A Scalable optical meta-surface glazing design for agricultural greenhouses

Abstract

Optical meta-surfaces allow controllable reflection and transmission spectra in both optical and infrared regions. In this study, we explore their potential in enhancing the performance of low-emission glazing designed for improved energy efficiency, for agricultural greenhouses in cold climates. The low-emission glazing employs thin film optics to retain heat by allowing solar radiation while reflecting radiation emitted by room-temperature objects. The incorporation of metamaterials that can be scalably manufactured and designed for capturing solar energy in the mid-infrared spectrum, offers an opportunity to further enhance the glazing's energy efficiency. We use the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method and the transfer matrix method to propose a metamaterial structure, with spherical silver nanoparticles and thin-films, and compare the performance of this proposed design against existing materials. The outcome of this study offers insights into the potential of metamaterials in optimizing the energy efficiency of cold-climate agricultural greenhouses.