Transparent energy-saving windows based on broadband directional thermal emission

Transparent energy-saving windows based on broadband directional thermal emission

2024 | Minyeol Bae, Do Hyeon Kim, Sun-Kyung Kim* and Young Min Song*
This study presents a novel transparent energy-saving window, termed directional radiative cooling glass (DRCG), designed to enhance cooling performance in urban environments. The DRCG utilizes a multilayer structure incorporating epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) materials, specifically Si3N4 and Al2O3, on an indium-tin-oxide (ITO) thermal reflector. This design enables broadband directional thermal emission, restricting heat release to specific angular ranges, known as the Berreman mode. The DRCG exhibits high visible transmittance (over 84%) and efficient heat dissipation to the cold outer space, making it suitable for use in windows. Theoretical simulations and outdoor experiments demonstrate that the DRCG reduces temperatures by over 1.5°C compared to conventional glass (C-glass) in hot urban environments with nearby object temperatures exceeding 60°C and a sky view factor of 0.25. The DRCG's directional emission minimizes heat absorption from neighboring objects, enhancing cooling performance and mitigating the urban heat island effect. The study also highlights the potential of DRCG as an energy-saving window, capable of reducing energy consumption for cooling by effectively dissipating trapped heat in urban areas. The DRCG's high transmittance and directional thermal emission properties offer opportunities for alternative applications, such as display films that enhance thermal comfort for users. The research provides a comprehensive theoretical model for analyzing the cooling performance of DRCG on vertical surfaces, demonstrating its superior cooling capabilities compared to conventional glass. The study concludes that DRCG is a promising solution for energy-efficient cooling in urban environments, with potential for broader applications in building materials and thermal management.This study presents a novel transparent energy-saving window, termed directional radiative cooling glass (DRCG), designed to enhance cooling performance in urban environments. The DRCG utilizes a multilayer structure incorporating epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) materials, specifically Si3N4 and Al2O3, on an indium-tin-oxide (ITO) thermal reflector. This design enables broadband directional thermal emission, restricting heat release to specific angular ranges, known as the Berreman mode. The DRCG exhibits high visible transmittance (over 84%) and efficient heat dissipation to the cold outer space, making it suitable for use in windows. Theoretical simulations and outdoor experiments demonstrate that the DRCG reduces temperatures by over 1.5°C compared to conventional glass (C-glass) in hot urban environments with nearby object temperatures exceeding 60°C and a sky view factor of 0.25. The DRCG's directional emission minimizes heat absorption from neighboring objects, enhancing cooling performance and mitigating the urban heat island effect. The study also highlights the potential of DRCG as an energy-saving window, capable of reducing energy consumption for cooling by effectively dissipating trapped heat in urban areas. The DRCG's high transmittance and directional thermal emission properties offer opportunities for alternative applications, such as display films that enhance thermal comfort for users. The research provides a comprehensive theoretical model for analyzing the cooling performance of DRCG on vertical surfaces, demonstrating its superior cooling capabilities compared to conventional glass. The study concludes that DRCG is a promising solution for energy-efficient cooling in urban environments, with potential for broader applications in building materials and thermal management.
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