There's a new window that can darken or brighten without the need for an external power source, thanks to scientists from Nanyang Technological University who developed the smart device. The window's stored energy can be used to light up low-powered electronics like a LED.

The self-tinting window requires zero electricity to operate and is also a rechargeable battery.

Currently, the window solutions in the market are either using permanent tinting which cannot brighten at night or are windows that can change its light transmission properties only with an external power source.

The NTU smart window however can be turned into a cool blue tint in bright daylight, cutting light penetration by about half, and then reverts back to clear glass at night or as required.

The research led by NTU Professor Sun Xiaowei, was published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Nature Communications.

The self-powered smart window uses a technology developed by Prof Suns team from NTUs School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

"Our new smart electrochromic window is bi-functional; it is also a transparent battery," explained Prof Sun. It charges up and turns blue when there is oxygen present in the electrolyte in other words, it breathes.

The NTU smart window contains liquid electrolyte placed in between two glass sheets coated with indium tin oxide (ITO), commonly used as transparent conductive coatings for television displays. One sheet is coated with an additional layer of a pigment known as Prussian Blue and the other one is attached to a thin strip of aluminium foil. The Prussian Blue gives the glass a blue tint when it is fully charged.

The two glass sheets are connected by typical electrical cables. When the electrical circuit between them is broken, a chemical reaction starts between Prussian Blue and the dissolved oxygen in the electrolyte, turning the glass blue. To turn off the blue tint, the electrical circuit is closed to discharge the battery, turning the Prussian Blue into a colourless Prussian White.

The technology can adjust the amount of sunlight coming into buildings in the day, which promises savings on cooling and lighting costs.

"Our technology is very attractive as a zero-sum consumption smart window. Buildings owners and even common households can reap energy savings right from the outset and over the long term. Developers who are looking at constructing environmentally-friendly green buildings will find our technology attractive for their building plans," suggested Prof Sun.

By: DocMemory
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