We will form a collaboration between leading UK and China universities to investigate and optimise synthesis methods for energy efficient intelligent window coatings. These coatings actively change their properties to let the optimum amount of light and heat into a building, dramatically reducing the energy required for heating and cooling. Heating and cooling buildings can use a large proportion (>30%) of a nation's energy requirements, so improvements in this area offer real benefits, and will assist meeting national and international carbon emission targets.

We will deposit vanadium dioxide films using a variety of industrially scalable techniques, and characterise the films with state of the art apparatus. We will undertake quantitative energy efficiency modelling to accurately predict the energy saving that might be expected when these materials are used in real buildings.

Potential Impact:
The project will have impact in a number of areas through development of new science and clear routes to implementation of important energy saving technology. The following beneficiaries can be identified:

*The UK and Chinese economy through the design and development of new sustainable and scalable manufacturing methods for forming thermochromic coatings. Commercial and economic benefits will occur through development into the processing methods for the upscale manufacture of these materials ensuring the UK and CN maintain a world-leading capability in the manufacturing of ground-breaking energy saving technologies.

*People will benefit through the technical expertise developed throughout the project by the research team, including the training received and the range of transferable skills developed via interaction with industry, academics, engagement with the media, the general public, policy makers and legislators.

*Academic and industrial research community will benefit since significant advances in alternative precursor strategies, film deposition, modelling and scale up will be delivered during the project.

*Society will benefit by developing science and technology to improve energy efficiency, help meet national and internation carbon emission targets through implementation of energy efficient technologies.