New glass coating could reduce energy use

Scientists at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research in Singapore have developed a glass coating that permits visible light but blocks 90% of near infrared lightwaves. If applied to architectural glass, the coating could reduce energy consumption by nearly eliminating solar heat gain. The glass coating could prove to be especially useful in countries near the equator, where air conditioning accounts for most of a building’s energy use.

Glass coating can be applied to existing windows

The coating consists of 10-nanometer antimony-doped tin oxide particles. In the lab, the researchers could control the near-infrared light absorption by varying the concentration of the antimony-doped particles. Antimony-doped nanoparticles are already in use, but the commercially available mixtures feature particles that are much larger. By reducing the size of the antimony nanoparticles, scientists were able to achieve near complete infrared rejection.

According to the agency, a local glass company is already interested in licensing the coating. According to the developers, it is also possible to apply the coatings to windows that are already installed.

Reducing solar heat gain is essential to reducing energy costs in buildings. Low-emissivity glass has been proven to perform, but it is expensive and supply issues have arisen globally. Glassprimer™ glass paint offers the ability to block invisible light waves, while permitting visible light. Glassprimer™ glass paint is an industry leader in coatings and can provide about 250 square feet of coverage for about $1 per square foot.

Glassprimer™ glass paint performs well, even in direct sunlight and high humidty. The paint is specially engineered to bond permanently with the glass surface. Once cured, the paint will not peel, chip or fade. When applied according to manufacturer instructions, the paint is waranted for 10 years. It can also be tinted to match the paint palette of virtually all major paint manufacturers. That means you can incorporate Glassprimer™ glass paint seamlessly into your decorating plan.

If you’d like more information about Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Jes, via Flickr.com