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
Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation regains ancestral lands near Yosemite in major c...
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Nearly 900 acres of ancestral territory have been officially returned to the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation, marking a ...
Read More8 fermented foods that your gut will love (and that taste great, too!)
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Fermented foods have been a dietary staple in many cultures for centuries, but in the U.S., they’re only ...
Read MoreBreaking the silence: empowering menopausal women in the workplace
Addressing menopause in the workplace is long overdue in today's fast-changing work scene, where many are extending their careers into their 60s. According to ...
Read MoreInsect migration: the hidden superhighway of the Pyrenees
Insects, while frequently disregarded, are critical to the planet's ecosystems. They make up about 90 percent of all animal species and play important functions ...
Read More
