New sol-gel deposition technique in the Smart-Windows – Computation of possible applications of Smart-Windows in buildings

The integration of a new architectural component into the building envelope can contribute to improving its energy performance, and the comfort conditions visual and thermo-hygrometric. Two deposition methods are used: dip-coating and spin-coating, optically characterized by spectro-photometric techniques. Measurements of a dynamic type have enabled the determination of parameters such as switching times (relative to the coloring and inverse process) and optical memory (important in smart-window applications to reduce the consumption of operating energy). The experimental results of the deposition technique on two electro-chromic devices measuring made at the Department of Engineering of the University of Messina, are shown below. In this study, through a computational investigation, the possibilities of environmental control of "Smart-Windows" with electro-chromic technology are investigated. To characterize these aspects, the thermal behavior of a buildingmodel equipped with electro-chromic Smart-Windows was analyzed using the MC4 Software simulation program. Through the separate applications of the Smart Windows, connected with different types of shading, we have proceeded to simulate the calculation of the energy requirement of a block of the Engineering Faculty of the University of Messina, which has a building typology favorable to the study, being characterized by extensive glass walls facing south. Annual cooling thermal loads calculated for the building under examination. for different control strategies of the Smart Windows, they were then compared with the thermal loads obtained with traditional glass systems (actually installed) for different types of shielding in order to estimate any energy savings.