Energy Saving and Energy Generation Smart Window with Active Control and Antifreezing Functions

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Renewable Energy
• Building Technology

Background:

• Windows represent a significant source of energy inefficiency in buildings, contributing to 40% of global energy consumption.
• Conventional smart windows primarily regulate solar transmission, leading to the waste of incident solar energy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an integrated smart window that simultaneously saves and generates energy.
• To enhance building energy efficiency through a novel window design.

Main Methods:

• Integration of a louver structure solar cell, thermotropic hydrogel, and indium tin oxides (ITO) glass.
• Fabrication of an energy-saving and energy-generating integrated smart window (ESEG smart window).

Main Results:

• The ESEG smart window exhibits excellent optical properties: ≈90% luminous transmission and ≈54% solar modulation for energy saving.
• Achieved a high photoelectric conversion efficiency of 18.24% from silicon solar cells, significantly outperforming previous energy-generating smart windows.
• Demonstrated active transmittance control of the hydrogel via ITO glass powered by the solar cell, alongside antifreezing capabilities.

Conclusions:

• The developed ESEG smart window offers a disruptive strategy for integrated energy solutions in buildings.
• The fabrication process is simple, scalable, and ensures good uniformity.
• This technology opens new avenues for devices integrating energy storage, energy saving, active control, and antifreezing.