Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of Electrochromic Smart Windows

Development of Eco-Efficient Smart Electronics for Anticounterfeiting and Shock Detection Based on Printable Inks

“…Generally, it appears that the impacts of electrochromic materials are consistently low in comparison with other components in the architecture of electrochromic devices, while the impacts of the substrate may vary. For example, in the study by Syrrakou et al and Papaefthimiou et al, the substrate and electrode based on fluorine-doped tin oxide constitute 56.5% of the total embodied energy, while 24.5% share of the embodied energy was used in the manufacture of a propylene carbonate electrolyte. , Similarly, in Posset and Harsch, a PET substrate contributes to 43% of the total energy consumption, followed by the ITO electrode (33%), the fabrication process (10%) with the electrolyte (4%), and electrochromic materials (2%) having minor contributions . In our study, the impacts of the electrolyte are not significant (less than 1% in all the categories), the impacts of the electrode (for ACL) are prominent (around 20% of impacts related to silver ink), while the impacts of a substrate in our study appear to be lower.…”

“…Research into the environmental impact of anticounterfeiting and shock detection devices and integrating electrochromic and piezoelectric materials using LCA is conservative, and it is hard to draw on any previous LCA studies that are directly related to the features or functionalities of ACL and SDT. Previous LCA studies on electrochromic materials focus on the application in smart windows for energy saving, which entails use and associated architectures of electrochromic devices quite different from that of ECD. , Several studies report the development of “green” materials for the anticounterfeiting application, employing bio-based materials and solvents, and low-energy processes, , but evaluation of new materials is not supported by any formal environmental impact assessment. LCA studies of piezoelectric materials mostly involve research into benefits of lead-free piezoelectrics and synthesis and formulation of piezoelectric polymers .…”