Smart windows have been created that darken themselves and turn into solar panels

Progress does not stand still, and today I will tell you, my dear subscribers and visitors of my channel, about the new development of scientists. Namely, about new glasses, which, depending on the temperature of their heating and the intensity of sunlight, are able to dim on their own and even generate electricity. So let's go.

New development of scientists

Glasses that change light have been around for quite some time, and lately there are already examples of electronic performance, where the degree of dimming can be adjusted at will. And transparent solar cells are becoming more efficient every year.

A new development by scientists from the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has made it possible to combine two different technologies in one device.

Molecular interactions are the thermodynamic driving force of reversible chromism

The new technology, called thermochromic photovoltaic technology, made it possible to switch colors depending on how much the glass was heated by sunlight.

instagram viewer

This function is needed in order to block glare and thereby reduce the heating of the room (and thereby reduce the need for cooling the room with air conditioners).

And due to the built-in solar panel, it also generates additional energy.

How are new glasses arranged

The new glasses are a kind of sandwich, in which a thin film of perovskite is placed between two glasses and the remaining air gap is filled with a special solvent.

So, at sufficiently low temperatures, the vapor pressure of the solvent is insignificant and the perovskite remains transparent (light easily penetrates the room).

But as soon as the temperature of the glass begins to rise, the vapor begins to influence the perovskite crystals, which begin to rearrange themselves into a chain, then into a sheet, and then into a cube.

a) Reversible FAX switching between the FAX reservoir and the layered metal halide perovskite (MHP) causes the layer to form and coalesce. b) Illustration of the mechanism of reversible switching in chromium composite films FA n + 1 Pb n X 3n + 1 (X = I, Br), involved in the FAX reservoir adjacent to the FA n + 1 Pb n X 3n + 1 domains. Each color film is a mixture of several thicknesses (n).

Each new form of perovskite changes its light and thus blocks the passage of light into the room. Also, when the perovskite takes on a new shape, the process of generating electricity starts.

At the same time, the process of switching the window color begins at a temperature of 35 to 46 degrees Celsius and takes only seven seconds.

This is a significant breakthrough in comparison with previous experiments, when the transition phase began at temperatures from 65.5 to 79.4 degrees Celsius and lasted up to three minutes in time.

Why do we need such glasses

Characteristic of composite film FA n + 1 Pb n X 3n + 1 and reversible chromism

In fact, this development can be widely used. Indeed, one of the main problems of modern skyscrapers (and private houses) is the strong heating of the premises in the summer due to the penetration of the sun inside.

So such glasses will help not only to reduce heating due to automatic shading, but also significantly reduce energy consumption for the operation of air conditioners due to self-generation electricity.

The development is very promising, but it is not known when it will be released to the general public. Well, let's wait.

Original source Nature

If you like the material, then put your thumbs up and be sure to subscribe. Thank you for your attention!