A team from the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Minho is creating windows that change color depending on the building’s thermal needs, improving energy efficiency and comfort and reducing costs, it was announced this Thursday.
In a statement, the University of Minho affirms that the “secret” is in a Film placed between double glazing and activated by sunlight or the building occupant..
The film remains More opaque in summer and more transparent in winter..
It is also distinguished by using natural polymers, from cellulose, agar-agar, chitin and chitosan, among others.
It can be connected to an electrical circuit. for building users to change the window color according to their needs.
“This intelligent or dynamic window uses materials extracted from nature, easy to extract from crustacean derivatives, for example, and which replace the use of synthetic polymers obtained from petroleum,” explains the director of the Chemistry Center of the Faculty of Sciences of University of Minho, María Manuela Silva.
The film between the windows is a functionalized solid membrane, including an electrochromic layer and nearly transparent components, so the occupant still has good visibility through the window.
“Our idea is that this innovative material can be easily installed in double-glazed windows and contribute to a greater energy efficiency of buildings“, highlights the researcher.
According to the statement, the The transition from static windows to dynamic windows reduces the building’s energy needs in real time.since it adjusts the entry of sunlight and solar heat.
On the other hand, It adapts to the occupant’s choice.regardless of climate, geography, climate, season or orientation of the property division.
María Manuela Silva highlights that, in addition to efficient energy performance, the window allows improving the internal environment, adjusting luminosity and visual comfort.
He says it is a “A significant step” towards zero energy buildingsin accordance with the sustainability objectives of the European Union and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“Current buildings use a lot of glass in their construction, which increases energy expenditure on heating and cooling, representing around 40% of the total energy spent at European level,” warns the researcher.
The ongoing project at UMinho is called “SolPoWins – Smart windows powered by the sun for sustainable buildings” and will end in December and will be financed with 249 thousand euros by the Foundation for Science and Technology.
It has a collaboration with the universities of Porto, Aveiro, Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro and Beira Interior.
María Manuela Silva’s team has been investigating this area for almost two decades.
Source: Observadora
