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Scientists Develop Energy-Saving ‘Liquid Window’ That Could Transform Future Buildings

Energy consumption in buildings has become one of the biggest challenges in the fight against climate change. Air conditioning and heating systems work around the clock in homes, offices, and public structures, pushing global energy use to critical levels. According to the United Nations, buildings are responsible for about 40% of the world’s total energy consumption, and windows alone account for half of this usage. In other words, the weakest part of a building’s design—the window—plays one of the biggest roles in increasing electricity demand.

To solve this long-standing problem, scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have introduced a breakthrough: an innovative “liquid window” that can regulate sunlight, store heat, reduce electricity use, and even block noise. This newly developed technology is simple, affordable, and far more energy-efficient than commonly used window materials today.

A Window That Thinks: What Makes the Liquid Window Different?

Conventional windows allow sunlight to enter without restriction. While this brightens the room, it also causes indoor spaces to heat up quickly. As a result, air conditioners must work harder to cool the room. To address this, many buildings use low-emissivity (low-E) windows, which contain expensive coatings that block infrared radiation. Although effective, these windows do not regulate visible light—the part of sunlight that contributes the most to heat build-up.

The NTU research team looked for a solution that could regulate both heat and light while still being affordable. Their answer came from a surprising source: water.

Water has a unique property known as high specific heat capacity, meaning it can absorb a lot of heat before its temperature rises. By combining water with micro-hydrogel particles and a stabilizing agent, the scientists created a special liquid mixture that changes with temperature.

This liquid is then sealed between two glass panels, forming a thermo-responsive smart window. The result is a transparent panel that can:

  • Block sunlight when it gets hot

  • Store thermal energy during the day

  • Release heat slowly at night

  • Remain affordable to manufacture

  • Reduce noise effectively

This marks the first time a hydrogel-based liquid has been used to create a smart window, representing a major advancement in material science.

How the Liquid Window Works: The Science Made Simple

The researchers designed their window using a mixture of:

  • Micro-hydrogel particles

  • Water

  • A stabilizer

This mixture behaves differently depending on temperature:

1. When it’s hot outside

The hydrogel particles expand and cause the water mixture to become opaque. This blocks a significant amount of sunlight, preventing heat from entering the building.

2. When it’s cooler

The mixture turns transparent again, allowing natural light to pass through.

This natural response to temperature makes the window self-regulating—no electricity or sensors required.

Storing heat like a battery

Because water can hold heat extremely well, the liquid window also acts as a thermal storage system. During the day, it absorbs heat that would otherwise enter the room. At night, when temperatures drop, this stored heat is gradually released.

This thermal cycle reduces the need for artificial heating or cooling, especially in places with large temperature fluctuations.

How Effective Is the Liquid Window? Real-World Tests Provide Answers

To test its performance, NTU scientists installed the liquid window in different climates—hot, humid Singapore; hot Guangzhou; and cold Beijing.

The results were impressive:

● In Singapore: Lower temperatures during peak heat

At noon, when temperatures are highest, the liquid window reached 50°C, compared to 84°C for a regular glass window.
This difference shows how effectively the liquid absorbs and blocks heat.

● In Beijing: Reduced energy usage

Rooms fitted with the liquid window used 11% less energy to maintain comfortable temperatures.

● In simulations: Major energy savings

Computer models using weather data from Shanghai, Las Vegas, Riyadh, and Singapore revealed that the liquid window outperformed:

  • Regular glass

  • Commercial low-E windows

In all four cities, the liquid window delivered the best energy-saving performance.

Up to 45% Energy Savings — A Game-Changing Breakthrough

Simulations conducted by the NTU team showed that buildings using the liquid window could reduce energy consumption by up to 45% compared to structures with regular windows. Even when compared to modern low-emissivity windows, the liquid window was 30% more efficient yet cheaper to produce.

Unlike coated windows that require complex manufacturing processes, the liquid window only needs the mixture to be poured between glass panels. This simple fabrication method makes it easy to create windows of any:

  • Shape

  • Size

  • Design

Dr. Long Yi, Senior Lecturer at NTU’s School of Materials Science & Engineering, explained that the smart window combines the strengths of hydrogel and water into a single, easy-to-produce product. This avoids the cost and complexity associated with traditional smart windows.

Shifting the Electricity Load: A Hidden Benefit

One of the most interesting observations from the experiments was how the liquid window changed the timing of peak thermal energy.

With regular glass, the highest heat point occurred around 12 PM.
With the liquid window, this peak shifted to 2 PM, meaning the stored heat was released more slowly.

Why does this matter?

Most buildings face peak electricity charges during midday, when cooling systems work their hardest. By delaying the heat load, the liquid window could help buildings:

  • Reduce peak-time electricity costs

  • Optimize power usage

  • Avoid stressing the electrical grid

This benefit is especially important for large office buildings, which consume the most energy during daytime working hours.

Ideal for Office Buildings and Urban Areas

According to the NTU researchers, the liquid window is especially suitable for office buildings. This is because:

  • Offices operate mainly during the day

  • Air conditioning use is highest during working hours

  • Daylight control is crucial for comfort and productivity

By blocking heat and reducing energy needs, the liquid window can significantly cut costs for large commercial buildings.

Additional Advantage: Superior Noise Blocking

Modern cities are increasingly noisy, and soundproofing is becoming essential in urban design. Soundproof windows usually use two panes of glass separated by an air gap.

The liquid window uses a similar design, but instead of air, the gap is filled with the hydrogel-based liquid. This creates a denser barrier that blocks noise more effectively.

In tests, the liquid window reduced sound 15% better than standard double-glazed windows. This makes it a valuable solution for:

  • Homes near highways

  • Offices in busy commercial districts

  • Schools, hospitals, and libraries

  • Buildings near airports or train lines

The dual benefit of energy saving plus noise reduction makes the liquid window particularly appealing for densely populated cities.

Expert Opinions: A Disruptive Technology

Professor Ronggui Yang, an expert in thermal and energy systems, praised the work as a major step forward. He called it a “disruptive innovation” because it breaks away from traditional glass design and introduces a completely new way of managing sunlight and heat.

The study on this breakthrough was published in the journal Joule, under the title "Liquid Thermo-Responsive Smart Window Derived from Hydrogel."

A Major Step Toward a Greener Future

Buildings are central to global sustainability efforts. Many countries are actively seeking technologies to reduce carbon emissions, cut energy waste, and create eco-friendly cities. The liquid window developed at NTU aligns directly with these goals.

Why this innovation matters:

  • Buildings consume enormous amounts of electricity

  • Climate change is increasing demand for air conditioning

  • Urban populations are growing rapidly

  • Energy-efficient solutions often remain too expensive

The liquid window provides a practical, affordable, and highly efficient answer to these challenges.

A Technology That Could Shape Tomorrow’s Architecture

The NTU liquid window demonstrates how creative science can solve long-standing real-world problems. Its ability to regulate sunlight, store heat, reduce electricity use, and block noise—while remaining cheap to produce—makes it one of the most promising building technologies in recent years.

The next steps will involve:

  • Large-scale manufacturing

  • Long-term durability testing

  • Integration into modern building designs

  • Collaboration with construction companies

  • Regulatory certifications

If successfully adopted, liquid windows could become a standard feature in energy-efficient architecture worldwide.

Conclusion: A Simple Idea with Huge Potential

In a world striving for sustainability, even small innovations can make huge differences. The NTU scientists have shown that a straightforward idea—filling a window with a specially designed liquid—can transform how buildings interact with sunlight and heat.

Their liquid window:

  • Saves up to 45% energy

  • Outperforms modern low-E glass

  • Costs less to manufacture

  • Reduces indoor temperatures

  • Blocks noise

  • Works in both hot and cold climates

  • Can be easily produced in any size or shape

This breakthrough is more than just a scientific achievement; it is a practical solution to global energy challenges. As cities continue to grow and temperatures rise, technologies like the liquid window offer hope for a cooler, quieter, and greener future.

Reference: Yang Zhou et al. Liquid Thermo-Responsive Smart Window Derived from Hydrogel, Joule (2020). DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2020.09.001

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