Researchers at Peking, Tsinghua and Sichuan universities reported a two-stage thermochromic glazing concept in a paper published online October 15, 2026.
The modeled design pairs a vanadium-dioxide layer switching near 28°C with a hydrogel switching near 40°C, aiming to reduce near-infrared transmission before stronger visible-light attenuation.
EnergyPlus calculations used published materials data, rather than the new prototype’s measured performance. Results depended on climate and glazing area; they do not establish savings achieved by an installed product.
The team assembled a 25 mm-square glass laminate and measured staged optical switching. More than 50 heating-and-cooling cycles showed reversible hydrogel switching.
After over a year in laboratory storage, however, the hydrogel partly contracted and did not fully regain uniform transparency. The authors identify moisture retention, edge sealing and longer-term testing as remaining work. The findings concern experimental glazing, without establishing a market-ready retrofit film.
Sources & reporting notes
- Research paper The Innovation Energy · Source dated October 15, 2026
- Full paper The Innovation Energy · Source dated October 15, 2026
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