‘Switchable’ smart windows reduce energy consumption significantly

Smart windows that act as blinds in the summer and let all the sunlight through in the winter. That’s the idea of the reflective windows Hitesh Khandelwal developed during his doctoral research at TU/e, that are able to reflect invisible infrared light but allow visible light through. In addition these windows can be ‘switched on and off’. This new technology cuts the energy consumption for cooling and heating buildings by 12%. Khandelwal will receive his PhD for this innovation, on the basis of organic liquid crystals, on Thursday 11 May at Eindhoven University of Technology.