I have just read a curious news, that has to do with Spain: “A new device that controls light through intelligent windows is discovered in Spain”.
Really, a new technique, developed by researchers at the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), allows a window, to control the amount of light, passing through a crystal, thereby reducing costs of the 'smart windows'.
A house with smart windows
As reported by the CSIC, this technology can be activated, in seconds, by a switch. It causes some chemical and physical reactions, which cause that the window transparent glass becomes opaque.
Unlike other existing, which need drivers glasses or use of liquid crystal, a technology patented by the CSIC and developed by a team from the Institute of Materials Science of Madrid, employs thin films of highly porous material coated.
By exposure to wet or dry air, these films change their optical transmission, achieving switching between a transparent state and an opaque.
As explained by the CSIC researcher, David Levy: "While there are already other models, one of the advantages of the technology, that we have developed, is its cost. Its production is easier and cheaper because the materials, that we use are less expensive".
Levy gave as an example to produce one square meter of other models, costing thousands of euros, while if only costs a few cents. "This will allow a wide 'smart windows' at a reasonable price", he considered.
The CSIC researcher noted that these windows can be used on flexible surfaces, flat, curved, of crystal or polymer, allowing you to use these glasses, in different types of windows, doors, wall panels in meeting rooms or skylights.
Besides being useful, in protecting against solar radiation, it also serves as a decoration and privacy protection, both inside and outside of buildings.
In recent years, the trend, in the construction industry, is to use glass, on facades; but it is mindful, that are energy sustainable buildings, this team of scientists says.
"The 'smart windows', that we have developed, fit the need to increase energy efficiency, by applying new technologies, to windows and facades of buildings. They are achieved optimize energy resources, reducing air conditioning load, in summer, and heating, in winter", have highlighted Levy and his partner, Mark Zayat, also from the CSIC.
Well, I hope these smart windows become cheap, in order that many people can enjoy them.
Until my next post, kind regards,
Luis.
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