Group leader: Dr. Andreas Schueler
PhD students: Jérémy Fleury,
Postdoc: Anna Krammer
Research eng.: Luc Burnier, Maxime Lagier
Technical support: Pierre Loesch
Our lab equipment | Factsheet 2019/2020 | Publications | Patents | Awards | PhD theses
Due to their fascinating optical and electronical properties, nanometer-scaled structures play an important role in solar energy conversion. In our research group at EPFL’s Solar Energy Laboratory LESO-PB, we develop novel micro- and nanostructured smart materials for active and passive solar energy applications being integrated into the building envelope. We focus on thin films, because these allow covering a large surface area with a small quantity of raw material – and we focus on their electronic and optical properties, because these closely interrelated properties are most important for the utilisation of solar energy.
Nanocomposite coatings consist typically of dielectric, semiconductor or metal nanocrystals being embedded in a dielectric matrix. Effective medium theories such as the Bruggeman and the Ping Sheng theories are used to model the dielectric function of nanocomposite materials. Micro- and/or nanostructuring materials can result in very interesting features such as tuneable band-gaps by quantum confinement, adjustable complex dielectric function, enhanced mechanical stability, superhydrophobicity, frequency-selective surfaces FSS, etc. The semiconductor-to-metal transition observed in transition metal oxides with strong electron correlations can be exploited for smart switching coatings.
The scope of envisaged solar energy applications is large. Recent work focuses especially on smart materials, such as thermochromic selective solar absorber coatings for overheating protection of solar thermal systems, and electrochromic coatings for switchable windows. Further applications include novel microstructured glazing with strong seasonal dependence of the solar heat gains, photoluminescent quantum dot solar concentrators for photovoltaic energy conversion, antireflection coatings on solar collector glazing, colored coatings with high solar transmittance for novel glazing of photovoltaic facades, selective solar absorber coatings for thermal solar collectors and thermoelectric power generation, as well as novel insulating glazing with high transmittance for the microwaves of mobile communication.
Research topics
- Optical coatings on solar glass for photovoltaic modules and solar thermal collectors – development of colored glazing for solar facades and solar roofing
- Solid-ion-conductors for durable electrochromic windows
- Metallic micro-/nanomeshes for transparent conductive layers
- Nanostructured low refractive index materials on solar collector glazing
- Smart selective solar absorber coatings based on reversible semiconductor-to-metal transition
- Optical microstructures for advanced architectural glazing
- Energy efficiency of public transportation
- Frequency-selective surfaces by nanosecond laser-ablation
- Angular dependent optical and thermal properties of advanced architectural glazing
- Highly durable selective solar absorber coatings for solar thermal collectors and electricity generation by concentrated solar power (CSP)
- Quantum dot solar concentrators for building integrated photovoltaics
Patents
WO2017134589 (A1) : Coating for optical and electronic applications – Single- or multilayered coating, such as a selective solar absorber coating or a coating being part of an integrated electronic circuit, comprising one or more layers containing germanium (Ge) doped VO2+x, where -0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.1.
Krammer Anna, Paone Antonio, Schüler Andreas
PCT/IB2017/051952: Solar cooker
Mauree Dasaraden, Schueler Andreas, Diévart Alexandre, Bouvard Olivia
WO2014024146 EP2882921 – Glazing with embedded microstructures for daylighting and seasonal thermal control,
Kostro André, Schüler Andreas
WO 2014045141 A2: Laminated glazing with coloured reflection and high solar transmittance suitable for solar energy systems
Le Caër Hody Virginie, Schüler Andreas (Déposant SwissInso SA)
WO 2014045144 A1: Interference filter with angular independent orange colour of reflection and high solar transmittance, suitable for roof-integration of solar energy systems
Webtool
www.glassdbase.ch – an independent and comprehensive building glass database set up by University of Basel, Switzerland and now managed by LESO-PB
PhD Theses
Bouvard Olivia, Scartezzini Jean-Louis and Schueler Andreas (Dirs.). Coatings with tailored electronic and optical properties for advanced glazing. EPFL Thesis n° 9199 (2019)
Microstructured glazing for daylighting, glare protection, seasonal thermal control and clear view. EPFL PhD thesis, n° 6465 (2015)
A. Paone, J.-L. Scartezzini and A. Schueler (Dirs.). Switchable Selective Absorber Coatings for Overheating Protection of Solar Thermal Collectors. EPFL PhD thesis, n° 5878 (2013)
Développement et optimisation de revêtements minces nanostructurés pour capteurs solaires thermiques et modules photovoltaïques. EPFL PhD thesis, n° 5541 (2012).
Awards
RailTech 2019 Innovation Award, Utrecht, to Andreas Schüler, Olivia Bouvard, Luc Burnier, Jérémy Fleury, for Energy efficient windows that transmit telephone signals.
Watt d’Or 2019 “Energy efficient mobility” by Swiss Federal Office of Energy, Andreas Schüler, Olivia Bouvard, Luc Burnier, Jérémy Fleury (as part of a team headed by BLS train company and Basel University), for Nina trains energy efficiency modernisation. Contribution: energy efficient windows transparent to phone signals.
Award winning publications
Jing Gong, André Kostro, Jean-Louis Scartezzini, Andreas Schüler, Feasibility study on a novel daylighting system with embedded micro compound parabolic concentrators (CPCs). Nonimaging Optics: Efficient Design for Illumination and Solar Concentration XV (Vol. 10758, p. 1075807). International Society for Optics and Photonics. Nonimaging optics best paper award – SPIE Optical Engineering & Applications, 2018, 19-20 August 2018, San Diego, CA, USA
Martin Joly, Yan Antonetti, Martin Python, Marina Gonzalez, Thomas Gascou, Jean-Louis Scartezzini, Andreas Schüler, Novel black selective coating for tubular solar absorbers based on a sol-gel method, Solar Energy Journal Best Paper Award 2012-2013
Peter Oelhafen, Andreas Schueler, Nanostructured materials for solar energy conversion, Solar Energy Journal Best Paper in Energy Conversion Award 2005/2006
Publications
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Perceived glare from the sun behind tinted glazing: Comparing blue vs. color-neutral tints
Building and Environment. 2023-03-06. Vol. 234, p. 110146. DOI : 10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110146.Transparent structured conductive coating for applications in smart windows
Lausanne, EPFL, 2023.In-situ evaluation of high-performance glazing based on illuminance and glare
2022-11-24. The 8th International Light Symposium: Re-thinking Lighting Design in a Sustainable Future, Copenhagen, Denmark, September 21-23, 2022. p. 012023. DOI : 10.1088/1755-1315/1099/1/012023.Electrical control of glass-like dynamics in vanadium dioxide for data storage and processing
Nature Electronics. 2022-08-22. DOI : 10.1038/s41928-022-00812-z.An efficient nickel hydrogen oxidation catalyst for hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells
Nature Materials. 2022-04-04. DOI : 10.1038/s41563-022-01221-5.Electronic Regulation of Nickel Single Atoms by Confined Nickel Nanoparticles for Energy-Efficient CO2 Electroreduction
Angewandte Chemie-International Edition. 2022-04-27. p. e202203335. DOI : 10.1002/anie.202203335.Développement d’un four solaire pour l’atténuation de la crise du bois de feu en Ouganda
2022-05-02.Performance Assessment of a nZEB Carbon Neutral Living/Office Space and Its Integration into a District Energy-Hub
Energies. 2022-01-21. Vol. 15, num. 3, p. 793. DOI : 10.3390/en15030793.Combining thermal insulation and mobile communication in buildings: influence of laser-treated glazing on microwave propagation
2022. CISBAT 2021 – International Hybrid Conference on Carbon Neutral Cities – Energy Efficiency and Renewables in the Digital Era, Lausanne, Switzerland, Sep 08-10, 2021. p. 012181. DOI : 10.1088/1742-6596/2042/1/012181.Electronic properties and ion migration of “in vacuo” lithiated nanoporous WO3:Mo thin films
Journal of Applied Physics. 2022-01-03. Vol. 131, num. 1, p. 015301. DOI : 10.1063/5.0074455.Transparent nanomeshes for smart windows
2021-11-09
Nanoindentation Reveals Crosslinking Behavior of Solar Encapsulants-The Methodological Advantages over Bulk Methods
Polymers. 2021-10-01. Vol. 13, num. 19, p. 3328. DOI : 10.3390/polym13193328.Evaluation of the Effect of Backsheet Properties on PV Encapsulant Degradation under Ultraviolet-Damp-Heat Conditions
Lausanne, EPFL, 2021.Ug-value and edge heat loss of triple glazed insulating glass units:A comparison between measured and declared values
Journal Of Building Engineering. 2021-12-01. Vol. 44, p. 103031. DOI : 10.1016/j.jobe.2021.103031.Glazing unit
EP4115042; CH717188; CH717188; WO2021176294.
2021.In-line electronic and structural characterization of reactively sputtered Cu-Co-Mn black spinel oxides
Journal Of Vacuum Science & Technology A. 2021-09-01. Vol. 39, num. 5, p. 053411. DOI : 10.1116/6.0001120.Strong coloration of nanoporous tungsten oxides by in-vacuo lithiation for all-solid-state electrochromic devices
Thin Solid Films. 2021-07-31. Vol. 730, p. 138700. DOI : 10.1016/j.tsf.2021.138700.Optical properties of in vacuo lithiated nanoporous WO3:Mo thin films as determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry
Optical Materials. 2021. Vol. 117, p. 111091. DOI : 10.1016/j.optmat.2021.111091.Effect of Backsheet Properties on PV Encapsulant Degradation during Combined Accelerated Aging Tests
Sustainability. 2021-06-26. Vol. 12, num. 12, p. 1-13, 5208. DOI : 10.3390/su12125208.Co-Sputtered Monocrystalline GeSn for Infrared Photodetection
2020-08-06. 2020 IEEE Photonics Society Summer Topicals Meeting Series (SUM), Online conference, July 13-15, 2020. p. 1-2. DOI : 10.1109/SUM48678.2020.9161032.Laser engraving device for multiple laser beams
EP4263111; WO2022136905.
2020-12-21.Thermochromic coatings for overheating protection of solar thermal collectors – Towards industrial implementation
2020-06-02
Solar Energy & Building Physics Laboratory – Activity Report 2019
2020-04-15
Thermochromic solar absorber coatings with elevated transition temperature
Lausanne, EPFL, 2020.Wide band-pass FSS with reduced periodicity for energy efficient windows at higher frequencies
Applied Physics A-Materials Science & Processing. 2020-05-13. Vol. 126, num. 6, p. 417. DOI : 10.1007/s00339-020-03547-w.3D Smith charts scattering parameters frequency-dependent orientation analysis and complex-scalar multi-parameter characterization applied to Peano reconfigurable vanadium dioxide inductors
Scientific Reports. 2019-12-04. Vol. 9, p. 18346. DOI : 10.1038/s41598-019-54600-5.A Novel Reconfigurable CMOS Compatible Ka Band Bandstop Structure Using Split-Ring Resonators and Vanadium Dioxide (VO2) Phase Change Switches
2019-05-07. 2019 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium (IMS), Boston, June 7-11,2019. p. 865-867. DOI : 10.1109/MWSYM.2019.8701121.Millimeter-wave-triggering of insulator-to-metal transition in Vanadium dioxide
2019-01-01. 44th International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves (IRMMW-THz), Paris, FRANCE, Sep 01-06, 2019. DOI : 10.1109/IRMMW-THz.2019.8874271.Thermochromic coatings for overheating protection of solar thermal collectors – Towards industrial implementation – Annual Report 2019
2019-12-19
From university to industry – challenges in upscaling optical microstructures for daylight redirection in buildings
2019. CISBAT 2019 | Climate Resilient Cities – Energy Efficiency & Renewables in the Digital Era, Lausanne, Switzerland, September 4-6, 2019. p. 012194. DOI : 10.1088/1742-6596/1343/1/012194.Predicting the thermal performance of thermochromic flat plate solar collectors
2019. CISBAT 2019 | Climate Resilient Cities – Energy Efficiency & Renewables in the Digital Era, Lausanne, Switzerland, September 4-6, 2019. p. 012201. DOI : 10.1088/1742-6596/1343/1/012201.In-situ and post annealing effect on the microstructure and the optical properties of black Cu-Co-Mn oxide spinel coating for Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) applications
2019. CISBAT 2019 | Climate Resilient Cities – Energy Efficiency & Renewables in the Digital Era, Lausanne, Switzerland, September 4-6, 2019. p. 012200. DOI : 10.1088/1742-6596/1343/1/012200.Novel microwave transparent low emissivity coating for energy-efficient glazing: towards 5G frequencies
2019. CISBAT 2019 | Climate Resilient Cities – Energy Efficiency & Renewables in the Digital Era, Lausanne, Switzerland, September 4-6, 2019. p. 012199. DOI : 10.1088/1742-6596/1343/1/012199.Color neutral nanocomposite nickel-tantalum oxide for electrochromic windows
2019. CISBAT 2019 | Climate Resilient Cities – Energy Efficiency & Renewables in the Digital Era, Lausanne, Switzerland, September 4-6, 2019. p. 012192. DOI : 10.1088/1742-6596/1343/1/012192.Evaluating the electricity saving potential of electrochromic glazing for cooling and lighting at the scale of the Swiss non-residential national building stock using a Monte Carlo model
Energy. 2019. Vol. 185, p. 136-147. DOI : 10.1016/j.energy.2019.07.037.Solar cooking potential in Switzerland: Nodal modelling and optimization
Solar Energy. 2019-12-01. Vol. 194, p. 788-803. DOI : 10.1016/j.solener.2019.10.071.
Lausanne Horizon 2050
2019.Ni3N as an Active Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction Catalyst in Alkaline Medium
Angewandte Chemie-International Edition. 2019-05-27. Vol. 58, num. 22, p. 7445-7449. DOI : 10.1002/anie.201902751.Novel daylighting system based on advanced embedded optical microstructures for various facade orientation and climates
Lausanne, EPFL, 2019.Coatings with tailored electronic and optical properties for advanced glazing
Lausanne, EPFL, 2019.MoS2/VO2 vdW heterojunction devices: Tunable rectifiers, photodiodes and field effect transistors
2018-01-25. IEDM, San Francisco, California, USA, December 2-6, 2017. p. 36.1.1-36.1.4. DOI : 10.1109/IEDM.2017.8268503.BAV-RhB Projekt Reduzierung des Heizenergiebedarfs von Bahnfahrzeugen durch eine verbesserte Wärmedämmung der Fahrzeughülle
2018
Box-type solar cooker
EP3607253; WO2018185646.
2018-10-11.Towards industrial implementation
2018
A transdisciplinary approach to understand, compute and visualize the city interface
Swiss Inter- and Transdisciplinarity Day 2018, EPFL, Lausanne (Switzerland), 15th November 2018.Feasibility study on a novel daylighting system with embedded micro compound parabolic concentrators (CPCs)
2018. Conference on Nonimaging Optics – Efficient Design for Illumination and Solar Concentration XV, San Diego, CA, Aug 19-20, 2018. p. 1075807. DOI : 10.1117/12.2320478.Thermochromic coatings for overheating protection of solar thermal collectors – novel type of doping (TARGET95)
2018
Daylight in the Built Environment
Science/AAAS. 2017-11-03. Vol. Changing perspectives on daylight: Science, technology, and culture (Supplement), p. 24-32.Daylight in the built environment
Changing perspectives on daylight: Science, technology, and culture; Washington, DC: Science/AAAS, 2017. p. 46.Thermochromic coatings for overheating protection of solar thermal collectors – novel type of doping (TARGET95)
2017-12-15