Title : Smart and green panels for energy transition
Abstract:
Considering the European Union, the construction and built environment sector is responsible for 5-12% of total greenhouse gas emissions in connection with the extraction of materials and the manufacture of construction products. It has been estimated that more efficient materials could save 80% of CO2 emissions. Intervening to make buildings sustainable does not only mean insulating the envelopes or improving their performance, but also considering the embodied energy, by valorizing alternative materials, such as recycled materials. The study of the state of the art, highlighted that a very important aspect is to stimulate the construction sector to "open up" experimentally towards new materials and their alternative supply chains. For these considerations, For these considerations, a research project will be presented that is part of the field of studies that aims to bring technological innovation within the construction industry, through the use of secondary raw materials, according to the paradigms of the circular economy, and thanks to additive manufacturing. The aim of the project was to create a new product according to the Key Enabling Technology of 'advanced materials', intended for the thermal insulation of buildings. It is realized from waste, in particular from the industrial processing of paper and cardboard and embeds a series of wireless and battery-free sensors to monitor the environmental conditions and workers safety in the workspaces. This project leads to product and process innovation and is effective as a new strategy for the energy transition and for Industry 4.0.
Audience take away:
- The research developed succeeds in overcoming the critical issues related to additive manufacturing and the use of a specific type of waste. Therefore, it is considered to be of great impact as it is able to open up new hypotheses for the use and utilization of secondary raw materials. It also has a very high TRL and is therefore ready for technology transfer (it has resulted in three patents that are currently being examined).
- The project has a high interest with a high economic impact and, from the market point of view, will create new business opportunities as it is able to address different target sectors. Specifically, the main target markets are recycling materials and energy efficiency, all of which are currently experiencing exponential growth, building materials companies, and automation.
- The multifunctional panel aims to provide a concrete answer to the growing demand for building management and control, and therefore offers numerous development potentials in the collaboration between elements and products equipped with ICT sensors. One only has to think of the integration between such a panel and high-tech systems for data storage and management, such as BIM software for example, an integration that represents the future scenario for intelligent buildings.
