Maria Hurnik, D.Sc., conducts scientific research in the field of energy-saving ventilation and air conditioning systems, aerodynamic characteristics of air conditioning devices and physical and numerical modeling of air movement in rooms.

Maria Hurnik obtained a doctorate in technical sciences at the Faculty of Environmental and Energy Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology, presenting a doctoral thesis entitled: “Selection of scales and kinetic boundary conditions for physical modeling of air distribution in a room”. She also completed postgraduate studies at the Silesian University of Technology in the field of: “Energy auditing in construction for the needs of thermal modernization and energy assessment of buildings”.

In 2010-2013 Maria Hurnik was the manager and main executor of her own research project financed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education entitled: “Research on VAV air conditioning system with inductive flow regulator”. The research results were published in the habilitation monograph entitled: “Variable air conditioning systems with inductive flow regulators”. In 2018, Maria Hurnik obtained a postdoctoral degree in technical sciences in the discipline of environmental engineering. An important part of Maria Hurnik’s scientific activity was her participation in the implementation of the project entitled: Development of thermal diagnostics of buildings (task 4) as part of the strategic project: Integrated system for reducing the operational energy consumption of buildings, financed by NCBiR in 2010-2013. Maria Hurnik co-participated in the implementation of part C of the research task entitled: In situ diagnostics of ventilation and air conditioning installations. Her contribution to the project included:

• developing diagnostic methods for cooling sources and air conditioning system components and devices,
• performing thermal diagnostics of cooling sources in air conditioning systems in two office buildings and mechanical ventilation systems in two single-family homes,
• co-participating in the development of the “Building Thermal Diagnostics Guide” Volume 3 “In situ diagnostics of cooling sources and ventilation and air conditioning systems” and Volume 5 “Comprehensive in situ thermal diagnostics of buildings in practice”.
• implementation of scientific and research projects and research and service projects commissioned by external entities:
• research and development project entitled “Development of a new product in the form of an exhaust air vent supplying purified air to the interior of production halls with automatically regulated air exhaust direction”, implemented for the Rebelion Sebastian Dybowski company, co-financed by the European Union under the Smart Growth Operational Programme for 2014-2020,
• in the research project of the ENER-INDOOR Centre of Excellence entitled: “Energy-efficient techniques and systems in indoor environmental engineering. English: Centre for Energy Efficient Technologies and Systems in Indoor Environment Engineering”, 2003-2005, financed by the European Commission Research Directorates General for Shared-Cost RTD Actions,
• in the research project Annex 26 IEA ECBCS entitled: “Energy efficient ventilation of large enclosures”, the participation of the Polish side was carried out in the years 1995-98 as part of the project entitled: “Experimental verification and improvement of mathematical and physical modelling methods” financed by the KBN,
• in the research project (supervisory), entitled: “Selection of scales and kinetic boundary conditions for physical modeling of air distribution in a room”, 1998-2000, financed by the KBN
• in three research and service projects commissioned by SMAY concerning tests of flow regulators used in VAV installations, cut-off regulators and differential pressure probes for measuring air volume flow,
• in a project commissioned by Simens VAI Metals Technologies GmbH&Co. Linz Austria entitled: “Assessment of the effectiveness of natural ventilation in terms of potential smoke in Hot Rolling Mill halls”.