Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SWEB (Smart Windows for Zero Energy Buildings)
Période du rapport: 2023-01-01 au 2024-03-31
1) Human capital development benefits. With support of the ERA Chair and team, the SWEB project will increase the R&D&I capacity of ISSP by developing its research potential in the areas of materials science, positively contributing to the activities of the existing Centre of Excellence (CAMART2). The project implementation will raise the research profile of the ISSP staff and increase the ISSP excellence, reputation, attractiveness, innovation capacity, cooperation with industrial partners and networking channels of the ISSP as KET centre in the Smart Specialisation (RIS3) topic of Latvia ‘Smart materials, technology and engineering’. Young students selected based on gender equality will be involved in the project implementation and will have the opportunity to develop their career in a multidisciplinary environment and to acquire advanced knowledge on the topics.
2) Development of new energy saving and chromogenic materials and devices, developing scalable deposition methods, stability testing protocols for photochromic and thermochromic films, indoor and outdoor testing. Successful implementation of the project in terms of photochromic, thermochromic, and static energy saving coatings, developing scalable synthesis methods will open new possibilities for R&D activities at ISSP enhance industry-academic collaboration, and creating new start-up companies. It will improve such fields as energy-saving and SW, sensors, ophthalmic lenses, and medical devices. These achievements will possibly affect the innovation capability of the EU market on a long-term time scale.
3) Publication and knowledge transfer benefits. The publication of the obtained scientific results in high- impact peer-review journals will contribute to higher recognisability of ISSP and the possibility to gain more external funding. The project team members will benefit from high-quality publications generated within the project through an increase of the number of citations and their H-index, thus, significantly improving their CVs. This will impact positively all students participating in the project implementation allowing them to find a qualified job in the research.
4) Long-term benefits in sustainable energy and economy by the SWEB project contribution to the
Þ Solutions for meeting crucial challenges in the development of a resource-efficient society and by
Þ Establishment of the Briefing Demo Centre and EU joint graduate school on SW and zero energy buildings as a long-term impact after the finalisation of the SWEB, based on the strong R&D&I and stockholder network developed during the project.
5) Innovation transfer to start-ups and spin-off businesses. The project results will provide a strong background for further development of technology within commercialization activities at ISSP. The obtained results could potentially contribute to an increase in the number of patent applications. Creation of start-ups and spin-off businesses from public research institutions as ISSP is one of the important measures of increasing competitiveness of Latvian economy and its sustainable development. The project is compliant with the Latvian Research Priority Area “Technologies, materials and system engineering for increased added-value products and processes, and cybersecurity”. It also addresses the main objectives of Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3) of Latvia in the area of smart materials, technology and engineering systems (thin layers and coatings).
2) Development of new energy saving and chromogenic materials and devices, developing scalable deposition methods, stability testing protocols for photochromic and thermochromic films, indoor and outdoor testing. Successful implementation of the project in terms of photochromic, thermochromic, and static energy saving coatings, developing scalable synthesis methods will open new possibilities for R&D activities at ISSP enhance industry-academic collaboration, and creating new start-up companies. It will improve such fields as energy-saving and SW, sensors, ophthalmic lenses, and medical devices. These achievements will possibly affect the innovation capability of the EU market on a long-term time scale.
3) Publication and knowledge transfer benefits. The publication of the obtained scientific results in high- impact peer-review journals will contribute to higher recognisability of ISSP and the possibility to gain more external funding. The project team members will benefit from high-quality publications generated within the project through an increase of the number of citations and their H-index, thus, significantly improving their CVs. This will impact positively all students participating in the project implementation allowing them to find a qualified job in the research.
4) Long-term benefits in sustainable energy and economy by the SWEB project contribution to the
Þ Solutions for meeting crucial challenges in the development of a resource-efficient society and by
Þ Establishment of the Briefing Demo Centre and EU joint graduate school on SW and zero energy buildings as a long-term impact after the finalisation of the SWEB, based on the strong R&D&I and stockholder network developed during the project.
5) Innovation transfer to start-ups and spin-off businesses. The project results will provide a strong background for further development of technology within commercialization activities at ISSP. The obtained results could potentially contribute to an increase in the number of patent applications. Creation of start-ups and spin-off businesses from public research institutions as ISSP is one of the important measures of increasing competitiveness of Latvian economy and its sustainable development. The project is compliant with the Latvian Research Priority Area “Technologies, materials and system engineering for increased added-value products and processes, and cybersecurity”. It also addresses the main objectives of Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3) of Latvia in the area of smart materials, technology and engineering systems (thin layers and coatings).
The Smart Windows for Zero Energy Building project has achieved significant technical and scientific advancements in developing new energy-efficient and color-changing materials. The project focused on building a strong collaborative research foundation by forming a Steering Committee, creating an online platform for collaboration, and strategically recruiting research team members. This collaborative approach supported innovative research efforts, leading to the recruitment of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers as well as establishing mentorship programs to nurture professional growth within the field of color-changing materials and devices.
In the world of scientific and technical accomplishments, this project has sparked exciting research into electrochromic, thermochromic, and photochromic materials. This work has set the stage for advances in smart window technologies. Some major achievements include creating high-quality thin films for electrochromic devices, producing thermochromic VO2-based powders, and developing yttrium oxyhydride-based photochromic films. These efforts not only enhance our understanding of chromogenic materials but also open doors for their use in energy-efficient smart windows. The upcoming outdoor testing of photochromic films in different locations demonstrates the project's dedication to evaluating how these innovations perform in real-world conditions.
The SWEB project's commitment to knowledge transfer and scientific dissemination is evident in its focus of academic publications and engagement in international conferences. By publishing research findings in high-impact journals and participating in major scientific gatherings, the project enhances its visibility within the global research community. This dissemination strategy, coupled with initiatives aimed at engaging industry stakeholders and policymakers, ensures that the project's contributions extend beyond the academic realm, influencing real-world applications and policy formulations. Moreover, the organization of a summer school on advanced materials for chromogenic device applications further demonstrates the project's dedication to educating the next generation of scientists and researchers in this promising field.
In the world of scientific and technical accomplishments, this project has sparked exciting research into electrochromic, thermochromic, and photochromic materials. This work has set the stage for advances in smart window technologies. Some major achievements include creating high-quality thin films for electrochromic devices, producing thermochromic VO2-based powders, and developing yttrium oxyhydride-based photochromic films. These efforts not only enhance our understanding of chromogenic materials but also open doors for their use in energy-efficient smart windows. The upcoming outdoor testing of photochromic films in different locations demonstrates the project's dedication to evaluating how these innovations perform in real-world conditions.
The SWEB project's commitment to knowledge transfer and scientific dissemination is evident in its focus of academic publications and engagement in international conferences. By publishing research findings in high-impact journals and participating in major scientific gatherings, the project enhances its visibility within the global research community. This dissemination strategy, coupled with initiatives aimed at engaging industry stakeholders and policymakers, ensures that the project's contributions extend beyond the academic realm, influencing real-world applications and policy formulations. Moreover, the organization of a summer school on advanced materials for chromogenic device applications further demonstrates the project's dedication to educating the next generation of scientists and researchers in this promising field.
SWEB will contribute to market changes leading to the expansion of SW into new applications. In this sense, the existing previous generation technologies continue the growth in their well-established segments and the new technologies like BiSW, flexible semi-transparent are penetrating into new market segments not addressed before - thus generating new business and new value proposition to end-users. BiSW address the changes in smart home and utility energetics and construction materials. Flexible materials address the consumer market, reducing the need for non-rechargeable batteries containing heavy metal or toxic chemicals. The new materials influence also the IoT market, enabling flexible solutions for smart city and smart village applications. Promotion of the research and development in EU will have positive impact to bring the SW production capability back to Europe. Although the SW part in EU energy production has significantly grown, the absolute power production based on coal, lignite or oil-shale is staying stable.