We propose to use polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based nano-scale cones and a self-cleaning coating on top of VO₂ films which has never yet been explored for smart windows. PDMS is an environmentally-friendly, transparent, hydrophobic and low-cost material. Due to its flexibility and naturally adhesive nature, it can easily be fitted to glass surfaces. This nanostructure coating should not only enhance the luminous transmittance, but also maintain low-emissivity. The effects of light incident angles, PDMS thicknesses, and nano-cone pitches and heights on the reflectance spectra will be simulated by using FDTD methods. Additionally, W-doped VO₂ film thickness will also be studied. An optical model will be developed by using an optical-admittance recursive method to optimize the film...[ Read more ]

We propose to use polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based nano-scale cones and a self-cleaning coating on top of VO₂ films which has never yet been explored for smart windows. PDMS is an environmentally-friendly, transparent, hydrophobic and low-cost material. Due to its flexibility and naturally adhesive nature, it can easily be fitted to glass surfaces. This nanostructure coating should not only enhance the luminous transmittance, but also maintain low-emissivity. The effects of light incident angles, PDMS thicknesses, and nano-cone pitches and heights on the reflectance spectra will be simulated by using FDTD methods. Additionally, W-doped VO₂ film thickness will also be studied. An optical model will be developed by using an optical-admittance recursive method to optimize the film coating thickness.