FRIDAY FEATURE: Nanomaterials for electrochromic applications

FRIDAY FEATURE

1. What is the benefit of using nanomaterials for electrochromics? Why are they being investigated?

Electrochromic materials need to have a structure that is porous on the nano scale in order to allow facile insertion and extraction of ions.
Proper control of the nano structure is important especially for long term functioning of electrochromic devices

2. What are generally seen as the most promising nanomaterials for your area?

Tungsten oxide and nickel oxide

3. What factors do you envisage that will allow for the transition from concept to product?

Proper control on the nano scale will enable electrochromics to enter on a large scale for example on architectural and automotive windows and lead to energy efficiency (lower cooling costs).

Electrochromics can be introduced within a few years. The time scale
depends on which application one looks at. Regarding electrochromics, you can get industry-related information from www.chromogenics.se

Claes G. Granqvist
Professor, Solid State Physics
Dept. of Engineering Sciences
The Angstrom Laboratory
Uppsala University