International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing, Volume. 7, Issue 1, 15504(2025)

Multifunctional shape-memory smart window based on femtosecond-laser-printed photothermal microwalls

Chen Chao, Guo Sijia, Zhang Long, Yao Hao, Liu Bingrui, Zhang Chenchu, Zhang Yachao, Lao Zhaoxin, Wu Sizhu, and Wu Dong

Smart windows (SWs) garner significant potential in green buildings owing to their capability of on-demand tuning the solar gains. Apart from solar regulation, people always desire a type of slippery SW which can repel the surface hydrous contaminants for anti-fouling application. Unfortunately, the up-to-date slippery SWs that respond to electrical/thermal stimuli have drawbacks of inferior durability and high energy-consumption, which greatly constrain their practical usability. This article presents our current work on an ultra-robust and energy-efficient near-infrared-responsive smart window (NIR-SW) which can regulate the optical transmittance and droplet's adhesion in synergy. Significantly, laser-printing strategy enables us to seed the shape-memory photothermal microwalls on a transparent substrate, which can promote daylighting while maintaining privacy by near-infrared (NIR) switching between being transparent and opaque. As a light manipulator, it turns transparent with NIR-activated erect microwalls like an open louver; however, it turns opaque with the pressure-fixed bent microwalls akin to a closed louver. Simultaneously, the droplets can easily slip on the surface of erect microwalls similar to a classical lotus effect; by contrast, the droplets will tightly pin on the surface of bent microwalls analogous to the prevalent rose effect. Owing to shape-memory effect, this optical/wettability regulation is thus reversible and reconfigurable in response to the alternate NIR/pressure trigger. Moreover, NIR-SW unfolds a superior longevity despite suffering from the raindrop's impacting more than 10 000 cycles. Remarkably, such a new-type SW is competent for thermal management, anti-icing system, peep-proof screen, and programmable optics. This work renders impetus for the researchers striving for self-cleaning intelligent windows, energy-efficient greenhouse, and so forth.

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Chen Chao, Guo Sijia, Zhang Long, Yao Hao, Liu Bingrui, Zhang Chenchu, Zhang Yachao, Lao Zhaoxin, Wu Sizhu, Wu Dong. Multifunctional shape-memory smart window based on femtosecond-laser-printed photothermal microwalls[J]. International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing, 2025, 7(1): 15504

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Paper Information

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Received: Apr. 12, 2024

Accepted: Apr. 17, 2025

Published Online: Apr. 17, 2025

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DOI:10.1088/2631-7990/ad8710

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