title: Design of Building Integrated Photovoltaic Product for Long Run Metal Roofing

authors: McGuinness, Benjamin John

abstract: In this study an innovative concept for a building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) product was generated and verified at the University of Waikato in partnership with Dimond Roofing. The concept is based on a new principle which consists of laminating solar cells directly to a COLORSTEEL substrate, with a thin polymer cover, and folding this post-lamination into a profile which is capable of mating with standard long run metal roofing profiles. There were two major unknowns associated with the new concept which needed to be verified. Firstly, the suitability of laminating directly onto COLORSTEEL was in question as this material has not been used for this purpose before. More importantly, it was unsure whether the laminate would withstand the folding process without causing damage to the cells or other laminate materials. The issue of laminating to COLORSTEEL was addressed experimentally by producing small scale COLORSTEEL-EVA laminates. T peel tests were performed on samples from two different laminates - one which consisted of COLORSTEEL which had not undergone any kind of surface treatment, and another which was subjected to flame treatment to increase its surface energy. The flame treated sample exhibited a 7 fold increase in adhesion strength over the untreated sample, with average adhesion values of 56 N/cm, which is comparable to proven materials currently used in commercial quality photovoltaic modules. Untreated COLORSTEEL is not suitable for PV laminates. Further optimization of the treatment and lamination processes is likely to produce laminates with even greater adhesion strengths. Subsequently, it was necessary to fabricate equipment to replicate the commercial lamination process in order to produce laminates of high quality. These laminates were then folded on a hand brake to determine the feasibility of forming them into shapes capable of mating with existing metal roofing profiles. Folds were able to be started very close to the edge of the cell, even as close as 1 mm, without affecting the performance of the laminate, or causing any damage to the cell or laminate materials. This study was successful in designing an innovative BIPV product with huge potential to succeed in today’s market. It was shown that the product is worth further investigation, therefore it is recommended that larger scale prototypes are produced and subjected to a range of testing.

text: Design of Building Integrated Photovoltaic Product for Long Run Metal Roofing In this study an innovative concept for a building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) product was generated and verified at the University of Waikato in partnership with Dimond Roofing. The concept is based on a new principle which consists of laminating solar cells directly to a COLORSTEEL substrate, with a thin polymer cover, and folding this post-lamination into a profile which is capable of mating with standard long run metal roofing profiles. There were two major unknowns associated with the new concept which needed to be verified. Firstly, the suitability of laminating directly onto COLORSTEEL was in question as this material has not been used for this purpose before. More importantly, it was unsure whether the laminate would withstand the folding process without causing damage to the cells or other laminate materials. The issue of laminating to COLORSTEEL was addressed experimentally by producing small scale COLORSTEEL-EVA laminates. T peel tests were performed on samples from two different laminates - one which consisted of COLORSTEEL which had not undergone any kind of surface treatment, and another which was subjected to flame treatment to increase its surface energy. The flame treated sample exhibited a 7 fold increase in adhesion strength over the untreated sample, with average adhesion values of 56 N/cm, which is comparable to proven materials currently used in commercial quality photovoltaic modules. Untreated COLORSTEEL is not suitable for PV laminates. Further optimization of the treatment and lamination processes is likely to produce laminates with even greater adhesion strengths. Subsequently, it was necessary to fabricate equipment to replicate the commercial lamination process in order to produce laminates of high quality. These laminates were then folded on a hand brake to determine the feasibility of forming them into shapes capable of mating with existing metal roofing profiles. Folds were able to be started very close to the edge of the cell, even as close as 1 mm, without affecting the performance of the laminate, or causing any damage to the cell or laminate materials. This study was successful in designing an innovative BIPV product with huge potential to succeed in today’s market. It was shown that the product is worth further investigation, therefore it is recommended that larger scale prototypes are produced and subjected to a range of testing.

year: 2011

title: Impact Modification and Fracture Mechanisms of Core-Shell Particle Reinforced Thermoplastic Protein

authors: Smith, Matthew J.

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Mechanical properties and fracture mechanisms of Novatein thermoplastic protein and blends with core–shell particles (CSPs) have been examined. Novatein is brittle with low impact strength and energy-to-break. Epoxy-modifi ed CSPs increase notched and unnotched impact strength, tensile strain-at-break, and energy-to-break, while tensile strength and modulus decrease as CSP content increases. Tg increases slightly with increasing CSP content attributed to physical crosslinking. Changes to mechanical properties are related to the critical matrix ligament thickness and rate of loading. Novatein control samples display brittle fracture characterized by large-scale crazing. At high CSP content a large plastic zone and a slow crack propagation zone in unnotched and tensile samples are observed suggesting increased energy absorption. Notched impact samples reach critical craze stresses easily regardless of CSP content reducing impact strength. It is concluded that the impact strength of thermoplastic protein can be modifi ed in a similar manner to traditional thermoplastics.

text: Impact Modification and Fracture Mechanisms of Core-Shell Particle Reinforced Thermoplastic Protein Mechanical properties and fracture mechanisms of Novatein thermoplastic protein and blends with core–shell particles (CSPs) have been examined. Novatein is brittle with low impact strength and energy-to-break. Epoxy-modifi ed CSPs increase notched and unnotched impact strength, tensile strain-at-break, and energy-to-break, while tensile strength and modulus decrease as CSP content increases. Tg increases slightly with increasing CSP content attributed to physical crosslinking. Changes to mechanical properties are related to the critical matrix ligament thickness and rate of loading. Novatein control samples display brittle fracture characterized by large-scale crazing. At high CSP content a large plastic zone and a slow crack propagation zone in unnotched and tensile samples are observed suggesting increased energy absorption. Notched impact samples reach critical craze stresses easily regardless of CSP content reducing impact strength. It is concluded that the impact strength of thermoplastic protein can be modifi ed in a similar manner to traditional thermoplastics.

year: 2016-08-01

title: Incorporating New Zealand indigenous views into community resilience frameworks for the built environment

authors: Boston, Megan

abstract: Community resilience lacks a standardized definition and methodology to quantify. Many governments and organizations have attempted to construct frameworks for improving community resilience, particularly as related to the built environment. However, few of these frameworks explicitly consider the values and cultural aspects of marginalized communities that are potentially negatively disadvantaged due to colonialization or socio-economic deprivation. To date, little research has worked on integrating Maori cultural views into these resilience frameworks. Using survey results investigating Maori and New Zealand European cultural views on resilience and aspects of the built environment, it has been found that Maori value unity and community cohesion as aspects of resilience more than New Zealand Europeans. Further, communities can increase community cohesion and unity through adapting Maori Marae’s or communal gathering places to increase community resilience following a disaster.

text: Incorporating New Zealand indigenous views into community resilience frameworks for the built environment Community resilience lacks a standardized definition and methodology to quantify. Many governments and organizations have attempted to construct frameworks for improving community resilience, particularly as related to the built environment. However, few of these frameworks explicitly consider the values and cultural aspects of marginalized communities that are potentially negatively disadvantaged due to colonialization or socio-economic deprivation. To date, little research has worked on integrating Maori cultural views into these resilience frameworks. Using survey results investigating Maori and New Zealand European cultural views on resilience and aspects of the built environment, it has been found that Maori value unity and community cohesion as aspects of resilience more than New Zealand Europeans. Further, communities can increase community cohesion and unity through adapting Maori Marae’s or communal gathering places to increase community resilience following a disaster.

year: 2022-07-01