Comment by Robert J. Kriss, C2ST Editor

Scientists at the U.S Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, Northwestern University, University of Chicago, and University of Wisconsin are collaborating to develop customizable, “smart,” and energy-efficient windows for office buildings and residences. These windows, custom designed for particular geographic locations, contain transparent solar cells to generate electricity. Other layers of transparent materials in the window control how much of the light spectrum will pass through the window to heat and illuminate the interior and how much will be used to generate electricity. A mathematical model has been developed to determine for a specific location, based on, among other things, the angle of sunlight and other weather parameters, which materials should be used and in which geometric configuration to reduce energy consumption while providing adequate illumination. The design will be different for Chicago than for Miami, for example.  

By some estimates, buildings use 40% of our energy and 70% of our electricity in the U.S.  Buildings also account for approximately 33% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. So making windows “smart” is a smart idea. Smart windows are just another example of how science and engineering can improve our quality of life in the future if we’re smart enough to support the research. For more information about smart windows, head to Argonne’s site.