Glass: a multifaceted sustainability champion

Mobility: More range for electric cars

So, you just bought your groceries and need to get your produce back home and into your refrigerator as quickly as possible. If not on foot or by bike, an electric vehicle (EV) is the next best alternative. The popularity of electrically powered vehicles has grown consistently, with some estimates expecting 72% of all cars sold worldwide to be electric by the year 2040. One argument for accelerating the adoption of battery-electric vehicles is to develop more powerful batteries that boast longer ranges per charge. All over the world, various institutes and teams are researching new technologies to improve the range of electric cars – specialty glass plays an important role here, too.

At the moment, lithium-ion batteries are standard equipment in many EVs because of their performance. But the competition is catching up: solid-state batteries offer advantages in terms of range, while sodium-ion batteries are more cost-efficient. But where does glass fit into the equation? In solid-state batteries, glass powder serves as the electrolyte. This is an important component of all batteries, as it enables the flow of ions between the positive and negative terminals of the batteries. As such, glass can extend the life of lithium-ion batteries and increase their efficiency.

Kitchen and household: energy-efficient cooking

Once you get home, you can quickly prepare a delicious meal with the groceries you bought. Once again, glass plays an integral part in making this aspect of life more sustainable. For instance, induction cooktops made of glass-ceramic are becoming increasingly popular worldwide. Not only do the stylish induction cooktops heat up quickly, but they're much more efficient and safer than other cooktop option on the market.

Communication: Solar energy for satellites

If you find yourself in the kitchen surrounded by groceries but still unsure what to cook, you can always turn to the internet to stream your favorite cooking show or peruse online recipes for inspiration. To do so, your phone must connect to the internet via satellites floating far above your house. Considering the world's hunger for data, it is unsurprising that the number of satellites in orbit around the Earth has increased rapidly in recent years. In 2020, there were 3,256 satellites orbiting above. By 2022 that number doubled, and according to estimates, there will be 15,200 satellites in space by the year 2040. After all, satellites are a critical pillar of the global communications network, and specialty glass ensures that each one functions properly.

In short, specially designed photovoltaic modules are used to power satellites. These modules are well protected by glass and convert sunlight into electricity. On of the most crucial factors in satellite design is keeping it lightweight. A lightweight satellite offers cost-effective solutions for accessing space through reduced material and resource requirements. It enables more flexible launch options while reducing the risk of collisions through increased maneuverability. Therefore, thin, lightweight glass not only keeps the overall weight of the satellite down, but it also protects solar cells from external influences. This protection is also crucial to the satellites’ design, since they must continue to function in an increadibly harsh environment. Without adequate protection, a solar cell can quickly get damaged in the extreme conditions in space, and thus unable to function.

Living: Windows as solar power generators

A well-lit house with plenty of windows in very popular in architecture right now. The transparent material delights architects with a wide range of options for unusual designs that make the most of natural light. But specialty glass can do even more: In the same way the solar rays that hit roofs or facades are increasingly being converted into electrical energy by photovoltaic systems, solar rays that hit windowpanes can be converted as well. However, the latter has so far remained largely unused in home and building designs.

In fact, there are many ways that modern window systems can improve the energy efficiency of buildings. There are special privacy windows that switch from transparent to translucent and make blinds in buildings unnecessary. There are switchable windows that provide solar shading to help reduce energy costs, and energy-generating windows that use solar radiation to generate electricity. The company UbiQD has produced an exciting solution for the latter, as it inserts solar modules into window frames. Quantum dots, which are incorporated as an intermediate layer in the windowpane made of specialty glass, guide the incident light to the edge to the photovoltaic cells where it is converted into electricity.

Given the substantial number of windows installed in buildings around the world, this opens a whole new dimension for generating solar energy and shows that the potential of sustainable architecture for the future.

These five examples show just a few of the applications where glass can help society make more sustainable choices. Specialty glass has long established itself as a versatile and innovative material, which is key in reducing the ecological footprint. In the fight against climate change and global challenges to sustainability, glass will undoubtedly continue to play a vital role. Because the facts are clear: Glass is not only a multifaceted material, but a sustainability champion as well.