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01/14/2015 | Pressemitteilung

Concrete supplies solar power - University of Kassel develops novel "DysCrete" building material

A research team at the University of Kassel is developing a building material that is also a solar cell. Important components are conductive concrete and organic liquids such as fruit juices. In the future, "DysCrete" will be used, among other things, to build facades and at the same time convert solar energy into electricity.

Image: BAU KUNST ERFINDEN/Klussmann/Klooster
Solar cell, series of experiments with red dyes. .

"DysCrete" consists of a special conductive concrete coated with layers of titanium dioxide, an organic liquid, an electrolyte, graphite and a transparent surface. The result is a so-called dye-sensitized solar cell, with the concrete itself taking on the function of an electrode. The conversion of solar energy into electricity follows the principle of photosynthesis. The material system is particularly environmentally friendly. 

The development of "DysCrete" is a project of the interdisciplinary learning and research platform "Bau Kunst Erfinden" of Prof. Heike Klussmann, Head of the Department of Fine Arts at the University of Kassel, and Thorsten Klooster, Project Manager Research at the Department. The project  is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Construction with around 150,000 euros and will initially run until mid-2015. Project partners are the Department of Materials in Construction and Construction Chemistry (headed by Prof. Dr. Bernhard Middendorf) and partners from industry.

Prototypes of the solar-powered concrete already exist. "Our goal is to develop a material that can be used in the construction industry in the future, for example for precast elements in building construction, facade elements and novel wall systems," explains Prof. Klussmann. "At the same time, as a solar cell, it provides a contribution to a sustainable and decentralized energy supply."

Dye cell is inexpensive to manufacture

The dye solar cell itself is not a Kassel invention; what is new is the fusion of solar cell and building material. The dye solar cell, or Grätzel cell, is an alternative to the conventional silicon solar cell. It is based on a development by Swiss chemist Michael Grätzel and is similar in principle to photosynthesis in plants.

In order to achieve the highest possible efficiency with the solar power concrete in the conversion of solar energy, the group led by Prof. Klussmann and Klooster optimized the coatings. For example, while the scientists initially used currant juice, this has now been replaced by other organic liquids.

The goal is an efficiency of around two percent. "This pays off because the manufacturing costs of dye cells are significantly lower than those of silicon solar cells," says Klooster. In addition, the starting materials are easy to obtain, environmentally friendly and easily recyclable. Titanium dioxide, for example, is a commonly used material that is also found in toothpaste. And: dye-sensitized solar cells and thus also "DysCrete" also react to diffuse light and can therefore also be installed on the north sides of buildings.

"Bau Kunst Erfinden" will also be showing "DysCrete" and other innovations at BAU 2015, which it says is the world's leading trade fair for architecture, materials and systems. The trade fair will take place from January 19 to 25 in Munich. For more information, visit www.baukunsterfinden.org.

 

Background: University Award for Excellence in Teaching 2012.

The learning and research platform "Bau Kunst Erfinden" is an interdisciplinary and now award-winning project group in which scientists and students from various disciplines work together; the "DysCrete" project involves representatives from nanostructure science, architecture, materials science and art.

In 2012, Prof. Heike Klussmann received the Hessian University Award for Excellence in Teaching, Germany's highest state honor of this kind, with the learning and research platform "Bau Kunst Erfinden". Heike Klussmann has been Professor of Fine Arts at the University of Kassel since 2005. She studied at the Düsseldorf Art Academy and the Berlin University of the Arts. In 1999/2000 and 2003 she held a guest professorship at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena/USA. She has received numerous awards for art, design and architecture.

 

Picture of Prof. Heike Klussmann (Photo: Blafield/Uni Kassel) at http://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/fileadmin/datas/uni/presse/anhaenge/2014/Blafield_Header_Juli_2014_042.jpg

 

Pictures of DYScrete under:

www.uni-kassel.de/uni/fileadmin/datas/uni/presse/anhaenge/2014/01_DysCrete.jpg
Caption: Experimental setup for a series of measurements.
Photo: BAU KUNST ERFINDEN/Klussmann/Klooster

 

www.uni-kassel.de/uni/fileadmin/datas/uni/presse/anhaenge/2014/02_DysCrete.JPG
Solar cell, series of experiments with red dyes. .
Photo: BAU KUNST ERFINDEN/Klussmann/Klooster

www.uni-kassel.de/uni/fileadmin/datas/uni/presse/anhaenge/2014/Blafield_Header_Juli_2014_181.jpg
Prototype. Photo: Blafield/Uni Kassel

 

www.uni-kassel.de/uni/fileadmin/datas/uni/presse/anhaenge/2014/Blafield_Header_Juli_2014_288.jpg
Prototype. Photo: Blafield/Uni Kassel

 

Further information:

http://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/universitaet/nachrichten/article/lernen-im-projekt-bau-kunst-erfinden-deutschlands-hoechstdotierter-staatlicher-preis-fuer-leh.html

www.baukunsterfinden.org

www.klussmann.org

 

Contact:

Prof. Heike Klussmann
University of Kassel
Department of Fine Arts
Tel: +49 561 804-2380
E-Mail: heike.klussmann[at]b-k-e[dot]org

 

Thorsten Klooster
University of Kassel
Tel: +49 561 804-2396
E-Mail: thorsten.klooster[at]b-k-e[dot]org

 

Sebastian Mense
University of Kassel
Communication, Press and Public Relations
Tel.: +49 561 804-1961
E-Mail: presse[at]uni-kassel[dot]de