The energy efficiency is likely to be a persistent concern of building managers, owners and construction companies throughout the period under consideration. Because smart windows are able to offer a clear and distinct solution here, we think that smart window makers will be able to ride the wave of energy shortage throughout the period under consideration. In reality, most of the revenues that will be generated by smart window product will essentially be derived by the needs of building owners and managers to improve on energy conservation. Smart windows may be just what the doctor ordered when it comes to providing reduced energy use in buildings, because it can provide improvements in this regard of up to 40 percent.
Smart Window
The "smart" in "smart window" can be used to describe many different kinds of functionality, including futuristic capabilities such as window that can double as panel lighting or solar panels. Smart windows carry out a function such as blocking or transmitting sunlight on-demand in response to an external stimulus, such as an electric current provided by the user. This technology is based on liquid crystal dispersed in a polymer matrix that are sensitive to electric field. Smart windows can be embedded in green building products. In the context of this development, smart windows may also from an important part of net zero energy buildings. The general trends that we have discussed here are ultimately based on various aspects of the significant energy efficiency benefits that smart windows can bring in their wake.
Smart Window classification
Passive Smart Window
Responds to non-electrical stimuli(heat, UV) cannot be manually controlled
Active Smart Window
Responds to an electrical stimulus & and is controllable manually or automatically
EC(Electrochromic window)
- Used for exterior glass application, for solar control
- Not used for interior privacy
- Long transition time from clear to opaque. Larger windows can take five to 20 minutes
- New glass must be installed no film option for existing glass
- Not used for privacy as you can still see though it in dark(tinted) state.
PDLC(Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal)
- Can be used for interior or exterior glass application
- Switches from opaque(milky white or gray) to clear in less than a second
- Can run on standard 110-volt AC
- Available in a self-adhesive film that can be applied to existing window
- Provides total privacy in its opaque state (cannot be seen through)
SPD(Suspended Particle Devices)
- In suspended particle devices (SPDs) a thin film laminate of rod-like nano-scale particles is suspended in a liquid and placed between two pieces of glass or plastic , or attached to one layer
- When no voltage is applied the suspended particles are randomly organized thus blocking and absorbing light
- When voltage is applied the suspended particles align and let light pass
- Varying the voltage of the film varies the orientation of the suspended particles, thereby regulating the tint of the glazing and amount of light transmitted
- The visible light transmission at the darkest state of SPD glazing is around 0.5% and the process takes one to three seconds after power is applied regardless of the size of the window
- The resulting dark blue shading blocks light and provides only partial privacy
Source : Energy saving & High insulation material by National Nano Technology Policy Center
Next generation High-function & High sensitivity Smart Window Growth
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