Texas-based intelligent building operations company Internet of Team (IofTeam) has announced a public-private partnership with the University of Nebraska Lincoln’s Peter Kiewit Institute (PKI) in Omaha to accelerate the commercialisation of smart HVAC technologies.

This collaboration centres on the development and deployment of a novel method for detecting refrigerant charge levels in variable refrigerant volume (VRF) systems, as disclosed in a UNL provisional patent application. The partnership will integrate this innovation into IofTeam’s cloud-based platform, DigiMEP, enhancing its capabilities in predictive maintenance and energy optimisation.

As the HVAC industry transitions to future refrigerants under new EPA standards, accurate refrigerant leak detection has become a critical need. Even minor leaks can lead to energy waste, performance loss and environmental impact over time. This innovation addresses that directly, providing field-ready accuracy for technicians and operators managing VRF systems at scale.

DigiMEP, IofTeam’s digital HVAC services platform, standardises field measurements and turns them into verified mechanical truth. By embedding an algorithm developed by Haorong Li and his research team into DigiMEP (www.digimep.com), the platform will expand its core functions in equipment optimisation, measurement verification and technician enablement, helping service companies achieve consistent diagnostics and reduce performance variance across sites.

Under the agreement, IofTeam will fund the full patent refiling and prosecution process, while Li and his team at PKI will provide technical expertise and support. The project also includes joint research efforts to explore universal AI models for building energy systems, with the goal of securing additional industrial and federal funding.

“This partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration between academia and industry,” said Patrick Davis, CEO of IofTeam (iofteam.com). “Together, we’re not only advancing cutting-edge HVAC technology but also creating a model for innovation that benefits both public institutions and private enterprise.”

The 15-month initiative began last month, and will be guided by a joint steering committee. The partnership will also explore intellectual property opportunities and ensure that foundational contributions from PKI (www.unomaha.edu/about-uno/buildings-and-maps/peter-kiewit-institute.php) are recognised through co-inventorship and licensing.