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The development of sustainable solutions in the fields of construction, energy, and management is one of the most crucial roles that ConTech can play today. Recently, a team of researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany has made a significant breakthrough in the development of a sustainable construction material that can cut energy consumption in buildings significantly. The unique polymer-based substance is a novel alternative to glass traditionally used to enhance natural lighting in buildings.
• A team of researchers from the Institute for Microstructure Technology (IMT) and the Light Technology Institute (LTI) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany have developed a novel alternative to glass.
• The new Polymer-based Micro-Photonic Multi-Functional Metamaterial (PMMM) enhances indoor visibility through natural light while maintaining comfortable temperatures in buildings.
• The Polymer-based Micro-Photonic Multi-Functional Metamaterial (PMMM) has light-diffusion, radiative cooling, and self-cleaning properties.
• The metamaterial has a higher visible spectral transmittance than glass and lowers indoor temperature by 6% through radiative cooling.
The latest Polymer-based Micro-Photonic Multi-Functional Metamaterial (PMMM) developed by the Institute for Microstructure Technology (IMT) and the Light Technology Institute (LTI) at KIT surpasses the utility of glass components used to enhance indoor visibility through natural light. While the use of glass components to naturally light up buildings is extremely popular worldwide, it has some inherent drawbacks like uneven scattering of light leading to glare, lack of privacy, and most importantly, overheating.
These issues have commonly been rectified using light-diffusing films (LDF) made of polymers suspended with micro- or nanoparticles. LDFs diffuse radiation and their misty surface helps protect privacy in public buildings. The research on LDFs has opened up a range of possibilities in the development of sustainable construction materials that can achieve maximum radiative cooling. LDFs have also shown the possibility of channeling the diffused sunlight into photovoltaic cells. Additionally, scientists have also explored the utility of self-cleaning properties in these substances.
The search for materials that fulfill all these criteria namely, light-diffusion, radiative cooling, and self-cleaning properties has led researchers to experiment with multi-functional materials. The Polymer-based Micro-Photonic Multi-Functional Metamaterial (PMMM) developed at KIT displays all the above-mentioned qualities, thus making it an efficient replacement for glass in roofs and walls. Made with environmentally safe polymer, the metamaterial surface consists of microscopic silicone pyramids measuring about 10 μm (micrometers) that impart these qualities to it.
These silicone micro-pyramids enable multiple reflections that diffuse sunlight without lowering indoor visibility. The micro-pyramids closely resemble the micro-cones found in natural materials like lotus leaves giving it superhydrophobic qualities and allowing self-cleaning. The micro-photonic structures on its surface improve the mid-infrared thermal emittance of the metamaterial helping it achieve radiative cooling at par with ideal mid-infrared opaque materials.
The new Polymer-based Micro-Photonic Multi-Functional Metamaterial (PMMM) promotes higher indoor visibility than normal glass, reduces glare by light-diffusion, and prevents overheating through radiative cooling. While traditional glass has a visible spectral transmittance of 91%, the metamaterial has 95% transparency. In terms of cooling, the metamaterial led to a drop in indoor temperature by 6%.
Researchers at Karlsruhe have successfully tested the Polymer-based Micro-Photonic Multi-Functional Metamaterial (PMMM) in both lab and outdoor conditions using advanced spectrophotometry. The use of polydimethylsiloxane as the polymer base makes the metamaterial transparent, environmentally safe, and durable. Furthermore, by using polydimethylsiloxane, the team has ensured its commercial viability. Polydimethylsiloxane is both cost-effective and widely available, making it the ideal choice for large-scale manufacturing.
According to the research team at KIT, the invention of the new metamaterial can be decisive in the development of energy-saving architecture. By allowing sunlight to enter indoor spaces, the Polymer-based Micro-Photonic Multi-Functional Metamaterial (PMMM) can substantially reduce energy costs related to artificial lighting. At the same time, the metamaterial can maintain a comfortable indoor climate without resorting to air-conditioning. The presence of lotus leaf-like micro-cones further allows the material to clean itself through rainwater or dew leading to reduced maintenance costs. Its glare-free property and ability to protect privacy make it an ideal choice for large-scale work and living spaces. The team has also emphasized on the applicability of the metamaterial in greenhouses. According to test results, the new metamaterial improved photosynthesis in plants by up to 9% compared to glass roofs.
While glass has been traditionally used to light up indoor spaces without artificial devices, the material has some inherent disadvantages. Scientists have long been engaged in the research and development of materials that can promote indoor lighting in buildings without the side effects associated with glass such as glare-effect, privacy concerns, and overheating. While different materials are found to be suitable for these purposes, no single material has effectively addressed all these issues simultaneously. The Polymer-based Micro-Photonic Multi-Functional Metamaterial (PMMM) developed by researchers at KIT displays all these qualities needed for energy-efficient lighting and temperature control in modern buildings. The commercially viable and eco-friendly metamaterial has tremendous potential in large-scale, sustainable urban development in the future.
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By Proptechbuzz
By Ravi Kumar
