The Lab assesses the performance of building envelope materials and components, with particular reference to their ability to control energy, light flows, and the indoor microclimate, to mitigate the urban microclimate, to improve the built environment’s resilience to climate change, and to last over time.
Specifically, the main activities concern:
- Measurement of the optical-radiative properties of transparent, translucent and opaque products (roofing elements, facade coverings, glazing and sunscreens – continuous, discontinuous, 2D and 3D such as expanded metal mesh, microperforated sheets, 3D fabrics), cool materials, photocatalytic and innovative materials;
- Measurement of the optical-radiative response of envelope materials over time;
- Measurement and modelling of energy, hygrothermal and albedo performance of green roof systems.
Services offered
- Measurement of the optical-radiative properties of transparent, translucent and opaque products (roofing elements, facade coverings, glazing and sunscreens – continuous, discontinuous, 2D and 3D such as expanded metal mesh, microperforated sheets, 3D fabrics), cool materials, photocatalytic and innovative materials;
- Measurement of the optical-radiative response of envelope materials over time;
- Measurement and modelling of energy, hygrothermal and albedo performance of green roof systems.
Tools
The Lab owns a facility for in situ performance characterisation, structures for the natural exposure of materials, complete with weather station and dual-beam UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer (Perkin Elmer, Lambda 950), with 150 mm diameter integration sphere (250-2500 nanometres) or 2-D detector (200-3300 nanometres).