Solar Cells Incorporated Into ‘Smart’ Windows

Date: 31 October 2013
Source: www.cas.cn

Date: 31 October 2013

Researchers have integrated solar cells into a ‘smart’ window that can intelligently regulate the transmission of heat while maintaining visible transparency.

The smart window, described in the journal Scientific Reports, combines energy saving and generation in a single device.Vanadium oxide (VO2) is an attractive material for the fabrication of smart windows because of the reversible, temperature-dependent phase transitions it undergoes.Below a critical temperature of 68 degree Celcius, the material is insulating and transparent to infrared light, but above 68 degree Celcius it becomes metallic and reflective to infrared light.

Previously, it was a challenge to integrate solar cells that can efficiently harness and store solar energy into windows that require the material to be transparent. In this study, Yanfeng Gao and colleagues from the Chinese Academy of Sciences positioned vanadium oxide films around glass panels to regulate solar infrared radiation in response to environmental temperature and scatter partial light to solar cells.

The researchers say that their device may someday contribute towards reducing energy costs for heating, lighting and cooling buildings.

The article can be found at: Zhou J et al. (2013) VO2 thermochromic smart window for energy savings and generation. (Asian Scientist)

600450 Solar Cells Incorporated Into ‘Smart’ Windows glassonweb.com

See more news about:

Others also read

Tecglass is one of the leading companies that design and develop a range of innovative Digital Printers for the glass industry.
Dr Henry Snaith of the University of Oxford has been named as one of the ten people who have made the most difference in science during 2013 in recognition of his work on next generation solar power technology.
The Education Center Erasmus MC Rotterdam has won the Rotterdam Architecture Award. From a shortlist of 25 entries, the jury has chosen the design of Claus & Kaan Architecten.
Coverings ETC’s Bio-Glass in “Topaz Blue” designed by Ofer Mizrahi was bestowed the Interior Innovation Award-Winner 2013, the prestigious international design award of the German Design Council.
2013 Deep Research Report on China LOW-E Glass Industry was professional and depth research report on China Low-E Glass (LOW-Emissivity Glass) industry.
Jim Rawson, chairman of Epwin Group was awarded the Derek Bonnard Award for Excellence at the G13 Awards, held at the prestigious Park Lane Hilton, London on November 29th.

Add new comment