background. This course is part of a two-course set with AREN 5001: Building Science and Engineering I. This course covers two parts: (1) building thermal science and engineering; (2) building material science and engineering.
AREN 5830 - Architectural Engineering Special Topic
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2021 / Fall 2022
Supervised study of special topics of interest to students under instructor guidance. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours.
