Smart windows that control the amount of heat that enters or leaves a building can reduce the need for energy-intensive air conditioning units and help efforts to retrofit Europe’s buildings to make them more energy efficient.

The European Union is facing a significant challenge as approximately 75% of its buildings are energy inefficient. To address this, there's a growing focus on retrofitting old buildings to prevent heat leakage and enhance energy efficiency. Ioannis Papakonstantinou, a professor of nanoengineering at University College London, is leading the Intelglazing research project. They are utilizing nanotechnology and photonics to create nanometer-thin window coatings that enhance insulation in buildings.

The Intelglazing glass technology consists of two key components. The first is a microscopic layer of nanostructured glass shaped like tiny hair combs, which scatter sunlight and reduce glare. The second part involves a material called vanadium oxide, which can attach to the nanostructured glass. This material is thermochromic and can change its color based on temperature, providing energy-efficient properties. Moreover, these windows are hydrophobic, making them self-cleaning and efficient for use in buildings like skyscrapers.

The aim of the Intelglazing project is to reduce energy use by 25% by effectively managing sunlight and to make windows over 50% more efficient compared to existing window technologies. This advancement comes at a time when nanotechnology in windows is gaining momentum, proving to be an essential component in the retrofitting of buildings for improved energy efficiency.

Read the full news article here.