Window Research Articles

Deep retrofitting toward net zero energy building in the Mediterranean region: A case study of Albania

Like many other Mediterranean countries, Albania faces unique challenges and opportunities to achieve an efficient and fully decarbonized household sector by applying real energy efficiency measures and numbers toward nearly zero-energy buildings. The study findings showed that nZEB in 2030 can be achieved by combining active and passive energy efficiency measures. Behind the study's state-of-the-art stands a multivariable regression analysis of both electricity consumption and electricity generation executed for three validated consecutive years, 2021, 2022, and 2023, including demand side (electricity bills) and supply side generation provided from a nearby existing onsite PV with an installed capacity of 5.5 kWp. A good mathematical correlation is carried out using Durbin – Watson criteria on statistics using RETScreen software to correlate electricity consumption and generation as a function of weather parameters for the tested household and selected region. The goals to meet the nZEB concept require the insulation of the existing exterior wall and window replacements in compliance with the Energy Performance Methodology on Building and installing rooftop Solar Water Heating (SWH) panels of 3.73 m2 as expostulated in scenario 7. The simulation results show that integrating a rooftop PV system with an installed capacity of 5.5 kWp would provide enough electricity to convert residential buildings into Positive Energy Buildings in 2050 based on the selected dwelling and location (Mediterranean region). At the national level, the proposed model would reduce the national annual electricity import level by 1.64 %, saving annually around €31,021,162 and reducing at least 0.068 MtCO2 per year. Subsidizing passive energy efficiency measures at a rate of 3 % per year coupled with onsite renewable energy sources schemes and other incentivization pathways from the government and other interested parties at a rate of 80 % in the roadmap towards nZEB and PEB is mandatory.

Transparent metal oxide-based robust, porous, and thin polyurethane coatings for IR, and UV blocking and photocleaning terylene textiles

IR radiations from the sun increases the internal temperature of the buildings when transmitted through glass windows. To reduce this elevated temperature, air conditioning systems are used that consume a large share of total energy expenditure which harms the energy footprints of the ecosystem. To combat this problem IR radiation must be blocked, thereby not affecting visible light transmission. Conductive metal oxides have been found effective in blocking IR radiation. In this work, antimony-doped tin oxide sub-20 nm particles were synthesized by co-precipitation method. The synthesized nanoparticles were homogenously dispersed within polyurethane latex that later encrusted onto polyester textiles for IR-blocking properties. The coated fabrics simultaneously achieve excellent shielding of NIR (90 %) and high transmittance of visible light (80 %), which makes them an ideal material to alleviate the current building energy consumption issues that correspond to a greater than 20 % saving on indoor cooling/heating. These fabrics equally bear other special features such as strength, self-cleaning, and photoactivity required by such furnishing clothes. The developed IR blocking fabric will ensure a sustainable future with a less adverse load on the energy footprints of the ecosystem and thus make human settlements resilient and tackle the impacts of climate change.

A high explosive blast simulator

Window facades are heavily used in modern design. To ensure that the facade can withstand sufficiently large blast loads, experimental evaluation of the entire facade is crucial. In this study, we present the High Explosive Blast Simulator (HEBSim), an outdoors modular explosive-driven blast simulator with a large cross-section designed for real-size blast testing of glass facades. To evaluate the performance of HEBSim, we performed two test series, one with a rigid steel plate component and one with deformable laminated glass window components. Pressure sensors were used to measure the overpressure histories for both test series and deformation data was gathered using three-dimensional digital image correlation (3D-DIC) for the window component tests. The test series demonstrated that HEBSim generates planar and repeatable blast load profiles in line with explosive pressure resistance (EPR) classifications for various charge masses. In addition, the window component test series illustrated the stochastic fracture behavior of glass. Based on the presented data, HEBSim is found suitable for blast testing of large glass facades.

Reverse-Mode Polymer-Stabilized Liquid Crystal Films with Enhanced Peel Strength and Electro-Optical Performance Based on Photoreactive Self-Assembly Alignment Layers and Patterned Polymer Walls.

Polymer-stabilized liquid crystal (PSLC) is a promising material toward the practical application of serving as energy-saving reverse-mode smart windows owing to its superior electro-optical (E-O) properties, simple and efficient processability, and compatibility to most practical circumstances. However, its feeble peel strength originated from low polymer content and poor adhesion between polymer networks and substrates inhibited its large-scale flexible film production. It is still a challenging task to derive good mechanical properties and superior E-O performance for PSLCs at the same time. In this study, a highly durable liquid crystal/polymer composite film showing enhanced peel strength and excellent E-O properties was attained by simultaneously building photoreactive self-assemble alignment layers through an efficient one-step method and the sculpture of a patterned polymer wall structure. This film has comprehensive ascendant E-O properties of lower driving voltages, faster response times, and higher contrast ratio, together with an over 30 times lift of the peel strength. The effectuation mechanisms of the alignment, E-O properties, peel-strength, microstructures, and cyclic durability of the films have been systematically studied. This novel liquid crystal/polymer composite film demonstrates advantages in every aspect of performance compared to traditional PSLC devices, which hoards promising applications in smart windows for cars and buildings.

Environmental Bond Degradation of Different Laminated Glass Panels.

Since buildings are designed to endure over time, it is crucial to comprehend how laminated glass (LG) windows, and consequently, the polymer interlayer materials, respond to weathering. This paper explores the impact of accelerated humidity on the mechanical properties of several polymer interlayer materials and LG sections. The study specifically focuses on three polymer interlayer materials of industrial interest: polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), and ionomer (SG). To examine the environmental effects, testing setups were devised to subject the polymeric materials and LG panels to specific conditions. Uniaxial tension coupons and LG disks were submerged in a water bath to simulate the environmental effect. A dedicated testing fixture was designed and manufactured for the LG disks. The results showed that the properties of EVA, including strength, maximum strain, and toughness, were not significantly affected by the environmental conditions. However, the properties of SG5000 were notably impacted, with a significant reduction in its bond strength due to water immersion.

Die St. John-Anglikaanse kerk, Victoria-Wes

Robert Gray was commissioned in 1847 to come to South Africa as the first Anglican bishop of Cape Town. His wife Sophia, a talented architect and artist, assisted him in his work and accompanied him on most of his journeys into the interior. Wherever he established congregations she designed the churches, some of which are still to be seen at George, Knysna, Claremont (Cape), Caledon, Fraserburg, Riversdale, Worcester, Clanwilliam and Victoria West. During their last trip into the interior in 1869 Bishop Gray, his wife and Harold Welby, the resident magistrate, chose the site for the St. John's Anglican church at Victoria West and Sophia Gray designed it. The foundation stone was laid on 27 December 1869 by John Adams but the church was completed only in 1874. The stained glass windows, especially the three above the altar depicting the crucifixion and the resurrection, form a striking feature of this church.

FOV adjustable liquid lens driven by electrowetting effect.

In this paper, a FOV (field of view) adjustable liquid lens driven by electrowetting effect is demonstrated. The proposed lens consists of a window glass, a bottom electrode, four sidewall electrodes, two supporting shafts, and a deflectable aperture. The deflectable aperture is nested on the supporting shafts between the two liquids to limit the position of the liquid-liquid (L-L) interface. Different from the conventional FOV adjustable liquid lenses, the proposed lens can realize focal length adjustment and FOV deflection by applying voltages to the four sidewall electrodes, which has a simple structure and a miniaturized drive. The experiment shows that the aperture of the lens is 9 mm, the optical power range is -21 m-1 to -7 m-1 and the tilt angle of the L-L surface is ∼ 18° (± 9°). With a compact structure and easy drive, the proposed lens has great potential for applications in scanning, imaging, and inspection.

Thermochromic Vanadium Dioxide Nanostructures for Smart Windows and Radiative Cooling.

The pursuit of energy-saving materials and technologies has garnered significant attention for their pivotal role in mitigating both energy consumption and carbon emissions. In particular, thermochromic windows in buildings offer energy-saving potential by adjusting the transmittance of solar irradiation in response to temperature changes. Radiative cooling (RC), radiating thermal heat from an object surface to the cold outer space, also offers a potential way for cooling without energy consumption. Accordingly, smart window and RC technologies based on thermochromic materials can play a crucial role in improving energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption in buildings in response to the surrounding temperature. Vanadium dioxide (VO2) is a promising thermochromic material for energy-saving smart windows and RC due to its reversible metal-to-insulator transition, accompanying large changes in its optical properties. This review provides a brief summary of synthesis methods of VO2 nanostructures based on nanoparticles and thin films. Moreover, this review emphasizes and summarizes modulation strategies focusing on doping, thermal processing, and structure manipulation to improve and regulate the thermochromic and emissivity performance of VO2 for smart window and RC applications. In last, the challenges and recent advances of VO2-based smart window and RC applications are briefly presented.

Self-powered electrochromic smart window helps net-zero energy buildings

Net-zero energy buildings are becoming an important energy-saving and low-carbon technology for global environmental protection and resource conservation. As the least energy-efficient building components, windows have promoted the development of electrochemically light/thermal management, where smart windows without external electrical supplies are highly desired for net-zero energy buildings. Here, we develop a self-powered electrochromic smart window system to regulate solar radiation transmittance, constructed by a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and a high-performance electrochromic device. The visible–near-infrared (VIS-NIR) dual-band electrochromic device is well-designed based on an eco-friendly low-energy demand phenothiazine redox ionic liquid, demonstrating a fast switching response of ﹤1.9 s, a large transmittance modulation of >51.8 %, and outstanding electrochemical durability (5.5 % attenuation after 4000 cycles). Upon continuous pressing/releasing motions, the integrated TENG-powered electrochromic smart window (TECSW) displays a prompt light/thermal management behavior with desirable privacy preservation performance (transmittance modulation of 51 % in the visible region) and excellent thermal management property (12.3 °C reducti°n). The whole-building energy simulations show that TECSW can save 347.79 MJ/m2yr (amounting to 96.60 kWh/m2yr) of operational Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) warming/cooling energy consumption among 34 cities in China, accounting for 17.25 % of the total energy consumption. This research provides new insight into designing green and energy-efficient smart windows for net-zero energy buildings.

New observation and analysis of window damage as evidence for energy and power content of ball lightning

Ball lightning sometimes passes through closed glass windows, usually without damage but occasionally causing characteristic damage in the shape of a circular hole. We review some of these relatively rare cases, present a probable new case, and elucidate a process that accounts for the type of damage typically seen. The process requires volume rather than surface heating of the glass, and this requirement is not met by most current theories of ball lightning, except for one that involves new physics.

Prospective life cycle approach to buildings' adaptation for future climate and decarbonization scenarios

The existing building stock is crucial for enhancing decarbonization targets and mitigating climate change. This article delves into a methodological approach that combines prospective life cycle assessment, building thermal simulation using projected future climate data, and global sensitivity analysis to pinpoint the most influential parameters under current climate conditions and future scenarios. The methodology covers plausible decarbonization pathways for the electricity mix, considering the growing utilization of renewable sources, which are influenced by the building locations. An adaptive reuse process involves converting a historic residence into an office building to validate the proposed methodology. Several retrofit strategies are assessed, such as exterior wall insulation, roof insulation, and window replacement. The findings reveal a 12% rise in average usage impacts and a 7% increase in cradle-to-use impacts from the base scenario to future climate projections. Embodied impacts surpass use-phase impacts by 23% in future climates and 33% in certain baseline scenarios. Utilizing future climate data in the life cycle analysis to estimate energy requirements can aid in forecasting building performance under climate change, especially in adapting the existing building stock for enhanced thermal comfort with minimal environmental impact.

Dynamic Wall Shear Stress Measurement Using Event-Based 3D Particle Tracking

We describe the implementation of a 3d Lagrangian particle tracking (LPT) system based on event-based vision (EBV) sensors and demonstrate its application for the near-wall characterization of a turbulent boundary layer (TBL) in air. The viscous sublayer of the TBL is illuminated by a thin light sheet that grazes the surface of a glass window inserted into the flat wall of the wind tunnel wall. The data simultaneously captured by three synchronized EBV-cameras is used to reconstruct the 3d particle tracks within 0.4 mm of the wall on a field of view of 12.0 mm by 7.5 mm. The velocity and position of particles within the viscous sub-layer permit the estimation of the local, unsteady wall shear stress vector under the assumption of linearity between particle velocity and wall shear stress. Thereby, 2d distributions and higher order statistics of the unsteady wall shear stress are obtained. The systematic underestimation of the spanwise shear stress fluctuation can be explained on the basis of DNS data; a methodology for its mitigation is proposed. The employed EBV hardware coupled with suited LPT algorithms provide data quality on par with currently used, considerably more expensive, high-speed framing cameras.

Nanosensors: Unveiling the Invisible-Advancement in Drug Detection

Introduction Nanotechnology represents the designing, synthesis, characterization, and application of materials and devices whose size ranges in nanoscale is 1-100nm1. Which can be defined by the term, technology on the nanoscale. With the change in structure and size nanoscale material possesses distinct enhanced physiochemical properties due to dramatic changes from the bulk material to reduced material of size below 100nm2. Nanotechnology applications were first observed in Lycurgus glass and Medieval church windows which changed color in different lighting conditions due to nanoparticles with size ranges from 50-100nm. However, laureate Richard Feynman, an American physicist is considered the father of nanotechnology3. The nanoscale development has various importance involving possessing a high surface area which makes it suitable for drug delivery and other applications, it possesses numerous microscopic and macroscopic properties, and they form the combination of material science with biology, other than all the mentioned importance of nanotechnology the macroscopic materials made up of the nanoscale material possess high density which makes the nanomaterial batter conductor4. Different methods have been adopted to synthesize nanomaterials such as Top-Down Approach, Bottom-Up Approach, and Hybrid Approach3-5.

Evaluation of static and dynamic PV-Integrated shading systems for office spaces in Australia

The paper summarizes a comprehensive analysis to determine the energy and cost benefits of static and dynamic photovoltaic (PV)-integrated shading devices when applied to windows of office spaces located in different climate zones across Australia. The evaluated dynamic shading systems consist of rotating overhangs placed above the windows and operated to minimize the annual energy demands of office spaces. For the first time, the study determines through optimization-based controls the best angle settings for the rotating overhangs on hourly, daily, or monthly basis to minimize the energy consumption of office spaces in Australia. The analysis results indicate that both optimally designed static and optimally operated dynamic PV-integrated overhangs have substantial potential to reduce the annual energy needs of office spaces for all Australian climates with annual energy savings ranging from 45% to over 100% depending on the building orientation, window size, glazing type, and overhang depth. This high energy benefits are attributed to the multi-function capability of the PV-integrated shading systems to minimize cooling and space thermal loads while maximizing on-site electricity generation. Unlike the case of static shading devices, it is found that dynamic PV-integrated overhangs allow office spaces to reach net-zero energy operation for certain climate zones in Australia.

High-rise window views: Evaluating the physiological and psychological impacts of green, blue, and built environments

A growing body of research indicates that visual exposure to nature can enhance mental well-being. However, the impact of such contact through high-rise building windows remains unclear. To address this significant knowledge gap, we utilized aerial drone-captured videos taken from a height of 90 m to present comprehensive visual panoramas encompassing various scenes observed through high-rise building windows. These scenes included three key elements: built structures, greenery, and water bodies. Forty-five participants were randomly assigned to view six conditions in a laboratory setting. Physio-psychological responses to each condition were measured using a portable electroencephalogram device, which continuously recorded brainwaves, and ErgoLAB, which monitored heart rate variability. Additionally, participants completed anxiety level assessments and subjective feelings questionnaires. Our findings revealed that visual contact with all window views produced significantly greater positive effects compared to viewing control or built environments. Among the window views, those featuring green space with water or green space alone elicited the most beneficial outcomes, including increased alpha brainwave activity, enhanced parasympathetic nervous system activation, heightened levels of relaxation and comfort, and lower anxiety levels. The study's findings indicate that high-rise building residents can benefit from 4-min exposure to greenery, either with water or alone, through window views, in promoting mental health. The study emphasizes the importance of considering window views in urban high-rise planning and design to enhance the mental health and well-being of city dwellers.

Performance of Shading Against West Glass Facades to Optimise Daylight, Thermal Comfort and Energy Efficiency of Office Buildings

In tropical urban areas, the vertical facades of buildings often play a crucial role in capturing solar radiation and heat, especially for office buildings facing west during the afternoon. In Dhaka, a tropical city, the construction of major arterial roads connecting the northern and southern regions of the city has led to the emergence of numerous commercial buildings along these roads, predominantly facing in east or west directions. This research investigated the efficiency of different existing fenestration types (glass curtain walls, glass windows with horizontal and vertical louvres, overhangs, vertical fins, and egg crate shading) of west-facing office buildings in Dhaka in terms of daylight, thermal comfort and energy efficiency, and explore strategies to enhance existing performance. From the field survey, a 'case office building' was selected, and simulations were carried out with the six different fenestrations, as mentioned above, while keeping other aspects constant as found during the survey, e.g., floor plan, equipment and number of occupants. In this research, the simulation process encompasses daylighting simulation, energy simulation, and multi-objective optimisation. The study utilised a case model created with Rhinoceros and ClimateStudio, while performance metric optimisation was achieved using Grasshopper and Octopus. Multi-objective optimisation techniques were employed to improve the shading configurations. The TT toolbox facilitated data exportation and Design Explorer assisted in data visualisation. The window with egg crate shading was found to be the most effective fenestration type among the studied shading configurations. Further parametric simulation was conducted to develop an optimised egg crate shading design configuration. It was found that egg crate shading with a 1.0 m depth provided optimum daylight and solar heat gain inside the office building among the studied configurations in the context of Dhaka. A comparison was also made between the optimised egg crate option and a customised egg crate with some detailing (popularly known as brise soleil). Brise soleil showed better performance with 12.2% higher sDA and 98 lux additional average illuminance compared to the previous optimum one. The findings underscore the significance of employing optimisation methodology to devise shading configurations while also revealing substantial opportunities to enhance performance further by tailoring details on the optimised design recommended from simulation analysis.

Experimental and numerical research on the debris bed formation in severe accidents of nuclear reactors

The formation and coolability of the debris bed play a crucial role in the core meltdown process in nuclear reactors. Previous studies mainly focused on experiments involving interactions between small masses of molten material and water, with emphasis on the steam explosion process, lacking analytical data on debris beds and fragments. Therefore, the formation of the debris bed is studied by visual experiments, along with the relevant models are established and applied in this study. In the experiments, a large mass of zirconium dioxide is heated to a molten state in the crucible and then released into a water tank through the release device. The water tank is equipped with four glass windows and high-speed cameras to capture snapshots.Firstly, experiments on the formation of hundred-kilogram-scale debris beds were conducted using the prototype material, zirconium dioxide. The molten material temperature was 3000 K, the molten material mass ranged from 50 to 100 kg, the jet diameter varied from 10 to 20 mm, the water pool depth ranged from 0.55 to 1 m, and the water subcooling varied from 10 to 80 K. Visualized images of the debris bed formation were obtained, and an experimental database of debris bed formation was established, primarily including key parameters such as debris morphology, debris size, debris bed accumulation form, and debris bed porosity. The results indicate that the rise in the mass of molten material and the decrease in water subcooling increase the proportion of large-sized fragments. The experiments did not form a “cake” debris bed but instead achieved loose debris beds due to the small jet diameter. With an increase in the jet diameter and a decrease in water subcooling, the porosity of the debris bed will also increase. Subsequently, computational analysis codes were developed for the processes of jet break-up, debris bed accumulation, and formation, and finally, the deviation of the predicted accumulation morphology was less than 20 %. The results reveal that the influence of the jet diameter and mass of the molten debris on the deposition characteristics of the debris bed is very pronounced. Experimental research and code development hold significant reference value for the formulation of preventive and mitigative measures for severe accidents in nuclear power plants.

Kajian Konsep Desain Interior Perpustakaan Di SMA Negeri 5 Bukittingi

The development of libraries has become part of the physical infrastructure of educational institutions. SMA Negeri 5 Bukittinggi needs infrastructure, library facilities as the heart of education. However, based on the initial survey and analysis, the shape of the elements is not yet optimal in maintaining the spatial concept of library interior design at SMA Negeri 5 Bukittinggi. Some indicators of spatial planning problems include interior design elements; floor, ceiling, lighting, coloring, furniture, air circulation, room circulation and acoustics. The aim of the research is to find out and identify the forms of replacement elements and identify the interior concept of the SMA Negeri 5 Bukittinggi library. The research method uses descriptive qualitative, observation analysis, survey and documentation approaches. Data was collected through interviews with 12 stakeholder sources. The findings show. The shape of the library interior design elements changes: floor; (30 x 30) cm, wall ; cream color, ceiling; white color, lighting; glass windows, air circulation; natural, room circulation; not optimal. The interior design concept applied originates from the needs of library staff and users and already meets the space requirements (including function, users, and expectations to be achieved from a spatial arrangement) but in general it needs to be developed according to the concept expected in the spatial layout. In arranging the library layout, it is necessary to pay attention to the elements, elements of spatial planning and the concept of applying interior design.

Geometrical optimization of solar venetian blinds in residential buildings to improve the economic costs of the building and the visual comfort of the residents using the NSGA-II algorithm

The entering sunlight from the building's windows mainly affects the heating and visual comfort of the occupants. The applications of Venetian blinds are a solution to improve the heating and visual comfort of the occupants. However, reducing the sunlight that enters the space can result in a rise in the building's electricity consumption. While most studies focus on the electricity production of solar panels, present study aims to examine the effect of solar venetian blinds on the indoor visual and thermal comfort of the occupants and optimize their geometry considering different geographical specifications. In the present paper, efforts are made to numerically install solar panels on Venetian blinds and analyze the effect of changing the geometrical parameters of solar Venetian blinds and the building's window dimensions on visual comfort and net electricity. Therefore, the target functions in the present paper are an improvement percentage in the daylight glare index and an improvement percentage in the net electricity costs for the analyzed building. As a result, five cities in Iran that have different climatic conditions are targeted to model the building. EnergyPlus software is employed to conduct the energy-based calculations, and the design variables and target functions are defined using JEPLUS software. The outputs are next inserted in JEPLUS+EA software to process a multi-objective optimization using the NSGA-II algorithm. The results demonstrate that the visual comfort and net electricity can be optimized by ranges of 10–100% and 1.5–10%, respectively. Furthermore, Venetian blinds are proven to have higher reception of sun radiations and better efficiency in southern cities and they can have a more proper performance while being installed for windows of southern building wall.

АКСИОЛОГИЯ ГОРОДСКОГО ПРОСТРАНСТВА РОМАНА А. ИЛИЧЕВСКОГО «ЧЕРТЕЖ НЬЮТОНА»

Based on the material of the novel “Newton's Drawing”, the article proves that the art space is a kind of key to understanding the value foundations of life discovered by A. Ilichevsky. The author's statement is considered as the main thesis: space is a text, reading which allows you to get closer to understanding yourself and the world. Moreover, reading a spatial text in Ilichevsky is akin to reading a pictorial or musical text. Hence, in the novel there are many musical and artistic associations that reveal the author's meaning of the main urban spaces – Moscow and Jerusalem, considered in detail by the characters. This is evidenced by the selected individual places of Moscow and Jerusalem by Ilichevsky. The motive of glass is defined as particularly significant in the novel. It is set by images of various optical devices: a microscope, a telescope, a camera. And the images of temple-stained glass windows, museum glasses, the house of the hero's father and, finally, a landscape lens complete it. As a result, a complex bifocal spatial picture is created, revealing the boundary between the visible and the invisible, the past and the present, the universe and man.