Interdisciplinary research: research activities and the role of different team members

The mission of the ZERAF research project is to revolutionize building facades by making them adaptive, intelligent, and environmentally friendly. Here, we introduce the interdisciplinary activities and the team behind the development of ZERAF technology, showcasing the diverse expertise that is being combined to make this groundbreaking project possible.

The concept development of the Adaptive Opaque Facade Technology involves creating an adaptive façade that can block, or exchange heat as needed, using intelligent automation. The goal is to deliver this technology as a turnkey, prefabricated system for rapid construction, aiding in meeting the EU’s decarbonization targets. It is essential to meet all functional and construction requirements, including fire safety and airtightness, while also offering designers flexibility for aesthetic appeal. EURAC and AIS team members are closely collaborating, combining their expertise in architecture and adaptive façade technologies, off-site construction, industrial engineering, construction, physics, and innovation.

Regarding the material development making ZERAF technology possible, the expertise of the team in polymer chemistry and material science is key. At INDRESMAT, a bio-polyurethane has been developed that behaves like conventional polyurethane but uses bio-based raw materials, such as plant seeds. This innovative material can be manufactured to create the necessary surface geometry for the ZERAF technology concept. Ingpuls Smart Shadings uses shape memory alloys to actuate architectural components like the kinetic cladding of ZERAF. These alloys change shape with temperature and return to their original form when cooled, allowing for quieter and simpler actuation devices compared to motors.

Deep knowledge of building physics is also essential for the characterization of ZERAF technology at the component level. This task, performed by EURAC, involves performing simulations and experimental tests to understand heat transfer through its components. AIS completes the expertise on component level characterization by analyzing other factors like thermal dilatation to ensure functionality. This complete characterization ensures the technology works as intended before building a prototype and provides validated data to calculate the impact of the technology at the building level.

The proof-of-concept phase, from prototyping to lab tests, involves developing a disruptive façade technology that modulates heat transfer as desired. At EURAC labs, experimental tests on these prototypes ensure the thermal behavior is as expected for different environmental conditions and façade configurations. Prototyping also helps understand other achieved functionalities, such as design for assembly and disassembly aligned with circularity principles, or the effective design of different kinetic claddings.

The impact of adaptive opaque facades on indoor comfort and energy consumption is calculated through building simulations by TUE researchers. Cost and environmental impacts are evaluated by EURAC through life-cycle assessments, so that CO2 emissions related to material choice and operational energy consumption of buildings are quantified. By comparing ZERAF to benchmark opaque facade technologies, the building typologies and contexts where ZERAF provides significant energy savings are identified, highlighting other benefits in terms of sustainability and costs.

The development of the control algorithm builds the intelligence of ZERAF. The expertise in control logics and strategies for adaptive facades is key in this regard, as well as in façade performance characterization and monitoring, building simulation modeling, and data management in the built environment. The integration of ZERAF with other intelligent building components and leveraging all the data gathered and monitored is key to this vision. Experts from TUE and EURAC are in constant exchange of ideas for the effective control of ZERAF façade and its integration in smart buildings.

Finally, the social acceptance of disruptive technologies is another key expertise brought to the consortium by NOVA, the partner that joined the project thanks to the Hop-On call. ZERAF technology aims to transform zero-carbon buildings by reducing heating and cooling energy needs. Social acceptance and behavioral insights are crucial to its success. By understanding public acceptance and behavior, the ZERAF team can tailor solutions to community needs. Engaging effectively with stakeholders ensures that ZERAF technology is not just innovative but widely adopted.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the results obtained by our interdisciplinary team.