Smart Glass Blocks Infrared - But Only When It's Hot

klevin writes "New Scientist has an article about a new way of making sheets of glass so they block infrared energy at temperatures above 29C (84.2F). Just so long as it doesn't have to get that hot on both sides of the glass. My AC comes on way before 84F. I suppose that with double or triple paned glass, you'd only treat the exterior pane."

Comments

Re:84 degrees is okay for some things.

[hummassa]

Where I live (Belo Horizonte, southwestern Brasil) 84F (29C) is room temperature 9 out of the 12 months of the year. In the northern states, it's 11/12. We usually only turn our ACs on at home when it's 37C (100F) and above.

Notwithstanding, this is _great_ (if the yellow tint and the toxicity when broken issues are solved) for car windows. AC won't kick in as often (less gas spent), seats/steering wheel won't get ultra-hot when the vehicle is left under the sun (the beach!!), baby-left-in-the-car dehidration deaths won't happen.