Smart windows can be installed to make homes more suitable by limiting energy consumption and adjusting light levels. Thermotropic materials are among the solutions being explored in this field to reduce light and heat in summer and, conversely, to maximize the benefits of outdoor light and the heat it can provide in winter. These materials must therefore be able to respond to the outside temperature in order to reduce or allow all outside light to pass through without becoming opaque and preventing visibility through the window.
The objective of the internship is to prepare thermotropic polymer hydrogels with a large range of formulations in order to develop a material that will meet the needs of smart windows while complying with the specifications of the manufacturer supporting this project. The project will therefore require synthesizing the polymers, formulating the materials with a series of additives, and characterizing the materials obtained.
