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Solar Transparent Radiators by Optical Nanoantennas
Gustav Jönsson1, Daniel Tordera2, Tavakol Pakizeh3
1Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology , 41296 Gothenburg, Sweden.
Nano Letters
|October 10, 2017
Summary
New solar thermal surfaces with nanoplasmonic antennas can warm window surfaces by 8 K during cold weather. This technology improves thermal comfort and reduces energy loss through architectural windows.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Optics
Background:
- Architectural windows contribute to thermal discomfort by being colder than indoor air on cold days.
- Increasing indoor temperature to compensate for window heat loss leads to significant energy waste.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel solar thermal surfaces for architectural windows.
- To enhance indoor thermal comfort and reduce energy losses.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of complex nanoplasmonic antennas.
- Integration of nanoantennas onto window surfaces.
- Measurement of temperature changes and light transmission properties under solar irradiation.
Main Results:
- The nanoplasmonic surfaces raised window glazing temperature by up to 8 K under solar irradiation.
- The surfaces maintained a high color rendering index (98.76) for transmitted light.
- The nanoantennas demonstrated directional absorption and tunable spectral ranges.
Conclusions:
- Solar thermal surfaces based on nanoplasmonic antennas offer a promising solution for improving thermal comfort in buildings.
- The technology's substrate independence and tunable properties allow for broad application on various surfaces.
