Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Photoelectric Effect

Photoelectric Effect

When light of a particular wavelength strikes a metal surface, electrons are emitted. This is called the photoelectric effect. The minimum frequency of light that can cause such emission of electrons is called the threshold frequency, which is specific to the metal. Light with a frequency lower than the threshold frequency, even if it is of high intensity, cannot initiate the emission of electrons. However, when the frequency is higher than the threshold value, the number of electrons ejected...

P-N junction

P-N junction

A p-n junction is formed when p-type and n-type semiconductor materials are joined together. At the interface of the p-n junction, holes from the p-side and electrons from the n-side begin to diffuse into the opposite sides due to the concentration gradient. This diffusion of carriers leads to a region around the junction where there are no free charge carriers, known as the depletion region. The charge density within the depletion region for the n-side and p-side can be described by the...

Photoreceptors and Plant Responses to Light

Photoreceptors and Plant Responses to Light

Light plays a significant role in regulating the growth and development of plants. In addition to providing energy for photosynthesis, light provides other important cues to regulate a range of developmental and physiological responses in plants.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Bioinspired Cilia Array Surfaces for Programmable Unidirectional Liquid Transport across Surface Tension Regimes.

Nano letters·2026

Same author

Electro-Magnetic Synergy Driven Pump with Liquid Metal for Rapid Liquid Transport.

ACS nano·2026

Same author

Heterogeneous Two-Dimensional Composite Membranes with Gradient Architecture and Hopping-Assisted Ion-Transport Features for Efficient Osmotic Energy Conversion.

Journal of the American Chemical Society·2026

Same author

Low-Temperature Visual Mechanical Sensing via Uniaxial Compression of Blue Phase Liquid Crystal Elastomer.

Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)·2026

Same author

Solution-Processed, In Situ Photopatternable Conducting Polymer Electrodes for High-Performance and Durable Electrowetting Displays.

Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids·2026

Same author

Sub-10-nm imprint lithography on elastomers by chain translocated crystallization in nanochannels.

Science advances·2026

Same journal

Removal of Codispersible Residual Impurities from CuInS<sub>2</sub>/ZnS Quantum Dots for Window-Replaceable Luminescent Solar Concentrators.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2026

Same journal

Durable Core-Shell Scatterer Coating with Heat Storage for Radiative Cooling.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2026

Same journal

Calix[6]arene-Based Interlocked Inverse Vulcanizate Enabling Network-Interface Cooperative Reinforcement in Natural Rubber/Carbon Black Composites.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2026

Same journal

Resolving Thermal Accumulation and Rigid-Soft Interface Mismatch in Stretchable Electronics with Cubic Boron Nitride Composite Islands.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2026

Same journal

Enhancing Conversion Reversibility and Initial Coulombic Efficiency of SnO<sub>2</sub> Anodes via NiO/Ni-Carbon Interfacial Design.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2026

Same journal

Multidimensional Interface Structure Design for High-Efficiency Optically Controlled Semiconductor Devices: A Case Study on Memristive Synapses.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Indoor Experimental Assessment of the Efficiency and Irradiance Spot of the Achromatic Doublet on Glass ADG Fresnel Lens for Concentrating Photovoltaics

Indoor Experimental Assessment of the Efficiency and Irradiance Spot of the Achromatic Doublet on Glass ADG Fresnel Lens for Concentrating Photovoltaics

Published on: October 27, 2017

Sunflower-Inspired Zero-Energy-Consumption Thermal Switching for Dual-Mode Photochromic Smart Window.

Zhenxin Kuang^1,2, Weihao Meng³, Junchao Liu⁴

¹Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interface Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

|February 27, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

A novel zero-energy smart window uses thermal triggers to automatically adjust for hot and cold conditions, reducing indoor temperatures and saving energy for sustainable urban development.

Keywords:

actuator bionic photochromic smart window polyurethane two-way shape memory polymer thermal management

More Related Videos

Asymmetric Thermoelectrochemical Cell for Harvesting Low-grade Heat under Isothermal Operation

Asymmetric Thermoelectrochemical Cell for Harvesting Low-grade Heat under Isothermal Operation

Published on: February 5, 2020

Determination of the Photoisomerization Quantum Yield of a Hydrazone Photoswitch

Determination of the Photoisomerization Quantum Yield of a Hydrazone Photoswitch

Published on: February 7, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Indoor Experimental Assessment of the Efficiency and Irradiance Spot of the Achromatic Doublet on Glass ADG Fresnel Lens for Concentrating Photovoltaics

Indoor Experimental Assessment of the Efficiency and Irradiance Spot of the Achromatic Doublet on Glass ADG Fresnel Lens for Concentrating Photovoltaics

Published on: October 27, 2017

Asymmetric Thermoelectrochemical Cell for Harvesting Low-grade Heat under Isothermal Operation

Asymmetric Thermoelectrochemical Cell for Harvesting Low-grade Heat under Isothermal Operation

Published on: February 5, 2020

Determination of the Photoisomerization Quantum Yield of a Hydrazone Photoswitch

Determination of the Photoisomerization Quantum Yield of a Hydrazone Photoswitch

Published on: February 7, 2022

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Sustainable Building Technologies
Energy Efficiency

Background:

Building energy efficiency is crucial for sustainable urban development.
Smart windows can reduce energy consumption by adapting to environmental conditions.
Current smart window technologies often require external energy for switching.

Purpose of the Study:

To design a zero-energy, thermally triggered smart window device.
To create a dual-mode photochromic smart window with automatic switching capabilities.
To enhance building thermal management and reduce energy costs.

Main Methods:

Developed a smart window with a copper-doped WO3 photochromic film and a polyurethane two-way shape memory polymer.
Integrated a thermal-triggered automatic switching mechanism inspired by sunflower behavior.
Tested the prototype's performance in simulated hot and cold environments.

Main Results:

Achieved a 4.86 °C reduction in indoor temperature in hot conditions compared to a control house.
Demonstrated effective solar heat rejection in hot environments.
Confirmed the device's ability to allow sunlight entry in cold conditions for warmth.
Showcased excellent recycling performance over 200 cycles.

Conclusions:

The developed zero-energy thermal management device offers effective automatic temperature control for buildings.
This technology significantly contributes to low-carbon and environmentally friendly urban development.
The dual-mode smart window provides a sustainable solution for reducing indoor energy consumption.