Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ADAPTATION (Adaptable bio-inspired polariton-polariton energy management)
Reporting period: 2024-04-01 to 2025-03-31
Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity, with profound effects on society, the environment and the economy. The need to move away from fossil fuels and inefficient energy systems is urgent. Although renewable energy is expanding rapidly, integrating it effectively into everyday life requires not only more efficient systems but also more adaptable solutions.
The ADAPTATION project addresses this challenge by exploring a new way to harvest and manage both solar and thermal energy. The project aims to develop a material-based platform that can adjust its performance to different climate conditions. Rather than relying on conventional semiconductor technology, ADAPTATION inspired by photosynthesis and terrestrial radiative cooling to develop a new class of functional materials that can harvest and regulate solar energy in a holistic and sustainable way. These materials are based on abundant, non-critical resources, helping to reduce Europe's dependency on fragile supply chains.
A key innovation of ADAPTATION lies in the ability to customise the material platform accordingly to the local climate and energy needs. Therefore, ADAPTATION technology can be designed to capture and convert as much solar energy as possible in regions where sunlight is limited. Meanwhile, in hot areas where sun radiation is high, the main challenge to managing high temperatures. ADAPTATION solution balances energy production with thermal control.
In the first year, the project has made significant progress in identifying and characterising these material platforms. This initial work will support the development of custom-designed devices in the coming years, contributing to more efficient, resilient and sustainable energy use across Europe.
The ADAPTATION project addresses this challenge by exploring a new way to harvest and manage both solar and thermal energy. The project aims to develop a material-based platform that can adjust its performance to different climate conditions. Rather than relying on conventional semiconductor technology, ADAPTATION inspired by photosynthesis and terrestrial radiative cooling to develop a new class of functional materials that can harvest and regulate solar energy in a holistic and sustainable way. These materials are based on abundant, non-critical resources, helping to reduce Europe's dependency on fragile supply chains.
A key innovation of ADAPTATION lies in the ability to customise the material platform accordingly to the local climate and energy needs. Therefore, ADAPTATION technology can be designed to capture and convert as much solar energy as possible in regions where sunlight is limited. Meanwhile, in hot areas where sun radiation is high, the main challenge to managing high temperatures. ADAPTATION solution balances energy production with thermal control.
In the first year, the project has made significant progress in identifying and characterising these material platforms. This initial work will support the development of custom-designed devices in the coming years, contributing to more efficient, resilient and sustainable energy use across Europe.
In its first year, the project has established a solid foundation by defining the material building blocks of ADAPTATION technology. These materials were selected based on their availability, sustainability, and suitability for integration into climate-adaptive systems.
Theoretical frameworks and experimental methodologies were developed to support future system designs. This includes fabrication and characterisation strategies that will enable the team to progress toward complex, functional demonstrators. Preliminary tests and modelling efforts have produced promising results, validating the project’s scientific and conceptual approach.
The work has been driven by a multidisciplinary team combining expertise in physics, chemistry, materials science, and geosciences. This foundation supports the progression from basic components to integrated, adaptable energy solutions in the next project phases.
Theoretical frameworks and experimental methodologies were developed to support future system designs. This includes fabrication and characterisation strategies that will enable the team to progress toward complex, functional demonstrators. Preliminary tests and modelling efforts have produced promising results, validating the project’s scientific and conceptual approach.
The work has been driven by a multidisciplinary team combining expertise in physics, chemistry, materials science, and geosciences. This foundation supports the progression from basic components to integrated, adaptable energy solutions in the next project phases.
The results obtained in this first stage position ADAPTATION beyond current approaches to energy harvesting by proposing a fully integrated material system that mimics efficient energy management strategies found in nature, such as photosynthesis and radiative cooling.
This integration at the material level—rather than at the system level—offers the potential for a paradigm shift in sustainable energy technologies. The use of non-critical, widely available materials enhances scalability and facilitates future commercialisation paths without dependence on fragile supply chains.
To reach full impact, further technology-oriented research will be necessary. Key needs include continued validation of performance in real environmental conditions, engagement with industrial stakeholders, and exploration of regulatory frameworks in the energy sector. In this first phase, the project has established an exploitation plan, identifying early opportunities for potential protection of novel concepts, which will be further validated and tested in the demonstration phase toward the end of the project
This integration at the material level—rather than at the system level—offers the potential for a paradigm shift in sustainable energy technologies. The use of non-critical, widely available materials enhances scalability and facilitates future commercialisation paths without dependence on fragile supply chains.
To reach full impact, further technology-oriented research will be necessary. Key needs include continued validation of performance in real environmental conditions, engagement with industrial stakeholders, and exploration of regulatory frameworks in the energy sector. In this first phase, the project has established an exploitation plan, identifying early opportunities for potential protection of novel concepts, which will be further validated and tested in the demonstration phase toward the end of the project