Imagine if your house walls could act like a smart thermostat, changing their properties to keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. Instead of just being a static wall, these facades use special materials that react to the environment to block or let in heat. It is like giving a building a smart skin that breathes and adapts to the weather automatically.
Buildings face volatile energy prices and strict EU mandates to be carbon neutral by 2050. Current opaque facades are static barriers that cannot adapt to changing thermal needs, leading to high energy waste.
The project is building the first prototypes of adaptive opaque facades using bio-based polyurethanes and shape memory alloys, tested via a calorimeter and sun simulator.
If you are a developer dealing with strict carbon neutral regulations for 2050 — this project developed adaptive opaque facades that reduce heating and cooling energy demand. This allows for the creation of New European Bauhaus compliant buildings with lower operational costs.
If you are a chemical manufacturer dealing with the shift toward sustainable materials — this project developed new formulations of bio-based polyurethanes and shape memory alloys. This creates new industrial lines for bioPUR and SMA building actuators.
If you are a retrofit company dealing with high electricity bills for old building stocks — this project developed a modular adaptive facade technology. It transforms static walls into thermal modulators to downsize dependence on gas and petrol.
The technology aims to reduce heating and cooling energy demand, which leads to downsizing electricity bills and less dependence on petrol and gas.
Based on available project data, the research is currently high-risk and low-TRL, focusing on manufacturing the first prototypes and scientific proof of concept.
The project develops new formulations for bio-based polyurethanes and shape memory alloys (SMA), which could lead to new patents in advanced materials manufacturing.
Yes, it is specifically designed to help reach the target of a carbon neutral building stock by 2050 and aligns with the New European Bauhaus initiative.
The project runs from 2023-02-01 to 2027-01-31, indicating that commercial availability will follow the 2027 completion date.
The consortium is well-balanced for technology transfer, consisting of 6 partners across 5 countries. With a 50% industry ratio (3 industrial partners, including 2 SMEs), there is a strong bridge between the academic research led by Accademia Europea di Bolzano and the practical manufacturing needs of the chemistry and materials sectors.
Contact Accademia Europea di Bolzano for technical specifications on bioPUR and SMA actuators.
Contact us to identify licensing opportunities for adaptive facade materials.
