Recently, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted a patent for the Innovative Thermochromic Smart Window with Adjustable Emissivity (Patent No.: US 11,714,300 B2), an invention by Prof Long Yi's team at CSIJRI.
Currently, energy use in buildings accounts for 30%–40% of total global energy consumption. Windows, a key element in building design, are among the least energy-efficient and most complex components. Amid the global energy crisis, reducing energy consumption through windows has been the research focus for Prof. Long Yi, a principal investigator at the Institute. To address this challenge, her team developed the TET smart window, a thermochromic window with adjustable emissivity. This innovation encapsulates hydrogel-derived aqueous liquid in a polyethylene (PE) interlayer, combined with a metal oxide low-E coating.
This design boasts automatic adjustment of sunlight transmittance, impressive mid-infrared emissivity switching capabilities, and power peak load transfer. It has demonstrated outstanding energy-saving performance in tests conducted in hot and cold environments, marking a groundbreaking achievement in smart window development. The innovation of this patent extends beyond just materials; it encompasses the optimized design of the window structure. The project team strategically applied low-emissivity coatings and thermochromic hydrogel layers with diverse functions on both sides of the glass. The rotating window frame ensures energy saving by adjusting the coatings according to the seasons. This technology can find wide-ranging applications under the backdrop of global energy conservation and emission reduction.
This patent offers a bright prospect for building energy-saving and advances CSIJRI's standing in innovation, technology transfer, and independent intellectual property rights.
