Engineers use quantum computing to develop transparent window coating that blocks heat, saves energy
Cooling accounts for about 15 percent of global energy consumption. Conventional clear windows allow the sun to heat up interior spaces, which energy-guzzling air-conditioners must then cool down. But what if a window could help cool the room, use no energy and preserve the view?
Tengfei Luo, Dorini Family Professor of Energy Studies at the University of Notre Dame, and postdoctoral associate Seongmin Kim, have devised a transparent coating for windows that does just that.
The coating, or transparent radiative cooler (TRC), allows visible light to come in and keeps other heat-producing light out, while emitting thermal energy into outer space. The researchers estimate that this invention can reduce electric cooling costs by one-third in hot climates compared to conventional glass windows.
Transparent radiative coolers (TRCs) can be used for buildings and cars to help address climate change challenges. Luo and his team were able to design their best-in-class TRC by using quantum computing combined with machine learning.
The TRC is made up of multiple ultra-thin layers of materials that must be assembled in a precise configuration. By constructing a computational model of the TRC, researchers were able to test each possible configuration of layers in a fraction of a second to identify the optimum combination and order of materials.
Guided by these results, they fabricated the new coating by layering silica, alumina and titanium oxide on a glass base—topping it off with the same polymer used to make contact lenses. The result was a 1.2 micron-thick coating that outperforms all other heat-reducing glass coatings on the market.
“I think the quantum computing strategy is as important as the material itself,” said Luo. “Using this approach, we were able to find the best-in-class material, design a radiative cooler and experimentally prove its cooling effect.”
Their research was published in ACS Energy Letters, a journal of the American Chemical Society.
Tengfei Luo and his MONSTER Lab collaborated with Kyung Hee University in South Korea on this research.
Latest Research
- ‘A special challenge’: German studies scholar wins National Humanities Center fellowship for research on medieval womenFor CJ Jones, the joy of research is not the answers but the journey. And the next step on that journey is a fellowship with the National Humanities Center. …
- Notre Dame Lead Innovation Team partners with local WIC program to identify, prevent lead poisoning in childrenB.A.B.E. store “shoppers” now have something new to help their families: free lead screening kits offered by the University of Notre Dame’s Lead Innovation Team.
- Notre Dame Welcomes Ninth Cohort of Warrior-Scholars for Transformative Academic JourneyNOTRE DAME, IN – The University of Notre Dame recently concluded its ninth successful Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP) boot camp, hosting 34 dedicated Warrior-Scholars from June 21st to 28th. This intensive, week-long academic residency provided transitioning service members and veterans…
- Entrepreneurship and Empowerment in South Africa study abroad program celebrates 25 yearsThis year, the Entrepreneurship and Empowerment in South Africa (EESA) program marked its 25th year of operation. EESA is a six-week summer study abroad program that enables students to help historically…
- Vatican honors Martin and Carmel Naughton with papal awardCarmel…
- Brain tumor growth patterns may help inform patient care managementAssistant Professor Meenal Datta (University of Notre Dame/Wes Evard) A team of researchers from the University of Notre Dame, Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital, and Boston University has developed a technique for measuring a brain tumor’s mechanical force and a new model to estimate how much brain tissue a patient has lost.