Air conditioners consume a great amount of electricity, making them both a financial and an environmental burden. The good thing is scientists are increasingly coming up with innovative ways to slash down our over-reliance on these cooling machines. For instance, just this week we wrote about a highly reflexive white paint that buildings can lather on in order to bounce hot sun rays and avoid absorbing heat. This time we present to you a a team of researchers who have managed to develop a ‘smart’ window that can quickly turn from clear to dark thanks to layers of nickel oxide, lithium ions, and electrolytes. By applying a current to the layers in the glass, a chemical reaction causes the window to become opaque. Windows made according to this formula can switch states quickly, blocking 94 percent of light within 60 seconds. If scaled up, the new technology could significantly reduce the need for air conditioning in buildings and vehicles, benefiting both the environment and our wallets.
‘Smart’ windows could significantly reduce our reliance on air conditioners
More of Today's Solutions
Here are some easy recipes for making your own hand sanitizer
By now you must surely be aware that washing your hands clean is necessary to keep you and others protected during the pandemic. You’ve ...
Read MoreThe case for shifting to a four-day workweek for post-pandemic life
At The Optimist Daily, we’re putting a lot of focus on what the world can do after the pandemic to create a healthier, more ...
Read MoreSo your compost has mold? What it means and what to do about it
So you’ve set up a functioning compost system in your backyard. First things first, congratulations! But how do you know if your compost is ...
Read MoreMapping out the Milky Way’s snacks gives clues into dark matter
In our galaxy’s galactic halo, there are 12 streams of stars orbiting. These burning balls of gas are actually being torn apart and their ...
Read More
