Chinese research team develops smart color-changing 'glass'

(ECNS) -- A research team led by Professor Yu Shuhong from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) has developed a multicolor transparent electrochromic device, or a novel low-cost intelligent color-changing "glass".

Compared with external power suppliers, the self-powered electrochromic device avoids internal resistance, and the average coloration efficiency is increased by about 20 percent. Per square centimeter of the device only consumes about 6.8 milligrams of aluminum after 450 electrochromic cycles.

The device can realize a dynamic color change from orange, green to gray under different voltages. In addition, it can accomplish more complex color display and information transmission.

As a smart window, the device also performs well in controlling solar radiation. Compared with the fading state, when the window is colored, it can lower the average temperature of the object under simulated sunlight to 25.6 from 33degrees Celsius.

Dynamic color changes and self-powered function promise it a bright future in energy-saving buildings, low-power displays, antiglare rearview mirrors, etc.

The research results were released in Nano Letters.