Progress in Energy Saving Thermochromic Smart Window

Thermochromic material responds to solar spectrum differently at the stimulus of heat which makes it attractive in the energy saving smart windows application due to its rational response, simple set up and passive response. The most studied inorganic VO₂ has the intrinsic problems of low luminous transmission (<i>T</i>_lum) and low solar modulation (Δ<i>T</i>_sol) the transmission difference between high and low temperatures). Numerous efforts such as employing dopings, nanoparticle-based composites, and nano-porous structuring have been widely studied. Our group have developed five new approaches to tackle this veritable challenge, namely, biomimetic nanostructuring including photonic structure and moth eye gridded structures tunable plasmonic structures organic and hybrid structures. In addition, new active controls has also been applied to thermochromic material to generate a new electro-thermochromics or mechanical-thermochromic materials. A very recent new liquid window and RC regulation smart windows will be presented.