Electrically controllable and thermally responsive liquid-crystal smart window

Abstract

In this study, a dual-mode smart window is proposed based on a liquid crystal cell characterized by its intrinsic response to solar-thermal radiation (passive control) and applied AC voltage (active control). The cell is made of a chiral nematic confined between two conducting glass substrates and the selective reflection is designed to occur in the near-infrared region. With the temperature-dependent electrohydrodynamic effect that generates varying extent of dynamic scattering, the AC voltage-regulated temperature-vs.-transmittance relation holds great promise for the adaption of the demonstrated device for human inhabitants living in various climate zones.