Ultra-Robust Joule-Heated Superhydrophobic Smart Window: Dually-Switching Droplets Adhesion and Transparency via In Situ Electric-Actuated Reconfigurable Shape-Memory Shutters

Slippery liquid-impregnated porous surfaces (SLIPS) based smart windows (SWs) that dynamically fine-tune the solar energy gain are promising candidates for alleviating the global energy crisis, especially for dim rainy climates. Unfortunately, the inferior durability arising from viscous dissipation over SLIPS-based SWs remains a great challenge that needs to be addressed. Here, an ultra-robust all-solid-state superhydrophobic SW is reported namely electric-actuated reconfigurable shape memory shutter (EA-RSMS) via a hybrid approach of laser ablation and soft transfer. Thanks to electrothermal effect of underlying silver nanowires heater, EA-RSMS can be dynamically glazing by switching the surface shutters between bent mode (the transmittance of 10.8%) and erect one (the transmittance of 56.6%) within 60 s in situ. Synergistically, EA-RSMS motivates the reversible transition between sticky state (sliding angle of 24 degrees) and slippery one (sliding angle of 8 degrees) by alternate Joule-heating/pressing operation. Fundamental physics renders to clarify the effect of shutters topography on the hysteresis and light performance. Last but not the least, by utilizing the optimized EA-RSMS shelter, indoor thermal-comfort regulation, visibility encoding together with angle-variable display are deployed. Current superhydrophobic EA-RSMS with robust durability, novel tuning modulation, fast electric-sensitivity, and optical angle-dependence holds promising potential in self-cleaning smart windows, energy-saving buildings, anti-voyeurism, etc.