Work Packages

Seven lines of activity

Industrial research and experimental development over 24 months.

WP1 · Industrial Research

Study of the state of the art and of the characteristics of the Peltier cells available on the market

Lead: University of Calabria
Other participants: Z Lab S.r.l. (Company)
Period: November – January

This Work Package is the preliminary research and technology analysis phase, aimed at identifying the most innovative thermoelectric solutions available on the market. It involves an in-depth study of the state of the art of Peltier cells, with particular attention to new generations of devices offering greater energy efficiency, better cooling performance and greater operational reliability.

The analysis will include collecting and evaluating the technical documentation, performance data and construction specifications of the main commercial products. The different cooling architectures associated with the cells (air-air, air-water, water-water) will also be examined in order to understand their advantages, application limits and possible integration into the refrigerating panels developed by the project.

At the same time, research will be carried out on emerging applications of Peltier technology in the industrial, civil and mobility sectors, identifying critical issues, risk factors and development opportunities.

Objectives

Identify the most innovative and high-performing Peltier cells.
Analyse the different cooling technologies available.
Identify the critical factors affecting efficiency and lifetime.
Provide the technical basis for the following design activities.

Expected deliverables

Technical report on the state of the art of Peltier cells.
Comparative analysis of the technologies identified.
Recommendations for selecting the solutions to be developed in the following WPs.

Partner roles

University of Calabria analyses, through documentary research, the technological progress of the Peltier cells on the market.
Z Lab S.r.l. provides electronics consultancy in analysing the optimal configuration and use of the hardware identified.

Activities (tasks)

A.1.1 — Evaluation of the characteristics of innovative Peltier cells according to their technology and cooling system (air-air, air-water, water-water).
A.1.2 — Market research on the best-performing commercial Peltier cells.
A.1.3 — State of the art of further applications based on Peltier cells and identification of the related issues.
A.1.4 — Analysis of the factors affecting the efficiency and lifetime of Peltier cells and study of their characteristics to optimise their use.

Results

D1.1 – Report documenting the technical characteristics, performance and operating specifications of the different Peltier cell options available on the market for the various applications, in order to understand the available solutions and guide the subsequent design decisions.

WP2 · Experimental Development

Experimental characterisation of Peltier cells and performance analysis

Lead: Z Lab S.r.l.
Other participants: University of Calabria (Research organisation), FD S.r.l. (Company), Vedlab s.n.c. di Vitale e Fazio (Company)
Period: January – April

This WP is dedicated to the experimental validation of the solutions identified in WP1. Laboratory activities will analyse the thermoelectric performance of both the current multifunction panel and the newly selected cells.

An experimental platform will be set up, consisting of power supply systems, sensors, measuring instruments and monitoring devices, to acquire data under different operating conditions. The tests will assess parameters such as cooling capacity, energy efficiency, thermal stability, reliability and behaviour under varying thermal loads.

Particular attention will be paid to the analysis of heat dissipation systems, a crucial element for maximising the performance of Peltier cells.

Objectives

Measure and compare the performance of the different cells.
Evaluate the efficiency of the associated cooling systems.
Define the design parameters for building the prototypes.
Identify the most promising configurations.

Expected deliverables

Experimental characterisation report.
Guidelines for selecting the cells to be used in the project.
Evidence of an expected performance improvement of at least 20%.

Partner roles

Z Lab S.r.l. together with FD S.r.l., sets up the control and monitoring electronics to carry out a series of experimental studies on the current multifunction panel.
University of Calabria sets up the solutions identified in WP1.
FD S.r.l. together with Z Lab S.r.l., sets up the control and monitoring electronics for the experimental studies on the current multifunction panel.
Vedlab s.n.c. di Vitale e Fazio supports the prototyping of the systems to be characterised.

Activities (tasks)

A.2.1 — Set-up of the instrumentation for powering the Peltier cells and monitoring their performance.
A.2.2 — Experimental characterisation of the current multifunction panel and of the identified Peltier cells, in the laboratory, under different operating conditions.
A.2.3 — Evaluation of the thermoelectric performance of the current multifunction panel and of the Peltier cells with different cooling systems.

Results

D2.1 – Report on the characterisation of the Peltier cells: identification and installation of the necessary instrumentation and analysis of the tests carried out.

WP3 · Industrial Research

Integrated design of the refrigerating panels and of the data acquisition and control system

Lead: Z Lab S.r.l. (Company)
Other participants: University of Calabria (Research organisation), FD S.r.l. (Company), Vedlab s.n.c. di Vitale e Fazio (Company)
Period: March – August

In this phase the new refrigerating panels will be designed on the basis of the technologies validated in the previous WPs. The activity will include defining the mechanical layout, the construction layers, the arrangement of the Peltier cells and the choice of insulating materials.

At the same time, the electronic architecture of the monitoring and control system will be developed. Based on IoT technologies, it will acquire data in real time and optimise the operation of the cooling system.

Control algorithms and strategies will also be studied to reduce energy consumption and improve the overall efficiency of the system.

Objectives

Define the optimal configuration of the refrigerating panels.
Develop the monitoring and control system.
Optimise the operating parameters to maximise energy efficiency.
Ensure the scalability and replicability of the solution.

Expected deliverables

Detailed design of the refrigerating panels.
Design of the data acquisition and control system.
Design and optimisation report.
Expected additional performance increase of 5%.

Partner roles

Z Lab S.r.l. shares the current electronic power supply system of the multifunction panel.
University of Calabria supports the evaluation of the thermal insulation to be used.
FD S.r.l. starts designing the IoT-based control and monitoring system of the individual multifunction panel.
Vedlab s.n.c. di Vitale e Fazio handles the prototyping of the new multifunction panels.

Activities (tasks)

A.3.1 — Design of different types of Peltier-cell refrigerating panels.
A.3.2 — Design of the acquisition and control system.
A.3.3 — Optimisation of the control parameters to maximise the energy efficiency of the panel.

Results

D3.1 – Design and optimisation report of the cooling and control system.

WP4 · Industrial Research

Thermodynamic analysis of case studies using Peltier-cell refrigerated panels

Lead: University of Calabria
Other participants: Z Lab S.r.l., FD S.r.l. (Company), Vedlab s.n.c. di Vitale e Fazio (Company)
Period: July – December

This WP aims to validate the designed solutions through numerical simulations and thermodynamic modelling of real applications. Energy models will be developed for two representative case studies: a refrigerated camper van and a glass room located inside a large space.

The simulations will make it possible to study the thermal behaviour of the spaces, estimate energy needs, assess comfort conditions and identify the optimal configuration of the refrigerating panels.

The results will also be used to build a predictive model to guide the subsequent prototyping activities.

Objectives

Simulate the thermal behaviour of the selected applications.
Determine energy consumption and expected performance.
Identify the most efficient configurations.
Support the design of the real prototypes.

Expected deliverables

Thermal models of the case studies.
Energy simulation report.
Expected efficiency increase of at least 25% compared with the current solution.

Partner roles

University of Calabria starting from the analyses and results of the previous WPs, simulates different fields of application of the multifunction panel in order to assess potential further applications, in industry and elsewhere.
Z Lab S.r.l., FD S.r.l. and Vedlab s.n.c. di Vitale e Fazio support the University of Calabria in identifying the models/systems to be simulated and in assessing how the electronic control system could affect the simulations, so as to make them as realistic as possible.

Activities (tasks)

A.4.1 — Modelling of the case studies with energy simulation software.
A.4.2 — Thermal analysis of the identified systems to find the optimal configurations and the areas for improvement.
A.4.3 — Optimal choice of the panel to improve heat transfer and cooling uniformity.
A.4.4 — Analysis and comparison between expected future results and current results.

Results

D4.1 – Report on the modelling and on the results of the thermal simulations of the case studies.

WP5 · Industrial Research – Experimental Development

Construction of prototypes using the designed refrigerating panels and implementation of the data acquisition and control system

Lead: Z Lab S.r.l.
Other participants: University of Calabria (Research organisation), FD S.r.l. (Company), Vedlab s.n.c. di Vitale e Fazio (Company)
Period: November – June

In this WP the prototypes designed in the previous phases will be physically built: an experimental camper van equipped with a Peltier-cell cooling system, and a glass room cooled by an innovative cooling ceiling.

Both prototypes will be equipped with monitoring, data acquisition and automatic control systems, able to collect information on their operation and intelligently manage the operating conditions.

During construction, any issues arising from the actual integration of the components will be addressed and alternative technical solutions will be developed where necessary.

Objectives

Build working prototypes.
Integrate the control and monitoring system.
Verify compliance with the design specifications.
Prepare the systems for the testing activities.

Expected deliverables

Two complete and operational prototypes.
Installed data acquisition system.
Construction and preliminary testing report.

Partner roles

Z Lab S.r.l. makes its facilities available for building the prototype.
University of Calabria provides support throughout the prototyping phase to ensure that it reflects what was simulated and studied in the previous WPs.
FD S.r.l. builds what was designed in WP3 for the monitoring and control of the individual panel, and also implements a control unit for managing and monitoring the system.
Vedlab s.n.c. di Vitale e Fazio installs any mechanical parts needed to implement the project.

Activities (tasks)

A.5.1 — Construction of the refrigerated glass room with an innovative ceiling connected to the Peltier cells and implementation of the acquisition and control system.
A.5.2 — Construction of the refrigerated camper van model using Peltier cells and implementation of the data acquisition and control system.

Results

D5.1 – Report describing how the two prototypes were built, the results obtained and the control system.

WP6 · Experimental Development

Analysis of the experimental results obtained to optimise the technical solutions adopted, and their implementation

Lead: Z Lab S.r.l.
Other participants: University of Calabria, FD S.r.l. (Company), Vedlab s.n.c. di Vitale e Fazio (Company)
Period: May – October

This WP is dedicated to the final validation of the technologies developed, through the analysis of the data collected while testing the prototypes.

The results obtained will be compared with those predicted by the numerical models developed in WP4, in order to validate and calibrate the thermal models. This will make it possible to build a reliable digital twin of the panel-environment system.

Possible corrective actions and improvements will also be identified, implemented and then tested to verify their effectiveness.

Objectives

Validate the simulation models.
Assess energy performance and thermo-hygrometric comfort.
Identify and implement improvements.
Define the final performance of the system.

Expected deliverables

Experimental validation report.
Calibrated thermal model (Digital Twin).
Final technical specifications of the systems developed.

Partner roles

Z Lab S.r.l. and University of Calabria work together to collect, analyse and validate the experimental results of the previous WPs.
FD S.r.l. and Vedlab s.n.c. di Vitale e Fazio provide support if software improvements to the monitoring and control system, or mechanical improvements to the structures already built, are needed.

Activities (tasks)

A.6.1 — Detailed analysis of the experimental data obtained for the two prototypes.
A.6.2 — Comparison of the experimental results with those obtained when simulating the thermal model.
A.6.3 — Validation of the thermal model by comparison with the experimental data, to calibrate suitable parameters so that it describes the physical phenomenon under real operating conditions.
A.6.4 — Identification of improvements that increase the efficiency of the two systems.
A.6.5 — Appropriate modifications to the prototype based on the results obtained.
A.6.6 — Experimental tests under different operating conditions to assess the effectiveness of the improvements in terms of system performance.
A.6.7 — Description of the two systems in terms of construction and performance as internal and external boundary conditions vary.

Results

D6.1 – Comparative assessment of two systems: construction, energy performance and thermal comfort as a function of the boundary conditions.

WP7 · Experimental Development

Dissemination and communication activities

Lead: University of Calabria
Other participants: Z Lab S.r.l., FD S.r.l., Vedlab s.n.c. di Vitale e Fazio (Company)
Period: November 2025 – October 2027

This Work Package covers all the cross-cutting activities of coordination, management and dissemination of the project results.

A communication plan will be prepared to disseminate the knowledge generated as widely as possible, involving the scientific community, companies, professionals and sector stakeholders.

Activities will include creating the project website, publishing scientific articles, organising workshops and seminars, and taking part in national and international events.

Particular attention will be paid to Open Access policies and to disseminating the results in at least three EU Member States or EEA countries, in accordance with the GBER Regulation.

Objectives

Ensure effective project coordination.
Disseminate the results to the scientific and industrial community.
Foster the technology transfer of the solutions developed.
Ensure the visibility of the project at national and European level.

Expected deliverables

Communication plan.
Project website.
At least 2 dissemination events.
Scientific publications and informative material.
Final report on dissemination activities.

Partner roles

University of Calabria coordinates scientific dissemination activities and the publication of the research results.
Z Lab S.r.l., FD S.r.l. and Vedlab s.n.c. di Vitale e Fazio take part in communication activities, dissemination events and the production of informative material.

Activities (tasks)

A.7.1 — Ensure that the project is well structured, with all activities planned so as to meet the established timeline and budget.
A.7.2 — Monitor the progress of project activities and compliance with the technical and financial planning.
A.7.3 — Prepare and publish scientific articles in specialised journals, to disseminate the project results to the scientific community, contribute to advancing knowledge in the sector and increase the project's visibility.
A.7.4 — Plan and organise events such as conferences, workshops and seminars to present the project results.

Results

D7.1 – Publication of scientific articles, creation of the project website, organisation of 2 dissemination events (workshops/seminars).