Advanced Optical Materials for Sunlight Control in Greenhouses

Abstract

The increasing demand for efficiently growing vegetation in greenhouses requires continual improvement of the control of the growth environment experienced by the plants. The single most important factor in maximizing the crop’s growth is the quantity, quality, and geometrical distribution of radiation intercepted at every moment. Few available greenhouse coverings are capable of responding to changes in sunlight conditions by themselves, limiting the grower’s control: they must use additional technologies, including screens, artificial lighting, heating, and cooling. This review considers existing efforts in providing adaptable greenhouse covering systems and advanced optical materials for controlling the color, intensity, and/or distribution of sunlight transmitted into greenhouse‐like structures by describing existing static materials and their responsive equivalents. This work also offers speculation on potential applications of other light‐control elements, mostly designed for use in the urban environment that can be adapted for greenhouse use in the future.

The Hidden Potential of Luminescent Solar Concentrators

“…[ 42 ] A recent review of “smart” materials for use in greenhouse structures describes a number of further potential applications of responsive LSC devices in the horticultural sector. [ 43 ]…”

Parametric Open Source Cold-Frame Agrivoltaic Systems

“…It is well established that tinted semi-transparent PV can actually increase yields for some plants [123]. There is research that has shown spectral shifting materials could also be of use in greenhouses [124][125][126].…”

Color–Tunable Triple–State “Smart” Window

“…The detailed procedures are shown as Supporting Information. The target compound CBÀperylene was characterized in detail with 1 H and 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) (see Figure S3, Supporting Information).…”

“…Materials that can alter their optical properties in reaction to external stimuli have received considerable attention as they can be used for a variety of applications, including displays, [1][2][3][4] "smart" windows, [5][6][7] and luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs). [8][9][10][11] More recent applications under consideration include greenhouses, [12][13][14] camouflage, [15,16] and sensors. [17,18] In "smart" windows, the switchable devices have advantages over standard static systems, allowing different appearances, which may change in time.…”