Rice University researchers have developed a smart material that adjusts its transparency with changes in temperature, outperforming similar materials in terms of durability, transparency and responsiveness.
Rice University researchers have developed a smart material that adjusts its transparency with changes in temperature, outperforming similar materials in terms of durability, transparency and responsiveness. The new polymer blend could significantly enhance energy efficiency for indoor space cooling, according to a new study published in Joule.
Cooling off can be a matter of life or death, but air conditioning ⎯ when and if available ⎯ already accounts for 7% of the world’s energy use and 3% of carbon emissions. With temperatures hitting record highs and heat waves growing more frequent worldwide, the need for more efficient ways to keep indoor temperatures in check has also grown more urgent.
One way to mitigate the issue involves coating windows with materials that keep heat out while still allowing light to pass through. One such class of materials is thermochromics, yet existing varieties are still too expensive and short-lived to make a feasible choice for use in buildings, vehicles and wherever else needed.
Read more at: Rice University
Photo Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University
