Lead Performer: Princeton University – Princeton, NJ
Partners:
-- National Renewable Energy Laboratory – Golden, CO
-- Harvard University – Cambridge, MA
-- Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Cambridge, MA
-- AIL Research Inc. – Hopewell, NJ
-- Transsolar – New York, NY
DOE Total Funding: $3,159,229
Cost Share: $798,805
Funding Type: FOA Award
Project Objective
The objective of this project is to develop a revolutionary new façade retrofit system that reconnects building occupants with fresh air from the outdoors, while dramatically reducing energy use from cooling and ventilation. The technology is based on the project team’s previous research on dehumidification using membranes that separate water from the air. This project will create a new type of screen constructed out of these novel membranes, which can be easily fixtured as façade units or retrofit into building fenestration. The retrofit will allow for dehumidification to take place as air passes through the façade into the building. This will maintain dry conditions inside and still allow fresh air to pass through.
During the first phase of the project, the team will create a prototype system for use in pilot installations. While the initially focus is on hot and humid climates, the approach will include more operability to address mixed continental climates as well. The first installations will be for office building type curtain walls enabling more flexibility in design, but as the system scales up and is refined, the project team may design smaller packaged systems for residential façades using a drop-in system for existing windows and openings.
Project Impact
By creating this novel retrofit screen and deploying a new paradigm for thermal comfort, this project has the potential to reduce energy use for cooling and ventilation by more than 75% and improve both occupant comfort and well-being. Additionally, this approach offers opportunities to synergistically enable co-benefits of insulation, photovoltaics, or glazing technologies to be integrated into the façade retrofit system.
Contacts
DOE Technology Manager: Ed Vineyard
Lead Performer: Forrest Meggers, Princeton University