About this Research Topic
In recent years, the development of materials for multifunctional windows, such as photochromic, electrochromic, piezoelectric, photovoltaic and luminescent solar concentrating windows, have been attracting immense interest as these technologies can potentially transform the construction landscape, moving towards zero energy buildings and self-sustained smart cities. Dye solar windows offering workability under low light conditions, thereby generating more cumulative electricity than conventional solar cells, are increasingly introduced in real-life applications. Materials for these applications require unique properties. For example, materials for luminescent solar concentrating windows are required to have high photoluminescence emission at a peak position matching with the bandgap of conventional solar cells, and have minimum or no self-absorption as basic requirements to generate electricity from windows. Accordingly, several (nano)materials including colloidal quantum dots, phosphors, organic dyes have been investigated. Similar requirements apply to electrochromic and photochromic materials.
This Research Topic focuses on the (nano)materials syntheses in the forms of nanocrystals, microcrystals, bulk materials and thin films and their structural, optical, electrical properties and theoretical calculation/modeling, and device fabrications for such applications.
We invite the submission of Original Research and Review articles. The areas to be covered may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• the development of various materials, nanomaterials and molecules including different synthetic methods, characterization and properties
• device fabrications
• challenges associated with improving the efficiencies of these devices
• theoretical modeling on materials design and device improvement.
Disclaimer: Topic Editor Karthik Ramasamy is employed by UbiQD, Inc. Topic Editor Arunava Gupta declares no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.
Keywords: materials, nanomaterials, multifunctional windows, smart cities, sustainable buildings
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
