Evolution of Advanced Luminescent Technology Software

Project Information

EVOLUTE

Grant agreement ID: 101113332

DOI

10.3030/101113332

Project closed

EC signature date 31 March 2023

Start date 1 August 2023

End date 31 January 2025

Funded under

• European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 150 000,00

Coordinated by

THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS & THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD, OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY & UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN
Ireland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EVOLUTE (Evolution of Advanced Luminescent Technology Software)

Reporting period: 2023-08-01 to 2025-01-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The EVOLUTE project was established to accelerate solar energy deployment and support the European Union’s goal of achieving a climate-neutral economy by 2050. The built environment accounts for about 40% of the EU’s energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions, making decarbonising this sector critical. Luminescent Solar Energy Devices (LSEDs), including Luminescent Solar Concentrators (LSCs) and Luminescent Downshifting (LDS) devices, offer promising solutions for integrating solar technologies in Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), Façade-Integrated Photovoltaics (FIPV), and human-centric daylighting, enhancing occupant well-being. They also improve carbon capture and plant growth in agricultural greenhouses. However, challenges such as simulation constraints, computational inefficiency, lack of customisation, integration tools, and fabrication bottlenecks have limited LSED adoption.

Approach: To overcome these, EVOLUTE developed an advanced web-based platform for modelling, customisation, and optimisation of LSEDs across diverse solar applications. The platform integrates 3D adaptive Monte Carlo Ray Tracing (MCRT) and Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) techniques, enabling geometry-independent design and performance evaluation. Its user-friendly interface allows tailored LSED configurations for enhanced efficiency and seamless integration.

Objectives: The project objectives included finalising core software, fabricating unconventional LSEDs based on software designs, identifying market niches with competitive analysis, and devising an IP and commercialisation strategy. EVOLUTE successfully demonstrated a proof-of-concept adaptable algorithm platform, laying the foundation for commercialising advanced LSEDs. This innovation addresses key technological barriers, accelerating solar energy deployment and supporting Europe's ambitious 2050 decarbonization targets.
Impact: The EVLOUT Project successfully demonstrated a proof of concept for an Adaptable Algorithm Platform, forming the foundation for EVLOUT software development. This platform enables the design, optimisation, and performance evaluation of Luminescent Solar Energy Devices (LSEDs), supporting geometry-agnostic design and efficient performance enhancement. By accelerating the commercialisation of advanced LSEDs, EVLOUT addresses key technological challenges and fosters the next generation of solar innovation. Ultimately, these achievements contribute directly to Europe’s long-term decarbonisation goals.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Over 18 months, the EVOLUTE project followed a structured workflow covering algorithm development, software engineering, validation, and market readiness, achieving several key milestones:

Adaptive 3D MCRT Framework: Developed a versatile simulation model for arbitrary Luminescent Solar Energy Device (LSED) geometries, removing shape-specific constraints. The integration of 3D Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) enabled detailed plasmonic interaction analysis across diverse LSED designs. Combining 3D Monte Carlo Ray Tracing (MCRT) with FDTD in a unified platform and implementing parallelization plus lookup tables reduced computation time by 65%, allowing large-scale simulations in under 30 minutes.

Software Platform Development: Built on Django, Python, and SQLite, the platform supports customizable solar spectra, photovoltaic parameters, and flexible 3D device geometries. It features real-time visualisations, automated Excel performance reports, and secure cloud-based multi-user access with role-based permissions tailored for varied stakeholders.

Simulation Validation: Fabricated 12 LSED prototypes through 3D printing and polymer casting, including plasmonic-enhanced devices with gold/silver nanoparticles. Experimental results aligned within 5% of simulation predictions for optical efficiency and PV power—significantly outperforming previous tools prone to errors up to 273%. Scalability was confirmed by simulating a 10 m² LSC with 89% computational efficiency.

The project met all objectives:
Objective 1: The core software development culminated in the beta release of EVOLUTE, a flexible, geometry-independent platform integrating 3D Monte Carlo Ray Tracing (MCRT) and Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) methods. Ported from MATLAB to Django-Python-SQLite with parallel processing and lookup tables, it cut computation time by 65%, simulating devices over 100 cm² in under 30 minutes. The LUMOES platform, now patent-pending, exceeds expectations.
Objective 2: Various unconventional LSED shapes were produced via 3D printing and polymer casting, featuring plasmonic enhancements with gold/silver nanoparticles. Experiments showed less than 5% error compared to simulations, outperforming previous tools and confirming EVOLUTE’s accuracy.
Objective 3 & 4: Market analysis identified key niches and SaaS multi-user potential with strategic partnerships. IP strategy developed with Trinity College Dublin’s tech transfer office supports patenting, licensing, and commercialisation foundations.
EVOLUTE advances cutting-edge LSED simulation and manufacturing, laying a strong foundation for future technology transfer and market impact.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

EVOLUTE advances Luminescent Solar Energy Device (LSED) design tools through four key innovations:

Geometry-Agnostic Simulation: Unlike earlier models limited to flat geometries, EVOLUTE’s adaptive mesh algorithm accommodates complex shapes such as curved, multi-layered, and irregular structures, enabling applications in arched greenhouses, domed buildings, and solar-integrated vehicles.

Plasmonic-Enhanced Device Optimisation: For the first time, EVOLUTE accurately models plasmonic LSCs/LDSs, incorporating metal nanoparticle coupling, extinction spectra, and quantum yield effects, boosting light absorption by 22% over traditional LSCs.

Scalable, Cloud-Native Architecture: Transitioning from MATLAB, EVOLUTE is built on a Python-Django platform supporting multi-user concurrency (50+ users) with SQLite/PostgreSQL, Dockerized for agile cloud deployment. This eliminates licensing costs and cuts operational expenses by 70%.

Market Impact: Positioned within the projected €21 billion LSED market by 2029, EVOLUTE enables up to 30% higher energy yields in Building-Integrated Photovoltaics and optimises agricultural photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) by 20%, advancing the EU Green Deal goals for sustainable urban development and renewable energy integration.

In summary, EVOLUTE bridges research and deployment through validated proof of concept, patent filings, and a SaaS business model, poised to lead Europe’s shift to carbon neutrality and set new standards in luminescent solar technology. Further development is required to mature EVOLUTE into a market-ready product to enhance LSED deployment.

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