A smart window to tame and harness the sun

摘要

A prototype of a new smart window device has been created that could harvest solar energy while regulating the amount of light that enters a building. The design developed by scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee uses solar cell technology and an optimization algorithm. It can maximize energy usage and balance temperature demands and lighting across locations and throughout seasonal changes "This design framework is customizable and can be applied to virtually any building around the world," said Argonne scientist Junhong Chen, a professor at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering "Whether you want to maximize the amount of sunlight in a room or minimize heating or cooling efforts, this powerful optimization algorithm produces window designs that align with user needs and preferences."