Air-gap controlled smart window for spectral and angular selective modulation of solar radiation
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Active smart windows that dynamically control solar radiation are efficient in reducing building energy consumption. In particular, spectrally selective modulation is crucial for preserving visible light transparency while modulating near-infrared solar gain, thus broadening the applicability of smart windows. When combined with angular selective modulation, the energy-saving potential can be further enhanced. In this study, we propose a novel smart window that offers spectral and angular selectivity capable of switching between summer and winter modes. In summer mode, the window reflects all light except for normally incident visible light, while in winter mode, it transmits solar radiation across all wavelengths and directions. This selective modulation is achieved by adjusting the air gap between two thin-film-coated layers, with the optimal structure determined through multi-objective optimization. The optimized gap-switching window (GSW) can control the normally incident near-infrared transmittance by approximately 0.5 and oblique visible light transmittance by 0.22 while maintaining high normal incident visible light transmittance (~0.7). The GSW is predicted to reduce annual energy consumption by up to 28.1%, offering promising energy-saving solutions in zero-energy buildings and facilitating the development of smart windows with enhanced spectral and directional control.
Source: Energy Conversion and Management
Authors: Jaeman Song, Kyu Jin Jeong, Gunwoo Baik, Hiki Hong, Mikyung Lim
Language: English
Subfield: Polymers and Plastics
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,470
OpenAlex ID: W4404552241