Numerical investigation of a smart window system with thermotropic Parallel Slat Transparent Insulation Material for building energy conservation and daylight autonomy

Smart window designs have emerged as a means of providing dynamic regulation of solar energy and daylight, enhancing indoor comfort, and achieving building energy conservation. We evaluated a novel window design that integrated a thermotropic (TT) material and Transparent Insulation Material (TIM) and present the investigation in this paper. The Parallel Slat TIM (PS-TIM) structure contained within the window unit provides extra thermal resistance and helps to redirect daylight. The TT material, which is applied to the slats, provides automatic daylight and solar adjustment. Firstly, the TT PS-TIM window system has been characterised thermally and optically. Then, a comprehensive approach including both building energy and daylight simulation packages was used to predict building performance. The effects of geometry (i.e. slat spacing and slat tilt angle) and thermotropic features (i.e. transition temperature and optical properties) on building performance were investigated. The simulation results show that use of TT PS-TIM window system with carefully selected features can simultaneously improve building energy efficiency (up to 22% saving when compared with a conventional double-glazed (DG) window) and attain homogenous daylight distribution with an average Useful Daylight Illuminance, UDI 500-2000 lux, of 52.2%. It was also found that both the geometric configurations and thermotropic features of a TT PS-TIM have significant influence on energy and daylight performance. TT PS-TIM with horizontally placed slats performs better than the unit with tilted slats, in terms of balance between energy efficiency and daylight availability. This research provides design guidance and material development suggestions for integration of this novel window system in buildings.

Automated summary

Smart window designs incorporating thermotropic and Transparent Insulation Material (TIM) can improve building energy efficiency and achieve homogeneous daylight distribution. The geometric configurations and thermotropic features play a significant role in energy and daylight performance.