Energy Saving and Energy Generation Smart Window with Active Control and Antifreezing Functions

Abstract

Windows are the least energy efficient part of the buildings, as building accounts for 40% of global energy consumption. Traditional smart windows can only regulate solar transmission, while all the solar energy on the window is wasted. Here, for the first time, the authors demonstrate an energy saving and energy generation integrated smart window (ESEG smart window) in a simple way by combining louver structure solar cell, thermotropic hydrogel, and indium tin oxides (ITO) glass. The ESEG smart window can achieve excellent optical properties with ≈90% luminous transmission and ≈54% solar modulation, which endows excellent energy saving performance. The outstanding photoelectric conversion efficiency (18.24%) of silicon solar cells with louver structure gives the smart window excellent energy generation ability, which is more than 100% higher than previously reported energy generation smart window. In addition, the solar cell can provide electricity to for ITO glass to turn the transmittance of hydrogel actively, as well as the effect of antifreezing. This work offers an insight into the design and preparation together with a disruptive strategy of easy fabrication, good uniformity, and scalability, which opens a new avenue to realize energy storage, energy saving, active control, and antifreezing integration in one device.

Multi‐stimuli‐responsive and Multi‐functional Smart Windows

“…[192] In addition, Niu et al also designed a hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC)-based thermochromic window that was combined with louver structure silicon solar cell (Figure 6d). [193] It was reported that the experimental power conversion efficiency of the cell was 17.89% (theoretical calculation: 18.24%). They also reported that the solar cell could supply the electricity to the thermochromic window to actively control the optical contrast.…”

“…Reproduced with permission. [193] Copyright 2022, John Wiley & Sons. (e) Temperature-dependent current density-voltage diagrams of a smart window based on the (CH 3 NH 3 ) 4 PbI 6 • 2H 2 O perovskite (Figure 3).…”

“…Right: current density-voltage profiles of the solar cell from experiment and calculation. Reproduced with permission [193]. Copyright 2022, John Wiley & Sons.…”

Transparent stretchable hydrogel sensors: materials, design and applications

“…Flexible gas sensors can be comfortably attached to human skin or surfaces, improving the applicability of gas detection. On the other hand, transparent stretchable gas sensors can be combined with transparent devices, such as smart windows, [117][118][119][120] to expand their application prospects. Below, we will introduce the latest development of transparent stretchable gas sensors.…”

Dual-functional NIR/UV-shielding poly(lactic acid) nanocomposite films through CWO@PDA core–shell nanoparticles

“…Explosive population growth and industrialization lead to the shortage of resources, the rapid exhaustion of fossil fuels and serious environmental pollution. [1][2][3] Therefore, the research on energy saving and environmental purification is of great significance, and has attracted great attention. 4,5 Sunlight is the main energy of our earth, providing enough energy for plant photosynthesis and heat for the atmosphere and water cycle.…”