Thermal Indoor Environment Research (TIER)

 iKohza Name: Thermal Indoor Environment Research (TIER)
 Leader's Name and Title: Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Sheikh Ahmad Zaki Bin Shaikh Salim
 Deputy Leader (if any):
 Main Contact Email: sheikh.kl@utm.my
 Location/Office: Level 10, MJIIT
 Website or Social Media (if available): https://mjiit.utm.my/tier/

 Main Research Themes/Keywords (5–10 keywords):

• Thermal Comfort
• Indoor Environment
• Smart Buildings
• Energy Efficiency
• Tropical Climate Design
• Indoor Air Quality
• Passive Cooling

 Description of Research Focus Areas (Max 200 words):

The Thermal Indoor Environment Research (TIER) laboratory focuses on understanding and improving indoor environmental conditions to enhance occupant comfort, health, and energy efficiency in tropical climates. The lab conducts research on thermal comfort and adaptive comfort models, indoor air quality, and building performance evaluation using field measurements, laboratory experiments, and computational simulations.

Key focus areas include passive cooling strategies, smart and energy-efficient HVAC systems, and climate-responsive building design. TIER also investigates human physiological and psychological responses to indoor environments, integrating wearable sensors and environmental monitoring to assess real-time comfort and well-being.

In addition, the lab explores data-driven approaches, including IoT-based monitoring and building analytics, to support smart indoor environment management. Research outcomes are applied to real-world case studies such as classrooms, offices, and high-density urban buildings, with the aim of developing practical, scalable solutions for climate-resilient and low-carbon indoor spaces. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and industry engagement, TIER contributes to sustainable building innovation and evidence-based design practices for tropical and developing regions.

 Laboratories Used (if applicable):

Thermal Comfort Lab, level 10, MJIIT.

 Key Equipment/Technology Available (with brief descriptions):

1) Weather Station Data
1. Tower Station is located at rooftop Malaysia-Japan Institute of Technology building: Campbell-Scientific® Weather Station CR1000 datalogger c/w Enclosure, NL115 Ethernet & Compact Flash Module, 3D Ultrasonic Anemometer, Temp/RH sensor, Silicon Pyranometer & Rain Gauge.
2. Ground Station: CR1000 datalogger c/w Enclosure, Pyranometer, Wind Sentry Set, Temp/RH sensor
3. WatchDog® Weather Station: Model 2550

 List of Ongoing/Recent Projects or Grants :

• F4+ 5.0: Optimizing Indoor Environmental Quality in Tropical Climate School Classrooms: Human-Centered Design and Hybrid Cooling Strategies for Conducive Learning Environment
• Evaluating Thermal Comfort and Physiological Parameters in School Classrooms with Roof Insulation Strategies in Hot and Humid Climate
• Thermal Comfort and Brain Wave Responses to Essential Oils in a Tropical Office Environment Using Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Consultancy Services for Proof of Concept (PoC) in respect of Evaluation of Oxygen Supply in Air-Conditioning and NanoeX Technology for Enhancing Indoor Air Quality and Human Well-Being
• Consultation on Baseline Environmental And Thermal Comfort Evaluation For Radiant Cooling Wall Development In Malaysian Climate

 Selected Publications (Last 3 Years, Max 5):

• Aqilah, N., Rijal, H. B., & Zaki, S. A. (2025). Indoor thermal environment and effect of air movement on comfort temperature in Malaysian naturally ventilated dwellings. Journal of Building Engineering, 104, 112151.
• Firman, N. S., Zaki, S. A., Tuck, N. W., Singh, M. K., & Rijal, H. B. (2025). A study on adaptive thermal comfort and ventilation in Malaysia secondary school classrooms of tropical climate. Building and Environment, 273, 112701.
• Rosli, M. F., Zaki, S. A., Singh, M. K., Rijal, H. B., & Othman, N. A. (2025). Sleep quality and thermal comfort assessment in the hot and humid climate of Malaysia. Advances in Building Energy Research, 19(1), 87-112.
• Taufan, A., Zaki, S. A., Tuck, N. W., Rijal, H. B., Khalid, W., & Othman, N. A. (2025). Thermal comfort and ventilation performance in an air-conditioned mosque in tropical climates of Malaysia. Advances in Building Energy Research, 19(2), 199-240.
• Alam, N., Zaki, S. A., Ahmad, S. A., Azizan, A., Singh, M. K., Rijal, H. B., & Othman, N. A. B. (2025). Application of Internet of Things in assessing personal thermal comfort incorporating spatial parameters in air-conditioned office. Advances in Building Energy Research, 19(5), 660-687.

 Patents (if any):

• Current National and International Collaborations: Kementerian Pelajaran Tinggi (KPT) through national FRGS research grant, San Miguel Yamamura Woven Products Sdn. Bhd. and Panasonic Appliances Air-Conditioning R&D Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., as well as an international industry partner, PS Company, Ltd. (Japan).
• Industrial Engagements: San Miguel Yamamura Woven Products Sdn. Bhd. and Panasonic Appliances Air-Conditioning R&D Malaysia Sdn. Bhd, Kansai Paint Malaysia, Daikin, PS Company, Ltd. (Japan).
• Community Engagement (if any): NIOSH, KPM, DOSH

• Academic Staff (Name, Position, Area of Expertise):
  • Dr Mohd Fitri bin Mohd Yakub ( Control, iOT)
  • Assoc Prof Dr Ir Mohamed Sukri bin Mat Ali ( Aerodynamics, Aeroacoustics, Wind Engineering)
• Postdocs/Researchers:
  • Dr Naja Aqilah binti Hisham ( Thermal Comfort, Indoor Thermal Environment)
• Postgraduate Students:
  • Ongoing 10 Phd, 1 Master

 Group Photo (recommended):

 Activity or Lab Photos (optional):

 Logo (if any):

 Link to Video:
 Refer to the sample video shared:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uCct65sTQaNmssiLeKSd5RqQP_5EUMfs/view?usp=drive
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