SLICE

The research SLICE (i.e., “Solar Lightweight Intelligent Component for Envelopes”) concerns the development of a stand-alone component for dynamic envelopes, characterized by a flexible composite material integrated with high-efficiency photovoltaic cells.
This work was developed by a multidisciplinary research group lead by the University of Catania (UNICT), with the partnership of the “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urban Planning (UAUIM) and the Meridionale Impianti Group (MI), a leading local company operating in markets with a high technological content.
The definition of the production method of the composite material and the integration of a photovoltaic technology were carried out.
The composite material is characterized by a thermoplastic matrix and a fabric reinforcement, made of natural or glass fiber fabric. The mechanical characterization of the material and the improvement of a secondary production process to generate the tessellation geometry were carried out as well. Its management system is based on the Arduino platform.
The multidisciplinary design process, based on rapid prototyping, led to the realization of two prototypes to test the kinetic elements and the control system. In addition, the laboratory experiments, as well as the tests of the preliminary experiments under real environmental conditions, were carried out in order to check the effectiveness of the control code and the efficiency of the changing system.
A workflow in a parametric environment has been defined to simulate the architectural implementation of the component on existing buildings. Several different geometric configurations on virtual models has been tested, in order to evaluate the use of the system as an element of BIPV.

CONTENTS

Abstract
Introduction
1. State of the art
2. Starting knowledge
3. Methods and tools
4. Results and discussion
5. Conclusions
References

Angelo Monteleone
Angelo Monteleone has obtained the PhD (Cum Laude) in Evaluation and Mitigation of Urban and Territorial Risks – XXXIII cycle at the University of Catania, where he continued to work thanks to a Post-Doc Research Grant as part of the Archicart Lifehouse project. He carried out a research period at the “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urban Planning UAUIM in Bucharest. Currently, he is involved in several research activities of the Department.