https://www.fkit.unizg.hr/_download/repository/Smart_Windows-_Review.pdf

Properties, requirements and possibilities of smart windows for dynamic daylight and solar energy control in buildings: A state-of-the-art review

Electrochromics for smart windows: Oxide-based thin films and devices

Oxide electrochromics: An introduction to devices and materials

A smart window is fabricated from a composite consisting of elastomeric poly(dimethylsiloxane) embedded with a thin layer of quasi-amorphous silica nanoparticles. The smart window can be switched from the initial highly transparent state to opaqueness and displays angle-independent structural color via mechanical stretching. The switchable optical property can be fully recovered after 1000 stretching/releasing cycles.

A robust smart window: reversibly switching from high transparency to angle-independent structural color display.

Electrochromic materials and devices for energy efficiency and human comfort in buildings: A critical review

Self-adjusting smart windows based on polymer-dispersed liquid crystals

Electrically switchable chromogenic materials for external glazing

Based on the technology of polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC), this work deals with the preparation of bifunctional films sensitive to electric fields (changing transparency) and to light (ch...

Photochromic Behavior of a Spiro-indolino-oxazine in Reverse-Mode Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Films

Reverse-mode polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) are transparent films in their OFF state (no applied electric field) and become opaque in their ON state. The addition of a photo-chromic compound allows a colour change of films, when they are ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated. The aim of this work was the preparation and characterisation of bifunctional materials, able to change their transparency by application of an electric field and colour under UV irradiation. In particular, the performance of reverse-mode PDLCs doped with different spiro(indolo)-oxazine molecules was investigated. Both the electro-optical and photo-chromic response of these systems were evaluated and compared.

Preparation and characterisation of bifunctional reverse-mode polymer-dispersed liquid crystals

This work is part of a research project whose final aim is to realise prototypes of bifunctional photochromic and electro-optical devices. The photochrome will be incorporated in films composed by nematic liquid crystals dispersed in a polymeric matrix or in fluid monomer emulsions. To choose suitable photochromic components, the behaviour of some compounds (four naphtho-spiro-indolino-oxazines and a nitromethoxy-spiropyran) was investigated in the components of the matrix (liquid crystals and monomers) and compared with that in organic solvents. The colour-forming and colour-bleaching kinetics were determined. The molecules investigated, while maintaining their photochromic behaviour, generally exhibited a better colorability in liquid crystals and monomers, due to decreasing of the bleaching rate. The results of this work indicate that two of the molecules investigated have the prerequisites of colorability, reversibility and durability to be used in the bifunctional devices. Preliminary tests on the behaviour of a prototype of bifunctional film are reported.

S. Manfredi

Papers

Self-adjusting smart windows based on polymer-dispersed liquid crystals

Electrically switchable chromogenic materials for external glazing

Photochromic Behavior of a Spiro-indolino-oxazine in Reverse-Mode Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Films

Preparation and characterisation of bifunctional reverse-mode polymer-dispersed liquid crystals

Chromatic and dynamic characteristics of some photochromes in the components of bifunctional photochromic and electro-optical devices