Electrically tunable window based on microwrinkled ZnO/Ag thin film

Milan Shrestha; Anand Asundi; Gih-Keong Lau

doi:10.1117/12.2259918

17 April 2017 Electrically tunable window based on microwrinkled ZnO/Ag thin film

Milan Shrestha, Anand Asundi, Gih-Keong Lau

Proceedings Volume 10163, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2017; 101631Y (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2259918
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2017, Portland, Oregon, United States

Abstract

Micro-winkling can turn a transparent thin-film of zinc oxide (ZnO) to be ‘opaque’ that can be reversed by unfolding to restore back to the clear state. This principle was previously used to make a mechanically tunable window device. However, ZnO thin film cannot make a compliant electrode to enable electrical unfolding due to its insulator nature. This paper reports the use of multilayer thin films of 10nm silver (Ag) and 30nm thick ZnO to form a compliant electrode with electrically tunable transmittance. A dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) with a pair of such compliant Ag/ZnO thin films on both sides of a polyacrylate elastomeric membrane (3M VHB 4910) makes an electrically tunable window device. The DEA without radial compression of the elastomer has wrinkle-free electrode. Hence, it is clear with a 47% in-line transmittance (for 550nm wavelength light). In the wrinkled form, under 10% radial compression, it becomes opaque (with less than 1% transmittance). A voltage induced areal expansion of 10% radial strain enables the electrical unfolding of the initial wrinkles. In addition, this device continues to work after 4000 cycles of unfolding and microwrinkling of Ag/ZnO. The performance of electrically tunable window device is comparable to the existing smart window technologies.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Milan Shrestha, Anand Asundi, and Gih-Keong Lau "Electrically tunable window based on microwrinkled ZnO/Ag thin film", Proc. SPIE 10163, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2017, 101631Y (17 April 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2259918

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available