Comments on: Energy-Efficient Windows Inspired By Nature — New Bio-Inspired Approach To Thermal Cooling Could Be Applied To Solar Panels

By: Alessandra Ribeiro

Alessandra Ribeiro — Tue, 13 Aug 2013 10:21:00 +0000

Innovations in all
areas of sustainable energy supply and energy consumption are among the most
effective tools we have to fight the negative consequences of climate change.
Existing technologies allow us to substantially reduce greenhouse gases in
the U.S. by increasing energy efficiency and saving energy, leading to a
sustainable use of resources. Intelligent climate solutions with clean energy
provide ecological benefits as well as economic advantages.

http://www.usa.siemens.com/energy-efficiency/energy-efficiency.html

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 03:22:00 +0000

Maybe, maybe not. Notice As Hatton notes — the new technique could probably very effectively be applied to solar panels, and could also function well as a means of supplying heated water to existing hot water or heat storage systems.
But “existing hot water” implies that the heat was moved somewhere. Notice the little tube on the top and bottom. And solar panel are 99.999% outside.

Note that there isn’t a use for this, but if to work the liquid is moved elsewhere then there is a need for plumbing, which adds complexity and make retro fitting harder.

By: Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 12:59:00 +0000

Biomimicry applied to windows

By: sambar

sambar — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 03:49:00 +0000

Matt,
propylene glycol or glycerol, 2 non-toxic antifreeze products. We need more info to see if the fluid has to be moved elsewhere or can be cycled within the window structure. This layer would likely be added to the interior glass pane so freezing wouldn’t be a problem, and circulation could be by convection or capillary action.

I’m sure the minds that came up with this have considered the obstacles.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 17:17:00 +0000

Can you say freeze / leak? Sound like the fluid is moved else where to cool off, share its heat. That means plumbing. For PV or window got to worry about it being cold enough to freeze water. If you use anti-freeze now that plumbing has toxic water in it. Sounds like limited applications.