These liquid windows are said to save 50 percent of energy
University of Toronto researchers have developed liquid windows that can adjust their transmittance depending on the light conditions. So they got their inspiration from the skin of squid. With the Apparently, this innovative approach can save up to 50 percent energy.
Currently, many homeowners are wondering how to save energy. Gas and electricity prices are currently falling again thanks to subsidies. Nevertheless, it is uncertain whether this trend will continue in the long term. Researchers at the University of Toronto have now developed liquid windows that are intended to make buildings even more economical.
Living organisms form the basis for this. Because if we look at the animal kingdom, nature shows us how we can continuously adapt our lives. So too on the Toronto approach: The scientists took advantage of the property of the skin of squid.
Liquid windows: squid skin as a source of inspiration
Because the animals can adapt their skin color depending on the environment. So how about applying this property to windows? The researchers from Toronto apparently also asked themselves this question. The result: the liquid windows.
If the sun shines directly on the glass, this can apparently affect its light transmission by changing the colour. As a result, the interior heats up less and the need for cooling systems is reduced.
Such technologies already exist. However, these are based on the application of a voltage and are comparatively expensive. The coloring of the skin surface of squid, on the other hand, is based on impulses that can also be simulated by a pump. So the Toronto team developed a system through which they pumped liquids containing a variety of pigments.
New windows reduce energy costs by up to 50 percent
Depending on which pigments were used, the transparency of the liquid windows also changed. The resulting first prototype, meanwhile, was comparatively inexpensive and, according to the team, can have a major impact on future buildings. At least that’s what computer simulations say.
Putting one layer of the changing glass on top of a building can cut energy costs by up to 25 percent, and two layers by as much as 50 percent. Researchers are now examining ways to scale production to one day offer the technology on a large scale.
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