Summary
Hybrid Chromogenic Coatings for Dual-Function Energy-Efficient
Worldwide energy consumption continues to rise alongside population growth and increasing living standards. Approximately 30-40% is attributed to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems that maintain thermal comfort in buildings. The urgency for enhancing building energy efficiency has become increasingly apparent and improving the energy performance of windows has emerged as an urgent priority domain for scientific research.
The project aims to design and grow advanced multilayered devices, integrating both electrochromic and thermochromic thin film materials, with the perspective to use them for switching optical transmittance independently in visible and near-infrared wavelength regions via electric field, and temperature, respectively. Our research aims to explore the growth conditions of NiO-based layers for electrochromic devices and VO2-based thermochromic films using two deposition techniques. We will use pulsed laser deposition and metalorganic aerosol deposition to fabricate the thin films and compare their structural, optical, and electrical properties. We expect to find the optimal parameters for achieving high-quality and stable electrochromic and thermochromic performance. The project will bring together two groups with complementary skills in physical (INFLPR) and chemical (MSU) deposition technologies which will provide a wide range of tools for the multilateral development of young researchers and Ph.D. students from both institutions.