Scientists have developed a smart window that can store heat and generate energy
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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A new development of Singapore scientists: a smart window that can store heat, generate energy and block sunlight, providing an optimal temperature in the room.
Now a large number of transparent solar panels have been created, which are used in buildings as windows and at the same time are elements of facade decoration. Such panels serve not only for beauty, but also produce electrical energy with the help of solar radiation. Apply technologies for the production and conservation of energy, which are part of the construction, in recent years is becoming more popular. And this has an explanation, because besides significant saving of money and energy, such technologies are very harmonious and do not spoil the overall appearance of the building.
Recently, a group of specialists developed luminescent transparent concentrators, which can be placed on any surfaces even on the screen of the mobile phone, without completely blocking the images.
The most recent development of scientists was the "smart window", capable of darkening if necessary and blocking sunlight, which allows you to keep cool inside the room.
At the main technology university in Singapore, scientists presented a new version of the device that provides energy, but at the same time an excessive amount of energy can be used for other needs of the facility.
The new window has two glass panels, between which an oxygen-containing electrolyte is poured. On the surface of the glasses a conductive layer is applied, which connects the two panels to create a closed circuit. On one of the glass panels, a coloring pigment is applied (Berlin glaze). This dye, when fully charged, makes the color of the glass blue and darkens it.
In bright sunlight, a new window becomes a cold blue hue, with half of the ultraviolet radiation blocked, which allows you to keep cool inside the room. With the onset of the evening, when the sun is not so bright, the window becomes transparent, as by this time the cover is discharged. This method of tinting experts called pretty elegant.
According to the developers, the new electrochemical window has two advantages, since in addition to the window, the new development is a battery. As Professor San Xiaowei noted, when charging the color of the window becomes blue, the oxygen contained in the electrolyte allows the window to breathe.
When the chain breaks between the glass panels, a chemical reaction begins, between the oxygen in the electrolyte and the pigment that makes the window blue.
When the circuit is closed, the color of the glass surface is transparent, and the color change can occur in just a few seconds.
Also included in the kit is the "smart window" switch, which allows you to manage the panels in real time.
Also, the research team used a small sample of a new device to demonstrate its operation using the example of a light-emitting diode. This experiment clearly showed that the window can be used as a transparent self-charging battery for electronics with low power.
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