I-Corps: Multifunctional Systems for Transforming Strength, Durability, and Energy Efficiency of Concrete Materials

这个i-Corps项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力源于引入了基于农业的相变材料(PCM)，这种材料通过自下而上的方法定制，用于改变混凝土结构的强度、耐久性和能效。考虑到每年用于民用基础设施应用的混凝土的数量，开发一种多功能、低成本、节能的混凝土将对改变美国乃至全球建筑环境的可持续性产生重大影响。由于拟议的相变材料将使用有机、生物聚合物生产，预计将创造新的商业和市场机会，特别是在农业基础雄厚的州。这不仅将为当前以石油为基础的石蜡相变材料提供一种可行的替代方案，而且将对改善城市和农村社区的社会和经济福祉做出有意义的贡献。这个i-Corps项目将调查混凝土材料的市场潜力，这些材料包括(1)为提供高储能能力而量身定做的农用相变材料，(2)被选为相变材料容器的多孔轻质骨料。拟议中的相变材料的显著特征之一是熔化温度可调，这有助于确定一系列舒适的温度和气候区域。除了性能方面的考虑，将PCM合并到建筑围护结构组件中的封装方法将是本项目的主要重点之一。到目前为止，已经开发了许多宏观和微观封装方法，用于建筑部门中的相变材料。虽然微胶囊方法被证明提供了可接受的长期性能，但它们的估计成本在系统总成本的45%-65%范围内。利用混凝土中常用的轻集料的多孔结构，预计将不再需要诉诸昂贵的封装方法，同时根据客户的特定需求和偏好，有助于提高施工的速度和灵活性。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project stems from introducing agricultural-based phase change materials (PCMs) tailored through a bottom-up approach for transforming the strength, durability, and energy efficiency of concrete structures. Considering the volume of concrete used for civil infrastructure applications every year, development of a multifunctional, low-cost, energy-efficient concrete will have a significant impact on transforming the sustainability of the built environment in the United States and potentially worldwide. Since the proposed PCMs will be produced with organic, bio-based polymers, new business and market opportunities are anticipated to be created, especially in the states with a strong agricultural basis. This will not only offer a viable alternative to the current petroleum-based, paraffinic PCMs, but will also have a meaningful contribution to improving the social and economic well-being of communities in both urban and rural areas.This I-Corps project will investigate the market potential of concrete materials transformed with (1) agricultural-based PCMs tailored to deliver a high capacity for energy storage and (2) porous lightweight aggregates selected to act as a container for PCMs. One of the distinct features of the proposed PCMs is an adjustable melting temperature, which helps target a range of comfort temperatures and climate zones. Further to performance considerations, the encapsulation method to incorporate PCMs into building envelope components will be one of the main focuses of this project. A number of macro- and micro-encapsulation methods have been developed to date for the use of PCMs in the building sector. Although the micro-encapsulation methods are proven to deliver an acceptable long-term performance, the estimated cost of them is in the range of 45%-65% of the total cost of the system. Exploiting the porous structure of lightweight aggregates commonly used in concrete is expected to eliminate the need to resort to costly encapsulation methods, while contributing to the rapidity and flexibility of construction, depending on customer-specific needs and preferences.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.