Scientists Develop Magic Glass to Chill Homes

[madamvlb]

A research team at the University of Texas at Austin is developing a new type of smart glass that can selectively block out light and heat-producing infrared rays to cool down homes in the summer. Photo: University of Texas.

http://on.wsj.com/1KewYGR








[link:http://www.wsj.com/video/scientists-develop-magic-glass-to-chill-homes/13603ACC-0099-464C-AF9B-9CE05C54B3E9.html|

[HassleCat]

1. I have one of those magic glass things

It's called a beer mug. I stick it in the freezer until it gets all frosted. Then I fill it with cold beer. Air conditioning? Phhht! Who cares!

[procon]

2. I'm dumbfounded that there isn't a huge investment in these new technologies

that find innovative ways to conserve energy. Plenty of older homes still exist that were built without any insulation or weatherstripping, and still have the original sash windows, and no one cared because energy was so cheap you could just crank up the heater or turn down the air conditioner as needed.

How do we change this mindset? Joint partnerships would benefit both the public and private sectors with government promoting the R&D of new startup companies, and investors willing to put up the front money to get these cutting edge products to market. To make it work, there needs to be incentives for consumers that will encourage us to change our old habits, like subsidizing purchases and installation programs to entice existing homeowners to swap out their outdated, inefficient systems, and tax breaks to builders for using low energy consumption products.

Yeah, its a pipedream as long as the Republicans, those shortsighted, lil darlings of the fossil fuel industry, control the House.

[toddwv]

3. There's some pretty exciting tech being developed that will continue to change the game

within 10 years.

Solar power production efficiency, battery packs for homes, and these "counter-consumption" techs...

[burrowowl]

4. K&R!!!!!!

Hope it comes sooner, need to replace some windows!