HumanIC

Hospital environmental design through the concept of a human-centric indoor climate.

The HumanIC network aims to build a new approach to hospital environmental design through the concept of a human-centric indoor climate. Rather than the traditional approach of focusing solely on the building and its ventilation/heating systems, the network will develop new approaches to integrate the multi-dynamic interaction between contamination sources and airflow distribution systems with the clinical, patient and energy requirements of the hospital environment.

We will consider the human interactions with the indoor environments and how this affects transient dispersion of contaminants, particularly in protected risky microenvironments such as surgery; it is a central prerequisite for the safe operation of these facilities to eliminate or minimise airborne pathogen threats while at the same time ensuring good thermal comfort. We will generate new knowledge on the physical processes of transmission and contaminant airflow interactions, and apply this knowledge to optimize the design of technical solutions, and develop novel methods to visualise and control HCC in hospital environments.

Through an ambitious research programme and a tailored training programme, HumanIC will provide a new generation of scientists and engineers who understand the implications of these complex interfaces in future hospital design. In building the HumanIC consortium we will actively promote healthcare environment engineering as an inclusive and diverse career option at all stages in the programme, including aiming to recruit at least 50% women.

We will ensure that the HumanIC recruitment process and training environment is attractive, welcoming, inclusive and supportive, allowing men and women appointed as Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) to engage with the network to fully maximize their scientific and personal potential.

Funding

Associates

Project termJanuary 2024 to December 2027
Funding code101119726
Project managementYunus Emre Cetin