February 28, 2024, Eindhoven, Netherlands– eLstar Dynamics, a leading developer of smart adaptive glass, and TNO, the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, announce the development of new non-transparent switchable glass-based panels (‘SwitchARP’) that aims to accelerate energy renovation in homes and buildings. This switchable façade features a cost-effective, sustainable and innovative way to regulate heat management for homes and buildings by regulating the absorption and reflection of sunlight.
The 2-year project, which is partly financed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), consists of developing a switchable building shell that regulates heating and cooling. In winter, the dark facade absorbs the sun's heat and in summer the building switches electronically to a reflective panel to block out sunlight. The project combines the technology of eLstar's Electrophoretic Light Modulator (ELM) and TNO's knowledge in the field of adaptive facades and layered materials.
The project aims to validate that a switchable non-transparent building envelope can contribute technically, energetically and economically to making buildings more sustainable as an alternative to expensive and heavy insulation solutions. Besides energy reduction, the next generation panels may even produce energy for heating in winter.
“Our collaboration with TNO aims to find more sustainable and lower-cost solutions to complex insulation in homes and buildings, as well as expands the use of eLstar’s technology beyond use in windows, to cover all aspects of building façade energy efficiency,” said Anthony Slack, CEO of eLstar Dynamics. “Increasing thermal absorption directly on the façade using direct sunlight can significantly reduce the heat demand in winter and cooling demand in summer.”
“In this project, we develop energy-efficient façades with the combination of the knowledge of TNO in adaptive thin film technology and the knowledge of eLstar. TNO's test-and-measurement equipment will be used to create and test the panels in both lab and external environment at the SolarBEAT facilities,” said Jonathan van den Ham, scientist at TNO Materials Solutions department.
For more information, visit www.elstar-dynamics.com and www.tno.nl.
About eLstar Dynamics:
eLstar Dynamics is a leading developer and provider of adaptive smart glass for a wide range of applications such as architecture, automotive and specialty markets. eLstar addresses the needs for attainable solutions by offering sustainable and affordable smart glass. By using existing manufacturing facilities, eLstar is able to produce smart glass with much lower energy and impact to the environment.
