Professor Michael McGehee and Professor Ivan Smalyukh are the principal investigators on two Department of Energy-funded projects to improve building technologies and energy efficiency in the built environment. Their projects are among 44 nationwide research projects selected as part of the Building Technologies Office’s competitive Building Energy Efficiency Frontiers & Innovation Technologies funding program.
The projects were selected under the program’s Topic Area 2, Advanced Building Construction category for building envelope research, development and field validation.
Professor Smalyukh is the principal investigator on a project to develop thin-film monolithic mesoporous metamaterials for ultrahigh-efficiency glazing solutions for use on windows with insulating capabilities that meet or exceed that of walls. This will allow buildings to let in natural sunlight during the day without compromising their thermal efficiency.
Professor Michael McGehee is working with his local startup, TYNT Technologies, to develop dynamic windows that feature reversible metal electrodeposition, a process that is less expensive than current manufacturing methods by a significant margin.
The Department of Energy’s investment in building energy efficiency totals nearly $83 million across 44 projects.