Spectrally Selective Coatings for Energy Efficiency and Solar Applications
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review of optical coatings and materials (by design analogy, not clinical CEBM)
OpenAlex W2067417685 · doi:10.1088/0031-8949/32/4/026
What was done
The author conducted a survey summarizing contemporary developments in surface coatings for solar energy applications and energy efficiency. The review covered coatings tailored for selective solar absorption in collectors, selective 8–13 μm infrared emission for passive cooling, near-infrared reflectance for reduced window solar heat gain, thermal-infrared reflectance for building heat retention, and variable transmission for dynamic smart windows.
What was found
The abstract provides no numerical data, performance metrics, or experimental measurements. It presents a qualitative functional categorization of selective optical surfaces and notes that research in the field was progressing rapidly.
Why it matters
The paper outlines the core optical mechanisms and application categories that form the foundation of modern architectural glazing and solar energy harvesting materials.
Limits
No quantitative synthesis, comparative performance values, or systematic literature search methods are reported in the abstract. As a broad narrative survey from 1985, it lacks granular experimental details and reflects early-stage materials development.
Cited by
- supports Standard low-emissivity residential window glass blocks almost all infrared light past 850 nanometers.