NTU team develops energy saving glass

Reported in the journal Science, the glass is said to automatically respond to changing temperatures by switching between heating or cooling. It was developed using layers of vanadium dioxide nanoparticles composite, Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and low-emissivity coating to form its unique structure.

The energy saving glass, which has no electrical components, works by exploiting the spectrums of light responsible for heating and cooling.

During summer it 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 winter, it does the opposite to warm the room.

According to the team, lab tests conducted using an infrared camera to visualise results showed that the glass allowed a controlled amount of heat in various conditions (room temperature – above 70°C) proving its ability to react dynamically to changing weather conditions.

An estimation based on data from the US Department of Energy suggests that in the States alone, window-associated energy consumption (heating and cooling) in buildings accounts for approximately four per cent of their total primary energy usage each year.