This window by Dutch designer Marjan van Aubel is manufactured up from coloured solar cells that harvest energy from the sun and convert it into electrical energy to charge modest personal computer devices.

The organically dyed solar cells in Aubel’s Current Window generate electricity from the sun – a method derived from photosynthesis, which plants use to convert sunlight into energy.

Sunlight is collected within the orange, blue and pink dye-sensitised solar cells, which are organized in a tessellating zig-zag pattern produced by Aubel and London-primarily based graphic designer Marine Duroselle.


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The light-absorbing dyes cover tiny particles of titanium dioxide that convert the energy into electrical present. Stripes run by means of the coloured layout like the veins of a plant – a reference to the electrical current that passes by means of the window.

The cells are sandwiched among two panes of toughened glass and connected to a battery contained inside a frame featuring USB charging factors.

Current Window by Marjan van Aubel

Present Window is a modern day model of stained glass — employing existing technologies,” Aubel advised Dezeen. “The coloured pieces of glass are producing electrical energy from daylight, and can even harness diffused sunlight.”

“Similarly to the different shades of green chlorophyll absorbing light, the coloured window panes harness vitality — just like photosynthesis in plants,” she continued. 


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Current Window follows on from two earlier tasks using coloured photovoltaic cells – The Energy Collection drinking vessels and Current Table – which the designer designed although studying Design Items at the Royal University of Artwork.

Every window can harvest up to 25 watts per day, depending on the quality of light and season. A back-up battery hidden in the windowsill stores left over power to give electrical power on overcast days.

“Diverse colours have diverse wavelengths and therefore create diverse energy levels,” explained Aubel. “I had to function closely with each other with the dye-solar cell producer to work out a pattern that was both gorgeous and that created a ample sum of power.”

Current Window by Marjan van Aubel

USB ports integrated into the window ledge give a location to set tiny electrical devices such as mobiles phones whilst they charge. A set of diagonal stripes by the charging level illuminate to indicate how much power is stored inside the battery.

“Like outdated stained glass windows that informed stories through their colours and patterns the Existing Window tells us a present day story about vitality consumption,” said Aubel. “The notion is that men and women can virtually see through the window the place their power comes from and how the method works.”

Aubel has not too long ago set up a business called Caventou – soon after the French scientist Joseph Bienaimé Caventou who discovered chlorophyll in 1817 – and is presently functioning with business incubator Level39 to put the solution on the market place.

The very first Current Windows will be put in in a house in London’s Soho later this yr, but Aubel sees the best application of the product inside offices, schools and churches – in which the windows could be utilised to energy electrical lights or produced as Wi-Fi hubs.

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