Smart window alters color temperature of light rays

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati, in partnership with a few private companies, including Merck and HP, recently came up with smart window technology that adapts better to the properties of light that passes through a window.

The roll-on coating or film that contains electrodes, referred to as “electrokinetic pixels” and based on e-paper and e-ink display technologies, is capable of dimming or becoming milky without lessening the amount of incoming light. It can completely change the color temperature of light rays from “cool blue” to “warm yellow” and vice versa. The latter is said to be a feature that traditional blinds and existing smart glass or windows cannot do.

According to the researchers, the film can be easily integrated during window manufacturing and on existing windows. At present, they are aiming to make manufacturing inexpensive at less than the window industry’s standard of $30 per sqft.

Besides the attempt for low-cost production, among the anticipated developments as regards this technology is the addition of Internet-connectivity, IoT or smart home features.