STTR Phase I: High Performance Microalgae Building Enclosures for Energy Efficient Retrofitting Application

这项小型企业技术转让（STTR）第一阶段项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力在于对性能较差的旧建筑进行可持续和经济的改造，以改善建筑环境的经济、社会和生态影响。超过一半的商业建筑建于20世纪80年代之前，当时的能源标准较低。这些建筑物的业主和居住者现在经常寻求更好的能源管理和空气质量技术。第一阶段项目开发的微藻窗是一种节能、易于安装、适应性强的模块化装置，可用于不同的改造应用，由于其良好的空气质量和可再生能源潜力，能够与传统窗户竞争。据估计，微藻窗户改造对工人生产率的提高是巨大的，由于建筑围护结构的改善，预计出售或出租的建筑价值将大幅增加。这项小型企业技术转让（STTR）第一阶段项目旨在开发一种创新的、具有成本效益的微藻窗口，用于改造性能较差的商业窗口。微藻是一种有效的碳捕获和光合作用生物质生产的生物系统。微藻窗户在窗户组件中包含一个充满微藻的屏幕网络，用于替换或添加旧窗户，以实现节能改造。窗户组件内的微藻屏风能够平衡隔热、日光透射、遮阳功效和室外景观等多种功能。研究目标是：1)表征1980年前办公室改造应用的最佳微藻窗口系统；2)根据行业标准，利用计算机模拟和实验室实验验证环境绩效；3)进行现场测试，评估建筑节能、室内空气质量改善和可再生能源生产潜力。新的微藻窗减轻了室内外环境之间的能量传递，从而减少了供暖、制冷、照明和通风需求。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值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 Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is in the sustainable and economic retrofitting of low-performing older buildings toward improved economic, social and ecological impacts of built environments. More than half of all commercial buildings were constructed before the 1980s with lower energy standards. The owners and occupants of these buildings now often seek better energy management and air quality technologies. The microalgae window developed in this Phase I project is an energy-efficient, easy-to-install, adaptable modular unit for different retrofitting applications, able to compete with conventional windows due to its good air quality and renewable energy potentials. Gains in worker productivity from microalgae window retrofit are estimated to be substantial and building values at sale or rental are expected to increase significantly due to building envelope improvement.This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project seeks to develop an innovative, cost-effective microalgae window for retrofitting low-performing commercial windows. Microalgae are an effective biological system for carbon capture and biomass production from photosynthesis. The microalgae window incorporates a network of screens filled with microalgae within a window assembly to replace or add to older windows for energy-efficient retrofitting. The microalgae screen within a window assembly is able to balance multiple functions of thermal insulation, daylight transmission, solar shading efficacy, and views to outside. Research objectives are to: 1) characterize the optimal microalgae window system for pre-1980 office retrofitting applications; 2) verify environmental performance using computer simulations and lab experimentation in accordance with industry standards; and 3) conduct field testing to evaluate building energy savings, indoor air quality improvement and renewable energy production potentials. The new microalgae window mitigates energy transfer between indoor and outdoor environments, subsequently reducing heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation demands.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.