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Spotted: The energy we use to cool buildings is skyrocketing as temperatures rise and heatwaves hit harder. Air conditioning alone accounts for seven per cent of global electricity use and around three per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. Instead, scientists have been exploring new materials in the hopes of finding an eco-friendlier cooling solution rooted in smart buildings.

Researchers in the Ajayan research group at Rice University, Texas have managed to create an innovative thermochromic polymer blend – made from polyethylene oxide, polydimethylsiloxane, and an alkali salt – that automatically adjusts its transparency in response to temperature changes. The aim is to create a smart window that blocks more or less sunlight as temperatures shift. Essentially, the windows get darker and more opaque as the day gets hotter, which decreases heat transfer into a building, helping to cool indoor spaces with no additional energy demand, and reducing the need for energy-intensive air conditioning.

One of the standout features of this new material is its lifespan, co-lead author Sreehari Saju explains: “the new thermochromic blend is not only highly effective in regulating solar radiation but also remarkably durable, with an estimated lifespan of 60 years—like a marathon runner who doesn’t tire.” This puts it head and shoulders above competing materials. By balancing organic and inorganic components, the researchers have engineered a smooth transition between transparency states that can significantly reduce energy consumption.

Although this technology is still in the experimental phase, the potential for large-scale deployment is promising. As the second co-lead author Anand Puthirath shared with Springwise, “the findings have profound implications, as they demonstrate that it is possible to create a thermochromic material that is both effective and long-lasting, potentially resolving debates about the practicality of such materials in real-world applications.”

With backing from institutions such as the Science and Engineering Research Board in India and the Robert A. Welch Foundation, this research could lead to more sustainable buildings, and the researchers are optimistic that it will set new standards for energy-efficient architecture.

Written By: Oscar Williams