Simultaneous modulation of solar and longwave infrared radiation for smart window applications

Windows have widespread applications in our everyday life, such as in buildings and automobiles, primarily fulfilling roles of light management, aesthetic enhancement, thermal insulation, and isolation from the ambient surroundings. Nevertheless, it is imperative to acknowledge that the extensive utilization of transparent enclosures may entail a concomitant surge in energy consumption. To address this challenge, smart windows capable of modulating solar radiation have been extensively investigated. However, some recent studies demonstrate that simultaneous modulating visible (380-780 nm), near-infrared radiation (780-2500 nm), and long-wave infrared radiation (2.5-20 mu m) can be a promising solution that leads to improved energy efficiency. This work reviews some recent papers on this type of tri-band modulation smart windows, which are categorized by active, passive, and multi-stimuli responses, and provides a detailed description of their working mechanisms. Furthermore, this work assesses the spectral modulation performance in different studies and compares them with the ideal modulation spectrum. Finally, this work outlines prospects for future advancements in the field of tri-band modulation smart window applications.