Project description DEENESFRITPL Dressing buildings in new anti-UV skins Weathering has a considerable effect on a building’s appearance. For instance, painted cladding is vulnerable to the adverse effects of ultraviolet (UV) solar radiation. Also, absorbed by lignin (constituting up to 40 % of wood), the Sun’s rays initiate the weathering of wood – a process that results in colour changes. They also cause surface fibres to loosen and erode, allowing humidity to penetrate the wood in depth, as well as checks and a raised grain. The EU-funded FACADE project will use biomaterials to develop a building skin. Specifically, it will use bio-carbon as a UV stabiliser to develop sustainable bio-sourced anti-UV coating to protect wooden façades. The project will ultimately provide breakthroughs for advancing the use of bio-carbon in new applications. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Façades play crucial roles in the building safety, comfort, and aesthetics. As an envelope for buildings, they are in constant interaction with outside environment. Ultraviolet (UV) solar radiation absorbed by lignin – constituting up to 40% of wood – initiates the weathering of wood. The weathering process induces colour changes, surface fibres to loosen and erode, allowing humidity to penetrate in depth in wood, and causing checks and a raised grain. It is therefore crucial to limit the weathering effects that can then lead to deterioration of wood by using coatings to protect its surface. UV absorbers enhance the durability of wood outdoors by absorbing incident radiation and by converting it into heat, which is then dissipated. Carbon-based materials are potential UV stabilizers thanks to combined effects of physical screen, UV absorbance, and radical trap. Bio-carbon is a carbon-based product obtained from thermal decomposition of organic materials at elevated temperatures. Organic materials can be wastes from the agricultural or forest industries, with currently little or no economic value. Bio-carbon presents a wide range of properties that can be tailored by the manufacturing process. To the best knowledge of the Experienced Researcher (ER), no prior research on using bio-carbon for UV stabilization has been reported. The FACADE project proposes to develop a competitive sustainable bio-sourced anti-UV coating to protect wooden façades, using bio-carbon as UV-stabilizer. The FACADE project tackles challenging concepts with innovative solutions and is expected to provide breakthroughs for advancing the use of bio-carbon in new applications and proving a fundamental understanding of the UV protection mechanisms of nanoscale carbon particles. Through the MSCA program activities, particularly mentoring young researchers, organizing events and managing projects, the ER will make a significant step in her career by gaining professional maturity and independence. Fields of science engineering and technologymechanical engineeringmanufacturing engineeringengineering and technologymaterials engineeringcolorsnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesmeteorologysolar radiationengineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and filmsagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesforestry Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2019 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2019 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator INNORENEW COE CENTER ODLICNOSTI ZA RAZISKAVE IN INOVACIJE NA PODROCJU OBNOVLJIVIH MATERIALOV IN ZDRAVEGA BIVANJSKEGA OKOLJA Net EU contribution € 150 040,32 Address Livade 6a 6310 Izola Slovenia See on map Region Slovenija Zahodna Slovenija Obalno-kraška Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00