Collaborative Research: Adaptive, Multi-Layered Fenestration Elements for Optimum Building Energy Performance and Occupant Comfort

由于建筑物致力于减少能源需求，同时为居住者保持热舒适和视觉舒适的环境，开窗（即窗户）是这一努力的关键影响因素。开窗允许自然日光和室外景观，但也代表了建筑围护结构的热效率最低的部分，以及不必要的不适眩光和直射阳光的来源。多层动态操作的开窗系统可以安装在新建筑物中或为现有建筑物进行改造，将在各种气候条件下满足建筑物的能源使用和居住者的舒适需求。该项目将探讨建筑行业在开发动态开窗设计性能模型以提高建筑能源可持续性和人类健康方面的理论和实践挑战。 为了鼓励国际交流，研究团队将通过欧盟委员会的Horizon 2020 PLUG-N-HARVEST项目与欧洲同事合作。此外，教学和跨学科的研究机会将提供给土木，机械和材料工程的研究生和本科生，以满足迫切的需求，特别是从现有的建筑物。 本研究将通过开发一种自适应的、多层次的解决方案，为智能和节能开窗的智能控制和操作奠定理论和实践基础。这包括：（a）以矩阵模式应用于窗户外部的双带、连续状态电致变色玻璃，以实现局部控制，（B）机动且动态操作的遮阳装置，以及（c）新型的、基于多物理模型的自适应控制框架，目标是在真实的时间内平衡一系列建筑能耗以及居住者的热舒适度和视觉舒适度优先级。与开窗内部上的第二动态层组合的外部二维电致变色玻璃窗阵列提供了解决局部居住者视觉舒适性挑战的能力，并且允许更宽范围的控制太阳能热增益的能力，同时解决居住者舒适性标准的差异。该模型框架解决方案将使用模拟和全尺寸测试平台进行测试和评估。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得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。

As buildings work towards reducing energy demands, while maintaining a both thermally and visually comfortable environment for occupants, fenestrations (i.e. windows) are a key influential component in this effort. Fenestrations allow for natural daylight and outdoor views, but also represent the least thermally efficient portion of the building envelope, as well as a source of unwanted discomfort glare and direct sunlight. A multi-layered, dynamically-operated fenestration system that can be installed in new buildings or retrofitted for an existing building will address building energy use and occupant comfort needs under a diverse range of climate conditions. The project will explore the theoretical and practical challenges for the building industry to develop a model for the performance of dynamic fenestration designs to enhance building energy sustainability and human health. To encourage exchanging of ideas internationally, the research team will collaborate with European colleagues through the European Commission Horizon 2020 PLUG-N-HARVEST project. In addition, instructional and interdisciplinary research opportunities will be provided for graduate and undergraduate students of civil, mechanical, and materials engineering to serve a vital need, particularly from existing buildings. This research will lay the theoretical and practical foundations for the intelligent control and operations of smart and energy efficient fenestrations by developing an adaptive, multi-layered solution. This includes: (a) a dual-band, continuous-state electrochromic glazing applied to the window exterior in a matrix pattern to enable localized control, (b) a motorized and dynamically-operated shading device, and (c) a novel, multi-physics model-based adaptive control framework, with the goal of balancing a range of building energy consumption and occupant thermal and visual comfort priorities in real time. The exterior 2-dimensional electrochromic glazing array combined with a second dynamic layer on the fenestration interior provides the ability to address localized occupant visual comfort challenges, and allows for a broader range of capabilities to control solar heat gains, while addressing differences in occupant comfort criteria. The model framework solution will be tested and evaluated using simulations, and a full-scale testbed.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.