Solar optical materials for innovative window design

New and innovative optical materials and coatings can greatly improve the efficiency of window energy systems. These potential materials and coatings increase energy efficiency by reducing radiative losses in the infrared, or reducing visible reflection losses or controlling overheating due to solar gain. Current progress in heat mirror coatings for glass a polymeric substrates is presented. Highly doped semiconducting oxides and metal/dielectric interference coatings are reviewed. Physical and optical properties are outlined for antireflection films and transparent aerogel insulation media. The potential for optical switching films as window elements includes discussions of electrochromic, photochromic and other physical switching processes.

[1]  G. Haacke.  Evaluation of cadmium stannate films for solar heat collectors , 1977 .

[2]  Paul M. Zavracky,et al.  Transparent heat‐mirror films of TiO2/Ag/TiO2 for solar energy collection and radiation insulation , 1974 .

[3]  T. J. Moravec,et al.  Structural investigation of thin films of diamondlike carbon , 1981 .

[4]  W. C. Dautremont-Smith.  Transition metal oxide electrochromic materials and displays: a review: Part 1: oxides with cathodic coloration , 1982 .

[5]  H. Köstlin,et al.  Optical and electrical properties of doped In2O3 films , 1975 .

[6]  Carl M. Lampert.  MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF TRANSPARENT CONDUCTIVE THIN FILMS FOR SOLAR ENERGY UTILIZATION , 1982 .

[7]  K. Itoyama.  Properties of Sn‐Doped Indium Oxide Coatings Deposited on Polyester Film by High Rate Reactive Sputtering , 1979 .

[8]  M. Rubin,et al.  Thermal performance of windows having high solar transmittance , 1981 .

[9]  J. Jurisson,et al.  Principles and applications of selective solar coatings , 1975 .

[10]  Carl M. Lampert,et al.  Coatings for enhanced photothermal energy collection I. Selective absorbers , 1979 .

[11]  C. Lampert.  Coatings for enhanced photothermal energy collection. II - Non-selective and energy control films , 1979 .

[12]  Ronald P. Howson,et al.  Heat Mirrors On Plastic Sheet Using Transparent Oxide Conducting Coatings , 1982, Photonics West - Lasers and Applications in Science and Engineering.

[13]  Z. Knittl,et al.  Optics of Thin Films , 1977 .

[14]  Carl M. Lampert,et al.  Transparent silica aerogels for window insulation , 1983 .

[15]  John C. C. Fan.  Wavelength-Selective Surfaces For Solar Energy Utilization , 1977, Optics & Photonics.

[16]  Carl M. Lampert,et al.  HEAT-MIRROR COATINGS FOR ENERGY-CONSERVING WINDOWS , 1981 .

[17]  Nobuo Suzuki,et al.  Transparent Heat Insulating Coatings On A Polyester Film , 1982, Photonics West - Lasers and Applications in Science and Engineering.