Created nanostructured glass that can switch between light blocking and blocking heat

Electrochromic glass is capable under the influence of an applied electrical potential for him to switch from transparent to opaque to visible light condition. On the basis of the glass create a "smart windows" that can reduce lighting costs by 20 percent and the cost of air conditioning facilities by 25 percent at peak times.

Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin have found a way to make electrochromic glass better, they have developed the nanostructure of glass panes that allow a choice to enable or disable the transparency in the visible light range and in the range of infrared (heat) radiation. It should be noted that the implementation of such a function was considered totally impossible a few years ago.

Nanostructured material electrochromic glass designed Texan scientists together with scientists from the Lawrence National Laboratory in Berkeley, enables the blocking of up to 90 percent of the infrared heat radiation (near-infrared, NIR) and up to 80 percent of visible light. Switching between the two modes occurs quite rapidly within a few minutes rather than hours, as with other types of electrochromic windows.

"We created a nanocomposite is an ideal material for creating a dual-band electrochromic material" - says Delia Milliron (Delia Milliron), a professor at the University of Texas - "And this material, in turn, is the ideal solution for creating" smart "windows and facade systems large buildings".

Fast switching electrochromic properties of the material was achieved by creating a deeply penetrating into the material of the porous network of the two components.

The structure of the network is a network of channels, in which there are electron and ion change material contained therein.

The basis of the active material comprise nanocrystals compound containing titanium. When submitting material for certain electric potential, these crystals occupy a certain position, smoothly flowing light in the visible range, completely blocking a long-wave infrared radiation. Attached to the glass a potential value activates the crystals and the second composite includes a reverse mode electrochromic window when it blocks visible light and passes infrared radiation. The last "warm" mode is especially useful in winter, when it is necessary to block the blinding bright sunlight flowing into the building as much as possible the thermal component of the solar radiation.

"We believe that our materials on the basis of the nanocrystals can be used to create a" smart "windows of various types," - says Delia Milliron, - "Now, we can only find a part for odnokompozitnogo material capable of performing the same functions as dvuhkompozitny. This will reduce the cost of production of smart windows and make them available to a wide range of consumers".