Tech Breakdown: Chengdu Universiade more intelligent and greener than you think

APD NEWS

text

The World University Games is around the corner! From July 28 to August 8, university athletes from across the globe will unleash their talents in southwest China's Chengdu City.

Some facilities have already started operating, and the preparations have entered the final stages. Besides youth and vigor, high-tech and green are keywords at the event.

Firstly, let's take a look at the games' torch. Did you know that the beautiful flame is lit by aerospace technology? The torch was developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, which also developed the torches for the 2008 and 2022 Beijing Olympic Games.

On the basis of aero engine technologies, the project team has tapped into a combustion technology program for the torch to ensure that it's stable and green. It used biomass propane as fuel and optimized the processes of fuel injection and air mixing based on the shape of the torch, so as to make the bright yellow flame dance elegantly.

If you are in the event area, you will surely be dazzled by a group of special "staff." They are robots designed based on the event mascot, panda "Rongbao." The robots provide services including information, translation and navigation.

Most importantly, they could be lifesavers. If there's a medical emergency, the robot will rush to the location with medical emergency tools. After arrival, the robot will open the built-in emergency kit automatically, and play a video tutorial, so the on-site staff can provide assistance accurately and quickly. The robot can also contact medical experts to get help remotely.

The Chengdu Universiade will take place in the hot midsummer. A comfortable temperature could help the athletes deliver their best performance, so high pressure water spray equipment is used in some of the venues, which can cool the environment by over 10 degrees Celsius.

The event also provides cooling vests to volunteers. The vest is made of a phase-change material, which releases or absorbs sufficient energy at phase transition to provide useful heat or cooling. The volunteers can put the "cooling bags" of the vests in refrigerators 30 minutes in advance, and enjoy two hours of cooling outdoors.

"Green" is another key word at the World University Games. A total of over 2,000 new energy vehicles are being deployed to provide services for participants. New energy vehicles are used for 90 percent of transportation from the Universiade Village to the central urban area, and shuttles in the Universiade Village are 100 percent new-energy.

A series of low-carbon technologies have been used during construction of the venues.

All 13 new venues have reached the standard of two-star green buildings in China, and the 36 existing venues were renovated through green and low-carbon means that effectively avoided repeated construction and waste of resources.

The city aims to achieve sustainable operation of the venues after the games to create greater economic and social benefits.

Let's wish the athletes the best and look forward to the Chengdu Universiade!

(CGTN)