Advanced Optical Materials for Sunlight Control in Greenhouses

Gilles H. Timmermans; Silke Hemming; Esteban Baeza; E.A.J. van Thoor; Albert P.H.J. Schenning; Michael G. Debije

doi:10.1002/adom.202000738

Advanced Optical Materials for Sunlight Control in Greenhouses

Gilles H. Timmermans
, Silke Hemming
, Esteban Baeza
, E.A.J. van Thoor
, Albert P.H.J. Schenning (Corresponding author)
, Michael G. Debije (Corresponding author)

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

70 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The increasing demand for efficiently growing vegetation in greenhouses requires continual improvement of the control of the growth environment experienced by the plants. The single most important factor in maximizing the crop’s growth is the quantity, quality, and geometrical distribution of radiation intercepted at every moment. Few available greenhouse coverings are capable of responding to changes in sunlight conditions by themselves, limiting the grower’s control: they must use additional technologies, including screens, artificial lighting, heating, and cooling. This review considers existing efforts in providing adaptable greenhouse covering systems and advanced optical materials for controlling the color, intensity, and/or distribution of sunlight transmitted into greenhouse‐like structures by describing existing static materials and their responsive equivalents. This work also offers speculation on potential applications of other light‐control elements, mostly designed for use in the urban environment that can be adapted for greenhouse use in the future.

Original language	English
Article number	2000738
Number of pages	14
Journal	Advanced Optical Materials
Volume	8
Issue number	18
Early online date	10 Jul 2020
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/adom.202000738
Publication status	Published - 1 Sept 2020

Funding

This work was supported by the Dutch top sector Horticultural and Starting Materials, Top Sector. Agri & Food, Top Sector High‐tech Systems and Materials, the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, and LTO Glaskracht Nederland and is a collaboration of Wageningen University & Research, the Eindhoven University of Technology, FME, BASF, Fujifilm, Sabic, Saint‐Gobain/Cultilene, Mardenkro, RKW/Hyplast, and Glascom Tuinbouw. The authors would also like to acknowledge the support of Abraham van Breugel and Cecelia Stanghellini for their input on greenhouse function. This article is part of the Hall of Fame article series, which recognizes the excellent contributions of leading researchers to the ﬁeld of optical materials science. Advanced Optical Materials This work was supported by the Dutch top sector Horticultural and Starting Materials, Top Sector. Agri & Food, Top Sector High-tech Systems and Materials, the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, and LTO Glaskracht Nederland and is a collaboration of Wageningen University & Research, the Eindhoven University of Technology, FME, BASF, Fujifilm, Sabic, Saint-Gobain/Cultilene, Mardenkro, RKW/Hyplast, and Glascom Tuinbouw. The authors would also like to acknowledge the support of Abraham van Breugel and Cecelia Stanghellini for their input on greenhouse function. This article is part of the Advanced Optical Materials Hall of Fame article series, which recognizes the excellent contributions of leading researchers to the ?eld of optical materials science.

Keywords

advanced optical materials
greenhouses
light control
stimuli-responsive materials
sunlight

Access to Document

10.1002/adom.202000738

Cite this

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Advanced Optical Materials for Sunlight Control in Greenhouses

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