Scientists from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have invented a smart window that requires no external power to tint the glass. It also cuts out the glare from the sunlight, which may translate into savings on cooling and lighting costs.
The window is also able to act like a self-charging battery and may eventually allow users to plug in and charge small mobile devices.
While other self-tinting windows in the market require an external power source to change its light transmission properties, NTU’s latest breakthrough requires only the presence of oxygen to tint and charge the glass.
The window comprises two glass panels coated with a transparent conductive material, with one panel coated with an additional layer of a common blue pigment known as Prussian Blue and an aluminium strip attached to the other panel.
A liquid electrolyte is filled between the glass panels and electrically wired up. Fully charged, the window maintains a blue tint, but at the flick of a switch, a chemical reaction causes the pigment to gain electrons and turn colourless.
The window will naturally regain its charge over a period of two to 12 hours through the process of oxidation and become blue again.
The process can be hastened to a matter of seconds by applying an electrical charge, said Professor Sun Xiaowei of NTU’s LUMINIOUS! Centre of Excellence for Semiconductor Lighting and Displays, who is the lead researcher of the project, at a media briefing yesterday.
Such electrochromic properties —the change of optical properties upon being electrically charged — may cut light entering buildings by up to 50 per cent.
Prof Sun said: “Our technology is very attractive as a zero-consumption smart window. Building owners and even common households can reap energy savings right from the outset and over the long term.”
Prof Sun added that the technology could be a viable option for developers looking to build environmentally-friendly buildings.
During the media briefing yesterday, the researchers were also able to make the window power a small light emitting diode for a couple of minutes.
The research was published recently in the scientific journal Nature Communications.
The technology is in its early stages, but Prof Sun said his team is ready for talks with companies to commercialise their technology and they will continue to refine their invention.
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