Active and passive modulation of solar light transmittance in a uniquely multifunctional dual-band single molecule for smart window applications

Functional materials may change color by heat and electricity separately or simultaneously in smart windows.These materials have not only demonstrated remarkable potential in the modulation of solar radiation but are also leading to the development of indoor environments that are more comfortable and conducive to improving individuals'quality of life.Unfortunately,dual-responsive materials have not received ample research attention due to economic and technological challenges.As a consequence,the broader utilization of smart windows faces hindrances.To address this new generational multistimulus responsive chromic materials,our group has adopted a developmental strategy to create a poly(NIPAM)n-HV as a switchable material by anchoring active viologen(HV)onto a phase-changing poly(NIPAM)n-based smart material for better utility and activity.These constructed smart windows facilitate individualistic reversible switching,from a highly transparent state to an opaque state(thermochromic)and a red state(electrochromic),as well as facilitate a simultaneous dual-stimuli response reversible switching from a clear transparent state to a fully opaque(thermochromic)and orange(electrochromic)states.Absolute privacy can be attained in smart windows designed for exclusive settings by achieving zero transmittance.Each unique chromic mode operates independently and modulates visible and near-infrared(NIR)light in a distinct manner.Hence,these smart windows with thermal and electric dual-stimuli responsiveness demonstrate remarkable heat regulation capabilities,rendering them highly attractive for applications in building facades,energy harvesting,privacy protection,and color display.

An Electrochromic Nickel Phosphate Film for Large-Area Smart Window with Ultra-Large Optical Modulation

Exploring materials with high electrochemical activity is of keen interest for electrochemistry-controlled optical and energy storage devices.However,it remains a great challenge for transition metal oxides to meet this feature due to their low electron conductivity and insufficient reaction sites.Here,we propose a type of transition metal phosphate(NiHPO_(4)·3H_(2)O,NHP)by a facile and scalable electrodeposition method,which can achieve the capability of efficient ion accommodation and injection/extraction for electrochromic energy storage applications.Specifically,the NHP film with an ultra-high transmittance(approach to 100%)achieves a large optical modulation(90.8%at 500 nm),high coloration efficiency(75.4 cm^(2)C^(-1)at 500 nm),and a high specific capacity of 47.8 mAh g^(-1)at 0.4 A g^(-1).Furthermore,the transformation mechanism of NHP upon electrochemical reaction is systematically elucidated using in situ and ex situ techniques.Ultimately,a large-area electrochromic smart window with 100 cm^(2)is constructed based on the NHP electrode,displaying superior electrochromic energy storage performance in regulating natural light and storing electrical charges.Our findings may open up new strategies for developing advanced electrochromic energy storage materials and smart windows.

Sol-gel-based porous Ti-doped tungsten oxide films for high-performance dual-band electrochromic smart windows

Dual-band electrochromic smart windows(DESWs)with independent control of the transmittance of near-infrared and visible light show great potential in the application of smart and energy-saving buildings.The current strategy for building DESWs is to screen materials for composite or prepare plasmonic nanocrystal films.These rigorous preparation processes seriously limit the further development of DESWs.Herein,we report a facile and effective sol-gel strategy using a foaming agent to achieve porous Ti-doped tungsten oxide film for the high performance of DESWs.The introduction of foaming agent polyvinylpyrrolidone during the film preparation can increase the specific surface area and free carrier concentration of the films and enhance their independent regulation ability of near-infrared electrochromism.As a result,the optimal film shows excellent dual-band electrochromic properties,including high optical modulation(84.9%at 633 nm and 90.3%at 1200 nm),high coloration efficiency(114.9 cm^(2) C^(-1) at 633 nm and 420.3 cm^(2) C^(-1) at 1200 nm),quick switching time,excellent bistability,and good cycle stability(the transmittance modulation losses at 633 and 1200 nm were 11%and 3.5%respectively after 1000 cycles).A demonstrated DESW fabricated by the sol-gel film showed effective management of heat and light of sunlight.This study represents a significant advance in the preparation of dual-band electrochromic films,which will shed new light on advancing electrochromic technology for future energy-saving smart buildings.

3D printed hydrogel for soft thermo-responsive smart window

Smart windows with tunable optical properties that respond to external environments are being developed to reduce energy consumption in buildings.In the present study,we introduce a new type of 3D printed hydrogel with amazing flexibility and stretchability(as large as 1500%),as well as tunable optical performance controlled by surrounding temperatures.The hydrogel on a PDMS substrate shows transparent-opaque transition with high solar modulation(ΔT_(sol))up to 79.332% around its lower critical solution temperature(L_(CST))while maintaining a high luminous transmittance(T_(lum))of 85.847% at 20℃.In addition,selective transparent-opaque transition above LCST can be achieved by patterned hydrogels which are precisely fabricated via a projection micro-stereolithography based 3D printing technique.Our hydrogel promises great potential applications for the next generation of soft smart windows.

海尔发布Smart window博观对开门冰箱

2014年6月27日,海尔在青岛世园会＂智慧生活馆＂发布了旗下Smart window博观对开门冰箱。据介绍,这款冰箱突破了传统冰箱的工业设计束缚,将感应式科技融入冰箱设计中,采用了＂人感互动、光感调节、自感变频＂三大感应技术。三大感应技术的应用使这款冰箱具有鲜明的＂差异化＂烙印,亮点与其他冰箱完全不同。据现场人员介绍,所谓＂人感互动＂功能,是指这款Smart window冰箱看起来就像是普通对开门冰箱,其实里面有一个巧妙的玄机——可以开启的透明＂智慧窗＂。

Novel self-assembled porous yolk-shell NiO nanospheres with excellent electrochromic performance for smart windows

With the rapid development of optoelectronics,electrochromic(EC)materials(ECMs)with the advan-tages of low power consumption,easy viewing,high contrast ratio,etc have attached more and more attention from the fields of smart windows,electronic billboards,emerging wearable and portable electronics,and other next-generation displays.Nickel oxide(NiO)is a promising candidate for high-performance ECMs because of its neutral-colored states and low cost.However,NiO-based ECMs still face the problem of slow switching speed due to their low electrical conductivity and small lattice spacing.Metal-organic frameworks(MOFs)are promising candidates to fabricate hollow and porous transition metal oxides(TMOs)with high ion transport efficiency,excellent specific capacitance,and electrochemical activities.In this work,porous yolk-shell NiO nanospheres(PYS-NiO NSs)were syn-thesized via a solvothermal and subsequent calcination process of Ni-MOF,which exhibited outstanding EC performance.Because the large specific surface areas and hollow porous nanostructures were conducive to ionic transport,PYS-NiO NSs exhibited a fast coloring/bleaching speed(3.6/3.9 s per one coloring/bleaching cycle)and excellent cycling stability(82%of capacity retention after 3000 cycles).These superior EC properties indicated that the PYS-NiO NSs was a promising candidate for high-performance EC devices.This work provides a new and feasible strategy for the efficient preparation of TMOs ECMs with good EC performance,especially fast switching speed.

Polyelectrolyte complex-based thermochromic hydrogels containing carbonized polymer dots for smart windows with fast response,excellent solar modulation ability,and high durability

Thermochromic smart windows have gained increasing popularity in light modulation and energy management in buildings.However,the fabrication of flexible thermochromic smart windows with high luminous transmittance(Tlum),tailorable critical temperature(τc),strong solar modulation ability(ΔTsol),and long-term durability remains a huge challenge.In this study,hydrogel-based thermochromic smart windows are fabricated by sandwiching thermochromic hydrogels of polyallylamine hydrochloride,polyacrylic acid,and carbonized polymer dots(CPDs)complexes between two pieces of transparent substrates.Benefiting from the incorporation of nanosized CPDs,the thermochromic hydrogel has an ultrahigh Tlum of~98.7%,a desirableτc of~24.2℃,aΔTsol of~89.3%and a rapid transition time of~3 s from opaque state to transparent state.Moreover,the thermochromic hydrogel exhibits excellent anti-freezing ability,tight adhesion toward various substrates,and excellent self-healing capability.The self-healing capability enables the fabrication of large-area smart windows by welding multiple hydrogel pieces.The smart windows retain their original thermochromic properties after being stored under ambient conditions for at least 147 days or undergoing 10,000 uninterrupted heating/cooling cycles.The model houses with smart windows can achieve a temperature reduction of 9.2℃,demonstrating the excellent indoor temperature modulation performance of the smart windows.

Oxygen-deficient tungsten oxide nanoflowers for dynamically tunable near-infrared light transmittance of smart windows

Electrochromic smart windows have attracted much attention in energy-saving buildings because of their ability to selectively modulate visible(VIS)and near-infrared(NIR)light transmittance.As is known,the NIR region accounts for about 50%of the total solar radiation.Therefore,reducing the NIR transmittance of windows will play a crucial role in reducing the energy consumption of buildings.However,for most of the reported electrochromic materials(ECMs)-based windows,it remains a longlasting challenge about how to achieve a low NIR transmittance during the past decades.In this work,we synthesize oxygendeficient tungsten oxide(WO_(3−x))nanoflowers(NFs)by a simple and efficient method that is facile for their mass production.The WO_(3−x)NFs exhibit low NIR transmittance of only 4.11%,0.60%,and 0.19%at 1200,1600,and 1800 nm,respectively,due to the localized surface plasmon resonance(LSPR)effect.Besides,the WO_(3−x)NFs exhibit an excellent dual-band modulating ability for both VIS and NIR light.They are able to operate in three distinct modes,including a bright mode,a cool mode,and a dark mode.Moreover,the WO_(3−x)NFs exhibit a fast bleaching/coloring time(1.54/6.67 s),and excellent cycling stability(97.75%of capacity retention after 4000 s).

Smart window of large transparency-tuning capacity

Windows are one of the least energy-efficient components of a building.It allows energy to escape,leading to high cooling demand in summer and energy loss in winter.Sunlight and temperature in the building also affect people's health,comfort,and even productivity.As a result,controlling the heat and light entering the building dynamically is critical for improving the comfort of building occupants and reducing energy consumption.In this work,we develop a tunable smart window based on transparent dielectric elastomer actuators(DEAs)as an alternative solution to sunlight and temperature control.The transparency-tuning is achieved by creating wrinkles in a soft elastomer film made of waterborne polyurethane(WPU).The actuation mechanism is based on highly transparent dielectric elastomer actuators that use all solid-state stretchable transparent conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)/(PEDOT:PSS/WPU)as compliant electrodes.The modulation range of the smart tunable window with direct viewing is achieved to be 35%to 90%,which is one of the largest among existing tunable windows.At the low-transparency state,the window can also effectively block the heat and decrease the temperature rise to 2℃over 200 s,while the ambient temperature rises by 6℃with direct sunlight.We anticipate that this transparency-tuning mechanism is potentially useful for privacy protection,smart glass,projector screens,displays,and camouflage.The heat isolation feature also has the potential to reduce carbon emissions and improve the sustainability of buildings and greenhouses.

Design of Intelligent Window Automatic Monitoring System Based on Microcontroller Control

To ensure the safety of residents’lives and property by using automatic opening and closing of ordinary windows,this article designs an intelligent window automatic monitoring system.The article proposes a software and hardware design scheme for the system,which comprises a microcontroller control module,temperature and humidity detection module,harmful gas detection module,rainfall detection module,human thermal radiation induction module,Organic Light-Emitting Diode(OLED)display module,stepper motor drive module,Wi-Fi communication module,etc.Users use this system to monitor environmental data such as temperature,humidity,rainfall,harmful gas concentrations,and human health.Users can control the opening and closing of windows through manual,microcontroller,and mobile application(app)remote methods,providing users with a more convenient,comfortable,and safe living environment.

Triboelectric-optical responsive cholesteric liquid crystals for self-powered smart window,E-paper display and optical switch

Intelligent responsive devices are crucial for a variety of applications ranging from smart electronics to robotics.Electro-responsive cholesteric liquid crystals(CLC)have been widely applied in display panels,smart windows,and so on.In this work,we realize the mechanical stimuli-triggered optical responses of the CLC by integrating it with a triboelectric nanogenerator(TENG),which converts the mechanical motion into alternating current electricity and then tunes the different optical responses of the CLC.When the voltage applied on the CLC is relatively low(15–40 V),the TENG drives the switching between the bistable planar state and focal conic state of the CLC,which shows potential applications in selfpowered smart windows or E-paper displays.When the voltage supplied by the TENG is larger than60 V,a self-powered optical switch is demonstrated by utilizing the transformation between focal conic state and instantons homeotropic state of the CLC.This triboelectric-optical responsive device consumes no extra electric power and suggests a great potential for future smart electronics.

Lead-free thermochromic perovskites with tunable transition temperatures for smart window applications

The structural flexibility of hybrid perovskite materials allows for phase transition and consequently thermochromic properties.Here we investigate the thermochromic performance in a series of copper-based layered perovskites with organic cations having different alky chain lengths. Their transition temperature is found to be dependent on the organic cations due to molecular motion and hydrogen bond interaction, providing possibilities to prepare thermochromic semiconductors near room temperature for smart window applications.

Color and transparency-switchable semitransparent polymer solar cells towards smart windows

Semitransparent polymer solar cells(ST-PSCs)have attracted worldwide attention owing to unique superiority in multiple utilization of incident light However,the color of ST-PSCs is relatively uniform after fabrication,cannot be dynamically tuned in terms of application requirement.Herein,we demonstrate a high-efficiency ST-PSCs as a smart window,which can be reversibly switched on and off by a gasochromic tungsten trioxide/platinum(W03/Pt)back reflector layer.The ST-PSCs can be switchable between colored and bleached states with fast response speed of sub-second during hydrogen exposure.Meanwhile,the color and transparency-switching enable light trapping enhancement in long wavelength range,which can systematically improve power conversion efficiency(PCE).As a result,the ST-PSCs contribute a PCE of 10.2%and 9.1%as well as corresponding average visible transmission(AVT)of 25.4%and33.8%at colored state and bleached state,respectively,which can meet the visual aesthetics requirement well in building integrated photovoltaics.To the best of our knowledge,this is the first example for STPSCs that achieve both color-switching and light trapping.Furthermore,the smart windows facing to automobile sunroof are proposed to prove a practical application towards commercialization.We believe that smart windows with gasochromic functions can promise potential opportunities and directions for the future development of ST-PSCs.

ZTE and TMN Launch Two Windows~ Phone Based 3.5G Smart Phones

ZTE, TMN and Microsoft have jointly launched two new 3.5G smart phones in Portugal. The SilverBelt and BlueBelt II handsets feature the WindowsR phone operating system which brings together the mobile phone,

An all solid-state electrochromic smart window

An all solid-state electrochromic smart window employing prussian blue and electrodeposited WO-3 film with poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) gel electrolyte that has high conductivity (2 mS/cm) at room temperature has been fabricated for the first time. The smart window has been found to be excellent for electrochromism and memory characteristics.

W掺杂量和退火温度对W-VO_(2)物相结构及相变性能的影响

钨掺杂M相二氧化钒(W-VO_(2)(M))有效降低了VO_(2)金属相(低温单斜相,M)到绝缘体相(高温四方金红石相,R)的可逆相转变温度(T_(c)),显著提高了VO_(2)在智能窗领域的应用价值。然而,W-VO_(2)(M)所表现出的较宽热滞回线宽度(ΔT_(c)>10℃)对其应用造成了一定的限制。为了解决这一问题,本研究以降低W-VO_(2)(M)的ΔT_(c)为目标,研究了W掺杂量与退火温度对W-VO_(2)物相结构及相变性能的影响。结果表明:随着W掺杂量的增加,W-VO_(2)粉体的T_(c)降低,并且ΔT_(c)较窄;退火温度的升高可以提高W-VO_(2)粉体的结晶度和分散度,但温度过高,会加速VO_(2)晶体结构的破坏,使其在恢复到室温后无法从R相转变为M相;当W掺杂量为6.0 at%,退火温度为700℃时,采用水热-退火两步法制备得到的W-VO_(2)(M)粉体表现出接近室温使用的T_(c)(T_(c)=36.83℃),同时具有较窄的ΔT_(c)(ΔT_(c)=6.63℃)。

低温相变V_(1-x)Mo_(x)O_(2-y)F_(y)(M)的固相合成及其光学隔热性能研究

为解决低温热致相变性VO_(2)(M)智能窗材料实际应用对绿色节能生产技术的需求,借助偏心振动磨作为预处理分散设备,以V_(2)O_5和酸为原料,优化了固相法合成VO_(2)(M)的合成工艺,研究了Mo/F共掺型低温热致相变V_(1-x)Mo_(x)O_(2-y)F_(y)材料的制备工艺及Mo/F掺量对VO_(2)(M)的相变调控规律,评价了其光学及隔热性能。结果显示10 min/10.0 g原料的研磨时间和750℃的焙烧温度下可获得纯相VO_(2)(M)。以钼酸铵和氟化铵为Mo/F共掺原料,可获得相变温度随掺量呈规律性下降的低温热致相变V_(1-x)Mo_(x)O_(2-y)F_(y)(M),2%Mo和3%F掺杂后VO_(2)(M)相变温度降低至38.20℃。VO_(2)(M)和V_(1-x)Mo_(x)O_(2-y)F_(y)(M)粒径在300 nm左右,热致回宽(ΔT_c)介于之间6.1~7.9℃之间,显示了灵敏的热致相变能力。V_(1-x)Mo_(x)O_(2-y)F_(y)(M)/PVB复合薄膜可见光透过率48.7%,具有良好的隔热效果。

W掺杂VO_(2)(M)粉体研究进展

W掺杂M相VO_(2)(W-VO_(2)(M))发生热致半导体-金属相变的温度可低至室温,在智能窗领域应用潜力巨大。在“双碳”背景下,继续开展W-VO_(2)(M)合成及其在智能窗中的应用研究具有重要意义。从W单元素掺杂、含W共掺杂和核-壳结构含W掺杂3个方面系统梳理了W-VO_(2)(M)粉体的研究情况,分析了W、Ti共掺杂M相VO_(2)(W/Ti-VO_(2)(M))粉体研究的可行性。最后,提出W/Ti-VO_(2)(M)与SiO2复合形成核-壳结构(W/Ti-VO_(2)(M)@SiO2)粉体的研究思路。

基于含氧氢化钆薄膜的宽波段调制光致变色智能窗

光致变色窗户因结构简单、被动调光和零能耗输入而被认为是一种高效的节能智能窗,然而有关光致变色智能窗的研究很少涉及中红外(MIR)波段,这限制了节能效率。本研究通过在ITO衬底上生长稀土含氧氢化物(ReO_(x)H_(y))薄膜,实现了宽波段调制的能力。所开发的光致变色智能窗口能够通过感应光强度自动调节发射率,同时保持可见光和近红外(NIR)调制(ΔT_(sol)=35.1%,ΔT_(l um)=37%,Δ(ε8-13μm=0.12))。研究还通过优化制备气氛,实现了GdO_(x)H_(y)的一步制备并提高了稳定性,通过综合表征分析了光致变色机理。总之,这种跨越可见光-近红外-中红外的被动协同调制方法有望推动光致变色智能窗的发展。

Reversible Zn^(2+) Insertion in Tungsten Ion-Activated Titanium Dioxide Nanocrystals for Electrochromic Windows

Zinc-anode-based electrochromic devices(ZECDs) are emerging as the next-generation energy-e cient transparent electronics. We report anatase W-doped TiO_(2) nanocrystals(NCs) as a Zn^(2+) active electrochromic material. It demonstrates that the W doping in TiO_(2) highly reduces the Zn^(2+) intercalation energy,thus triggering the electrochromism. The prototype ZECDs based on W-doped TiO_(2) NCs deliver a high optical modulation(66% at 550 nm),fast spectral response times(9/2.7 s at 550 nm for coloration/bleaching),and good electrochemical stability(8.2% optical modulation loss after 1000 cycles).