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Transmittance and Reflectance Studies of Thermotropic Material for a Novel Building Integrated Concentrating Photovoltaic (BICPV) ‘Smart Window’ System

Author

Listed:
  • Karen Connelly

    (Department of Architecture and Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • Yupeng Wu

    (Department of Architecture and Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • Xiaoyu Ma

    (Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, 260 Glenbrook Road, Unit 3247, Storrs, CT 06269, USA)

  • Yu Lei

    (Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, 260 Glenbrook Road, Unit 3247, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
    Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, 191 Auditorium Road, Unit 3222, Storrs, CT 06269, USA)

Abstract

A novel Building Integrated Concentrating Photovoltaic (BICPV) Smart Window has been designed and developed as a next generation intelligent window system. In response to climatic conditions, the smart window varies solar light transmission into the building for provision of light and heat with the reflection of light to the photovoltaic (PV) for electricity generation. This unique function is realised using an integrated thermotropic layer in conjunction with embedded PVs. As commercial PVs are readily available, the success of this novel BICPV design depends solely on the performance of the thermotropic material. This study aimed to develop a suitable reflective thermotropic layer for the proposed smart Concentrating Photovoltaic (CPV) system. A Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) polymer was tested for its applicability as a potential reflective thermotropic material for this purpose. HPC concentration was systematically varied from 1 wt. % to 6 wt. % in aqueous solution so as to provide insight into the relationship between transmittance/reflectance properties, the concentration of the thermotropic material and their dependence upon the environmental temperature. The degree of hysteresis of light transmittance upon subjecting HPC to heating and cooling cycles was also investigated. Specifically, for the HPC liquid samples the measured threshold temperature/transition temperature (T s ) was observed to be approximately 40 °C for 6 wt. % HPC, increasing to approximately 44 °C for 1 wt. % HPC. No hysteresis was observed upon heating and cooling HPC samples. Reflectance below the T s was recorded at ~10%, increasing up to ~70% above the T s for 6 wt. % HPC. Finally, a HPC-based hydrogel membrane sample was developed and exhibited good thermotropic activity therefore demonstrating its suitability for use within the BICPV smart window. This study corroborates that HPC is a suitable thermotropic material in the application of next generation BICPV smart window systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Karen Connelly & Yupeng Wu & Xiaoyu Ma & Yu Lei, 2017. "Transmittance and Reflectance Studies of Thermotropic Material for a Novel Building Integrated Concentrating Photovoltaic (BICPV) ‘Smart Window’ System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:10:y:2017:i:11:p:1889-:d:119230
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Connelly, Karen & Wu, Yupeng & Chen, Jun & Lei, Yu, 2016. "Design and development of a reflective membrane for a novel Building Integrated Concentrating Photovoltaic (BICPV) ‘Smart Window’ system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 182(C), pages 331-339.
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    2. Muhammad Saidu Aliero & Muhammad Asif & Imran Ghani & Muhammad Fermi Pasha & Seung Ryul Jeong, 2022. "Systematic Review Analysis on Smart Building: Challenges and Opportunities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-28, March.
    3. Lu, Wei & Wu, Yupeng & Eames, Philip, 2018. "Design and development of a Building Façade Integrated Asymmetric Compound Parabolic Photovoltaic concentrator (BFI-ACP-PV)," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 325-336.
    4. Hossein Arasteh & Wahid Maref & Hamed H. Saber, 2023. "Energy and Thermal Performance Analysis of PCM-Incorporated Glazing Units Combined with Passive and Active Techniques: A Review Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-42, January.
    5. Sun, Yanyi & Wilson, Robin & Wu, Yupeng, 2018. "A Review of Transparent Insulation Material (TIM) for building energy saving and daylight comfort," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C), pages 713-729.
    6. Liu, Xiao & Wu, Yupeng, 2021. "Experimental characterisation of a smart glazing with tuneable transparency, light scattering ability and electricity generation function," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 303(C).

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