Explore the vast range of titles available.

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) film is an active smart film penetrating the market due to its unique functionalities. These functional characteristics include switchable tint capabilities, which shield building residents from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, improve energy-saving features, and produce higher cost-efficiency. Although PDLC films are promising in several applications, there is still ambiguity on the performance of PDLC films. Particularly, the sizing effects’ (such as film thickness and area) correlation with visible light transmission (VLT), ultraviolet rejection (UVR), infrared rejection (IRR), light intensity, current consumption, and apparent power consumption is not well understood. Therefore, this study investigated the sizing effects of PDLC films, including the thickness effect on VLT, UVR, IRR, light intensity, and area influence on current and apparent power consumptions. The varying applied voltage effect on the light transmittance of the PDLC film was also effectively demonstrated. A 0.1 mm PDLC film was successfully presented as a cost-efficient film with optimal parameters. Consequently, this study paves the way for a clearer understanding of PDLC films (behavior and sizing effects) in implementing economic PDLC films for large-scale adoption in commercial and residential premises.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the color matching, light transmittance, and reflectance characteristics of the novel flowable resin composite OCF-001 (OCF). Methods: Fifty-four resin composite molds were made with simulated class I cavities of A2, A3, and A4 shades by filling the rubber mold interspace with Estelite Sigma Quick (ESQ), Gracefil Putty (GP) and Filtek Supremme Ultra (FSU). After applying the adhesive, three different flowable resin composites (n = 6), OCF, Gracefil LoFlo (GLF), and Supreme Ultra Flowable (SUF), were used to fill the cavities. A colorimeter was used to measure the color parameters (CIEDE2000). The color measurements were taken immediately and after 28 days. Data were analyzed using the nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis (α = 0.05) and Wilcoxon tests. The light transmittance and reflection characteristics were measured with a black background using a spectrophotometer under D65 illumination. Results: The ΔE00, and ΔC of OCF was lower than other tested materials in A2 and A3 shades both immediately and after 28 days. OCF showed the highest transmittance characteristic, and a relatively stable reflectance curve in all the wavelengths. Conclusions: OCF showed better shade matching with the surrounding shades of A2 and A3, a relative uniform reflectance and higher light transmission properties.

PLA is widely used in the field of disposable products for its good transparency, high strength, high modulus, and good processing performance. However, the crystallization rate and crystallinity of PLA are weak. In actual production, the PLA products that are typically obtained are amorphous with poor heat resistance, which greatly limits the application range of PLA products. Finding an effective nucleating agent to improve the transparency of PLA has been a hot topic in research. This study found that Cerium fluoride (CeF3) can effectively improve the crystallinity of PLA/CeF3 (P/F) films. When the content of CeF3 in PLA was 1 wt %, the retention ratio of visible light transmittance was 82.36%, the crystallinity was 29.8%, and the tensile strength was 59.92 MPa. Compared to pure PLA, the crystallinity of P/F1 increased by 56% and tensile strength increased by 8.76%. This study provided an alternative scheme that maintained the PLA film’s transparency and improved the crystallinity of PLA, which significantly expanded the application of PLA.

Light transmission through a sea ice cover has strong implications for the heat content of the upper ocean, the magnitude of bottom and lateral ice melt, and primary productivity in the ocean. Light transmittance in the vicinity of the Multidisciplinary Drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) Central Observatory was estimated by driving a two-stream radiative transfer model with physical property observations. Data include point and transect observations of snow depth, surface scattering layer thickness, ice thickness, and pond depth. The temporal evolution of light transmittance at specific sites and the spatial variability along transect lines were computed. Ponds transmitted 4–6 times as much solar energy per unit area as bare ice. On July 25, ponds covered about 18% of the area and contributed roughly 50% of the sunlight transmitted through the ice cover. Approximating the transmittance along a transect line using average values for the physical properties will always result in lower light transmittance than finding the average light transmittance using the full distribution of points. Transmitted solar energy calculated using the standard five ice thickness categories and three surface types used in the Los Alamos sea ice model CICE, the sea ice component of many weather and climate models, was only about 1 W m−2 less than using all the points along the transect. This minor difference suggests that the important processes and resulting feedbacks relating to solar transmittance can be represented in models that use five or more categories of ice thickness distributions.

Before Eco-Niwas Samhita (ENS) 2018, India lacked a formal code for building energy performance, leading to outdated regulations on floor space. The Eco-Niwas Samhita (ENS) 2018 allows architects to create low-energy buildings by breaking down spaces into three categories: openable window to floor area ratio, visual light transmittance and overall heat loss/gain coefficient. The purpose of this study is to assess the code’s success in enhancing buildings’ thermal performance which reduces energy use and boosts occupant comfort. The evaluation is carried out in accordance with energy assessment rules, with an emphasis on classifying energy performance efficiency. Employing ENS as well as the universal energy performance index (UEPI), the study attempts to assess the energy efficiency of separately planned homes in Indian cities. These evaluations are carried out to establish the normalized yearly electrical energy consumption per unit of building space. Two case studies of residential buildings in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, meet the ENS code for 2018, but window shading and top slab insulation need scientific attention. This research makes an effort to close the gap between the two. A residential building complex in Indore City is examined for conformity with the Eco Niwas Samhita through the aid of this study. This research contributes to sustainable building practices and emphasizes the importance of adopting energy-efficient measures in construction projects. Policymakers, architects, engineers and developers can use this information to make informed decisions and support a sustainable and energy-neutral future. This analysis demonstrates how energy savings are feasible if the basic standards for energy efficiency are met by all typical buildings. It also emphasizes the potential savings that were otherwise lost since residential buildings were not subject to the same regulations. The findings of this investigation demonstrate the significance of encouraging sustainable practices in homes and provide evidence for the necessity of energy-saving measures. Retrofitting a building can contribute effectively and efficiently to the energy efficiency of the building.

Background: About 50% of the sun’s radiation arriving on earth is visible light (VIS). For a long time, its effects on human health have not been fully investigated. But recently, the influence of VIS has gained more attention, especially regarding skin physiology. Studies showed various effects, many of them harmful, comparable to UV radiation. As a result, there are now a few sunscreens commercially available which claim protection against VIS. The question of whether protection is necessary is still much discussed. Aims: The objective of this study was to develop an easy-to-perform high-energy visible (HEV) and low-end visible (LEV) light transmittance method to determine the direct VIS protection of sunscreens and other cosmetic samples. Furthermore, the influence of the brightness of the tested products on the HEV, LEV, and infrared A protection was investigated. Methods: An experimental setup consisting of a light source, a VIS-transmissible filter system, and a sensor unit was built to measure the direct VIS protection of sunscreens and other daily skin care products in two ranges of the VIS area. For a closer look, the brightness of the samples was evaluated by photometric assessment. Results/Conclusion: The experimental setup could be validated. It could be demonstrated for the first time that there is a strong positive linear correlation between transmittance and brightness of tinted sunscreen and daily skin care products with sunscreen properties in the HEV, LEV, and infrared A range. However, tinted samples worked best in the blue light region, and the higher the wavelength range, the lower the protection.

The cultivation period of cassava in Kagoshima, Japan, which belongs to the temperate zone, is limited by the low temperature in winter. To maximize productivity under this limited period, investigations were conducted on the gas exchange rate and production structure relating to light utilization in a plant community of cassava grown under different nitrogen fertilization conditions. Fertilization either at planting or three months after planting significantly increased stomatal conductance in the upper canopy and root dry weight compared to the control. In addition, the dry matter distribution to stem and root dry matter rate of initial fertilization treatment were significantly higher, and the dry matter distribution to root of the latter fertilization treatment tended to be higher than that of the control. However, light transmittance at 80 cm below the top of the canopy was almost the same as that at the ground surface, which was a common tendency among the treatments. In conclusion, it was revealed that the effects of fertilization on yield were mainly the increase in the gas exchange rate of individual leaves and the change of dry matter distribution rather than an improvement in light transmittance.

TiO2 films were prepared by sol-gel method with butyl titanate, anhydrous ethanol, acetyl acetone and hydrochloric acid as raw materials, which were sintered at 380 °C and 530 °C respectively to obtain TiO2 films. XRD was used for analyzing the crystal structure of TiO2 film, and ImageJ software was used to detect the light transmittance of TiO2 film samples. The results show that the film sintered at 530 °C is brookite structure and the film sintered at 380 °C is anatase structure. The increase of sintering temperature is not conducive to the growth of TiO2 film grains. TiO2 films sintered at 380 °C have good light transmittance.

Silica sol-gel coatings on different substrate materials and their use as model systems have been studied. Mesoporous silica coatings with thicknesses of 85 - 135 nm and porosity of 18 ˗ 37% were prepared by dip-coating on polycarbonate and glass substrates. In order to eliminate the shrinkage of the porous structure acid or base vapour treatment was applied. Thickness and refractive index of the coatings were determined by analysing the transmittance spectra of the samples. Ellipsometric porosimetry measurements were carried out to determine the porosity, pore radius distribution, thickness and refractive index. The thickness of the samples was further confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The adsorption capacity of the porous coatings was also studied by dye impregnation tests. The temporal stability of the samples was investigated by UV-Vis spectrometry and it was found that the advantageous optical properties (Tmax = 98 – 99%) of the samples remained constant even after a 1 year storage period.

Smart windows with advanced architectural glass coatings providing the comfortable daylight and thermal environment indoors are an important component to improve the energy efficiency of the buildings. Chromogenic and other materials potentially applicable for filtering the solar radiation are reviewed. They have a variety of mechanisms for changing the light transmission depending on change in the ambient conditions or under the influence of electric current. A smart window with additional function of angular filtering of solar radiation without using the blinds or other light redistribution devices is described. Such a window has an optical filter consisting of parallel non-transmissive (absorptive, reflective or scattering, including chromogenics) strips on two surfaces of the pane(s). The filter blocks the direct sunlight partially or completely in a preset angular range and transmits the diffused light providing comfortable day lighting indoors. Methods for calculating the geometrical parameters of the gratings considering the annual and daily change in the solar radiation, the location of the building and the window's azimuth are given. Calculated angular and temporal characteristics of the light transmittance demonstrate the angular selectivity of the transmission of a smart window with grating optical filter compared to a conventional smart window fully glazed with chromogenic glass. A comparative assessment of the potential of various chromogenic and other materials for the use in smart windows, as well as in grating filters for them, is carried out. The future prospects of the field are declared.