Vanadium Dioxide-Based Thermochromic Smart Windows

<p>The usage of building energy accounts for 30-40% of total energy consumption in developed countries exceeding the amount for industry or transportation. Around 50% energy for building services is contributed by heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. More importantly both building and HVAC energy consumptions are predicted to increase in the next two decades. Windows are considered as the least energy-efficient components of buildings. Therefore smart windows are becoming increasingly important as they are capable of reducing HVAC energy usage by tuning the transmitted sunlight in a smart and favoured way: blocking solar irradiation on hot days while letting it pass through on cold days. Compared with other type of smart windows thermochromic windows have the unique advantages of cost-effectiveness rational stimulus and passive response. This book covers fabrication of vanadium dioxide-based smart windows discusses various strategies to enhance their performance and shares perspectives from the top scientists in this particular field. </p>