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We propose a method for developing an Energy Activated External Thermal Insulation Composite System (En-ActivETICS) for smart building envelopes that guarantees the required performance, durability, and service life of the building. The En-ActivETICS combines the traditional ETICS with phase change material (PCM) and flexible photovoltaics (FPV). These combined materials will become multifunctional, playing the roles of thermal insulator, heat accumulator, and energy generator with PCM lowering the temperature of FPV and therefore, increasing their efficiency. The En-ActivETICS is a new step in the development of building facade technology enabling to achieve a component that is classified as a functional material. The main result reported in the paper is the proposed method, which improves the existing technical approval guidelines for ETICS, entitled ETAG 004, when thermally activated components are added to the system. The method proposes research activities necessary to determine whether the novel wall system is in line with the essential requirements set to a building by the Construction Products Regulation. When tested according to the proposed method, a wall system should be comprehensively tested and technically documented active thermal insulation system that is aimed to give better building performance in terms of indoor environment, energy efficiency, and aesthetics.

The main goal of this study is to develop the new external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS) by integration of flexible photovoltaic (FPV) and encapsulated phase change materials (PCM). This work is the first step of the international project En-ActivETICS and concerns mainly material selection and systems integration issues. The paper presents a complete solution of façade component which integrates thermal insulation, heat storage and electricity generation - En-ActivETICS that combines ETICS technology with a self-supporting flexible photovoltaic elements. This system will be applicable for both masonry or concrete constructions and it is a new step in the development of building facade technology allowing to achieve a component classified to the group of functional material. In the paper, the formulation of basic principles of En-ActivETICS as well as an overview of existing materials and technologies is presented. Finally, the initial concept of the system is described. The main features of that system is using an elastic, high heat capacity and frost resistant adhesive joining flexible PV with thermal insulation.

Nanocomposites of a new type have been prepared containing a constant amount, 4.8 wt%, of montmorillonite (MMT) in a polypropylene (PP) matrix and different amounts of conducting polypyrrole (PPy) varying from 4.8 to 16.7 wt%. For comparison, polypropylene/polypyrrole (PP/PPy) composites and MMT/PPy nanocomposites with the same composition ratio were synthesized. All polypropylene-containing composites were synthesized in an aqueous solution of the anionic surfactant dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) or in water/methanol. Chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole was used for suspension modification of powdered PP, MMT, or mixtures of PP and MMT particles using ferric chloride as oxidant. To investigate the influence of the primary MMT particle structure on conductivity, three types of sodium MMT were used for the preparation of MMT/PPy nanocomposites. Wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) studies confirmed the intercalation of conducting PPy into MMT layers. The amount of PPy influences the final conductivity of the composites and nanocomposites. The nanocomposite (PP/4.8 wt% MMT)/PPy containing 16.7 wt% PPy reaches a conductivity of 4.8 x [10.sup.-2] S [cm.sup.-1], i.e. more than one order of magnitude higher than the conductivity of the clay-free composite, PP/16.7 wt% PPy prepared as a suspension in water containing the same anionic surfactant, dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) proved that the presence of PPy increases the thermal stability of PP/PPy composites as well as (PP/4.8 wt% MMT)/PPy nanocomposites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 46:1069-1078, 2006. [C] 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers, INTRODUCTION New classes of emerging nanomaterials, nanocomposites, are being intensively studied. Nanostructured materials, silicas, carbon nanotubes, nanospheres, and ceramic nanofibres are frequently used as fillers in polymer matrices [1-3]. Their [...]