Coatings for Glazing

Self-cleaning glass is discussed elsewhere in the Nanotechnology Education Tree, but other applications for glazing also exist or are in development.

‘Smart’ windows will soon be on the market as a result of advances in nanotechnology. These windows are designed to react and adapt to their environment. One such example is a glass coating which will block any excessive heat; particularly beneficial in the warm Summer months when air-conditioning costs can be expensive.

Of course, tinted windows which block the sun’s rays have been available for years. However, they block the light as well as the heat, which is far from ideal. Now, thin nano-coatings of vanadium dioxide mixed with just 1.9% tungsten metal can be applied to windows and act as heat-reflectors, whilst still letting all visible light through. The nano thickness and mixture of the coating can be altered to determine the exact temperature at which heat is reflected at. This means offices and homes can remain cool without the excessive use of expensive air-conditioning, dramatically reducing costs – both financial and environmental.