American Association for the Advancement of Science Conference 2018

18 Feb 2018

Energy-Enabling Materials and the Smart Cities of Tomorrow

The AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) conference is a widely recognised global science gathering that every year brings thousands of scientists, engineers, policymakers, educators and journalists together to discuss the most recent developments and trends in science and technology.

On the 18th of February 2018, we were invited by the European Commission to participate to the 2018 Conference in Austin, Texas.

In particular, the session we took part in was “Energy-Enabling Materials and the Smart Cities of Tomorrow”. 
We presented two of our current research projects: 

• the ECOBinder, which consists in the development of insulating concrete systems based on novel low CO2 binders for a new family of eco-innovative, durable and standardized energy efficient envelope components
• the EENSULATE, which develops innovative lightweight and highly insulating energy efficient components, and associated enabling materials, for cost-effective retrofitting and the construction of curtain wall facades.

ECOBinder and EENSULATE are part of a cluster of projects centred on energy efficiency for the construction field, which is a very important theme for the EU and for RINA. 
Both projects aim at reducing the energy footprint and CO2 emissions related to new and retrofitted buildings across Europe. They both develop new green cements and innovative solutions for the retrofitting of curtain wall facades.

The challenge and beauty of these types of projects is coordinating and pursuing the multitude of ideas that stem from an innovative research setting. 
They contribute to positively impact reduction of CO2, of pollution and of energy waste. This is why we are strongly active in Life Cycle Analysis and Life Cycle Cost Analysis of new innovative products. The results we obtain are geared towards helping advance industrial construction.