The Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL) houses many excellent project teams that engage in the innovations of tomorrow, as well as ensuring that their expertise and knowledge is accessible. The Smart Windows for Zero Energy Buildings (SWEB) project team is proud to announce important steps in this journey – a subscription-based newsletter containing the latest developments in the project, as well as the launch of the Advanced Physics Online Learning Course on Smart Windows, now freely available on the SWEB YouTube channel
The newsletter will be released periodically and contain updates on project progress and initiatives that pertain to it – for example, this first instalment highlights the launch of roll-to-roll deposition machinery in ISSP UL and lays out topics of this year's Industry Day.
When it comes to the online lecture series, it’s delivered by leading researchers from ISSP UL, together with distinguished collaborators. It covers topics from the very fundamentals of thin film characterization to the latest breakthroughs in photochromic and thermochromic nanomaterials for smart applications. Contributions include:
Introduction to Thin Film Characterization Techniques – Dr. Edgars Butanovs, Leading Researcher
Photochromic Thin Films: YHO, MoO3 and Composites – Dr. Martins Zubkins, Leading Researcher
Raman Spectroscopy (Bonus Lecture) – Dr. Jevgenijs Gabrusenoks, Leading Researcher
Thermochromic Nanomaterials for Additive Printing Technologies – Dr. Boris Polyakov, Leading Researcher
Adaptive Photochromic Thin Films for Smart Windows – Dr. Smagul Karazhanov, Leading Researcher
Spectroscopic Ellipsometry for Optical and Structural Profiling of YHO Thin Films – I. Aulika, H. Arslan, M. Zubkins, A. Kuzmin, S. Zh. Karazhanov, J. Purans
Adaptive Chromogenic Materials for Smart Windows – Prof. Juris Purans, Head of Laboratory & Leading Researcher
In line with the project’s objectives, the course is designed to both disseminate and share knowledge, as well as to empower young researchers and students in their learning path. By providing free access to advanced training, SWEB strengthens the bridge between research and education and contributes to building human capital in the fields of functional coatings, smart windows, and sustainable energy materials.
This effort reflects the broader ambitions of the SWEB project to advance research excellence, accelerate the lab-to-market transition of smart window technologies, and establish Latvia and the wider European region as leaders in materials innovation. By embracing open science, SWEB brings together academia, industry, and society, and contributes to Europe’s climate neutrality and green transition goals.
“Through this course, we are opening our laboratory doors to the world. It is not just about sharing scientific knowledge, but about inspiring curiosity, creating opportunities for young researchers, and building the foundations for innovation in smart materials” said Prof. Juris Purāns, Head of the Thin Film Laboratory and SWEB Project manager.
The ISSP UL warmly invites students, scientists, and industry partners to engage with the materials, to collaborate on research and development, and to explore how chromogenic coatings and thin film technologies can shape the buildings of tomorrow.
