I-Corps: Dynamic Glazing Technology Based on Nanostructured Vanadium Oxides

提议的I-Corps将研究基于钒氧化物（VO2）的金属-绝缘体转变的动态玻璃的潜力，作为现有技术的替代方案。提出的研究工作将寻求通过将涂层与抗反射氧化钛层结合，最大限度地提高纳米结构VO2涂层的可见光透过率。纳米结构的VO2层叠板将被开发，红外传输/反射性能将在相变温度下被系统地检查。该项目计划确定并优先考虑热响应和电响应开窗中可切换氧化钒纳米材料技术实现的障碍。建筑物中获得的大部分太阳热量是通过窗户、门和玻璃天窗的红外辐射传输产生的。在温暖的气候中，必须通过使用空调来减少太阳能的热量增加，这将导致大量的能源消耗。目前减少太阳能热增益的策略是采用美观不美观的帷幔或静态金属涂层的形式，这些形式过于昂贵，同时减少了自然光的使用，从而导致人工照明的使用增加，而且，由于这些技术在所有温度下都是静态的，因此消除了冬季供暖成本的抵消，否则将由于太阳能热增益而提供。纳米氧化钒薄膜可以实现双热致变色和电致变色功能，这将为开窗、汽车和消费玻璃行业带来潜在的变革。基于钒氧化物金属绝缘体过渡的可切换玻璃技术可以提供大量的能源节约，同时允许更好地利用自然光。这项技术的进一步发展有可能为最终用户提供更低的经常性公用事业成本，提高舒适度，改善美观，同时大大减少建筑的碳足迹。

The proposed I-Corps effort will investigate the potential of dynamic glazing based on the metal-insulator transitions of vanadium oxides (VO2) as an alternative to existing technologies. The proposed research effort will seek to maximize the visible light transmittance of nanostructured VO2 coatings by combining the coatings with an anti-reflective titanium-oxide layer. Nanostructured VO2 laminates will be developed and the infrared transmission/reflection properties will be systematically examined across the phase transition temperatures. The project plans to identify and prioritize impediments to technological realization of switchable vanadium oxide nanomaterials in thermally and electrically responsive fenestration. Most solar heat gain in buildings occurs via transmission of infrared radiation through windows, doors, and glazed skylights. In warm climates, solar heat gain must be mitigated through the use of air-conditioning, which leads to substantial energy consumption. Current strategies to mitigate solar heat gain take the form of aesthetically unappealing drapery or static metallic coatings that are prohibitively expensive while diminishing the use of natural daylight, thereby leading to increased use of artificial lighting, and, because these technologies are static across all temperatures, an elimination of the offset in wintertime heating costs that would otherwise be provided due to solar heat gain. The dual thermochromic and electrochromic functionality that can be achieved in nanostructured vanadium oxide thin films will be potentially transformative for the fenestration, automotive, and consumer glass industries. Switchable glazing technologies based on the metal-insulator transitions of vanadium oxides could provide substantial energy savings while permitting better use of natural lighting. Further development of this technology has the potential to provide end users with lower recurrent utility costs, increased comfort, and improved aesthetics while substantially reducing the carbon footprint of the building.