Asia-Pacific Sustainability Action Awards-Sustainability Action Awards SDG13:Bronze
National Formosa University
Net-Zero Drying: Smart Desiccant Wheel Innovation for Sustainable Energy Efficiency
The “Net-Zero Drying: Smart Desiccant Wheel Innovation for Sustainable Energy Efficiency” project addresses the challenges of high energy consumption, carbon emissions, and industrial waste generation in humidity-control systems. Developed by National Formosa University and the National Atomic Research Institute, the project converts aluminum dross into high-value alumina adsorption materials for localized desiccant wheel production. Through CFD-based optimization, the project improves moisture removal efficiency while reducing pressure loss and energy demand. Comprehensive environmental monitoring and health-risk assessments confirmed that system operation does not significantly affect air quality or pose pulmonary, skin, or eye health risks. The project engages researchers, government agencies, industry partners, and environmental health experts to advance sustainable technology development. With strong scalability across industrial, agricultural, commercial, and healthcare sectors, the project provides a practical pathway toward green manufacturing, carbon reduction, and Taiwan’s 2050 Net-Zero goals.