Large Area Transparent Thin Film Thermoelectric Devices for Smart Window and Flexible Applications' (Energy Harvesting and Storage Europe 2015)

The main objective is to develop an innovative large area distributed sensor network integrating transparent thin film thermoelectric devices and sensors for multifunctional smart windows and flexible high impact volume applications. Different breakthrough concepts will be developed:

1) large area high performance transparent thermoelectric thin films deposited on flexible substrates for thermal energy harvesting;

2) low cost high throughput thin film thermal sensors for thermal mapping and gesture sensing;

3) flexible smart windows and walls with energy harvesting, environmental sensing and wireless communication functionalities.

This technology aims to demonstrate the functionalities of a smart window able to measure air quality and environmental parameters such as temperature, sun radiation and humidity. The data is automatically collected and can be utilized for controlling heating, cooling and ventilation systems of indoors. Active radio interface enables long range communication and long term data collection with WiFi or a similar base station. The proposed concept of smart windows replaces several conventional sensors with a distributed sensor network that is integrated invisibly into windows. In addition to the power generated from the thermal energy harvesting, the thermoelectric elements (TE) are also used as temperature sensors that, while being distributed over large area, enable thermal mapping of the area instead of just one or a few values measured from particular points. This smart window can be produced on glass, but the final goal will be the fabrication on transparent flexible organic substrates using Roll to Roll Atomic Layer Deposition (R2R ALD), that can be fixed or retrofitted on existing windows or walls, which will significantly broaden the field of applications and improve business opportunities. High environmental impact is expected with savings of more than 25% of the electrical usage of residential homes and office buildings.

Mike is a partner at Solearth Ecological Architecture. He is a graduate of The Universities of Edinburgh and Bath, UK and is registered architect and member of the RIAI, RIBA, AECB, RSUA and Easca.

Mike has extensive experience in the UK, where he worked with prestigious practices; Fielden Clegg Bradley and Edward Cullinan architects, and in Germany where he worked for Boge Lindner-Boge and Urban Projekt. His projects include the holistically designed Castle Espie visitors' centre in Ulster which has won multiple awards, a green prototype factory in Co. Wicklow, and the transformation of the recently completed Airfield Trust estate in Dublin. He has published many papers on architecture and green design in Ireland and the UK. He lectures in the Dublin School of Architecture, Dublin Institute of Technology and has been a guest lecturer at University of Bath, University College Dublin, Technische Hochschule Aachen and University of West of England. Along with the Energy Research Group UCD, he was for many years a lecturer in the professional CPD programme for architects on sustainability and served on the RIAI's Sustainability Task Force. His research has included applications of round-wood structure at Rehan Electronics and Hooke Park, development of theory on Slow Architecture and Building Health (bau-biologie),.

(Mike is a fluent German speaker)

With declining petroleum reserves, global warming and unpredictable climatic changes, we need to find some cheap, green and abundant energy. It makes sense to exploit and develop the most abundant energy we can find; solar energy. The Sun is an extremely potent source of energy. The total radiant energy arriving at the Earth's surface is enough to provide over 1000 times the energy required to supply the world's population with all of its domestic, transport and industrial needs. Therefore harvesting just 0.1 - 1.0 % of this renewable energy and converting it to electric power and stored chemical energy would assist in resolving a key question of this and future centuries: when fossil fuels run out, which energy resource can we turn to?

 

STREP has developed intellectual property that addresses the challenges and limitations of solar energy to date and offers a real key solution for the future.

Solearth, founded in 1999, is a medium-sized architecture practice with a strong specialisation in ecological design. Solearth is structured as a professional RIAI and RIBA practice with studios in central Dublin, and has projects throughout Ireland and in Europe with consultancy roles in the Far East.

 

Solearth is a partnership between Brian O'Brien and Mike Haslam, two architects who are passionate about ecology and architecture. They believe that a concern for ecology - as a key influence of architectural design - offers the opportunity to improve lives, provide a professional, future-proofed service to clients and can advance architecture itself.

 

For more information see www.solearth.com