Prof. Martin Zhu earned his Ph.D. in Energy and Environment from the City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), where he also serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Management, College of Business.
He is a member of the Green Technology and Finance Development Committee and the Youth Community Building Committee of the Hong Kong SAR Government, as well as a Distinguished Young Entrepreneur of the Greater Bay Area. Prof. Zhu has been recognized in Forbes China’s 30 Under 30 and Hurun U30 China Entrepreneurship Pioneers lists.
Motivated by a deep passion for sustainable cooling solutions, Prof. Zhu transitioned from a distinguished researcher to an innovative entrepreneur. His research focuses on passive radiative cooling technology, aiming to bridge academic innovation and industrial application to address global energy and environmental challenges. During his doctoral studies at CityUHK, driven by his interest in green energy efficiency, he co-founded i2Cool together with his supervisor, Ir Prof. Edwin Chi-Yan Tso, pioneering the transformation of passive radiative cooling technology from laboratory research to large-scale commercialization.
After the establishment of i2Cool, Prof. Zhu leveraged his academic background and entrepreneurial spirit to define a clear long-term strategy for the company, fostering continuous innovation and global adoption of electricity-free cooling technology. He and his team have developed a wide range of applications, covering architecture, electricity, petrochemicals, grain storage, photovoltaics, logistics, and new energy, delivering energy-efficient cooling solutions across diverse industrial sectors.Under Prof. Zhu’s leadership, i2Cool’s technology and products have reached over 30 countries and regions, including Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States, with more than 100 completed projects. These achievements have positioned i2Cool as a rising leader in the new cooling materials sector, attracting significant attention for its business potential and social impact.In just two years, i2Cool has achieved remarkable growth, securing four rounds of funding totaling nearly HKD 140 million. To date, i2Cool’s electricity-free cooling products have been deployed across over 810,000 square meters, saving more than 15 million kWh of electricity and reducing around 13.6 million kilograms of carbon emissions — equivalent to planting over 850,000 trees.
Beyond his entrepreneurial efforts, Prof. Zhu actively engages in industry forums and public dialogues on topics such as green buildings and urban heat islands, sharing his insights on green technology innovation and commercialization. He also leads i2Cool’s social responsibility initiatives, providing electricity-free cooling products and technical support to underprivileged communities and organizations, helping residents enjoy cooler, more sustainable living environments. Through these efforts, Prof. Zhu continues to promote a corporate culture of sustainability and social contribution, reinforcing i2Cool’s mission to drive the world toward a greener, low-carbon future.
