New smart windows make buildings more energy-efficient
To make buildings more energy-efficient, researchers from UHasselt, imec, and TNO (The Netherlands) are collaborating with glass and window manufacturer Group Ceyssens on innovative new dynamic glazing. Thanks to a thermochromic pigment, the windows adapt to seasonal changes, providing thermal insulation in winter and blocking solar heat in summer. This reduces the need for heating and cooling, leading to lower energy consumption.
Header photo: dr. Ken Elen in the lab
Buildings account for about one-third of the world’s annual energy use and the associated CO₂ emissions. Due to rising temperatures and increasing heat stress, energy consumption—especially in regions like Belgium and the Netherlands—is expected to grow significantly because of the increasing use of air conditioning. The Belgian-Dutch Interreg research project U-SAVE aims to tackle these challenges by developing and demonstrating dynamic glazing.
The smart windows are equipped with a thermochromic pigment that becomes transparent to infrared radiation at low temperatures (figure left below), allowing solar heat to pass through. At higher temperatures (figure right below), the pigment undergoes a structural change and blocks infrared radiation, thereby reducing heat transfer.
Visual: Thermochroom pigment U-SAVE
Towards a greener, more sustainable world
The smart glazing will be installed and tested in office buildings at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen, the Netherlands. Research will also be conducted there on the social acceptance of the windows and the impact of the innovative technology on health and indoor climate.
"By developing smart window technology that adapts to seasonal changes, we aim not only to reduce CO₂ emissions but also to create a healthier and more comfortable indoor environment. Together, we are building a greener and more sustainable world," say the researchers.
Photo: Smart windows U-SAVE
Significant gains to be made
U-SAVE is an Interreg Flanders–Netherlands project supported by European, regional, and provincial funding. Tom Vandeput, Limburg’s Deputy for Economy, says: “The cheapest and cleanest energy is the energy we don’t use. Especially in industry and in our buildings, energy consumption must be significantly reduced. Since windows are responsible for 30 to 40% of total energy use and 60% of the cooling demand in buildings, there is still enormous potential for savings. U-SAVE helps us take an important step forward with smart glazing that both saves energy and increases comfort, while also offering new growth opportunities for our manufacturing and construction sectors. In this way, we directly link sustainability to economic progress. This is innovation that propels us all forward.”
Photo: Installation of smart windows
Partners
Within U-SAVE, UHasselt and imec are working through the Institute for Materials Research, imo-imomec (BE), on the development of the thermochromic material. In collaboration with TNO (NL), imo-imomec focuses on both the design and evaluation. Using advanced techniques, the material properties are analyzed in detail. AGFA (BE) supports the scaling-up of the production process. Group Ceyssens (BE) and Helwig (NL) will assemble the smart window with frame, and Group Ceyssens (BE), together with Brightlands Chemelot Campus (NL) and TNO (NL), will integrate the smart windows into test buildings and office buildings. Research on social acceptance and the impact on health and indoor climate is being carried out by Zuyd University of Applied Sciences (NL) and Maastricht University (NL).
U-SAVE | Brightlands
Want to know more?
Contact dr. Ken Elen, Ken.Elen@uhasselt.be
