SBIR Phase II: Active Visible and Infrared Management for More Energy Efficient Buildings

这项小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段计划将开发具有独特功能的电流体智能窗户模块，用于管理红外线和可见光。 因此，这些窗户将通过在红外透射率和反射率之间切换来更好地管理太阳热增益。最终目标是开发天窗，窗户和屋顶，以适应季节性，区域性和日变化的太阳能通量和加热和冷却要求。这些窗口模块通过将颜料从小面积储存器移动到全表面覆盖来改变表面的光学特性，其方式类似于鱿鱼改变皮肤颜色的方式。第一阶段计划开发了具有工程红外响应的着色流体，并展示了使用这些流体的概念验证功能设备。 第二阶段项目将开发完整智能窗模块的设计、加工策略和材料。 然后将构建、测量Windows模块，并直接与现状Windows进行比较。这项工作的创新在于开发和实现了全新的材料和设备，用于管理大面积的近红外光。这种智能窗户技术的更广泛影响/商业潜力使建筑能够主动管理太阳能热增益，以提高能源效率，这是一种真正的绿色解决方案。 美国建筑能耗（占美国总能耗的40%）可以通过智能窗户和智能天窗显着降低，这些窗户和天窗可以最大限度地利用阳光进行照明，同时有效地管理太阳能热增益，包括近红外能量。目前用于窗户的被动技术不容易适应太阳能通量的季节性、区域性和昼夜变化以及加热和冷却要求。通过使建筑物能够适应当地的日常需求，美国的能源消耗每年可以减少多达四分之一BTU，同时为建筑基础设施增加最小的成本。 该技术的商业化途径是通过平板玻璃市场的高级平板玻璃部分。此外，该计划将加强俄亥俄州微流体创新中心的科学创新，这是一个微/电流体技术商业化的集群。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II program will develop electrofluidic smart window modules with unique capabilities for managing infrared as well as visible light. As a result, these windows will better manage solar heat gain by switching between infrared transmittance and reflectivity. The ultimate objective is to develop skylights, windows, and roofs that adapt to seasonal, regional, and diurnal changes in solar flux and heating and cooling requirements. These window modules change the optical properties of surfaces by moving pigment from a small area reservoir to full surface coverage in a similar manner to the way squids change their skin color. The Phase I program developed pigmented fluids with engineering infrared responses, and demonstrated proof-of-concept functioning devices operating with these fluids. The Phase II project will develop the designs, processing strategies, and materials for full smart windows modules. Windows modules will then be built, measured, and directly compared with status quo windows. The innovation in this work is the development and realization of entirely new materials and devices for managing near-infrared light over a large surface area.The broader impact/commercial potential of this smart window technology is empowering buildings to actively manage solar heat gain to improve energy efficiency, which is a truly green solution. U.S. building energy consumption (40% of total U.S. Energy Consumption) can be reduced significantly with smart windows and smart skylights that maximize sunlight for lighting, while effectively managing solar heat gain, including near-infrared energy. Current passive technologies for windows do not readily adapt to seasonal, regional, and diurnal changes in solar flux and heating and cooling requirements. By empowering buildings to adapt solar heat gain to daily local needs, U.S. energy consumption could be reduced by as much as one quadrillion BTU per year, while adding minimal cost to building infrastructure. The commercialization path for this technology is through the Advanced Flat Glass segment of the Flat Glass market. In addition, this program will enhance scientific innovation at the Ohio Center for Microfluidic Innovation, a cluster for commercializing micro/electrofluidic technology.