Glass has the ability to 'transform' when meeting water

can change opacity, brightness when meeting water. Not only does it improve the efficiency of solar panels and LEDs, it also has self-cleaning capabilities.

The nano "grass" structure allows glass to switch opacity when exposed to water

Using a structure similar to that of weeds at nanoscale, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania have created a glass that allows light to pass through while in a opaque state. This is the first time glass has the ability to transmit light with high opacity built. The combination of these two properties can help increase the performance of solar panels and.

Nano grass structure (nanograss).

This type of glass also possesses an extremely special ability: it can be converted from opaque to transparent when meeting water. This is useful in creating smart windows that change opacity to control a room's privacy or to prevent the sun from shining.

Paul W. Leu of Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, who led the study, said: "Currently, the type of interchangeable glass is quite expensive because it uses a transparent conductive layer to apply it. apply voltage across the entire glass plate Our glass will be cheaper because its opacity can change in a snap with a very simple operation: use or wipe away liquid on the surface ".

The researchers describe the new type of glass based on the nano grass structure, achieving 95% light transmission and high opacity at the same time. The researchers tested glass glass covered with grass structure, about 0.8 to 8.5 micrometres high with leaves that each have a few hundred nanometers in diameter.

The discovery of opacity conversion is one of the most important discoveries."I discovered the ability to become transparent when exposed to this glass of water when I was cleaning it with water," said researcher Sajad Haghanifar, a research team member.

Explaining this finding is random, Sajad Haghanifar said: " Nanostructures are extremely hydrophilic. When water is introduced into the nanostructures, nano-glass will act as a flat substrate. Because water has a The refractive index is very similar to the glass, so light passes through it easily, when the water is removed, the light strikes the scattered nanostructures and makes the glass opaque. "

Use nano "grass" technology to improve solar cells

Leu's group has developed this new type of glass to improve the ability to capture sunlight and convert them into the energy of solar panels. Nano grass structure models can prevent light from bouncing off the solar panel's surface, spreading light into the glass, helping more light reach the semiconductor material in the solar cell and converting it into electricity. power.

New types of glass can be transferred from dim to transparent during water.In the photo: removing water from the glass makes it opaque.

New glass uses a unique nanostructured structure that looks like a weed structure. Because this structure is higher than the nanostructures used previously, they increase the ability to scatter light.

In fact, opaque glass with high transmittance can also be applied to LEDs but the way it works in the opposite direction to solar cells. It is using electricity to enter the semiconductor to create light that then emits from the device. New types of glass have the ability to increase the amount of light generated from semiconductor devices emitted outside.

Find the correct "grass" height

The researchers found that low-grass nanoparticles were able to improve the reflectivity of glass, while nanoparticles with longer heights tend to increase the opacity. Nano grass structure glass with a height of 4.5 micrometers will give relatively perfect results: improved 95.6% transmission capacity and 96.2% opacity for 550 nanometer wavelength (light Bright yellow, a component of sunlight).

Text can be read through ordinary glass, while new types of glass with nanostructures disperse light, making the text "invisible".

Although there is still a lot of work to do to estimate the most accurate cost for the production of this new type of glass, the researchers predict their products will have low prices because it is easy to produce. Nanostructures are coated with glass by reactive ion etching, a method commonly used to create printed circuit boards.

To make glass glass into a smart window capable of translating light opacity requires a combination of traditional pressure glass below. The liquid will be pumped into the gap between the two types of glass and using a fan or water-removal pump. The researchers also pointed out that, in addition to water, the application of acetone and toluene can also convert the opacity and translucency of the glass.

"We are conducting a test of durability on the new nano grass structure glass and are evaluating its self-cleaning properties. Self-cleaning glass is useful because it does not require a person or robot to clean dirt. To ensure the efficiency of solar panels whether it is placed on your home or on Mars, " Haghanifar adds.