April-June 2022 - LIFE VISIONS
Α) Identity of the project
| Title/ N° |
InnoVative photocatalytIc paintS for healthy envirOnment and eNergy Saving
LIFE VISIONS - LIFE19 ENV/GR/000100 |
| Duration |
3 years (07/09/2020-06/09/2023) |
| Budget |
1.403.752 € |
|
Beneficiaries |
Coordinator: Beneficiaries:
|
| Location of activities |
The project is implemented by Greek organizations from Attica, Thessaloniki and Heraklion. |
| Website | |
| Contact |
Dr. Thomas Maggos |
Description/Aim
The main object of the project is the production of an innovative photocatalytic paint, which aims to improve indoor air quality, while allowing significant energy savings in buildings.
Β) Best Practices
Development of a methodology for optimizing photocatalytic powders and a methodology for mixing them in construction materials (paints) in order to improve their efficiency in terms of of gaseous pollutants degradation both outdoors and indoors.
In the framework of the communication and dissemination actions of the project D.1 Networking with Other Projects and Dissemination Planning & Execution and D.2 Public Awareness a variety of actions has been implemented that covers a wide range of information of the target groups about its scope and results including the following:
- Development and dissemination of 2 set of posters and leaflets
- Development and installation of a large scale poster in a bus stop in Athens
- Website and social media updates
- Articles and press releases in technical journals and national/EU portals
- Production of radio and video spot
- Lectures and presentation in various conferences and seminars in National and EU level
- Organization and implementation of OPEN VISIONS LIFE DAY (online)
- Development of a methodology for online educational courses.
Use of photocatalytic building materials in order to improve indoor air quality and achieve energy savings in buildings.
C) Results
Currently, the synthesis of photocatalytic powder has been carried out, which in laboratory scale studies, showed a significant effect in terms of air pollutants degradation, both under UV and visible spectrum. The above powder was successfully used in the synthesis and semi industrial production of paints, which in a laboratory scale, reduced up to 21% air pollutants under visible spectrum.
Real scale studies (in buildings) which make use the above paints are currently in progress, in order to investigate the stability of these high rates of air pollutants degradation under real world conditions. At the same time, a Decision Support System (DSS) is being developed, which will be a computing tool in the hands of stakeholders so that they can assess the benefits (air quality improvement, energy savings) of this technology in the applications they wish to implement.
Five different target groups could make use LIFEVISIONS outcomes: i) Public Bodies and Policy Makers (e.g Municipalities of Attica Region, Crete, Central Macedonia and later all the Greek Municipalities as well as the Ministry of Environment and Energy), ii) Paint industries and Building Construction and Infrastructure companies), iii) the Academic Society (Universities in Greece, the EU, Research Centers and Institutes), iv) other LIFE Consortia and/or beneficiaries, v) local/national Society (citizens of Athens, Thessaloniki, Crete and the whole Greece) and the International Society (EU citizens who are also ‘suffering’ from the poor IAQ).
The main pool of project outcomes will be the LIFEVISIONS web site which will be maintained for at least five years after the end of the project providing a reference platform for exchange of information among interested stakeholders, researchers and end users. All technical and scientific reports edited during the project as well as respective documents possibly edited thereafter will be made available for downloading on this web site. Furthermore, DSS will be available to all interested parties via the internet this being maintained by the coordinating beneficiary. On the simplest levels, publication of the project’s demonstration outcomes will last for months, even years, after the VISIONS end. This will ensure sustained information outflow from the project’s consortium.
Next actions concern the completion: a) of the real scale study of the photocatalytic efficiency of VISIONS paints, b) of the Decision Support System (DSS) and c) of the simulation of the photocatalytic properties of VISIONS paints.
In addition, next steps that will further enhance dissemination, communication and replicability actions of the project include the following:
- Organization of an event at the pilot buildings
- Publication in scientific journals and conferences
- Online educational course delivery
- “Smart Building Business Game” online application
- Online courses for training of energy inspectors.
