The aim of the DIRM lab is to take Eindhoven-based scientific research into functional polymer materials – or ‘responsive materials’ – one step further than publications in scientific journals or patents alone. These materials change their functions when they are exposed to light, temperature or other influences. The DIRM lab intends to use these materials to develop new applications. “It’s easier to get investors and industry interested if you have a working prototype, and not just an idea on paper that you think might work”, says Dick Broer, TU/e professor and scientific director of the new institute. “We’re planning to make products that will be ready to go onto the market.”

The DIRM will be opened on 12 March by Hong Zhu, rector of SCNU, and Jaap Schouten, dean of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at TU/e. As well as the involvement of the TU/e research groups (prof. Albert Schenning) and SCNU (prof. Guofo Zhou), there will also be representatives present from NWO (Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research) and companies such as SABIC and DSM. They will then be able to see the brand-new facilities of the institute, including more than 300 m2 of lab space to show the lab-scale demos and make prototypes, as well as more than 500 m2 of cleanrooms.

Some of the research projects that will be further developed into working prototypes at DIRM are:

Self-cleaning solar panels
The problem with solar panels in dry, desert environments is often that the panels quickly become soiled after sandstorms, which means their energy output soon declines. As a result, traditional solar panels frequently need to be cleaned by hand in an environment like this. A solution for this highly labor‑intensive task is a solar panel with a moving, dynamic upper surface. If tiny raised areas are constantly formed at different places, the grains of sand will just roll off the surface of the panel. Which means there is no longer any need to clean the solar panels manually after a sandstorm.

Windows as air conditioning
This application will ensure that the infrared component of sunlight is reflected by windows, while the remaining light is allowed to pass straight through. The result is that in good weather you don’t need to sit behind the sunshades using artificial light – instead, normal daylight can enter without causing any heating of the room. Or if it’s cold outside, the windows will automatically switch over to a setting that lets the heat radiation enter.

A keypad you can feel
The touch screens of today’s tablet computers are very well able to respond to input from their users. But what if we had screens that also give an active response? Then you would also be able to feel the control inputs of your tablet, enabling you to type blindly using ten fingers. And this technology could also be a good solution for blind people and those with visual disabilities.

Source: TU/e Press Team