There are already energy-saving "smart glasses" that can shield the heat rays from the sun in some way, thereby reducing the need to operate an air conditioning system. However, such systems still require power to operate. Now scientists from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia have developed a coating that makes existing glass smart and requires no electricity.

The self-regulating coating consists of a relatively inexpensive vanadium dioxide with a thickness of only 50-150 nm. This is about 1000 times thinner than a human hair.
At surface temperatures below 67 ° C, vanadium dioxide acts as an insulator, helping to prevent indoor heat from escaping through the glass - while also allowing the entire spectrum of the sun to enter the entire spectrum from the outside. However, at temperatures above 67 ° C, it transforms into a metal that blocks the ingress of infrared solar radiation caused by heat.

This means that when the temperature is lower, the room will be warmer, and when the temperature is higher, the room will be cooler, which will reduce the use of heating and air conditioning systems. In addition, the user can also use the dimmer switch to cover the light blocking effect of the coating.

Previously, in order to apply a vanadium dioxide coating, a special layer or platform had to be created on the surface. However, the RMIT team has developed a way to apply the coating directly to a surface such as glass without the need for a platform. The research team now hopes that the system will be commercialized as soon as possible.

Professor Madhu Bhaskaran said: "Our technology will likely reduce the cost of air conditioning and heating, and significantly reduce the carbon footprint of various buildings. Our energy crisis solutions not only come from renewable energy, but also eliminate energy waste. Technology is crucial.” The research was recently published in the journal Science Report.

The self-regulating coating consists of a relatively inexpensive vanadium dioxide with a thickness of only 50-150 nm. This is about 1000 times thinner than a human hair.

At surface temperatures below 67 ° C, vanadium dioxide acts as an insulator, helping to prevent indoor heat from escaping through the glass - while also allowing the entire spectrum of the sun to enter the entire spectrum from the outside. However, at temperatures above 67 ° C, it transforms into a metal that blocks the ingress of infrared solar radiation caused by heat.

This means that when the temperature is lower, the room will be warmer, and when the temperature is higher, the room will be cooler, which will reduce the use of heating and air conditioning systems. In addition, the user can also use the dimmer switch to cover the light blocking effect of the coating.

Previously, in order to apply a vanadium dioxide coating, a special layer or platform was created on the surface. However, the RMIT team has developed a way to apply the coating directly to a surface such as glass without the need for a platform. The research team now hopes that the system will be commercialized as soon as possible.

Professor Madhu Bhaskaran said: "Our technology will likely reduce the cost of air conditioning and heating, and significantly reduce the carbon footprint of various buildings. Our energy crisis solutions not only come from renewable energy, but also eliminate energy waste. Technology is crucial.” The research was recently published in the journal Science Report.

Their findings have been published in Scientific Reports – Nature:
Http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1038/s41598-017-17937-3