Dynamic Metamaterials

Switchable daylight-redirecting structures can be fabricated from electro-responsive polymers by nano-imprinting or nano-hot embossing methods that are applicable to large areas and fine-feature resolution and are compatible with low-cost in-line industrial manufacturing processes. If dynamic glazings based on electro-actuated optical metamaterials can be developed, daylight redirection and diffraction efficiency could be externally modulated, thereby optimizing lighting energy savings over a larger fraction of building floor space.  In a collaborative project between the LBNL Material Science Division and LBNL Windows researchers, material science R&D was guided by detailed energy and comfort analysis of hypothetical prototype technologies.

Electroactuated metamaterials could be designed to control and redirect daylight into the building interior.  As proof of concept, scientists in LBNL's Molecular Foundry prepared electroactuated coatings from inexpensive, scalable redox active organometallic polymers and self assembled colloidal crystals. Diffracted sunlight was controllable through morphology changes in the active polymer induced by electrochemical means.