Researchers at the University of Toronto demonstrated a window technology that utilizes multiple layers of plastic sheets that can be filled with different pigments to selectively filter infrared (IR) heat and/or visible light. This approach has the potential to dramatically reduce HVAC energy requirements for buildings.
Different layers within the prototype window filter out infrared heat versus visible light. At different times of day, in different seasons, and for different indoor versus outdoor temperature scenarios, selective pigments can be pumped into different window layers to block IR or visible light, reducing heat gain in a building. This technology could be paired with artificial intelligence (AI) to create smart windows that are part of smart buildings.
The process is analogous to the way a squid’s skin pigments reflects and absorbs light. The stacked plastic sheets are simple, non-toxic, and low cost. The researchers developed a computer model to calculate the impact on buildings using the technology. They calculated that utilizing just one layer that modulated the transmission of near-infrared light (NIR) – without blocking the visible part of the spectrum – could save about 25 percent annually on heating, cooling and lighting energy over a static baseline. However, if they employed two layers – infrared and visible – they calculated savings up to 50 percent. These are large savings potential.
The research was conducted by the University of Toronto’s new Centre for Sustainable Built Environment. The research was published in the National Academy of Sciences Journal, PNAS, here.
Images: University of Toronto
You must be logged in to post a comment.