Our SunSmart smart window technology has now been applied in real buildings and homes for the first time. The transparent thermochromic coating automatically regulates solar heat gain based on the outdoor temperature. Around 21°C, it blocks excess solar heat, while at lower temperatures it allows valuable solar energy to enter the building. This passive switching process requires no electricity, no additional connections and maintains a clear, transparent appearance throughout.
From innovation to real-world validation
Following years of development at Brightlands Materials Center, more than 300 m² of SunSmart glass has now been manufactured at commercially relevant dimensions of 2.25 × 3.21 metres. The glass has been incorporated into insulating glazing units and installed in the Brightlands Circular Space building at Brightlands Chemelot Campus and in a residential home in Almere.
With these first real-world applications, SunSmart has entered a new phase. Alongside the ongoing field research within the Interreg Flanders–Netherlands USave project, the technology is now being evaluated in occupied buildings, providing valuable insights for the next steps towards market adoption.