Recent Advances in Solar Infrared Light Regulating Smart Windows Based on Organic Materials

Windows serve the purpose of connecting room inhabitants with the outside environment, playing an important role in sustaining human health and well-being. Windows also have a large impact on the lighting, heating, and cooling costs of indoor spaces. In this review, we discuss research over the past 5 years on “smart” windows based on organic materials designed to absorb, reflect, or otherwise utilize excess infrared radiation. In doing so, comfortable indoor temperatures can be managed throughout the year while maintaining as much as possible transparency to visible light, so additional energy is not required for artificial illumination. We discuss both static and dynamic infrared control windows, comparing some of their features and close with a discussion of where the field may be moving to allow these windows to make a commercial impact and reduce the need of heating and/or cooling systems for our indoor spaces.