Device for regulating the passage of energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for regulating energy passage from outside to inside spaces, such as windows, face challenges with stability, light fastness, and efficiency, particularly in using dichroic dyes that absorb excessively short wavelengths and have inadequate coverage in the blue-green region, and require improved compounds with strong fluorescence, high light fastness, and high dichroic ratios for applications in windows and solar cells.
Innovation Solution
Development of novel compounds with the formula (I) containing a central sub-unit 2-(2,5,7-trithia-1,3-diaza-s-indacen-6-ylidene)malononitrile, which exhibit strong fluorescence, high light fastness, and a high dichroic ratio, along with good solubility and absorption in the VIS and NIR regions, allowing for efficient energy conversion and utilization in liquid-crystal displays and solar cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing dichroic dyes are used in switching layers, then light absorption and transmission regulation is achieved, but light fastness is insufficient and absorption occurs at excessively short wavelengths with inadequate blue-green coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular structure of dichroic dyes by introducing specific substituents (electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups) at defined positions of the core structure, thereby changing the absorption spectrum to cover the blue-green region while maintaining high light fastness through stable chemical bonds
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines dichroic dyes with liquid crystalline compounds to form composite switching layer materials, where the liquid crystalline matrix provides structural stability and enhanced light fastness while the dichroic dye molecules provide the required optical absorption and fluorescence properties
2Reliability
If perylene and terrylene derivatives are used for high light fastness, then stability improves, but stability in extreme window conditions remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces specific protective substituents at critical positions of the perylene and terrylene core structures to locally enhance stability against degradation from UV radiation, moisture, and oxygen, while maintaining the overall molecular geometry required for high light fastness and dichroism
3Reliability
If benzothiadiazole and diketopyrrolopyrrole derivatives are used, then light fastness and dichroism requirements are met, but absorption occurs at excessively short wavelengths with inadequate blue-green coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically varies the substituent groups attached to the benzothiadiazole and diketopyrrolopyrrole cores, including electron-donating groups to redshift the absorption spectrum into the blue-green region, while maintaining the rigid planar structure necessary for high dichroic ratios and light fastness
4Ease of operation
If switching layers with liquid-crystalline media and dichroic dyes are used, then energy passage regulation is achieved, but visible interference and lack of self-sufficient energy supply occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates fluorescent dichroic dyes in the switching layer that absorb UV and blue light and emit in the green-yellow region, providing visible light transmission when needed while the emitted radiation can be captured by integrated solar cells to generate electrical energy for self-powering the device
Solution Approach 2:
The switching layer material performs multiple functions simultaneously: optical modulation for energy passage control, fluorescence emission for visible light transmission, and energy transfer to solar cells for self-powered operation, eliminating the need for separate components
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The compounds achieve enhanced light fastness, long-wave absorption, and high dichroism, enabling the utilization of emitted radiation for self-sufficient energy supply in window systems without visible interference, and improve energy yield in solar cells, addressing the limitations of previous dichroic dyes.
Implementation Method 1
a light-absorbing compound in which the absorption properties are dependent on the orientation of the compound to the polarisation direction of the light
Implementation Method 2
a temperature-induced transition from an isotropic state of the liquid-crystalline medium to a liquid-crystalline state
Implementation Method 3
the energy absorbed by the dye is partly re-emitted as fluorescence radiation, which is itself conducted to a solar cell, which converts it into electrical energy
Implementation Method 4
a solar cell, which converts it into electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to novel compounds and to devices which contain these compounds. The application also relates to a device for regulating the passage of energy from an outside space into an inside space, to a window containing the said device, and to uses of the said devices and compounds.