17 April 2018

Innovative windows improving lighting inside buildings

The group “Nanotechnology for Solar Energy Conversion” of the EPFL, conducted by the DLA member Andreas Schüler, is developping an advanced glazing system which should contribute to significantly reduce the energy consumption in buildings with favourably oriented glass façades. In winter, solar gains are used to reduce heating energy requirements; in summer, the proposed device blocks direct radiation and thus limits air conditioning load as well as overheating risks. Judicious use of daylighting furthermore reduces energy needs for artificial lighting and improves the wellbeing of occupants. A system with microstructures also ensures a certain transparency. Produced as a polymer film, the described glazing system will allow easy and low-cost integration into conventional double glazing.