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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - LaWin (LARGE AREA FLUIDIC WINDOWS)

Teaser

Summary

LaWin targets an innovative material solution for efficient solar energy and ambient heat harvesting through an active building envelope. This uses large-area microfluid devices, which are implemented into windows and facades. As a key feature, the LaWin devices are designed for compatibility with existing process chains in window and facade manufacture such as used in, e.g., triple glazing.
LaWin devices implement a set of four new materials, i.e., a structured base glass sheet comprising an array of microchannels, a thin and mechanically robust cover glass, a bonding process and a functional liquid circulating within the microchannels.
The project consortium aims to reduce embodied energy and CO2 to 0 for window surfaces after four months of usage. LAWIN also aims to improve thermal insulation figures for window surfaces by at least 20 % as well as to reduce the energy spent during the complete life cycle of a building by 10 %.

Work performed

Significant technical progress towards LaWin devices has been achieved within the first 18 months of the project. That is, the first generation of functional demonstrators has been constructed, tested and qualified. This also includes the setting-up of a verified finite-element simulation model which now enables concrete parametrization and optimization for Gen-2 and Gen-3 set-ups. An analytical model is available for the final design of Gen-3, a fully functionel LaWin device of 1200 x 1000 mmÂ². Using the 300 x 210 mmÂ² demonstrators of the first generation, a mobile testing stage has been set-up. Large-area manufacture through glass rolling has been implemented in a fully-functioning FEM model, and the first plant trial has been conducted, producing rolled LaWin microstructured sheet with very good quality for device construction of up to 600 x 400 mmÂ² at this point. In parallel, design and prototype manufacture of window frames, including the liquid distributor duct, has been completed. As a prerequisite for large-area manufacture, a systematic glueing study is now ongoing, based upon PVA extrusion. Finally, visualization experiments have been conducted through computational rendering, provinding further boundary conditions for building integration.

Final results

The project is providing a new approach to fluid integration with window and facade constructions. This targets significant improvements in energy consumption and CO2 emissions on building level. The consortium estimates that the high-end windows will cost 2.5 times more than state-of-the-art triple glazed windows but that the higher price will be partly offset by energy savings as well as advanced functional or aesthetic features.