SLICE. SOLAR LIGHTWEIGHT INTELLIGENT COMPONENT FOR ENVELOPES

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.