A new material with glass-like properties enables building interiors to be cooled. — AFP Relaxnews
Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany have developed a new polymer-based material capable of replacing the glass normally used to make windows. It has particularly interesting properties, as it is able to let in sunlight and maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, without the need for additional energy.
This multifunctional polymer-based microphotonic metamaterial (PMMM) is actually made up of microscopic silicone pyramids. Researchers have already been able to test the material's properties, both in the laboratory and in real outdoor conditions. In the tests, the material achieved cooling of 6°C compared to the ambient temperature. In addition, the material showed a transparency of 95%, where standard glass rarely exceeds 90%.
