Publication date: 22nd July 2026
Glazed buildings with large transparent surfaces are becoming increasingly common in modern architecture. They provide attractive aesthetics while maximizing the use of natural daylight, thereby enhancing occupants' well-being. However, extensive glazing can also compromise both visual and thermal comfort by allowing excessive solar radiation to enter buildings, leading to glare and overheating. In warm climates and during summer months, these effects are typically mitigated through increased use of energy-intensive air-conditioning systems.
Smart materials have emerged as promising solutions to transform conventional windows into static or dynamic optical filters capable of regulating solar light transmission and heat gain, thereby reducing the energy required to maintain indoor thermal comfort. Nevertheless, their widespread adoption in commercial and residential buildings remains limited by high production costs, poor adaptability to different climatic conditions, limited durability, and challenges related to large-scale manufacturing.
Herein, I will present a new class of transparent nanodroplet-based composite materials designed to produce cost-effective, scalable photo- and thermoresponsive smart window films and coatings. These materials are capable of self-adapting to changing environmental conditions without requiring external power sources or integrated electronic circuitry. The composites consist of polymer matrices incorporating oil-core microcapsules or paraffin particles and exhibit strong modulation of both visible and near-infrared light, simultaneously improving visual comfort and thermal regulation.
The materials are fabricated through sustainable, low-energy processes (e.g., doctor blade coating) from water-based formulations. Energy-saving studies performed on model houses demonstrate a significant reduction in solar heat buildup when smart windows are used instead of conventional clear glass. Finally, the same nanodroplet-based approach is extended to fabricate efficient luminescent glasses that guide and concentrate emitted light toward their edges, functioning as luminescent solar concentrators. These multifunctional materials not only filter and manage incoming sunlight but also convert part of the absorbed solar energy into usable electricity.
Grants PID2021-127983OB-C21, TED2021-131709BI00, and PDC2022-133368-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ERDF—“A way of making Europe”; 2021 PROD00190 project; 2023 LLAV_00042, 2024 PROD_00173 (granted byAGAUR, Generalitat de Catalunya), and TechnologyValorization project (funded by ICN2-Severo Ochoa program). Beatriu de Pinós 2022_BP_00070 (Generalitat de Catalunya). The ICN2 is supported by the Severo Ochoa Centers of Excellence program, Grant CEX2021-001214-S, funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039.501100011033.
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