Building a Smarter Window

[Nathanael]

The NREL is working on some great technology for elctrochromatic, colour-changing, windows.


What if you could build a window that changes color the same way you change from clear glasses to sunglasses?

Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are doing just that. They are testing a new generation of electrochromatic, color-changing windows, which can change from clear to tinted at the flick of switch – or when triggered by sensors.

Once triggered, a small electric field is applied which makes lithium ions move into the working electrode layers. Electrochromic windows can block as much as 98 percent of direct sunlight. Reversing the polarity of the applied voltage causes the ions to migrate back to their original layer, and the glass returns to clear.

Link: http://www.energyboom.com/emerging/building-smarter-window

[emilyg]

1. Cool.

[BrklynLiberal]

2. Genius!!!

[TheMadMonk]

3. Block? As in reflect or adsorb? nt

[madokie]

4. I'd say possibly both

I had my windows tinted on my auto years ago and I thought that it would make it cooler in the summer but I found out the opposite was true. Maybe it was because the film was on the inside of the glass and maybe these windows won't have that problem but I wonder.

[Statistical]

5. Yeah absorb isn't quite as useful as reflect.

[Po_d Mainiac]

7. Depends on where u live....Absorb would be very usefull here.

[LiberalEsto]

6. How about affordable windows?

All this high-tech stuff sounds great, but the only people who can afford it are those who already have a lot of money.

I've got a 43-year-old house with leaky old windows, and absolutely no money to replace them. Where is the technology to help working Americans obtain energy-efficient windows, doors, roofs, etc?