A new material coated on a glass window panel can effectively self-adapt to heat or cool rooms across different climate zones in the world, helping to cut energy usage. It uses layers of vanadium dioxide nanoparticles composite, Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and low-emissivity coating to form a unique structure which could modulate heating and cooling simultaneously. With no electrical components, it works by exploiting the spectrums of light responsible for heating and cooling. During summer, the glass suppresses solar heating (near infrared light), while boosting radiative cooling (long-wave infrared)–a natural phenomenon where heat emits through surfaces towards the cold universe–to cool the room. In the winter, it does the opposite to warm up the room.
Story Source: Nanyang Technological University.
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211216145012.htm