Award Abstract # 1762592
Collaborative Research: Adaptive, Multi-Layered Fenestration Elements for Optimum Building Energy Performance and Occupant Comfort

NSF Org: CMMI
Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation
Recipient: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Initial Amendment Date: June 1, 2018
Latest Amendment Date: June 1, 2018
Award Number: 1762592
Award Instrument: Standard Grant
Program Manager: coskay
CMMI
 Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation
ENG
 Directorate for Engineering
Start Date: July 1, 2018
End Date: February 29, 2020 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $275,473.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $275,473.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2018 = $86,515.00
History of Investigator:
  • Kristen Cetin (Principal Investigator)
    cetinkri@msu.edu
  • Shan Hu (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: Iowa State University
1350 BEARDSHEAR HALL
AMES
IA  US  50011-2103
(515)294-5225
Sponsor Congressional District: 04
Primary Place of Performance: Iowa State University
813 Bissell Rd
Ames
IA  US  50011-1094
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
04
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): DQDBM7FGJPC5
Parent UEI: DQDBM7FGJPC5
NSF Program(s): Structural and Architectural E
Primary Program Source: 01001819DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s): 036E, 039E, 052Z, 1057, CVIS
Program Element Code(s): 163700
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.041

ABSTRACT

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.

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