Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) announced on October 27, 2004 that it had succeeded in developing next-generation multifunctional glass that can automatically adjust the amount of solar energy it transmits in accordance with the temperature of the surrounding environment. Because controlling the heat and light that flow in and out of windows is a key factor in user comfort and energy conservation in buildings, AIST has been conducting research on energy-saving window glass.

AIST has now put together the world's first multilayer thin film structure, which can be used to construct multifunctional, high-efficiency window glass. By introducing this structure into panes of glass, AIST succeeded in developing windows with a 40-60 percent optical line transmission rate, and a high sunlight modulation rate more than twice that of conventional glass. This glass can block sunlight in summer and transmit it in winter. The system automatically switches between these functions at an environmental temperature of around 30 degrees Celsius.

Having developed this technology and established a production system for the glass, AIST emphasized its several functions, including highly efficient heat insulation, ultraviolet ray blocking, automatic light modulation, and self-cleaning by means of a photocatalyst.



Posted: 2005/04/15 09:26:23 AM
Japanese version

TAG Energy , Technology , University/Research institute