{"id":3279,"date":"2021-11-23T22:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-23T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/modernsciences.org\/staging\/4414\/?p=3279"},"modified":"2021-11-10T05:28:32","modified_gmt":"2021-11-10T05:28:32","slug":"future-switchable-window-coating-can-let-light-in-and-keep-heat-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/modernsciences.org\/staging\/4414\/future-switchable-window-coating-can-let-light-in-and-keep-heat-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Future \u201cSwitchable\u201d Window Coating Can Let Light In\u2014and Keep Heat Out"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The chase is on for developing the next piece of technology that can go and be a part of the next smart home\u2014or, at least, if researchers are to be asked about it. From <a href=\"https:\/\/modernsciences.org\/staging\/4414\/newly-engineered-transparent-electrodes-boost-solar-cell-efficiency\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">transparent electrodes that can pave the way to new power-generating windows<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/modernsciences.org\/staging\/4414\/newly-developed-smart-material-can-help-heat-and-cool-buildings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">smart coatings that can help heat and cool buildings<\/a>, there always seems to be a new development somewhere out there that aims to make the house of the future a little bit more comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Such is the case with new research from a collaboration between Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, whose researchers worked together to create a special \u201cswitchable\u201d coating that can be applied to windows to enable visible light to pass through without taking the sometimes-unwanted infrared heat with them. Their study was published in the journal <em>ACS Omega<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img  decoding=\"async\"  src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABAQMAAAAl21bKAAAAA1BMVEUAAP+KeNJXAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAApJREFUCNdjYAAAAAIAAeIhvDMAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\"  alt=\"\"  class=\" pk-lazyload\"  data-pk-sizes=\"auto\"  data-pk-src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/6r_fjunH5xqmipvL-gSrmqhMltwCiAMZdW2u7_664u6n-kTRdrMyTqvI6yv8FKFc1M3tt3aZ0Rl0hH9LNRN7fccC3FwcL80NseS8hICtuqcveGY5FcskyrOe6l5Svrq5V-wHeJRY\" ><figcaption> Currently-available smart window technology already makes use of electronics combined with specially-designed windows to either obscure or manipulate light to whatever the user desires. This new collaborative study makes use of the concept, but adds its own twist by way of filtering out infrared radiation. (Vitswell, 2014) <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The researchers recognize that there already exists smart window technology called <em>electrochromic windows<\/em>; these windows can change their color\u2014and as a result, the nature of the light that passes through them\u2014by applying a current through the setup. Thing is, these setups often only screen visible light, and can oftentimes just let <em>infrared radiation<\/em> right on through; it\u2019s the radiation that we can\u2019t see, but instead feel as heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to address this concern, the NTU-HUJ collaboration focused on an inexpensive solution, which is a window coating mixture comprised of a litany of compounds: tungsten trioxide (WO<sub>3<\/sub>), tin oxide (SnO<sub>2<\/sub>), and neodymium-niobium (Nd-Nb); the mixture can be shortened to a \u201cNd\u2013Nb Co-doped SnO<sub>2<\/sub>\/\u03b1-WO<sub>3<\/sub> electrochromic material\u201d that just rolls off the tongue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u2018Smart\u2019 window coating invented by NTU Singapore scientists blocks heat\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jJGIxEMZnQw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption> A video uploaded by Nanyang Technological University in Singapore showcases the new research collaboration between it and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. (Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 2021) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When no current is passing through, the material lets both visible light and infrared light pass through, making the device usable in winter conditions where much light and heat from the Sun must be retained and utilized. Once the device is turned on, the new electrochromic material blend can let through about 90% of the visible light while also keeping out some 70% of the associated infrared radiation. In short, we have a window that lets light through but keeps the accompanying heat out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additional testing also showcased the new material\u2019s resistance to damage and wear induced by repeated on-off cycles, as demonstrated by cycle testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img  decoding=\"async\"  src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABAQMAAAAl21bKAAAAA1BMVEUAAP+KeNJXAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAApJREFUCNdjYAAAAAIAAeIhvDMAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\"  alt=\"\"  class=\" pk-lazyload\"  data-pk-sizes=\"auto\"  data-pk-src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/9JJE6puWsMMFl-EkfquxNL1xgqgzxfzcpB81I3UhymwFUwCos0NI5bChw4gdfKC3d1l1l4yrRft5J6OZKRP82ihcljMLjoAWXxAVWeZsD8CQFtplPyKGt2bDiwMzhDP5ifSm-MOt\" ><figcaption> The Nanyang Technological University team pose proudly with their novel coating concept for electrochromic windows of the future. (NTU Singapore, 2021) <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Said co-author Dr. Ronn Goei, of NTU: &#8220;With the ability to control both infrared radiated heat from the sun and conducted heat passing through the window, we expect this technology to be particularly useful in temperate climates, as building occupants can use it to regulate heat loss or gain according to the needs of the changing seasons, while still enjoying much of the view.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"references\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">References<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Coxworth, B. (2021, November 9). <em>Switchable window material stays clear while blocking the sun\u2019s heat<\/em>. New Atlas. <a href=\"https:\/\/newatlas.com\/materials\/switchable-window-material-infrared-visible-light\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/newatlas.com\/materials\/switchable-window-material-infrared-visible-light\/<\/a><\/li><li>Goei, R., Ong, A. J., Tan, J. H., Loke, J. Y., Lua, S. K., Mandler, D., Magdassi, S., &amp; Yoong Tok, A. I. (2021). Nd\u2013nb co-doped sno2\/\u03b1-wo3 electrochromic materials: Enhanced stability and switching properties. <em>ACS Omega<\/em>, <em>6<\/em>(40), 26251\u201326261. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acsomega.1c03260\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acsomega.1c03260<\/a><\/li><li>Nanyang Technological University Singapore. (2021, November 9). <em>\u2018Smart\u2019 window blocks rays without blocking views<\/em>. Nanyang Technological University Singapore. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ntu.edu.sg\/news\/detail\/smart-window-blocks-rays-without-blocking-views\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.ntu.edu.sg\/news\/detail\/smart-window-blocks-rays-without-blocking-views<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The chase is on for developing the next piece of technology that can go and be a part&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3280,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[346,138,347],"class_list":{"0":"post-3279","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-engineering","8":"tag-electrochromic","9":"tag-materials-science","10":"tag-smart-material","11":"cs-entry","12":"cs-video-wrap"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/modernsciences.org\/staging\/4414\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3279","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/modernsciences.org\/staging\/4414\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/modernsciences.org\/staging\/4414\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/modernsciences.org\/staging\/4414\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/modernsciences.org\/staging\/4414\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3279"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/modernsciences.org\/staging\/4414\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3279\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3281,"href":"https:\/\/modernsciences.org\/staging\/4414\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3279\/revisions\/3281"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/modernsciences.org\/staging\/4414\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3280"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/modernsciences.org\/staging\/4414\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3279"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/modernsciences.org\/staging\/4414\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3279"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/modernsciences.org\/staging\/4414\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3279"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}