Inveel - Printing energy-efficient smart windows

AI Quick Summary

Smart windows are very appealing from environmental and economical points of view as they offer great prospects for future zero-energy performance buildings. With dynamical control of the amount of solar heat and lighting input, reduced cooling and heating loads result in energy savings. We provide technology for low-cost and high speed production of extreme-high resolution electrodes on smart windows. Smart windows are very appealing from environmental and economical points of view as they offer great prospects for future zero-energy performance buildings. With dynamical control of the amount of solar heat and lighting input, reduced cooling and heating loads result in energy savings. We provide technology for low-cost and high speed production of extreme-high resolution electrodes on smart windows.What problem would you like to solve?​Energy efficiency in the built environment has a huge opportunity for decreasing CO2, but recent European developments [https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-efficient-buildings_en] also highlight its importance. Energy-efficient glazing stands out as one of the most interesting possibilities. The glazing often allows huge energy flows to enter or exit a building, which means that energy-consuming cooling or heating must be used to create a comfortable indoor environment. If windows allow tunable transmittance of solar energy and visible light, energy efficiency can be reached. The fabrication of such smart windows are very appealing from environmental and economical points of view as they offer great prospects for future zero-energy performance buildings. Reduced cooling and heating loads result in energy savings by a dynamical control of the amount of solar heat and lighting input entering through a window. This allows energy savings with lighting and, in parallel, decreases the consumption of alternative sources of heat and light. The control of the visible and near-infrared (NIR) regions of the solar spectrum is a key target for the development of the next generation of smart windows. Solar energy from the invisible solar spectrum (ultraviolet (UV) and NIR regions) encompasses about 60% of the whole solar spectrum, of which 50% belongs to the NIR region. Currently, however, the biggest market hamper is high production cost and difficulties in placing high resolution (nanometer size) electrodes/polarizing filters in large areas. There is a need of a highly transparent submicron level printing of electrodes in high speed on large area, but currently no reasonable solution exists to cover it. Who will benefit from your solution and how?​Energy-Efficient Buildings with smart home/office windows: INVEEL electrodes can create dynamic shading solutions in office spaces and residential rooms by optimizing natural lighting and reducing energy costs. Real Estate Developers of commercial and residential properties can also benefit from this technology, office buildings, hotels, and shopping centers may seek smart windows to enhance building performance, reduce energy costs, and improve occupant comfort. Who are the existing persons/companies in your team and what is their role?Implementation partner: Inveel (to-be-founded in Q1 2024): Barbara Horvath (co-founder, PSI Founder Fellow) and Christopher Turpin (co-founder)Research partner: Dr. Helmut Schift, Laboratory of Nano and Quantum Technologies, Paul Scherrer InstitutHow does your challenge have a positive impact on the planet (e.g., material reduction, CO2 emission reduction)?​Previous simulation studies have shown that smart windows can reduce a building's energy needs by up to 40% relative to static windows. Tunable transmittance of the windows allow dynamical control of the amount of solar heat and visible light to pass. Reduced cooling and heating possible by control of the visible and near-infrared (NIR) regions of the solar spectrum (50% of the entire solar spectrum). A Carbon reduction potential of up to 25 kg CO2/m2/year from NIR electrochromic window deployment has been defined (DeForest N et al. 2015. Build. Environ. 89: 107–17)Has your idea been tested before?Current status and previous activities​: We provide technology for low-cost and high speed production of extreme-high resolution printed electronics. Our novel technology allows fabrication of 100 nm - 2 µm linewidth wires and electrodes with low resistivity. This allows quick and cost-efficient production of electrodes which enables the production of optical filters and electrodes for smart windows. Our technology introduces low cost – extreme-high resolution printing, which is currently unavailable on the market. What are you planning on working on throughout the booster (e.g., developing the business model, building an initial prototype, material for prototyping, etc.)? What will you deliver at the end of the booster?Work packages:WP1: Company establishment: Our aim is to establish a company with new technology solutions, which supplies low cost printed optical filters and circuits for businesses. WP2: Product developmentImprove transmission properties Upscale process to larger areasPrototype developmentWhat are you expecting from the booster (e.g., looking for specific partners, expert support, etc.)?Our main challenges are based on optimization of the technology by improving printing speed, upscaling and transmission. The fund received from the Innovation booster would allow us to further work on the process development of the project. Expert support and connection to partners are also very much welcome.How will you attract the 3rd party funding (10% of the total funding amount)?It will be covered by the budget of the implementation partner

Project Idea Metadata

• Project Idea Name: Inveel - Printing energy-efficient smart windows
• Date: 8/30/2023 2:24:28 PM
• Administrators:
  • Barbara Horvath

Project Idea Description

Smart windows are very appealing from environmental and economical points of view as they offer great prospects for future zero-energy performance buildings. With dynamical control of the amount of solar heat and lighting input, reduced cooling and heating loads result in energy savings. We provide technology for low-cost and high speed production of extreme-high resolution electrodes on smart windows.

What problem would you like to solve?​

• Energy efficiency in the built environment has a huge opportunity for decreasing CO2, but recent European developments [https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-efficient-buildings_en] also highlight its importance. Energy-efficient glazing stands out as one of the most interesting possibilities. The glazing often allows huge energy flows to enter or exit a building, which means that energy-consuming cooling or heating must be used to create a comfortable indoor environment. If windows allow tunable transmittance of solar energy and visible light, energy efficiency can be reached. The fabrication of such smart windows are very appealing from environmental and economical points of view as they offer great prospects for future zero-energy performance buildings. Reduced cooling and heating loads result in energy savings by a dynamical control of the amount of solar heat and lighting input entering through a window. This allows energy savings with lighting and, in parallel, decreases the consumption of alternative sources of heat and light. The control of the visible and near-infrared (NIR) regions of the solar spectrum is a key target for the development of the next generation of smart windows. Solar energy from the invisible solar spectrum (ultraviolet (UV) and NIR regions) encompasses about 60% of the whole solar spectrum, of which 50% belongs to the NIR region. Currently, however, the biggest market hamper is high production cost and difficulties in placing high resolution (nanometer size) electrodes/polarizing filters in large areas. There is a need of a highly transparent submicron level printing of electrodes in high speed on large area, but currently no reasonable solution exists to cover it.

Who will benefit from your solution and how?​

• Energy-Efficient Buildings with smart home/office windows: INVEEL electrodes can create dynamic shading solutions in office spaces and residential rooms by optimizing natural lighting and reducing energy costs. Real Estate Developers of commercial and residential properties can also benefit from this technology, office buildings, hotels, and shopping centers may seek smart windows to enhance building performance, reduce energy costs, and improve occupant comfort.

Who are the existing persons/companies in your team and what is their role?

• Implementation partner: Inveel (to-be-founded in Q1 2024): Barbara Horvath (co-founder, PSI Founder Fellow) and Christopher Turpin (co-founder)
• Research partner: Dr. Helmut Schift, Laboratory of Nano and Quantum Technologies, Paul Scherrer Institut

How does your challenge have a positive impact on the planet (e.g., material reduction, CO2 emission reduction)?​

• Previous simulation studies have shown that smart windows can reduce a building's energy needs by up to 40% relative to static windows. Tunable transmittance of the windows allow dynamical control of the amount of solar heat and visible light to pass. Reduced cooling and heating possible by control of the visible and near-infrared (NIR) regions of the solar spectrum (50% of the entire solar spectrum). A Carbon reduction potential of up to 25 kg CO2/m2/year from NIR electrochromic window deployment has been defined (DeForest N et al. 2015. Build. Environ. 89: 107–17)

Has your idea been tested before?

• Current status and previous activities​: We provide technology for low-cost and high speed production of extreme-high resolution printed electronics. Our novel technology allows fabrication of 100 nm - 2 µm linewidth wires and electrodes with low resistivity. This allows quick and cost-efficient production of electrodes which enables the production of optical filters and electrodes for smart windows. Our technology introduces low cost – extreme-high resolution printing, which is currently unavailable on the market.

What are you planning on working on throughout the booster (e.g., developing the business model, building an initial prototype, material for prototyping, etc.)? What will you deliver at the end of the booster?

Work packages:

• WP1: Company establishment: Our aim is to establish a company with new technology solutions, which supplies low cost printed optical filters and circuits for businesses.
• WP2: Product development
• Improve transmission properties
• Upscale process to larger areas
• Prototype development

What are you expecting from the booster (e.g., looking for specific partners, expert support, etc.)?

• Our main challenges are based on optimization of the technology by improving printing speed, upscaling and transmission. The fund received from the Innovation booster would allow us to further work on the process development of the project. Expert support and connection to partners are also very much welcome.

How will you attract the 3rd party funding (10% of the total funding amount)?

• It will be covered by the budget of the implementation partner

Smart windows are very appealing from environmental and economical points of view as they offer great prospects for future zero-energy performance buildings. With dynamical control of the amount of solar heat and lighting input, reduced cooling and heating loads result in energy savings. We provide technology for low-cost and high speed production of extreme-high resolution electrodes on smart windows.