Personal profile
Biography
Dr Mervyn Smyth obtained a 1st Class BEng (Hons) in Building Services Engineering and PhD for solar energy research both from Ulster University. Dr Smyth has over 7 years experience in the HVAC industry prior to taking up the position of Lecturer in Building Services Engineering at Ulster University, followed by a senior lecturer/teaching fellow position with the School of Architecture, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. Dr Smyth has also held positions at Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia and Domaine Carneros Estate, USA. He was promoted to Reader in Solar Thermal Technologies at Ulster University in 2008. Dr Mervyn Smyth was the NI Regional Chairman of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (2009 to 2012). Dr Smyth has a particular interest in solar thermal systems and has been involved in the design, development, fabrication and evaluation of various types of solar water heating units. He has over 25 years of experience in the experimental characterisation of solar energy technologies under real and simulated conditions and has over 12 years in the integration of passive solar systems and agri-frost protection, conducting numerous field experiments. In addition to his interest in solar thermal systems, he has also conducted research with PVs, energy and the wine industry, anaerobic digestion and building integrated solar. His current research revolves around thermal diodes is in the area of solar system deployment in sub-Saharan Africa and Façade integrated switchable insulation. Dr Smyth was the vice chair of the TU1205 EU COST action on Building Integrated Solar Thermal Systems and the Director of SolaForm Ltd and SwII Ltd. He has authored over 85 publications to date, including his published book investigating the design principles of energy usage and solar augmentation in winery operation.
External positions
Director, Switchable Insulation Innovations Ltd
Mar 2024 → …
External Examiner, University of Malta
2024 → …
Editorial board
2016 → …
Director, SolaForm Ltd (www.solaform.com) c/o Ulster University
2013 → …
external examiner, University of Nottingham
2013 → 2018
Griffith Climate Change Response Programme Visiting Fellow, Griffith University Queensland
2012 → 2013
Chairman, Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
2009 → 2012
CEng
2005 → …
educational representative and membership mentor, Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
2005 → …
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions -
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Beyond Borders: Understanding the Motivations and Experiences of International Students at Ulster University
McGowan, B., Slater, P. F., Hasson, F., Chaney, U. (Contributor), Beck, E. R., O'Boyle, L. (Contributor), Keeney, S. (Contributor), Dickson, P. (Contributor) & Smyth, M. (Contributor), 10 Jun 2025, (Published online) 5 p.Research output: Other contribution › peer-review
Open AccessFile50 Downloads (Pure) -
Motivations, Expectations and experiences of International Students studying at Ulster University
Slater, P. F., Hasson, F., Beck, E. R., Chaney, U., McGowan, B., Dickson, P., Smyth, M., O'Boyle, L. & Keeney, S., 20 May 2025, (Published online) 156 p.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Open AccessFile281 Downloads (Pure) -
A comparison of the use of traditional glazing and a novel concentrated photovoltaic glazing (CoPVG) for building solar gain analysis using IESVE
Chang, R., Mondol, J., Smyth, M., Zacharopoulos, A. & Pugsley, A., 30 Jan 2024, (Published online) In: Architectural Intelligence. 3, 2, p. 1-23 23 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile90 Downloads (Pure) -
Controlled environment agricultural systems (CEA), Energy, efficiency and sustainable operations
Farmer, M., Smyth, M., Pugsley, A., Mondol, J. & Zacharopoulous, A., 3 May 2024.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster
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Controlled Environment Agricultural Systems (CEA)- future sustainability metric design and role for biodiversity regeneration
Farmer, M., Mondol, J., Zacharopoulos, A., Smyth, M. & Pugsley, A., 1 Mar 2024.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster
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SolaNetwork commissioning and training
Pugsley, A. (Participant) & Smyth, M. (Participant)
14 Mar 2022 → 21 Mar 2022Activity: Other
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Flowcheck project
Pugsley, A. (Participant), Zacharopoulos, A. (Participant), Mondol, J. (Participant) & Smyth, M. (Participant)
1 Oct 2021 → 30 Apr 2022Activity: Other
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SwanaSmartStore Digital Kgotla
Pugsley, A. (Participant), Smyth, M. (Participant), Mondol, J. (Participant), Muhumuza, R. (Participant) & Mc Larnon, D. (Participant)
24 Nov 2020Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organising a conference, workshop, ...
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Interreg funded: STRAND 4 CO-INNOVATE PROGRAMME: "Energy management in a plastics recycling plant for efficient and sustainable energy implementation"
Shah, N. (Consultant), Mondol, J. (Consultant), Smyth, M. (Consultant) & Zacharopoulos, A. (Consultant)
15 Dec 2020 → 15 Dec 2021Activity: Consultancy
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one world festival -SolaFin2Go: solar power changing lives in rural Africa
Smyth, M. (Organiser), Mondol, J. (Organiser), Pugsley, A. (Organiser), Zacharopoulos, A. (Organiser) & Mc Larnon, D. (Organiser)
21 Oct 2019Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organising a conference, workshop, ...
Profiles
Projects
- 19 Finished
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Switchable Insulation Innovations: TRL6-7 transition
Pugsley, A. (PI) & Smyth, M. (CoI)
 Royal Academy of Engineering
1/01/25 → 31/12/25
Project: Research
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Passive House With Integrated Zero Emission Climate Control Systems (Resubmission)
Zacharopoulos, A. (PI), Pugsley, A. (CoI), Mondol, J. (CoI), Smyth, M. (CoI), Shah, N. (CoI) & Hyde, T. (CoI)
1/01/23 → 30/11/25
Project: Research
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Switchable Insulation Panels - Market Discovery
Smyth, M. (PI), Pugsley, A. (CoI), Zacharopoulos, A. (CoI) & Mondol, J. (CoI)
23/11/22 → 31/03/24
Project: Research
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COVID-19 Grant Extension Allocation University of Ulster reference cc 92256R
Smyth, M. (CoI), Mondol, J. (PI) & Zacharopoulos, A. (CoI)
1/01/21 → 30/09/21
Project: Research
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CE-SEA - Community Energy from Solar Envelope Architecture
Mondol, J. (CoI), Smyth, M. (CoI) & Zacharopoulos, A. (PI)
1/10/20 → 31/03/24
Project: Research