Electrochromic glazing and microstructured components: Visual and non-visual effects and applicability in Brazil
Innovative transparent and translucent materials, electrochromic glazing, microstructured optical components, visual and non-visual effects of light.
Innovative transparent and translucent material technologies have been developed since the 1980s as solutions for issues related to thermal and luminous comfort caused by glazed facades on building façades. These materials can be divided into two categories: smart windows and light redirection systems. The electrochromic glazing stands out from other smart window technologies due to its wider control range of light transmission. Among the light redirecting systems the microstructured optical components are a promising technology because they allow a deeper reach of daylight into the depth of indoor environments. Besides visual comfort, daylight promotes benefits to users, such as the regulation of the circadian cycle, alertness and mood among other physiological effects of light, aspects that are barely considered in the evaluation of the performance of these materials. In this context, there are still questions regarding the application of these materials in non-residential buildings in Brazil, related to their luminous performance and non-visual effects – circadian lighting. The aim of this study is to investigate the electrochromic glazing and the microstructured optical components in relation to the lighting conditions in indoor environments, including visual and non-visual effects in buildings in the Brazilian climatic context. The method will be based on computer simulations. Particularly, the performance of the materials will be evaluated regarding daylight autonomy (availability), mitigation of glare and the supply of circadian lighting (non-visual effects). Tests will be made in order to evaluate the performance of the microstructured optical components in test rooms or in reduced models. Simultaneously to it, calibration studies will be made to validate the method. After this process is done, the same test rooms or physical models will be used as a simulation model. In total, 72 variations of the model will be simulated, considering three different Brazilian cities, with different latitudes and climates, Manaus (3° S/60° W), Brasilia (15° S/47° W) and Petrolina (9° S/40° W), four solar orientations, North, East, South and West and different combinations of windows, including the electrochromic glazing and the microstructured components. The expected results are indications for the use of these materials in relation to the visual and non-visual effects within the Brazilian context.