Dynamic Louvers

Dynamic Daylight Control System: Thin cast polydimethylsiloxane-based millimeter-scale transparent louvers

The deep building layouts typical in the U.S. have led to a nearly complete reliance on artificial lighting in standard office buildings. The development of daylight control systems that maximize the penetration and optimize the distribution of natural daylight in buildings has the potential for saving a significant portion of the energy consumed by artificial lighting, but existing systems are either static, costly, or obstruct views towards the outside. We report the Dynamic Daylight Control System (DDCS) that integrates a thin cast transparent polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based deformable array of louvers and waveguides within a millimeter-scale fluidic channel system. This system can be dynamically tuned to the different climates and sun positions to control daylight quality and distribution in the interior space. The series of qualitative and quantitative tests confirmed that DDCS exceeds conventional double glazing system in terms of reducing glare near the window and distributing light to the rear of the space. The system can also be converted to a visually transparent or a translucent glazing by filling the channels with an appropriate fluid. DDCS can be integrated or retrofitted to conventional glazing systems and allow for diffusivity and transmittance control.

Publication

  • Park, Daekwon, Philseok Kim, Jack Alvarenga, Keojin Jin, Joanna Aizenberg, and Martin Bechthold. 2014. “Dynamic Daylight Control System Implementing Thin Cast Arrays of Polydimethylsiloxane-Based Millimeter-Scale Transparent Louvers.” Building and Environment 82 (December): 87–96. doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2014.07.016.

Patent

  • Aizenberg, Joanna, Allen Sayegh, Timur DOGAN, Christian ERVIN, Kiel Kenneth MOE, Jack Alvarenga, Martin BECHTHOLD, Benjamin Hatton, Philseok Kim, and Daekwon PARK. 2014. “Dynamic Light Control System and Methods for Producing the Same.” http://www.google.com/patents/WO2014078812A1.