Authors: Fei Zhang, Baojian Yao, Min Song, Meijie Chen
Published: 2025-03-17
Source: Full article
AbstractTransparent roofs, such as greenhouse films and architectural glass, play a critical role in optimizing lighting and reducing energy consumption. However, conventional solutions are hindered by challenges, such as frost accumulation in winter and glare or overheating in summer. Here, a multi‐functional transparent solar thermal metasurface (TSTM) is presented that integrates anti‐icing/deicing functionality with indoor light management. The TSTM achieves a visible light transmittance of 0.731, diffusing over 90% of the transmitted light to enhance indoor comfort. Furthermore, the solar thermal performance of the metasurface is enabled by the high ultraviolet (0.660) and near‐infrared (0.724) absorptance, and low mid‐infrared thermal emittance (0.371). Its multi‐scale surface and superhydrophobic surface (contact angle: 160.8°) ensure spontaneous dewetting transition during melting, enabling robust anti‐icing/deicing capabilities. The metasurface effectively prevents frost formation at −10 °C and melts a 4 mm‐thick frost layer within 310 s under sunlight. This work which combines photonics and interface engineering, advances transparent solar thermal technologies for sustainable architecture and energy‐efficient greenhouse applications.