Electrically switchable polymer stabilised broadband infrared reflectors and their potential as smart windows for energy saving in buildings

Hitesh Khandelwal; Roel C G M Loonen; Jan L M Hensen; Michael G Debije; Albertus P H J Schenning

doi:10.1038/srep11773

Electrically switchable polymer stabilised broadband infrared reflectors and their potential as smart windows for energy saving in buildings

Sci Rep. 2015 Jul 1:5:11773. doi: 10.1038/srep11773.

Authors

Hitesh Khandelwal¹, Roel C G M Loonen², Jan L M Hensen², Michael G Debije³, Albertus P H J Schenning³

Affiliations

¹ 1] Functional Organic Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven, University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5600 MB Eindhoven, the Netherlands [2] Dutch Polymer Institute (DPI), P.O. Box 902, 5600 AX Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
² Unit Building Physics and Services, Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology.
³ Functional Organic Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven, University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5600 MB Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

Abstract

Electrically switchable broadband infrared reflectors that are relatively transparent in the visible region have been fabricated using polymer stabilised cholesteric liquid crystals. The IR reflectors can change their reflection/transmission properties by applying a voltage in response to changes in environmental conditions. Simulations predict that a significant amount of energy can be saved on heating, cooling and lighting of buildings in places such as Madrid by using this switchable IR reflector. We have also fabricated a switchable IR reflector which can also generate electricity. These polymer based switchable IR reflectors are of high potential as windows of automobiles and buildings to control interior temperatures and save energy.