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

这项小型企业创新研究（SBIR）二期项目将开发具有独特红外和可见光管理能力的电流体智能窗口模块。因此，这些窗户将通过在红外透射率和反射率之间切换，更好地管理太阳的热增益。最终目标是开发天窗、窗户和屋顶，以适应季节、区域和太阳通量的昼夜变化以及供暖和制冷要求。这些窗口模块通过将颜料从一个小区域转移到整个表面来改变表面的光学特性，类似于鱿鱼改变皮肤颜色的方式。第一阶段项目开发了具有工程红外响应的色素流体，并演示了与这些流体一起工作的概念功能设备。二期项目将开发全智能窗模块的设计、加工策略和材料。然后将构建、测量窗口模块，并直接与现有窗口进行比较。这项工作的创新之处在于开发和实现了用于管理大面积近红外光的全新材料和设备。这种智能窗户技术的广泛影响和商业潜力是使建筑物能够积极管理太阳能热增益，以提高能源效率，这是一个真正的绿色解决方案。智能窗户和智能天窗可以显著降低美国建筑能耗（占美国总能耗的40%），最大限度地利用阳光照明，同时有效地管理太阳能热增益，包括近红外能量。目前的被动式窗户技术不容易适应季节、区域和太阳通量的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一千万亿英热单位，同时将基础设施建设成本降到最低。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，该项目将加强俄亥俄微流体创新中心的科学创新，该中心是微/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.