Compared to other windows, double-glazed windows have many advantages. For one, because these windows store heat, rooms with these windows are warmer in the winter. Installing these windows also means less energy consumed in heating up or cooling down a room, thus saving money in the long run. But can we take this to the next level? Turns out, we can.
… Singaporean scientists have tweaked the concept to make it even more effective. Instead of leaving an air gap between the two panes of glass, the researchers have inserted a heat-absorbing, light-blocking liquid.
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During the day, as sunlight passes through the window, the liquid absorbs and stores that light's thermal energy. This keeps the room from heating up, reducing the need to run the air conditioning.
Additionally, as the liquid warms up, the hydrogel within it changes from a transparent to an opaque state. Although this ruins the view out of the window, it also reduces the amount of visible light that passes through from outside, further helping to keep the room cool.
More details about this over at New Atlas.
Now that’s epic.
(Image Credit: Nanyang Technological University/ New Atlas)