Dynamic Materials and Devices for Controlling Solar Heat Gain in Buildings

<p>Modern technology and materials science, coupled with an understanding of our energy consumption patterns, allows for the opportunity to realize large-scale energy savings through the implementation of more efficient, adaptive technologies. More efficient heating and cooling of both commercial and residential buildings is a strong candidate for such advancements. Indeed, a significant portion of the annual US energy budget is devoted to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) of commercial and residential buildings in order to maintain safe, comfortable internal environments.</p> <p>Dynamic tint windows, both traditional electrochromic devices and reflective devices, are promising candidates to help in the effort to improved building energy efficiency. Use of these technologies, both as integrated devices and in retrofit applications, allows building designers and occupants to adjust the energy properties of the building in response to climate or meteorological conditions in such a way that optimizes the efficiency of the building. While these devices are focused on heat gained and lost through the fenestrations of a building, it is important to modernize the way we think about efficiency with regard to the opaque façade as well.</p> <p>To this end, thermochromic materials such as certain crystal phases of vanadium dioxide have been proposed for inclusion in opaque façade materials. In this paper we investigate the synthesis, integration, and performance of advanced materials for application in both dynamic insulating glass units (IGUs) and dynamic coatings for the opaque portion of the building façade. We examine multiple avenues for low cost processing of electrochromic devices, as well as the viability of various technologies for retrofit applications in a variety of window and building configurations.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Alie, David

Contributors dc:contributor

• Mohammad Matin, Ph.D.
• Kyoung-dae Kim
• Martin Margittai
• Yun Bo Yi

• Crystal phase
• Electrochemical
• Electrochromic
• Nickel oxide
• Solar heat gain
• Tungsten oxide
• Engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering

Statement dc:rights

• <p>Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.</p>

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/745

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.du.edu:etd-1744