STTR Phase I: Autonomous Electrochromic Windows Enabled by Visibly Transparent Energy Harvesting Coatings

这个小型企业技术转让第一阶段项目探索了一种由可见的透明光伏涂层技术实现的自主电致变色(EC)窗口。EC窗基于电输入从透明状态转换到黑暗状态(反之亦然)，是通过有效地调节进入建筑的太阳能通量来提高建筑能效的一条很有前途的途径。尽管EC窗的技术很发达，但由于缺乏自主性(即连接到外部能源、传感器和控制系统)，安装挑战限制了EC窗的广泛采用。该团队已经确定了一个关键解决方案，在EC上集成了可见透明的光伏涂层，作为(1)收集环境光为EC过渡提供动力的板载能源，以及(2)能够响应外部照明条件变化进行动态透明度控制的光电探测器。该项目将展示光伏涂料的相关性能和耐久性规范，以启动自主EC窗的大面积窗口集成和商业部署。该项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力体现在前所未有的建筑EC窗采用自由，可以将建筑物的制冷、照明和峰值电力需求的电力消耗降低高达15%-50%。通过将板上的电源和传感功能与EC窗口集成在一起，而不影响视觉美观，可以构建一个完全自主的绝缘玻璃单元(IGU)，不需要专门安装或外部系统平衡。最终，通过消除对EC安装成本和复杂性的担忧，这将大大扩大EC窗口的采用范围，从而缩短回收期并简化建筑环境供应链内的决策过程。此外，该项目还将开发知识，指导未来几代可见透明的光伏产品用于其他产品，在这些产品中，当地的能源和光检测功能可以提供显著的价值(例如电子显示器和移动电子配件)，从而在不影响美学的情况下增强这些产品的功能。

This Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I project explores an autonomous electrochromic (EC) window enabled by a visibly transparent photovoltaic coating technology. EC windows, which transition from a transparent state to a dark state (and vice-versa) based on an electrical input, represent a promising pathway to increasing building energy efficiency by effectively regulating the solar flux into the building. Though well-developed technologically, broad adoption of EC windows is limited by installation challenges rooted in a lack of autonomy (i.e. wiring to an external energy source, sensors, and control systems). The team has identified a key solution in which visibly-transparent photovoltaic coatings are integrated over the EC to serve as (1) an onboard energy source that harvests ambient light to power EC transitions, and (2) a photodetector that enables dynamic transparency control in response to changes in external lighting conditions. This project will demonstrate relevant performance and durability specifications of the photovoltaic coating to initiate large-area window integration and commercial deployment of autonomous EC windows.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is embodied by unprecedented freedom for architectural EC window adoption, which can reduce electricity consumption for cooling, lighting, and peak power demands in buildings by up to 15%-50%. By integrating power and sensing functionalities onboard with the EC window without impacting visual aesthetics, a fully autonomous insulated glazing unit (IGU) can be constructed that requires no specialized installation or external balance of systems. Ultimately this will significantly broaden adoption of EC windows, by eliminating concerns related to the cost and complexity of EC installation, thus improving payback period and simplifying the decision-making process within the supply chain of the built environment. Moreover, this project will result in the development of knowledge that will guide future generations of visibly-transparent photovoltaics for other products in which a local energy source and light detection functionality can provide significant value (e.g. electronic displays and mobile electronic accessories), enhancing the functionality of those products without impacting aesthetics.