description
- Windows are critical elements to control the energy performance of buildings especially for zero-energy buildings. It is of paramount importance to develop windows which show reduced U-value, weight and costs and certain features to control and harvest energy. Such a window will have a high impact in the window industry and will reduce green house gas emissions as long as the window is affordable, can be used in renovation and in every climate zone. Therefore MEM4WIN is aiming at the following goals (1) weight reduction (2) energy control and harvesting (3) replacement of cost intensive processes and materials. (1) We will introduce a novel IG-Unit for quadruple glazing containing ultra thin glass membranes dedicated as frameless openable windows for direct application in facades. Due to this approach U-values of 0.3 W/m²K can be achieved reducing weight by more than 50% and costs by 20%. (2) We will implement printed organic photovoltaics (OPVs) and solar thermal collectors for energy harvesting and micro mirrors for energy control and advances day lighting. (3) Fabrication costs will further be reduced by replacing conventional and cost intensive materials used for contacts like ITO and silver by graphene. We will introduce production methods like roll-to-plate and ink-jet printing to fabricate contacts for OPVs. At the end of the project the different components like micro mirrors, OPVs, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and solar thermal collector will be integrated into a demonstrator showing the suitability of the used equipment, processes and new materials developed within MEM4WIN. Each aspect of MEM4WIN - (1) weight reduction, (2) energy control and harvesting, (3) replacement of cost intensive processes and materials - is represented by experts in this field resulting in a multidisciplinary highly motivated consortium containing participants from basic research as well as industrial endusers from whole Europe.