Description
Leader companies in the construction industry are persistently struggling to achieve highly efficient buildings. The big problem is that the evolution scenario is expected to be very slow, being nowadays predominant F and E classes (RD-235/13). The main goal is to promote and accelerate the improvement in energy efficiency, and fostering at the same time the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). In that sense, the EFICATIR project, based on the development and application of innovative nanotechnology-based products, leads to develop nanostructured coatings to control the indoor temperature in buildings, by means of the filtration of the infrared spectrum IR (more as 50% of solar energy). Another fundamental aspect is the development of photocatalytic nanocoatings for indoor air purification, avoiding illnesses related to poor health conditions in buildings. The partnership will obtain a great competitive advantage against its competitors, placing TEX as a reference in innovation applied in the construction sector and L'Urederra ahead in the field of ready to use nanotechnology based products.
Summary of project results
One of the key parameters in order to improve the existing buildings is the energy efficiency, since in many cases thermal insulation is not appropriate and to include additional equipment for climate control is not always affordable. In this sense, two strategies were selected for the EFICATIR project, to avoid the use of air conditioned by the application of an IR barrier and to use a passive air purification coating contributing to room comfort. The IR coating will be mainly focused on glasses (principal entrance of heat indoors), and the photocatalytic paint for walls is active in organic compound degradation without electric energy. Thus, in the project the two expected formulations were developed and characterised according to the required effects, and the coatings include an easy-to-apply system like spraying. Therefore, future use for TEX is very promising since they already carried out real scale applications.
Summary of bilateral results
SINTEF is Norway's largest research institute for energy and climate technology and they are aware of the importance of new knowledge and technology for the transition to a sustainable society. Therefore, Sintef has been informed about the specifications of the formulations developed including their effectivity in order to evaluate the potential of the project solutions. Thus, there has been a detailed exchange of information along the project and since the testing has been carried out until the end of the project, it has been planned the preparation of samples after the project according to the final results compiled from real scale testing. In this sense, Sintef will count with their leading expertise and specific laboratories in order to assess the project solutions in relation to energy efficiency, pollution control, etc.